Beatrice Bloom, Princeton Real Estate Agent
Princeton Town Topics – March 25, 2020
Conversations will not be cancelled.
Relationships will not be cancelled.
Love will not be cancelled.
Songs will not be cancelled.
Reading will not be cancelled.
Self-care will not be cancelled.
Hope will not be cancelled.
May we lean into the good stuff that remains.
– Jamie Tworkowski
Princeton Town Topics – March 18, 2020
After 696 weekly LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE columns since November 2006 and given the current situation in the world, it’s time to take a break and change things up!
On the real estate front, our physical office is closed however we continue to take calls, respond to emails and make appointments with clients as needed. Buyers are eager to visit new inventory and to find the perfect home, writing offers when a match is made. Many sellers continue to prepare their homes for buyer showings, albeit at a slower pace. My cues come directly from the customers as people adjust to a new reality.
We are all in uncharted territory, full of stress and anxiety. I feel grateful that Spring is finally here, bringing blooming trees, clear blue skies and warmer temperatures. I will miss catching up with friends, neighbors and clients at our community events but look forward to waving along during walks and bike rides, connecting through personal notes and offering help in any way I can.
I invite you to share with me ideas and topics of discussion that might be of interest to you. My goal every week will be to post poems, inspirational quotes or other thoughts that can brighten our days ahead.
Please keep safe and healthy!
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – March 4, 2020
TIME TO REDECORATE?
Whether you’re furnishing your very first place or redoing a house you’ve owned for decades, decorating can be a challenging task, filled with costly decisions whose outcomes could haunt you for years. So, how do you figure out which style is right for you?
Take a critical look at your current home. What do you like about it? What do you dislike? Are your feelings prompted by the aesthetics of the decor? The comfort? The fabrics? The colors?
Create a wish list. Write down everything you would like to do, if money were no object.
Start collecting pictures of rooms you like. Many people find it difficult to articulate what they want, but don’t let that deter you; those photos you’ve collected can convey that information for you.
Look at the characteristics that pop up again and again. The style of furnishings, the color palettes, the patterns, the materials, the quantity of furniture in each room…let those characteristics guide you. Trust your instincts.
If you have the budget to do everything at once, by all means go for it. If you want everything done at once, but can’t afford it right now, save your money and do it all at once later. It’s best to complete one entire room before moving on to the next, rather than doing a little bit in several different rooms at once.
Source: Houzz
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 26, 2020
COST-EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR DRAFTY WINDOWS
When the temperature outside drops, drafty windows can make your home uncomfortably chilly and your utility bills soar. Here are some suggestions to help keep your home warm and hard-earned money in your pocket. (Of course, the overall best long-term solution is investing in new windows, but these are more cost-effective alternatives.)
· Purchase a window-draft sock
· Install storm windows
· Plastic shrink wrap (window insulator kit)
· Replace weather stripping
· Re-caulk
· Hang heavy insulating draperies
· And last — try bubble wrap! While not the prettiest solution, it’s a great insulator.
Before you invest money in any of these solutions, you will first need to identify where the drafts are coming from. Light a candlestick (careful not to drip hot wax on your hand!) and slowly move the flame around the window. If the flame bends, you will know that spot needs attention. Simply take some painter’s tape to mark the spot before applying the recommendations listed above.
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 19, 2020
POPULAR ARCHITECTURAL STYLES OF HOMES
There is a wide range of architectural styles available for homes. Listed below are the main styles trending currently in the U.S.
· Craftsman Bungalow: Defining features include columned front porches, low-pitched roofs and double-hung windows with divided panes in the upper sash and one large pane in the lower sash.
· Cape Cod: Quaint structures recognized by their steep roofs, central chimneys, shingle siding and symmetrical windows framing the front door.
· Ranch: Beloved by Americans for its open, single-story floor plans, attached front garages, sliding glass doors and low rooflines.
· Contemporary: Guiding principles of these modern dwellings include sustainability, energy efficiency, open floor plans and abundance of natural light.
· Victorian homes: Vibrantly colored and asymmetrical, these homes are very distinct from the other styles listed, due to varied rooflines, turrets, spindlework and prominent front porches.
· Colonial Revival: Symmetrical two-story homes that often feature a grand entryway, dormers and evenly spaced windows with shutters.
· Tudor: Half-timber framing and steeply pitched rooflines are hallmarks of Tudor architecture.
· Townhouses: Both space-conscious and practical, townhouses became popular in the early 19th century and continues to endure today.
· Mid-Century Modern: This aesthetic embraces open spaces, large glass windows, geometric lines and an integration with nature.
· Neoclassical homes: This style exudes grandeur with its iconic full-height columned front porches and reflects the classical ideals of beauty found in Greek and Roman architecture.
So, which of these styles of homes are you vibing with?
Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 12, 2020
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOME FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY
When you and your family are searching for a home, there are many factors to consider before making a final decision to put a formal offer in on the house you’ve got your eye (and perhaps heart) on. While it’s easy to fall in love with several houses you’ve toured, it is essential to take the needs of your entire family into consideration before proceeding.
– Figure out the right size. Factor in how many people are likely to eventually live in the house. Be sure the house is roomy enough to accommodate everyone, but not so large it becomes a burden to care for and maintain.
– Consider the renovation potential. If you are buying an older home, consider the possibility you’ll want to remodel or renovate. Can you see yourself hiring a contractor to knock down walls, tear up the kitchen or bathroom, or redesign the floorplan?
– Envision living in the house. Imagine what your furniture will look like once you’ve moved in. Visualize painting the walls a fresh new color. Walk around the property and imagine the deck or yard filled with patio furniture or the kids’ toys.
Source: Vila Media, LLC
