Posts from May 2024
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31
National Homeownership Month: Why Homeownership is Important
June is National Homeownership Month — a time to highlight the benefits of owning your own home. Homeownership is a dream for many Americans, and our real estate agents here in Chicagoland are dedicated to making that dream a reality.
Nothing gives us greater satisfaction than helping someone become a homeowner. If you're thinking about buying a home — especially if it's your first home — you might find yourself both excited and overwhelmed. Read on to learn more about the benefits of homeownership, and consider whether becoming...
30
Homebuying 101: An Introduction to Homeownership
Buying a home is a huge milestone — it's the biggest purchase many people will make in their lifetime. It's exciting, but when you've never done it before, it can also feel a little daunting. You may even feel that buying a home is out of reach, but don't sell yourself short — getting educated about the whole transaction can be the first step in your journey to homeownership.
Introducing Homebuying 101, our new series on everything you need to know about becoming a homeowner. Over the next few months, we'll demystify homebuying so that you can go into it with confidence.
Below, we've outlined an overview of the whole process. Each step will then become its own post — a dedicated deep dive into on...
27
The Best Places To Live in 2024 May Surprise You—Including What You'll Pay for a House
Wondering where the very best place is to live? According to just-released rankings from U.S. News & World Report, that honor goes to Naples, FL.
Naples, with its white sandy beaches and glut of world-class golf courses, is a popular haven for retired "snowbirds" looking to escape the cold in the winter—but the lack of state income tax doesn't hurt either.
The South fared well in this year's rankings, with locales in Texas, Alabama, and North and South Carolina taking five of the top 10 spots. Colorado's clear a...
26
Summer Camp Chic: 5 Homey Meets Haute Bedroom Looks To Try This Season
The glorious month of June is on the horizon, and the air is ripe with excitement for summertime and everything it brings: porch sittin', farmers markets, and rustic getaways with a distinctly laidback, summer camp vibe.
Regardless of whether you were a camp kid, cabin-inspired decor is an easy way to give any bedroom a bit of extra carefree, warm-weather charm. This rugged, welcoming style—which we like to call summer camp chic—is all about woodsy themes, distressed accents, and quilted bedding. It's a decidedly easy-to-love aesthetic.
Here are five ideas from Instagram to make your bedroom, guest room, or primary suite feel like a rustic-chic cabin getaway—no matter where you live.
1. Suede bench
If you want to subtly infuse some cabin vibes into an upscale bedroom, this suede bench from @arhaus might be just the thing.
"Bring in organic materials to inject outdoor vibes in your bedroom [with] a hide- [or faux hide] covered bench placed at the foot of the bed," suggests designer Courtney Wollersheim, of FLOOR360. "The rich browns and tans create a piece that softens the room while also adding a touch of glamping luxury."
Get the look: Add a dash of luxe texture to your bedroom with this Auburn Leather Bench.
2. Woodland wallpaper
Another whimsical, cabin-inspired flourish that works in just about any bedroom? An upscale, woodland wallpaper like this one from @reelstudiodesign.
"Nothing recreates an atmosphere of summer nights at camp like a dark woodland and animal pattern," says Wollersheim. "Use a graphic representation of animal and tree images in a rich, neutral color palette like greens and terra cotta with creamy white details. Finish the look with soft-glow lighting."
Get the look: Create a storied, dreamy bedroom look with this Wallpaper by Room Mates.
3. Distressed-wood dresser
One thing every cabin seems to have is furniture that can go the distance—or something with plenty of simple charm, like this industrial wood dresser from @hannah_naylor.
"You can achieve that rustic feeling in your bedroom with weathered-wood furniture," says Wollersheim. "The natural wood tone won't soon go out of style. Plus, it complements a number of styles and tones in your space."
Get the look: Bring some country vibes into your space with this artfully distressed Draylen Sideboard Table.
4. Bedside fur rug
What's the one perfect detail every cabinlike bedroom should have? A soft bedside rug like this one from @sarahvanrenen.
"My favorite thing about a rustic design motif is that overall sense of coziness, and there are few decorative elements cozier than a fur throw rug," says designer Kathy Kuo, of Kathy Kuo Home. "Not only does a rug like this add texture and visual variety to a space, but it really does conjure up that special log-cabin-in-the-woods feel."
Get the look: Create a soft, comfy vibe with this Faux Sheepskin Rug—oh, and it's washable.
5. Quilted bedding
If you're going for ultimate cabin comfort, great bedding makes all the difference. To wrap up the overall cabin look, we love patchwork quilt-style bedding with a homemade feel, like this design from @stayinginstudio—perfect for summer.
"A colorful quilt with a floral motif adds a sunny summer feeling to any bedroom," says Wollersheim. "Quilts are a perfect addition because they're lightweight and bring up memories from summers gone by—like a fun camping trip with the family."
Get the look: Add some classic bedding to your sleep space with this Island Reversible Quilt and Shams set from Pottery Barn.
https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/summer-camp-chic-bedroom-looks-to-try-this-season/
21
Should I Waive a Home Inspection? Why Buyers Are Willing To Right Now
By the time my husband and I put in an offer on a home (for the third time) in August 2022, we were exhausted by the home-buying process—and we hadn't even bought a home yet.
Even in the midsize town in northern Alabama where we wanted to buy, the real estate market was nuts. Homes were going under contract the same day they were listed, making it nearly impossible to see the house and feel confident enough to submit an offer before we were beaten to the punch by another buyer.
When we finally did go under contract on this third home, we learned of another issue: Home inspectors in the area were booked for two weeks and up, but our contract stated that we had only seven days to get an inspection done.
Up against a tight deadli...
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