Are you ready to explore a fascinating trend that’s redefining the concept of home sweet home? In this blog post, we dive into the world of ‘barndominiums’, where rustic charm meets modern living. Join us on this exciting journey to uncover the history, allure, and practicality of these unique residences.
**The Birth of ‘Barndominiums’**
The term ‘barndominium’ may be relatively new to some, but its roots trace back to the late 1980s when Connecticut real estate developer Karl Nilsen coined the phrase. Essentially, a ‘barndominium’ is a barn that has undergone a remarkable transformation into a residential space or a new barn constructed with the sole purpose of becoming a home.
**The ‘Fixer Upper’ Influence**
The ‘barndominium’ concept gained significant attention when Chip and Joanna Gaines, the beloved home renovators from HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” show, converted a barn into a house back in 2016. With their characteristic style and creativity, they playfully named it a ‘barndominium’. Whether this show sparked the trend or simply reflected it, ‘barndominiums’ have since captured the imagination of people all around the world.
**From Practical to Luxurious**
What began as a practical way of repurposing barns has evolved into a trend that merges the charm of the past with the luxury of the present. Take, for instance, a five-bedroom, seven-bathroom ‘barndominium’ in Roanoke, currently listed for a cool $7.5 million. This isn’t an isolated case; across the country, barns like these are in high demand.
**The Surge in ‘Barndominiums’**
As of September, there were approximately 4,000 active listings for ‘barndominiums’, marking a remarkable 26% increase from the previous year. But what’s driving this surge in ‘barndominiums’? It’s a fusion of practicality and history. Many of these barns have rich histories, with some original features like gambrel roofs, wood ceilings, and siding carefully preserved during renovations.
Renovating an existing barn breathes life into the past, infusing a touch of nostalgia into modern living. But here’s the real excitement – you can now build ‘barndominiums’ from the ground up, giving you a chance to create your dream home with all the rustic charm intact.
**Your Chance to Explore ‘Barndominium’ Living**
If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a barn or simply want to explore other unique properties in your area, now’s your chance! ‘Barndominiums’ offer incredible spaces waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
Are you curious about ‘barndominiums’ or keen to explore these extraordinary properties further? Reach out to us anytime at [realtor@mckeesmith.com](mailto:realtor@mckeesmith.com) for more information. Your dream ‘barndominium’ might just be a click away!
Thanks for joining us on this exciting journey of ‘barndominium’ exploration. Stay tuned for more fascinating real estate insights! 🌾🏠
Learn three essential steps to get ready for buying your next home. Join me in this exciting video as I guide you through the home buying process.
Are you ready to make one of the biggest purchases of your life?
Buying a home can be exciting, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming if you’re not prepared. Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered.
In this video, I will share three essential steps to help you get ready to buy your next home.
Hey everyone, McKee Smith, REALTOR and Senior Real Estate Specialist with Competitive Edge Realty. Let’s get started!
STEP 1: BOOST YOUR SAVINGS.
Unless you’re paying cash for your home, you’ll need to have some money set aside for a down payment and closing costs. While buying a home with less than 20% down is possible, you’ll likely need some form of downpayment. So start saving as early as possible. Look for ways to cut back on expenses and increase your income. Every dollar you save now will help you reach your goal of owning a home. And all the sacrifices will be so worth it!
STEP 2: BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE
This is super important because it determines whether or not you’ll get approved for a mortgage and what interest rate you’ll get. You want the best interest rate possible, right? Aim for a credit score of 620 or higher. But if your score needs some work, don’t panic. You can start by paying your bills on time and paying down your debts. And if you need more help, I can connect you with a credit restoration expert.
STEP 3: CALL ME, YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERT
I can connect you with lenders and credit restoration experts to ensure you’re on the right track. We can also discuss your unique situation and develop a plan and a timeline for working together so we can find you a home that fits your lifestyle and budget. The earlier you contact me, the better you’ll be prepared for home-buying. And best of all, in most cases, utilizing my services as a buyers agent is free to you. There is no need to go it alone.
As we gear up for the spring season in the housing market, many people are concerned about the state of the economy and how it affects property values. With so much confusing data and misleading headlines circulating in the news, it can be challenging to get a clear understanding of what’s happening. Is now a good time to sell or buy? Or either? Let’s talk about it…
Hey there,McKee Smith, Senior Real Estate Specialist and Realtor with Competitive Edge Realty here.
On a national level, U.S. house prices have held steady near their peak levels reached during the summer of 2022. Over the past four months, only minor changes in the overall market have occurred. But is that what we are experiencing in the North Central DFW area? Let’s take a big-picture look at the data…
For North Central DFW area, closed sales are 3% from last February. This is likely due to the market rebalancing itself. During the last half of 2021 and the first half of 2022, buyers were willing to pay incredible amounts for the few homes available. That all shifted starting in June of last year. As a result, total sales are up!
New listings are also up 5% from last February for the same reason. This is good news for both buyers and sellers. More buyers are getting into homes and sellers are having an easier time finding places to live after selling.
Because of the rebalancing, average home prices are down 17% from February 2022. Before anyone panics that the market is collapsing, please note prices are still up 9% from 2021! The market during the last half of 2021 and the first half of 2022 was unsustainable.
Likewise, average days on the market jumped from 30 day in February 2022 to 49 days this February. That’s a big jump! But, looking back the average days on market for February 2019 was 53, for 2018 was 48, for 2017 was 42 and for 2016 was 42. The market has rebalance toward the historical norms. Again, the last half of 2021 and the first half of 2022 were not normal!
One thing to remember is that local price trends can vary greatly depending on your price range and neighborhood area. Let’s look at the data instead of the drama to determine what your home is worth in today’s market. Click HERE for a complimentary home value report, also known as a competitive market analysis.
And if you’re a buyer, it may be time to get back in the game, as there are more homes to choose from and, likely, even more to come with the Spring market
Looking to buy a home but not sure if you need a buyer’s agent? This video is a game changer! Discover the top five benefits of using a REALTOR®
https://youtu.be/7DpZd1WTE18
What’s the one thing most buyers don’t know that is an absolute game changer? Hey there, McKee Smith, Senior Real Estate Specialist and Realtor with Competitive Edge Realty here.
Have you ever heard the saying “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”? Well, when it comes to buying a home with your own representation, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Did you know that in most cases, the seller pays the commission for the Buyer’s Agent, not the buyer? That means you get all the benefits of working with an expert without paying a dime. So why exactly do you need a buyers agent?
Using me to professionally represent you when purchasing a home has five specific benefits.
1 . Experience and Expertise: I will help you navigate the home-buying process. I know the ins and outs of the real estate market and will guide you every step of the way.
2. Objective Advice: I have your best interests in mind. I am not tied to the seller or the listing agent and can provide objective advice and guidance to help you. Armed with information, you can make the best decisions for you and your family.
3. Access to More Properties: I have up to date access to a wider range of properties. The properties I give you will actually be available, unlike some other popular sites on the internet that don’t always keep their data current. We even have software that alerts us the second a new property hits the market matching your desired criteria so you never miss a deal.
4. Negotiation Expertise: Based on my years of market knowledge, I will handle all negotiations on your behalf while keeping your budget in mind. Now that is a real benefit!
5. Save You Time: I do the legwork for you, saving you time and reducing your stress. I arrange the showings, handle all communication with the listing agent, refer competent inspectors, arrange insurance quotes, and the list goes on and on and on. I do it all for you!
As you can see, there are many benefits to working with me when purchasing a home. So why not take advantage of this free service and make your home-buying experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible? Click the link to get started or give me a shout. And if you know someone who is thinking about buying a home, be sure to share this video with them! They’ll thank you for it.
That’s it for now. Remember, McKee has the keys to your next home! Bye!
Coppell and Lewisville are two fantastic cities that have so much to offer to those looking for a new place to call home.
Are you thinking about buying a new home? If so, have you considered the Coppell, Texas, or Lewisville, Texas, area? These two cities have so much to offer for those looking for a new place to call home. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at why these two cities are the perfect place for you to buy a home this spring.
First of all, let’s talk about the location. Coppell and Lewisville are both located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which means they are conveniently located near all the big city amenities while still maintaining a small-town feel. This is the best of both worlds – you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a small town while still having easy access to all the shopping, dining, and entertainment options you could want.
Another great reason to buy in Coppell or Lewisville is the strong housing market. Both cities have seen steady growth in home values in recent years, and experts predict that this trend will continue. This means that buying a home in these areas is a smart investment for the future.
One of the best things about living in Coppell or Lewisville is the amazing school district. Both cities are home to top-rated schools that are known for their excellent academic programs and dedicated teachers. If you have kids, this is a big plus as a good education is one of the most important things you can provide for them.
Another reason to consider buying a home in Coppell or Lewisville is the strong sense of community. These cities have a close-knit, welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to meet new people and get involved in local activities. Whether you’re interested in sports, arts and culture, or community service, there’s something for everyone in these two cities.
Finally, let’s talk about the weather. Coppell and Lewisville enjoy a mild climate with warm summers and cool winters. This makes it a great place to live all year round, as you can enjoy outdoor activities and recreation no matter what the season.
So why buy a home in Coppell or Lewisville this spring? Spring is a great time to buy because there are typically a lot of homes on the market, which means you have a better chance of finding your dream home. Additionally, spring is a time of renewal, which makes it a great time to start fresh in a new home.
In conclusion, Coppell and Lewisville are two fantastic cities that have so much to offer to those looking for a new place to call home. From the strong housing market and top-rated schools, to the welcoming community and mild climate, these two cities have it all. If you’re ready to make the move, now is the time to do it.
If you’re interested in buying a home in Coppell or Lewisville, please don’t hesitate to contact McKee Smith, REALTOR®. With years of experience in the area, McKee is the perfect person to help you find your dream home.
So why wait? Click this contact form link today and start your journey toward your new home in Coppell or Lewisville!
Here are four tipes that are sure to help increase profit when selling a home!
Watch this video by McKee Smith –
Have you ever wondered how some people get top dollar for their home when selling
and others not so much? Hey there, McKee Smith, Senior Real Estate Specialist and REALTOR with Competitive Edge Realty here.
In today’s video, I will share some insider tips and tricks to help you maximize your profits and make the selling process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time seller, these tips are guaranteed to help you get the best possible outcome.
First and foremost, it’s important to choose the right real estate agent. I’m a bit biased as a top agent, but seriously, having an experienced, knowledgeable agent on your side can make or break the sale of your home. I could stop at just that tip, but I won’t.
Next up, you want to ensure your home is in tip-top shape before putting it on the market. This means fixing repairs, giving it a deep clean, and sometimes freshening the paint. You want to make a great first impression on potential buyers! My staging consultant is an expert at preparing a list so you know exactly what projects are worth tackling before listing.
Pricing is also key. Overpricing your home can be detrimental to getting exposure to buyers, but you also don’t want to sell yourself short. The right agent will be able to help you determine the right price or what I call that “Sweet Spot’ based on recent sales in your area, current market conditions, and your neighborhood’s demand.
Finally, be prepared to negotiate. Even with a beautifully staged and well-priced home, there may still be some back-and-forth when finalizing the sale. An experienced agent with negotiation expertise will be able to guide you through the process. I will make sure you get the best deal possible while still keeping the deal together.
There you have it! If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting the best price AND experience when selling your home. If you are thinking of selling, click the link or give me a shout so we can get together a game plan for maximizing your profits. And if you know anyone buying or selling a home, I’m here to help and would love to be a resource for them.
Remember, McKee has the keys to selling your home! Bye!
Spring is the ideal time to put your Coppell or Lewisville home on the market with the best chance of getting a great price for it!
Spring is the perfect time to sell a home in the Coppell and Lewisville, Texas area. The warmer weather and longer days make it the ideal season to showcase your home’s outdoor features, such as a backyard or patio. Plus, the spring market is typically more active than other seasons, meaning there are more potential buyers looking to purchase a home.
One of the main reasons why spring is a great time to sell in Coppell and Lewisville is that it is a family-oriented community. Lewisville ISD ends classes on May 24, 2023, while Coppell ISD ends classes on May 26, 2023. Selling in the spring allows families to let their children finish classes at the present school and then start at the new schools in the fall. This means that there are many potential buyers looking for a home in the spring, which can increase competition and drive up the price of your home.
Another reason why spring is a good time to sell is that the weather is mild, especially compared to July or August! The mild weather allows buyers to comfortably view homes, and the natural beauty of the area is in full bloom. The vibrant colors of the flowers and the lush green trees make a great backdrop for your home, making it more appealing to potential buyers.
Finally, there are fewer homes on the market during spring than in the summer. More homes on the market mean more competition for buyers. With fewer homes on the market in the spring, your home will stand out more and have more visibility to potential buyers.
All in all, spring is the perfect time to sell your home in Coppell and Lewisville, Texas. With more potential buyers, better weather, and less competition, it’s the ideal time to put your home on the market and get the best price for it. If you’re thinking about selling your home, consider listing it in the spring for maximum visibility and the best chance of getting top dollar for your property.
Buying a house in Dallas Fort Worth can be a daunting task, but by following these steps, you can make the process as stress free as possible.
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. It’s a long-term investment, and the process can be overwhelming, especially for first-time homebuyers. If you’re looking to buy a house in the Dallas – Fort Worth area, the following steps will help you navigate the process and make it as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Step 1: Determine Your Budget and Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Before you start looking at houses, it’s important to determine your budget and get pre-approved for a mortgage. Knowing your budget will help you narrow down your search and avoid wasting time looking at properties that are out of your price range. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will also give you a better idea of how much house you can afford and will make you a more attractive buyer to sellers.
Step 2: Research Neighborhoods and Find a Real Estate Agent
Researching neighborhoods is an important step when buying a house. You’ll want to find an area that meets your needs in terms of location, amenities, and school district. Since the Dallas Fort Worth area extends from Azle to Cleburne to Waxahachie to Seagoville to Royse City to McKinney to Denton, you have a huge area to consider!
A licensed REALTOR® like McKee Smith can help you find properties that fit your budget and needs. He knows the neighborhoods and can help you find the place that best fits your specific needs.
Step 3: Browse Listings and Attend Open Houses with your REALTOR®
Once you have a general idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to start browsing listings and attending open houses. This will give you a sense of the housing market and help you get a feel for different properties. Take note of what you like and dislike about each property so you can narrow down your search later. It’s a great idea to go to open houses with your REALTOR® so he can point out details and see exactly what your preferences are!
Step 4: Make an Offer on a Property
When you find a property that you’re interested in, make an offer. McKee Smith will help you negotiate the price and terms of the sale.
Step 5: Hire a Home Inspector
Once your offer is accepted, it’s important to hire a home inspector to ensure the property is in good condition. A home inspector will check for any issues with the property, such as structural problems, electrical issues, and plumbing problems. This step is crucial to make sure you’re aware of any potential issues before you close on the sale.
Step 6: Close on the Sale and Move into Your New Home
The final step is to close on the sale and move into your new home. This can be a complicated process, but mcKee Smith, REALTOR®, will help guide you through it. Once the closing is complete, the house is officially yours and you can start the process of making it your own.
Buying a house in Dallas Fort Worth can be a daunting task, but by following these steps, you can make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. It’s important to consult with a REALTOR® like McKee Smith, a mortgage lender, and/or attorney for specific information and help. Remember to take your time and don’t rush into any decisions. With the right research, preparation, and guidance, you’ll be able to find the perfect home for you and your family.
Watch as McKee Smith, SRES® and REALTOR®, explains the basics of CCRCs as an option for some seniors!
I am McKee Smith. I am a Senior Real Estate Specialist® and REALTOR® with Competitive Edge Realty. I work primarily in the area around Coppell, Texas, and all the zip codes immediately around it. I also work all over the DFW area. I have sold and shown houses all the way from Burleson to well Rockwall, so I cover a big area.
If you have any questions, go ahead and post them in the comments. If you’re hanging around to the end, I can take some questions then, but I’ll try to answer questions as they pop up in the comments.
So today we are going to be talking about continuing care retirement communities. I did a presentation at the Coppell Senior Center about two weeks ago and I was surprised by the amount of interest that the people at the senior center had in CCRCs. So, I decided to do an entire Facebook Live on the subject.
Let’s start at the beginning. What is a continuing care retirement community? Well, CCRCs are facilities that allow seniors increasing levels of care as their needs change. They can progress from independent living to assisted living, to memory care, to skilled nursing, and even all the way to hospice care generally all in one facility. Certainly all managed by one overall program. It’s something that a lot of seniors like because, well, it’s all in one. Everything is combined into one program.
Now, CCRCs, and that’s what I’m going to be referring to them as because continuing care retirement community is really long to say. Generally, CCRCs fall into two primary categories. First are for-profit facilities and second, are, you guessed it, nonprofit facilities. They both operate the same. There are some differences obviously, but the biggest one is the for-profit facilities often, but not always have more up to date, newer facilities, newer equipment, buildings and that sort of thing. Nonprofits almost always have larger staffs because staff is the largest ongoing expense. So that’s a quick way to tell the difference.
Not all CCRCs have everything under one roof. It’s managed by one facility, but they don’t always have everything under one roof. As I will say repeatedly, while you are doing research on any CCRC of which you’re interested, read the contracts, find out the fine print details because they’re all going to be slightly different.
How do these facilities work? Well, generally you sign a contract and there are four primary types of contract. The first is life care. Life care includes housing, residential services, amenities, and unlimited use of healthcare services with no, or at least minimal increases in fees. A substantial entry fee is usually required, but the monthly payments generally do not increase. In other words, you might be putting down a very large amount to get into a CCRC initially, but once you’re there, there is an ongoing monthly fee, but it is set and you don’t have to worry about it. Sometimes they have some allowances, but under what is called the full life care, generally, the fees are all set.
Okay, let’s move on to modified life care, which as you might guess by the title is similar but slightly different. Same with housing and residential services and amenity as life care, but the healthcare services are more limited, such as you might only get 60 days of skilled nursing care. The fees also increase as the resident’s care needs increase and sometimes it’s possible with the modified life care to have your needs increase beyond the capabilities of what that particular facility has.
The Modified life cares have significantly lower buy fees. Their monthly fees actually tend to be about the same. Again, these are all generalizations, research each facility on your own, but that’s the biggest difference. With full life care, everything’s covered, everything is generally included and prices stay the same with modified life care. The buy-ins lower, but you might have to have to pay a little bit more later on.
Type three is called fee force service, and again, it’s the same housing and residential services and amenities as the first two types. But healthcare expenses are paid by the resident on an as needed basis. So they will have a facility and you are in that facility, but as you need increasing amounts of healthcare, you are going to be the one responsible for paying for it.
The resident is the one responsible for paying for it. As you might guess, both the monthly fees and the buy-in for this third type are significantly lower than type one. However, remember your medical expenses will be going up and for a lot of people having the medical expenses already covered and known is a big reason people like CCRCs.
And the fourth type is called rental. Rental is a pay as you go option and is generally the least expensive. There almost never is an entry fee required for the rentals and the residents pay all the expenses, but access to the CCRCs healthcare benefits is guaranteed. Now, one important thing about CRC contracts, is that’s important to understand, especially for type one and generally for the type two contracts.
When you leave a CCRC for whatever reason, it might be that the person has passed on or it, you might just decide it’s time to move out. You or your family members get a significant portion of the buy-in fee back. That’s right. You get a large chunk of it back. The exact percentage is going to vary based on the facility and the rules of that facility. But I know of at least one facility has told me that they return 90%. Another facility says that they have returned 85%, but with the 85% facility, they said if you choose to leave just in a year or two, you will get 90% of it back. So if you choose to leave or something happens and and you you are no longer with us and leave, your heirs will get up to 90% back. So that is something to keep in mind.
Again, these fees can be substantial. Many of them are over $500,000 buy-ins. I know I have read of one facility that had an $800,000 buy-in, but remember if you’re getting it back, it’s not as crucial.
It’s just make certain that you have the money and also you want to make sure that the facility has the financial strength will go into that a little bit more to be able to return, return you when it is necessary. Okay. Let’s come along here. What are the advantages of having a continuing care retirement community? Well, there’s several of them and it depends based on what your specific situation is. For example, if you’re comparing a CCRC to living in your own home, well the biggest thing is that you’re going to have someone else cleaning, washing, doing the maintenance, all those things. It’s not your home anymore. You aren’t the one responsible for the insurance and the taxes and all of those things. You have handed those over to the other people. A big part of that is peace of mind. This is especially true if you have the type one full life care because if you have a health issue, you already know it’s covered.
You already know where you’re going to be and you know that you will be taken care of. That is the biggest one when compared to living in your own home. But what about independent living thing? Well, if you compare a C CRC to an independent living facility, and a lot of times CCRCs have independent living facilities as part of their facility. Again, it’s peace of mind. If you are in an independent living apartment or independent living community where you have bought your house or your condo, again, all the healthcare is still on you. You have to manage all of that. If you’re in a CCRC, they manage it. You do not have to worry about it, and that is the biggest thing. The other thing is you know that generally what your costs are going to be as time goes on.
Alright, let’s talk about if you’re, if you’ve already moved on to assisted living, what’s the difference between a standalone assisted living facility and a CCRC assisted living facility?
Again, if you need more care, you are covered and you know what it’s going to be. The other plus is generally if you have in an assisted living facility and your condition improves, it’s difficult to go back to the independent living facility. However, if you’re in a CRC and something happens and you don’t really need the assisted living anymore, you can go back to independent living. Likewise, if something happens and you need more care, you need skilled nursing care or you need memory care, you can move into those facilities with fairly seamlessly. You can move into them without having to manage that or have your family manage that.
Now, one other big thing for couples, if you’re in a CCRC, the peace of mind factor doubles here. Let’s face it, not everybody ages or needs care at the same pace. If a couple is in a facility, then if one of member of the couple needs to go from independent living to assisted living or more importantly to memory care or skilled nursing care, the other member can stay where they are and since it’s in the same facility, it makes it very to go and visit the person.
Peace of mind. That is the biggest benefit of a continuing care retirement community.
Alright. What are the disadvantages? Because there are advantages and disadvantages to everything. Well, the biggest disadvantage to a CRC is they’re expensive. The cost, the buy-in cost can be very substantial. Like I said, I have heard prices up to $750,000, although that’s rare earth, but $500,000 is certainly not uncommon. The other possible disadvantage of a C CRC is if the facility you have chosen gets into financial trouble, then you might have an issue with them being able to honor all of their promises. Most especially the promise to return the entry or buy-in fee after the resident departs, be it back to the resident or to the resident’s heirs. Locally in Dallas we had a facility called Edgemere that was a CCRC that did get in trouble and they were having problems returning the B fees on a timely manner.
My understanding is they have settled this issue now, but I must emphasize anybody considering a CRC or treat it, just like any major investment you make, read the details, read the fine print. My father always say the said, my father who was an attorney, practiced for 54 years. The large print giveth and the small print taketh away. Read the fine print, make certain the facility you’re looking at has the financial ability to stay there.
All right, so you’re interested in a CCRC. What are the next steps? Well, research. That’s the primary one. As I said before, read, read, read. You need to research. You need to find out what the facilities have to offer, what the facilities, you know, compare the amenities, compare everything. You cannot research too much on it If you want to sell your home to help pay that large buy in fee and have cash to continue.
Well, that’s where I come in. I am a real estate agent and I am a senior real estate specialist, so I am trained by the National Association of Realtors in working with people who are, let’s say, a little more seasoned.
Well, that pretty much wraps up everything. I don’t see any questions yet, but if you have a question, you can one, post it in the comments. I come back and look the comments on all of my Facebook Lives and then try to get back to the people I, if it’s, if you’re posting on Facebook, I will spawn that way. You can also email me. That is an easy thing to do. I am realtor McKee smith.com, and you can follow a link that is in the Facebook message system that will set you up for a no obligation consultation.
I just love talking about real estate with people. So that’s it for now. Again, if you have any questions, please just give me a shout and I will be happy to answer or find the answer for you. That’s it for now. Remember, McKee has the keys to selling your home.
What is in and what is out for 2023. Here’s what I’ve been reading about and seeing for the coming year
What are some of the new design trends for 2023? It’s always fun to predict what the New Year will bring.
Hey everyone, I’m McKee Smith. I am a Senior Real Estate Specialist® and REALTOR® with Competitive Edge Realty. I am coming to you Facebook Live today to talk about some of the trends that I have been reading about that are likely to become more popular in 2023. A lot of these have been going for a little while, but these are the ones that I think are going to be really popular.
NUMBER 1 – Floor plans will be less open!
In 2023, something that we are almost certain to see will be less open floor plans. Doesn’t mean that open floor plans are gone, but let’s face it, we learned a lot during Covid. One of the things we learned is that when they built a house with one office space and then the entire rest of the ground floor is one big room, that doesn’t work if you’re having more than one Zoom meeting going at the same time.
During the lockdown, I knew of parents who were on individual Zoom meetings. Their three kids were also taking classes at the same time by Zoom. That was five zooms happening at the same time with people talking and they were trying to find places for everybody. And that’s just hard in a completely open concept house.
There were other issues with Open Concept houses. People in one room watching a movie while the rest of the house is hearing the movie because the large doorways just don’t control sound. If someone is watching in an open area upstairs, Open Concept houses often are open all the way into the downstairs area! Parents don’t really want to listen to the TV their kids are watching upstairs!
That doesn’t mean we’re going to close everything off and go to tiny little matchbox group mocks rooms again, but we are going to see a trend toward less total floor opening.
Number 2 – Funky kitchens will replace minimalistic white.
Okay, any comments yet? I don’t see any. So let’s move on to our second content, second trend. And that is funky Kitchen designs are going to be replacing the minimalist white minimalist light has been around for a long time and it has a certain appeal. It’s so clean and so such stark lines and it’s a very appealing, however, if you have a totally open kitchen that is totally white with nothing out visible, how do you cook? And if you’ve got, if you’re preparing dinner, yes, in a totally open kitchen, you can watch the kids in the other room. But if people surprise you and come by, if you’re cooking, you’re totally empty kitchen, your minimalist white kitchen, you’re going to have stuff out.
You’re going to have pots and pans, you’re going to have things. It is very difficult to actually cook in a totally minimalist kitchen. So I have been looking at things and all the designs I am seeing now from the big designers are funky kitchens. That’s the word that I would use to describe it. And it’s actually the word that Architectural Digest used. I’m not going to put up the picture that was in Arch in the Architectural Digest article, but I am going to add a comment here and put in there in the comments is a link to a great article in Architectural Digest. You can get a free account by just signing up. And the picture in that free account gives you an idea of what some of the new designing kitchens are with. You still have white walls, but you have a blue trim. You have color, color, color everywhere.
Because again, after the lockdowns, people wanted more color, more variety in their environment. And these kitchens are practical. You can actually cook in them.
Number 3 – Accent walls are back!
Well, let’s move on to our third design trend for 2023. Accent walls are back. Yes, accent walls actually are making a return. Right before Covid, people were moving away from accent walls. They didn’t want, they just wanted the room to be the same. It was sort of that stark clean look, which is very nice and very clean. But if you’re in the room for any extended period of time, you don’t want stark and clean people that discovered that they like having some variety. Something to look at besides just a plain stark wall. And the accent walls that I’ve have seen in various magazines, including Architectural Digest, they aren’t just a different color. They are wallpaper with incredible intricate designs on it.
They are not just one accent color, but three complimentary accent colors. There’s a lot more going on with the accent wall and it is definitely making a big return for 2023.
Number 4 – Bold color tiles, especially in bathrooms.
Okay, let’s move on to our fourth design trend. Bold colored tiles in the bathroom specifically, but bold colored tiles everywhere. You’re gonna have to put up tile in a bathroom. And let’s face it, you are probably going to put tile up in a bathroom. Bright, bold colors are the trend. Now the stark white can be there, but the pure white subway tiles are now mixed in, at least Again, one wall is going to have some very bright colors. One of the more interesting designs I saw had, uh, toraso marble vanity with bright firetruck, red firetruck, red backsplash on it. And that was one by one of the top designers in the country. So bold colored tiles coming back.
Number 5 – Free standing bathtubs.
And now let’s move on to our next one, which is free standing bathtubs. Yes, I’ve heard that 2022 was considered the year of the shower. People were having very, very intricate showers and they’re still going to be building big showers. Literally, my wife and I in the last year did a remodel and put in a very nice, very large shower. But this year, free standing tubs are the featured points that people are going to. And these aren’t just your basic clawfoot tub. These are soaker tubs. These have many, many different designs. This is not just your great-grandfather’s bathtub. These have lots of style and many, again in our trend have color something to keep an eye out. Keep glancing over to see if there are any extra comments. Don’t see any yet. But hey, if you’re watching the recorded version of this, again, please make a comment and everybody will be able to see it on the recorded version.
Alright, let’s move on to our next trend. Yes, here we go. The color of the year is called Red Point. You notice the background here on all of my slides. It is red Endpoint. That is Sherwin Williams 9 0 81, the Sherwin Williams Color of the Year. It is darker than some of the colors of the year have been in the past in a lot of things on the Sherwin Williams page. And let me give you the link to that because I don’t want people to not be able to see the link. Here we go. This is the link to the Sherwin Williams Color of the Year page. So you can see the various, if you click around on that page, you will see lots of design ideas for this darker than a lot of people would’ve thought color. But you don’t have to stick with this if this is the made color.
They have developed an entire palette, very earth town, but very mixed that goes along and fits with all of these. So let’s just see real quick if we have any extra comments. Yes. What are your favorite and least favorite design trends? I know one of my personal least favorites is there has been at least consideration of a returning toward brass fixtures as somebody who has spent years of my life at multiple places replacing the brass with something that was usually a more silverish color. I always dread when brass comes back in. Although the brass now that they are talking about bringing back is a more of an unlaced that’s sort of a raw brass. So if you have any comments, please drop them in the comment box and I hope to see more comments. Well, that pretty much wraps up where we were for today.
I’m going to hang around just a little bit to see if we have any more comments, live comments from people, but I’m not seeing any yet. So I hope you will watch this. I hope you will follow the links and look at some of the pictures. I work for years for a company that created copy written materials. So I hate to violate anyone else’s copyright and broadcast their material. But there are the links so you can go and see it for yourself. I will be doing more of these Facebook Live, not certain that it will always be at 10 o’clock on a Tuesday. I’m now thinking 10 o’clock on a Thursday is a better time, but we shall see. In the meantime, there is a link at the top. If you have any questions about real estate or just want to chat with me, there is a link for a no obligation consultation and I will be happy to talk to you about any of your real estate needs. So in the meantime, I hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday. Bye for now.
McKee Smith, REALTOR®, has years of experience in the DFW area housing market. He knows the many unique features of Dallas and Fort Worth area home sales. He works out of his home in Coppell, Texas. He is a Senior Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) and new home construction buyer representation certified. Remember – McKee has the keys to selling your home!
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