Many of my current listings showcase beautiful mature landscaping and carefully tended gardens that are breathtaking in the spring and summer. Here in Fairfield County, when we make that transition from summer to fall, we are fortunate to experience spectacular fall foliage. But once the trees are bare, there’s really no way to avoid the fact that everything green is ready for hibernation. So, if you’re selling your home, consider some easy greenery to clear the air and add beauty.
Houseplants help fill the “green void” of late/fall/winter/early spring and keep the air in your home clean, even helping those in your household with allergies. There’s so much you can do inside to still reap the benefits of plants even when the weather outside is, well, frightful. Plus, potential buyers that tour your home will notice that a home filled with well-tended plants doesn’t have that closed-in stale air “scent” that sometimes lingers when we can’t open the windows for months at a time.
These houseplants are easy to grow and can generally withstand erratic watering, uneven or bad light and fluctuating temperatures. They’ll thrive in kitchens, home offices and sometimes even dismal corners.
1. Spider plants (Epipremnum pinnatum ‘aureum’)
2. Snake plant and Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata and S. trifasciata laurentii)
3. Golden pothos vine (Chlorophytum)
4. Dracaena floor plant
5. Succulents and cacti
Even the plant-killers among us can have success and reap the benefits of indoor plants. How many months till spring?
If you’d like to look at a few of my listings with beautiful yards…click here.
I’m going to write about drones here…now, don’t be afraid: drones are for good, not evil, when it comes to real estate. And one of the most intriguing developments in my business over the past few years has been the introduction of drone photography.
In August 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration loosened restrictions on the use of drones. Drone pilots don’t need an FAA pilot’s license, just a remote pilot certificate. So drones are now approved for limited commercial use.
Drone photography adds value. You’ve probably seen them used at live events or on websites that showcase a hotel or resort. Drone photographs and videos are a fantastic way to really see a property and the surrounding area.
Top Benefits of Using Drones to Sell Your Home:
1. Prospective buyers can see the entire lot, the house next door, and even the entire neighborhood. (Drone photography is used well here – makes you want to move into this gorgeous Greenwich home, doesn’t it?)
2. Drone footage is especially useful for large, unique properties that don’t photograph well from the ground.
3. Since drone photography and videos are more engaging, people are more likely to spend longer looking at your property. (And, social media LOVES video.)
4. Drone footage can span the beautiful landscape and convey the spectacular view from the deck—really giving the viewer a sense of a home’s personality.
5. Show off Greenwich and Fairfield County, CT. Drone footage shows out-of-town potential buyers how unique and stunning our area truly is, which is a selling feature that can sometimes be difficult to articulate.
What are your thoughts?
Every December, there’s a recap of what we loved in the past year and what’s expected to captivate us in the year ahead. In addition to the year’s best books, movies and podcasts, there’s something a little closer to home that we look at here at Charles Paternina Properties each year—the design trends that will quicken the heart rate of house hunters.
Embracing design trends can help distinguish your home from others on the market. It’s not just all about having the latest and greatest; some home trends decrease required maintenance, encourage energy conservation, and better accommodate our digital lives.
While it’s fun to check out the latest trends, the ultimate decision to make a major change should hinge on your needs and budget.
Freestanding tubs. Freestanding tubs may conjure images of Victorian-era opulence, but the newest models come in many shapes and sizes. These tubs complement other bathroom trends including open wall niches and water-saving commodes. (Check out the stand-alone tub in this fabulous Greenwich bathroom.)
Alexa! Prices have come down for technologies such as web-controlled security cameras and motion sensors for pets. Newer models are also easier to install and operate since many are powered by batteries, rather than requiring an electrician to rewire an entire house. Software allows multiple smart devices within the home to communicate with each other. And the biggest tech movement is the digital assistant—Alexa, Google Home, and more. And, yes, these technologies also present challenges, such as security issues. Nonetheless, the trend continues.
Charging stations. With the size of electronic devices shrinking and the proliferation of Wi-Fi, demand for large desks and separate home offices has waned. Home owners still need a dedicated space for charging and storing, and the most popular locations are a corner of a kitchen, entrance from the garage, and the mud room. Before long we’ll start to see even more creative integrations for our digital devices.
Specialized Storage. The new buzzword is specialized storage placed right where it’s needed. Homeowners want everything to have its place. More people are increasingly willing to pare the dimensions of a second or third bedroom in order to gain a larger walk-in closet in their master bedroom. In a kitchen, it may mean a “super pantry”—a super-sized butler’s pantry with prep space, open storage, secondary appliances, and even a room for wrapping gifts. More storage is all about minimizing clutter and as we all know… clutter eats equity.
Be sure to check back with us: we’ll update you on all of the new trends in real estate in Greenwich throughout 2018! And in the meantime, follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
