Home Care Myths

Renee Hillman on March 30, 2018

With all the tips and tricks out there for how to care for your home, how do you know what’s really true. Let’s debunk 8 of those myths that turned out to be full of hot air.

Simple Tricks to Crank Up Your Curb Appeal

Renee Hillman on March 28, 2018

First impressions set the tone for a home tour and these days your first impression is often that front photo of your home online. Prospective buyers should encounter an attractive, welcoming place before they even walk through the doorway. Here are some tips to crank up your home’s curb appeal.

De-clutter the porch. Lose the extra chairs, the pile of muddy shoes and your dog’s collection of mangled toys.

Help your home bloom. A pot of bright flowers is not only cheerful, it also can draw the eye away from less-than-perfect features.

Don’t forget the door. Give your door a fresh coat of paint, or brighten up the trim. At the very least, clean it well, including the glass window panels.

Add a little sparkle. Upgrading rusty hardware is inexpensive but makes a big difference.

Lose the jungle. Time to get out that trimmer. Make sure the trees and bushes around your home are under control.

Make your bed. If you can, invest in new plants and freshen the mulch. At the very least make sure your flowerbeds are tidy and weed-free.

Tend the lawn. Keep your grass green and mowed while your home is listed. In extreme measures, eco-friendly spray paint is available to green up yellow patches.

Gather the gnomes. And the flamingoes.

Blast the grime. Pressure washers are available to rent from many home improvement stores. You’ll be amazed at how much fresher your porch, siding and front door look after a bath.

Stash your trash. Now’s not the time to impress people with your commitment to the planet. Stash all those recycling, composting and trash bins inside your garage.

Look after number one. Spiff up your house numbers or spring for new ones that match the style of your home.

After you have done all this hard work it’s important to make sure that your realtor is investing in professional photos that will make potential buyers drool. We use one of the top real estate photographers in the triangle to make sure your home shines. That’s just one of the ways we protect your investment and get top dollar for your home

Ready to sell your home and want to make sure your making a great first impression?

Low Cost, Big Impact Updates for Your Home

Renee Hillman on March 28, 2018

You should see the look on people’s faces when I suggest that their home would benefit from some updates. They quickly become deflated, overwhelmed and confused. Please remember, it’s not personal, it’s my job. Our goal is to make your home shine and sell for the best possible price.

Consider making some of the updates below before listing your home for sale. With a few simple updates you can feel confident when putting your home on the market that you home stands out, and maybe even bump up the sale price as well. 🙂

1. Do a walk-through of your home
Go through each room and make a list of items that need to be repaired or replaced. Watch out for outdated styles, bold patterns and colors, dated fixtures, unfinished projects, and over-cluttered closets and cabinets – buyer will notice so let’s showcase your home in the best light possible. After making your list, develop a budget and give yourself deadlines to complete these tasks.

2. Infuse today’s styles and trends

Our homes and our styles are as individualized as we are. So even though you may love that ultramodern or country cottage look, buyers may not. Choose timeless styles if you need to replace your lighting, hardware, appliances or flooring. And don’t be afraid to ask your agent or vendors for help during the selection process.

3. First impressions count
It takes just 15 seconds to grab the attention of potential buyers – or have them scrolling past. Make those 15 seconds count! Add some curb appeal with vibrant and healthy plants on the front porch, a clean rug and a nice fragrance in the entryway. These will make a big impact but require little effort.

4. Focus on the kitchen and baths
Kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most important rooms to potential buyers, so put in some extra effort to freshen them up! Things like stained shower stalls and toilets, broken grout, leaky faucets or dated cabinet hardware are easily replaced at little cost. Consider having tubs or shower stalls professionally resprayed for a fresh new look. A small investment goes a long way in these spaces. And don’t forget the little things like new towels, and decor that creates and inviting atmosphere. Many online suppliers don’t have a middleman in the process, so you can score items for much less than local hardware retailers.

5. Let’s talk paint
Paint is a minimal investment, especially if you have the skills to do the painting yourself, but makes the biggest impact. From walls to doors to cabinets, paint can drastically transform a space. Keep your selections neutral to appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers. Cover bold colors with neutral ones, making the home move-in ready. Check out our post about the top paint and trim colors for some inspiration.

Here’s my checklist for small investments with big impacts:

  • Declutter – Selling, donating or throwing away those items that you don’t need or use is always the first step.
  • Organize – Organizing your closets and rooms and minimizing so that buyers won’t be distracted by clutter
  • Replace brass or dated light fixtures
  • Update bathrooms and kitchens with brushed nickel, chrome or oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and hardware
  • Replace switch plates and outlets
  • Paint walls and trim using a neutral palette
  • Refinish worn hardwoods by applying a fresh coat of stain and sealer
  • Deep cleaning or replacing worn carpet
  • Remove wallpaper, borders, decorative decals and patterns from walls
  • Powerwash your home’s exterior
  • Adding flowers or other landscaping to increase curb appeal

Keep these items in mind when making improvements to your home and you’ll enter the selling process with confidence!

Want some more inspiration? Check out this cool infographic!

Still not sure what you should do to get your home ready to sell? Give us a shout to schedule an evaluation of your home.

Relocating to the Triangle: Get to Know the Area

Renee Hillman on February 3, 2016

When I talk to real estate buyers about relocating to the Triangle, one of the first things we have to figure out is which town checks the most boxes on their wish list for their next home.

“The Triangle” is actually a pretty wide geographic area that is made up of a wide variety of mid-size cities and small-town charm, including most notably, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, but also smaller suburbs like Cary, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Apex, Morrisville, Garner, and Clayton.

Here is a quick sixty-second take on each locale, but if you want to talk more in-depth about what it’s like to call any of these areas home, give me a call at 919-868-4383 or email me at Renee@HREGSells.com!

Raleigh

Nearly 440,000 people call this North Carolina state capital city home. According to VisitRaleigh.com, the “city’s founding fathers called Raleigh the ‘City of Oaks’ and dedicated themselves to maintaining the area’s wooded tracts and grassy parks.” Downtown, you’ll find a wide variety of properties – from condos to single-family homes – and the trend continues, with an emphasis on apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes, as you move out from the city’s center. Wake County Public School System is the school district for this town and you’ll find lots of colleges here, too, including NC State University, Meredith College, Wake Technical Community College, Shaw University, William Peace University, and more. Several private schools serve the Raleigh area, including Wake Christian Academy, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Ravenscroft, and others.

Durham

Almost 250,000 people call the “City of Medicine” home, as does Duke University and NC Central University. Durham is known for its creative workforce, arts and cultural influences, and a well-known foodie scene. Single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments are the most common types of homes you’ll find here, but there are some condominiums in the Downtown footprint, as well. Schools are operated by Durham Public Schools and many private options exist for elementary through high school, as well.

Cary

Well known as the headquarters for tech business giant SAS, Cary maintains a population of just over 150,000 and is known for its suburban living amenities: spacious single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments are the most common, often located near shopping centers and conveniences of nearby grocery stores, movie theaters, great schools, and more. Cary is served by the Wake County Public School System, but also offers private schools including Cary Academy.

Chapel Hill

Home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as UNC Health Care, this quintessential “college town” packs in the southern charm, while having a smart focus on health-related careers and quality of life. The town’s population count sits at just below 60,000 residents. Here you’ll find lots of local art, independent retailers, and farm-to-fork dining options. Public schools are operated by Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools.

Apex

Regularly featured in national publications, Apex is known affectionately as the “Peak of Good Living” by its nearly 45,000 residents – and there are plenty of reasons to support that claim. In the historic downtown district, you’ll find lots of shops, award-winning restaurants, and locally-owned and operated service providers. Festivals and special events take place here year-round for residents who opt not to drive into nearby Raleigh, although it’s close enough to not be inconvenient for regular visits or daytime commuters. In Apex you’ll find lots of single-family home planned neighborhoods, townhome neighborhoods, and some apartment developments, too. (Check out our profile of a few popular neighborhoods here!) This is another Wake County Public School System area.

Wake Forest

Homes in Wake Forest may be located in Wake County or Franklin County based on the neighborhood or street address. The charming town located just north of Raleigh is home to nearly 35,000 residents and has grown tremendously in the last ten years. Its historic downtown district hosts numerous events and is great for enjoying small restaurants and independent retailers and recently renovated and repurposed “The Factory” is home shopping, restaurants, and lots of community recreation, as well. In Wake Forest, you’ll find a traditional mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and more apartment complexes as the area continues to grow. Homes here may fall in either the Wake County Public School System or Franklin County Schools.

Holly Springs

Nearly 30,000 residents call this popular Wake County suburb home! Holly Springs has become a popular destination for families and working professionals because of its close proximity to US-1, which connects drivers to other major Triangle roadways for workday commutes. You’ll find lots of community-organized cultural events, recreation programs, and even an occasional farmers’ market event. Here you’ll find mostly single-family homes, as well as townhomes developments and some apartment complexes. Homes in Holly Springs are in the Wake County Public School System.

Garner

Just shy of 30,000 residents have made their home in Garner, located just south of Downtown Raleigh and the first suburb of the city that you’ll meet on your way east on Highway 70 before you get to Clayton (the next town featured on this list). While Garner isn’t known as some of its suburban counterparts for a vibrant historic downtown district with shopping and restaurants, you will still find lots of modern comforts here including various shopping centers, an active parks and recreation program, and medical outposts by both UNC Rex Healthcare and WakeMed. Single-family homes are the dominant real estate listings here, with some townhomes/duplexes available and a few apartment complexes, especially closer to newer shopping centers. You’ll find listings in both Wake and Johnston counties here. Garner neighborhoods are included in the Wake County Public School System. Nearby, you’ll find Wake Christian Academy as a private school option.

Morrisville

Almost 22,000 people call Morrisville home – and it’s easy to see why. This Wake County suburb has super quick access to the Research Triangle Park, Durham, and Chapel Hill via the local highway infrastructure and its growth in the last decade has made way for lots of new home developments, shopping centers, and all the amenities you’d expect in a modern town. Homes in this area are also served by the Wake County Public School System.

Clayton

With close access via Highway 70 to Interstate 40, Clayton continues to be an increasingly popular destination for those who desire close access to Raleigh and the greater Triangle area, with more room to grow and the acreage to support it. Close to 20,000 residents are in this area within both mature and brand new builder neighborhoods. Clayton has a bit more of a rural vibe than other nearby suburbs because of its close proximity to counties where manufacturing and farming is more prevalent. Real estate listings here are in Johnston County. Homes here are within the Johnston County Schools system.

If you’re thinking about moving to any of these areas or have friends or family moving this way, my team of local market experts would love to help. Give us a call or email us anytime to set up a time to see just what this market has to offer!

Ask Renee: What Are the Differences in Exterior Materials for a Home?

Renee Hillman on December 2, 2015

I get these questions a lot: what are the different types of exterior finishes available for houses – and which one should I choose for my home?

Types of Exterior Materials Available for Houses

To keep things simple, there are six basic categories: brick, vinyl siding, wood siding, stucco, fiber-cement, and stone (or stone-veneer). Here in the Triangle area, brick, vinyl siding, and wood siding are the most common choices you’ll find in existing homes on the market, as well as new home construction – although, the others do pop up occasionally.

This article from DIYNetwork.com compares the pros, cons, and costs of each type of material: Buyer’s Guide for Exterior Siding. According to the article, costs can range from $2.00 per square foot (for the cheapest vinyl siding) to $25.00 per square foot (for synthetic stone, installed).

I asked my friend, and professional contractor, Paul Caporale from Caporale Remodeling to weigh in with his expert opinion. The first question as I asked Paul was, “what are some of the cost differences consumers can expect – including materials and installation?”

Paul answered, “installation costs will always vary from contractor to contractor. The low estimates are always going to be poor quality most of the time – contractors who come in rushing through the job to get to their next job. Anytime contractors are rushing to get things done quality suffers.” He continued, “details matter and they are overlooked. It takes time to do the detailed required for quality and a good-looking job.”

Hiring the Right Installer: Look for Licensed Contractors

Paul shared a word of caution: “You have to be careful as well when recruiting Craigslist contractors. Some contractors sub out their work entirely by placing ads in Craigslist looking for carpenters and paintings. They show up with the homeowner thinking these are the people he has been passing off as his crew. But the truth is he’s never seen their work. And thus owner’s expectation are crushed sometimes. I’m just saying be aware .There are good contractors on Craigslist. Look for licensed contractors.”

The Difference In Licensed Contractors

Paul reminded us that “the only difference between a licensed contractor and unlicensed is that the licensed contractor gives the homeowner a little bit of assurance they know what they are doing per code. That’s it. Because a non-licensed contractor may know the codes as well but hasn’t taken the time to take the contractor’s exam. Bottom line, both the licensed and unlicensed contractor have to have their work pass inspection, if required.The only real protection the home owner has is if the contractor has to pull permits for the work, the City or County inspection teams come to inspect. When it comes to plumbing and electrical you want to make sure your house doesn’t flood and burn down. And that’s why inspections & permits are important.”

So Which Exterior Should I Choose for My Home?

A lot of variables go into selecting the right exterior siding for your home, like aesthetics, durability, cost of materials and installation, and even the local climate.

According to HGTV.com, the “low cost, versatility and easy maintenance of vinyl siding has helped it become the most popular siding choice in the United States.”

Paul’s expertise from earlier didn’t end with contractor selection, either. He weighed in with suggestions on materials selection for us: “In general, higher cost materials have long life spans, durability and overall quality. Fiber Cement siding is much more durable than compressed siding and won’t rot with a slight increase in cost difference. With less maintenance than compressed siding because of rot resistance in cement products. But you still have to paint it regularly. I would say compressed board siding is at the bottom, next to vinyl, but it can fade after awhile. Next – fiber cement, but you have to paint that regularly. Brick is the most durable with lowest maintenance – you’ll pressure wash only occasionally on the lower half. When purchasing an existing house take into consideration that any home with wood windows has high costly maintenance. If not yearly attended to, bare wood areas left unpainted starts the rot process and costly molding and window repairs. Try to buy homes with vinyl or clad windows.”

Fringe Options

Want to go with something completely out of the ordinary? This Ideabook from Houzz.com features homes with exterior finishes of shingles and even a super contemporary look made with metal. Take a look at http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1537973/list/9-top-siding-materials!

Thanks again to Paul Caporale, owner of Caporale Remodeling, for his help with this article! And if you want to talk more about exterior finishes, leave me a comment below.

Ask Renee: What the Heck Do I Do with Old Paint?!

Renee Hillman on October 9, 2015

I know this is a burning question in many of your minds, so I decided to figure out what the heck to do with old paint in the Triangle area!

For those of you that don’t know: you aren’t allowed to put paint cans in the trash in Wake County and other surrounding areas. I literally had about 40 gallons to get rid of, so I decided to figure out the responsible solution. (And yes, I will admit I have a color obsession and constantly change the wall colors in my house! Not to mention, I like trying new colors on a chair outside or a barstool inside or painting something metallic like a mirror!)

Over the years, my obsession with trying new paint colors has left a graveyard of old paint cans taking up valuable storage space, collecting dust, and cobwebs in my garage, so here are just a few of the options I found as alternatives to throwing away old buckets of paint in the curbside trash collection.

Disposing of Old Paint

If cans of paint are full, unopened, and not rusted, you can donate them to the various Triangle-area Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations (Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, and Wake Forest). This would have been a great option, but most of my cans didn’t fit that criteria. Here is a helpful link to items that ReStore will take if you happen to be doing lots of cleaning out in general: http://wakerestore.org/donate/donations-needed/. There are lots of advantages in donating, including helping your community and you may be able to get a charitable tax write off… be sure to consult your CPA.
Old, already opened cans of paint are considered household hazardous waste, so the South Wake Landfill is the place to go. The South Wake Landfill is located at 6130 Old Smithfield Road in Apex. For you North Raleigh folks, there is a location on your side of town at 9037 Deponie Drive in Raleigh, but the WakeGov Household Hazardous Waste website warns that the North Wake location is currently under construction and may have service delays (as of December 2015 – check again online before you plan a trip!

Other Ideas for Old Paint

If you’ve found a good amount of paint that might be reusable for future projects, don’t throw it away just yet! Household expert Bob Vila recommends combining colors you may not use again by themselves for other purposes, like “mixing leftovers of the same paint type (latex with latex, acrylic with acrylic, oil with oil) to use as an undercoat primer”.

Holding onto that paint for a while? Lowes.com recommends sealing the paint promptly and properly to avoid it drying up and storing in a cool, dry area to preserve it as long as possible for future projects – a basement is a great place – but make sure to put it on a shelf so any moisture on the floor doesn’t rust the can.

More “Ask Renee” Coming Soon!

Got other burning questions for my next “Ask Renee” post? Send me an email at Renee@HREGSells.com and I’ll tackle it ASAP here on the blog for you!