Five Upgrades To Do To Create Your Dream Kitchen and Bath

 For ages those in the industry have told sellers that a bathroom or kitchen remodel will also benefit the resale value of their home. Homeowners always think of these upgrades when they are ready to sell their home. Homeowners should do the upgrades while they still live in their home so they can enjoy the benefits. Here are five things to do to upgrade your kitchen and bathroom for you to add style and functionality.

1. Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets

Upgrading your kitchen cabinets can instantly give your kitchen a new and refreshed look. You can simply buy an off-the shelf style or have custom cabinets built. If you would like to make your kitchen feel bigger and brighter, then a shaker-style cabinet in white is the perfect option. Choose cabinets with the functions that you want and that will work for you. Remember what kind of material a cabinet is made out of is important, those made out of plywood are stronger and are better at holding off water damage.

2. Install New Countertops

Another great way to give your kitchen a great new look is by getting new countertops. Today’s countertops are more durable and easier to maintain. “We’re seeing a lot of new materials in countertops. Products like ultra-compact, quartzite and porcelain are incredibly strong; scratch-, stain- and heat-resistant; and require practically zero maintenance,” says Ximena Johnson, product manager at Cabinets to Go.

3. Add a Stylish Bathroom Vanity

When you think of a bathroom vanity, you think of storage and a counter to put your toiletries, but a bathroom vanity is just as much the focal point of a bathroom. Getting a new vanity in your bathroom will give the whole room a refreshed look. “Homeowners are becoming more adventurous. Statement colors like rich Newport Blue and warm Montpelier Sage are having a moment. At the same time, classic favorites like Nantucket Bluff, a gorgeous, warm cream, are being used in fun and refreshing ways. Bathrooms are a great place to play with a pop of color, especially if you’re not ready to commit in the more high-traffic rooms of the house. We’re renovating in my own home right now and using Newport Blue raised-panel cabinets for our bath vanity,” says Johnson.

4. Switch to Waterproof Flooring

Hardwood floors are very popular, however they are prone to water damage. A good alternative is a vinyl floor that has a hardwood look. “XRP waterproof vinyl flooring stands up to daily traffic and can be installed just about anywhere in the home and over a variety of subfloors, including bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms,” suggests Johnson.

5. Rethink the Little Touches

“The devil is in the details when you’re remodeling, particularly when it comes to important, everyday rooms like kitchens and bathrooms,” says Johnson. If you do not want to do a big rehaul in your bathroom or kitchen, update smaller elements in the room. Change out the cabinet handles for a more updated look or add a tiled backsplash behind a vanity or the kitchen stove.

Remember the little touches can create a fresh new look in your kitchen or bathroom. These small touches can make you fall in love with these rooms in a new light!

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Popular Exterior Paint Colors for Selling Your Home

 When you are in the market to sell your home, one of the most important factors to consider is your home’s curb appeal. When a potential buyer pulls up to your home, the exterior is one of the first things they will see. Like in life, first impressions are very important and can impact a buyer's perception of your home. Your favorite dream home might be a white with bright blue trim, but this is not everyone’s favorite. Using a bold and unique mix of colors can make a home stand out in a negative way. If you are trying to decide on a color for your potential listing, consider these tips for selecting an exterior paint color.

When choosing a paint color to use on the exterior of your home that you are about to sell, there are many things to consider. First, remember that you are not choosing the color you want, but a color that appeals to the mass. To figure out the best option, take a look at the color schemes of your neighbor’s homes, your home’s architectural style, roof color, stonework and landscaping and construction materials. You want to keep up with the trends, however, you do not want to do anything too stylish or off-the-wall. A good choice is to go with warm, earthy neutral colors that blend well with your home’s natural environment. A classic that never goes out of style is classic white, simple and traditional.

There are other options, but you need to consider them carefully to make sure they fit. Charcoals and blacks are popular nowadays, especially on a modern home, but make sure these are not too bold for your neighborhood. Navy blue has also become a popular choice and can be used on a variety of home styles. If you can’t go without a pop of color, think about adding a bold color to your front door such as red, yellow or blue.

Remember seeking out your Realtor’s advice can be a win-win situation. A local sales agent will not only be familiar with what is trending but will also know what will fit on your home in your neighborhood.

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This Year’s Southern Living 2022 Idea House Is Located in North Carolina

This year Southern Living chose River Dunes which is located in Oriental, North Carolina for their 2022 Idea House.  The community features 14 miles of waterfront on the Pamlico Sound, Intercoastal Waterway and the mouth of the Neuse River.  River Dunes offers wonderful amenities which include a 400-slip marina.

The home represents coastal living at its best and was brought to life by a team including Jordan Maroules of SLD Custom Homes, Charlotte Lucas of Charlotte Lucas Interior Design and William Court of Court Atkins Group.

“Our vision was to create a Southern ‘coastal-inspired’ home that has a strong traditional sense of place-but a slightly more contemporary sense of detail,” says architect William Court.

The home features multiple structures instead of just one which includes a guest home.  The main house sits at 4,125 square feet and includes a wraparound porch for outdoor living.  The porch gives a nice harbor view with great space for outdoor entertainment.  The exteriors are constructed of James Hardie siding which will stand up to the harsh coastal elements.

“While we are blessed with unparalleled beauty in the Southeast, the climate comes with humidity, moisture, salt air and pests. We love using Hardie fiber cement products in southern coastal areas because they hold their own in rain, sleet or snow. This allows us to provide our clients with a great low-maintenance and sustainable alternative to natural wood siding. Anytime we can get the look and feel of natural wood without the headache of ongoing maintenance, that’s a win, ” says Court.

The siding design used on the home is the Artisan shiplap siding by James Hardie.  “In our more contemporary coastal designs, we want to blend the use of historical proportions and familiar colors with unexpected details and clean lines. Our design team relies heavily on the range of products by James Hardie to create realistic historical details, as well as updated contemporary profiles with a sense of weight and proportion. Using the Artisan shiplap siding with mitered corners was a natural choice to get a crisp clean edge-but with an elevated sense of detail,” says Court.

The 2022 Southern Living 2022 house will only be on tour until the end of the month.  Currently the home is decorated for the holidays and can be toured by purchasing a ticket. All the proceeds will go to local charities.

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Small Businesses Are Considering Alternative Lenders Over Traditional Banking

 Many small businesses in the U.S. have been getting frustrated with traditional banks and their loans. Businesses have voiced that the process is very slow and burdensome, even though there are strings attached when it comes to using alternative lenders.

According to a study from the Harris Poll, 62% of small businesses admit they need more financing and 68% say they need fast cash. Five hundred small business owners with $25,000 to $20 million in annual revenue were surveyed. Many surprisingly said they would rather wait in line at the DMV, sitting in congested traffic, assemble furniture or clean a toilet rather than apply for a loan through a traditional bank.

Eighty-four percent of small businesses agreed that they would be open to applying for financial services through outlets such as fintech and e-commerce platforms. Of these small businesses, 51% said it would be because of affordable loans, 49% instant loan approval, and 45% said it would be due to using a single platform to manage their finances.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will hopefully come to the rescue. While Unit itself does not make loans, it works with five banks that provide financial products, which fintech companies can then market on the bank’s behalf.  This would be made through a proposed rule change from the SBA. The proposed rule would let fintechs and other alternative lenders apply for a license in order for them to be able to offer SBA-backed 7(a) loans. This will speed up the process but at what costs?

“The faster it is to get the money, the scarier the rates and terms will be,” says Ami Kassar, the founder and chief executive officer at MultiFunding, a Philadelphia-based consulting firm focused on business financing options.

Her advice is to slow down and make sure you know the terms and conditions of the loans. This includes interest payments and the frequency of payments which will determine how this will impact your cash flow.

“You have to be extraordinarily careful, really understand if you’re taking a loan what your monthly payment is going to be, and make sure you’re not getting yourself in a debt trap, ” advises Kassar.

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