Whitney Minnich Real Estate and Community Updates

How Much Do Buyers Want Green vs. Non-Green Features? February 25, 2019   Melissa Dittmann Tracey The way you market green home features has an effect on how house hunters perceive them and whether they’ll pay more for an eco-friendly property, according to new research by the National Association of Home Builders released last week during the 2019 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. “A green home marketed by its energy savings and as having good air quality are the two things that seem to resonate the most with home buyers,” said Rose Quint, the NAHB’s assistant vice president for survey research. Quint detailed findings on green home features from the NAHB’s 2019 edition of “What Home Buyers Really Want,” based on a nationwide survey of 4,000 recent home buyers or those aspiring to own within the next three years. The findings show that buyers favor green over non-green options when given the choice, Quint said. The survey provided the following break...

5 Hints at the Future of Home Design February 25, 2019   Melissa Dittmann Tracey Bolder color schemes and more usage of brass were among some of the latest home design trends—which focused particularly on the kitchen and bathroom—featured on the expo floor at last week’s 2019 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.   Hosted jointly by the National Association of Home Builders and the Kitchen & Bath Association, the trade show brought together more than 80,000 builders and architects who offered forecasts for the new-home construction, remodeling, and home design industries. Here’s a look at some of the hottest design trends that were on display. 1. Striking Cabinetry Bolder hues were gracing kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, walls, and even sinks. Kohler delivered a colorful punch with a bathroom design that included a purple sink, purple claw-foot bathtub, blue sinks, and a black toilet. Homeowners are starting to branch away from neutral gr...

Energy Adviser: Should you smarten up your home? By  Clark Public Utilities for The Columbian Published:  February 19, 2019, 6:02 AM ‘Smart home” can be something of a loaded phrase. Depending on your worldview, the term may evoke something between eye-roll-inducing images of people using a phone to turn on the toaster and dreams of living in a home where everything from ambiance to security is efficient, customizable and easily controlled. A smart home today is a living space with any combination of appliances, lighting, security, heating and other comforts that are connected to the internet and/or each other and that automates tasks humans would otherwise perform. At the basic level, a smart home can simplify tasks. With some careful planning these technologies can also improve home security, provide flexibility and convenience, and reduce energy consumption. Like any home-improvement project, it’s important to have clear goals and expectations in mind b...

Wallpaper Makes Triumphant Return Like other decorating trends, wallpaper has seen its star rise and fall. It’s now shining bright once more as homeowners turn to it for accents and textures. February 11, 2019 by   Barbara Ballinger © Antony Chandler Wallpaper made its debut centuries ago as a less costly alternative to tapestries used by affluent homeowners for decorating. In stark contrast, wallpaper today represents a luxury decorating tool. While the medium continues to cycle in and out of style, the pendulum has now swung in favor of wallpaper as more homeowners are eager for hues and patterns beyond the white, beige, and gray neutrals that have recently dominated interior palettes, says Chicago-based designer Tom Segal, principal of Kaufman Segal Design.   © Flavor Paper But these aren’t the dainty floral or striped patterns of the past. Manufacturers such as Brooklyn, N.Y.–based Flavor Paper have introduced modern, ...

Wallpaper: The Stay or Go Dilemma February 13, 2019 While wallpaper is once again an attractive decorating trend for homeowners looking for textures and accents, it's not for everyone. Designer Jessica Lagrange of Jessica Lagrange Interiors in Chicago works primarily with luxury clients who love wallpaper. Here’s what she advises about the “stay or strip” decision before listing a home. 1. The clash test.  Some wall coverings are neutral, such as those with small patterns, intriguing textures in soft hues, or subtle metallic finishes. These are assets if they’re chosen in conservative or traditional colors, Lagrange says. The litmus test is how severely the print clashes with a range of furnishings and artworks. 2. An education campaign.  There are wallpaper treatments that are extraordinary, such as some scenic wallpapers that cost thousands of dollars. Listing agents should have a strategy in place to educate buyers and other agents who aren’t fam...

Top 5 Landscaping Trends for 2019 January 15, 2019 Pergolas, metals, and pinks will be the leading landscape cravings of 2019, according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The NALP surveyed 1 million of its landscaping professionals to predict the hot trends that will influence the design and maintenance of backyards across the country. “Homeowners yearn for beautiful outdoor spaces without the hassle of upkeep,” says Missy Henriksen, the NALP’s vice president of public affairs. “This year’s trends reflect current lifestyle preferences as well as innovations happening in the industry that are transforming landscapes across the country.” NALP predicts the following trends will have the biggest influence on outdoor spaces in the new year: 1. Two-in-one landscape design.  “Functional elements are no longer a perk, but rather a necessity in today’s landscapes, as consumers desire stunning outdoor features that have been cleverly designed to se...

The Hottest Paint Colors of 2019 by  Melissa Tracey  on December 31, 2018 The paint companies have released their color forecasts for the new year. Here are the hot hues expected to make waves in 2019. Which one is your favorite? Living Coral / Photo Credit: Furniture Choice Living Coral:  Paint company Pantone announced “Living Coral” as its 2019 Color of the Year. The orange shade with golden undertones embodies “warmth and comfort,” Pantone says. “Living Coral easily delivers a graphic pop to a space,” says Rebecca Snowden, an interior style adviser at Furniture Choice. “Introducing it through small elements will brighten up a room, creating a sense of coziness that’s also fresh and chic.” For example, the energetic tone can liven up cushions, throws, and rugs in a living room. In a dining area, color blocked plates and coasters in the peachy hue may add some spark to a table arrangement, she says. Read  Furniture Choice’s guide to weaving in more ...

3 Bathroom Trends Homeowners Might Want to Avoid Share July 17, 2018 Bathroom makeovers can help enhance a property, but homeowners should be careful not to be too trendy or it may have the opposite effect. HouseLogic detailed several recent bathroom trends that homeowners might want to reconsider, including: Tiny tiles Mosaics of tiny colored tiles may be on-trend and offer a retro vibe to your bathroom, but they’ve also earned a reputation as being a pain to keep clean. Tiny tiles mean more grout to clean and maintain. Instead of doing a large space of tiny tiles, HouseLogic recommends using them as an accent, such as the wall surrounding your vanity. Choose a place where they won’t get wet on the floor, in the tub, or in the shower so that cleaning them is less of a chore. Hardwood floors The flooring may be a hot choice for the rest of your home, but they can be a pain in the bathroom. “It will warp next to a shower or tub if not dried after eac...

The Hottest Home Design Trends for Spring by Courtney Soinski Now that we’re coming out of Winter and into Spring, get ready to celebrate warmer weather through hot new home designs with bright colors, beautiful bouquets, and a light, spacious style.  If you want to give your home a new look this Spring, here are some of the most buzzed-about home design trends to incorporate into your next home project. Embrace Spring Colors! A hot trend this Spring is the use of color in a light and airy design.  You can keep the room light and airy by combining blue and yellow along with some white.  Also, using spring-inspired hues like turquoise and red can also liven up a room in the most colorful way.  These bright accents will give your room all the energy it was missing in Winter. Wood is the New Neutral. This season’s trend toward wood textures pairs the warmth, richness, and texture of real wood.  Installing engineered wood ceilings and wainsc...