TURN UP THE HEAT!

TURN UP THE HEAT!!

I have seen some truly beautiful outdoor spaces lately. They are truly an extension of the home's living area!! AND, can't get enough of those outdoor fireplaces!!

Fire Pits
A fire pit is much like an elaborate version of the rock ring you made for a campfire as a kid. They can be permanent or portable. The cost for a stone or brick pit varies depending on design, but a portable metal dish on a stand can be found at stores such as Smith & Hawken and Summer Classics (www.smith-hawken.com or www.summerclassics.com) for as little as $100.

If you opt for a permanent pit, consider making it at least 24 inches in diameter, but 36 inches is better, giving you more room to build a good fire. As an inexpensive alternative to a custom-built pit, consider using a 24-inch-long section of large concrete pipe. Flip it up on end, and sink it partially in the ground. To find a concrete pipe supplier, visit www.concrete-pipe.org.

Fireplaces
An outdoor fireplace is just like one inside. You have a firebox, chimney, flue, and hearth. Because they are constructed just like an indoor fireplace, they often must meet local regulations. And, unlike portable fire pits and chimineas, you can build outdoor fireplaces into a wood deck. (Check with your local building official and fire department about any codes governing outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, or chimineas.

A full-blown outdoor fireplace is the most permanent and expensive option. They can cost from $5,000 for a prefabricated unit and surround to $10,000 or more for masonry. Because they are the most expensive option, these structures are often designed to complement the architecture of a new house or addition.

Until recently, the only option for an outdoor fireplace was masonry. But as popularity grew, companies such as Heat-N-Glo (www.heatnglo-lifestyle.com) started offering less costly prefabricated outdoor fireplaces. With durable stainless steel parts, they stand up to the elements. The structures are available as wood- or gas-burning. Prices for the firebox start at around $1,500, not including the surround, chimney, or any site work.

Chimineas
A chiminea is perhaps the original outdoor fireplace. Traditional versions are manufactured from clay, like a pot, and can be very fragile; newer types are made from metal or iron. Chimneas often come in two components: the base or bowl where the fire goes and the neck or chimney. Because they have a small chimney, smoke is directed upward and out of your face. Once a staple of quirky roadside pottery shops, chimineas can now be found at garden shops, home-improvement warehouses, or online at Web sites such as www.outdoorfireplaces.com. Basic chiminea models begin at around $130.

Before burning your first fire, insulate the bowl with 3 to 4 inches of sand or fine gravel. For clay chimineas, burn small fires the first five times you use it to keep it from cracking. If you live in a colder climate, store it in a garage or other protected place for the winter. Metal or iron chimineas can be left outside year-round, but one warning if you're opting for this style: Don't purchase a circular metal version with mesh sides and a solid top and bottom. Although the smoke escapes from the sides, the solid top and mesh sides get extremely hot.

Outdoor Fireplace Tips
Chase away the chill in the coming months with the addition of a fire pit, chiminea, or fireplace to your backyard. These options allow you to spend more time outdoors with your family as cooler weather arrives. But remember to be safe so you can enjoy them fully.

Place a portable fire pit away from the house, tree branches, fences, or anything else that might be flammable.
Never use a portable fire pit or chiminea on a wooden or covered deck.
Just like indoors, never burn chemically treated wood.
Metal fire pits and clay chimineas can produce a lot of heat, so don't try to move them for at least a day after the fire is out.
Never use gasoline or other flammable liquid to start a fire. Use kindling, newspaper, and dry logs instead.
Don't leave any type of fire unattended.
(Derick Belden - Southern Living Magazine)
(Photos courtesy of HGTV)

Have you seen any great outdoor spaces in your area lately?
Planning your own oasis?

Know anyone who is planning on a "moving" experience - please ask them to call Selling Homes by Design for a no-obligation consultation on home selling and buying!

Spring - a BUSY time for Home Selers!

Spring...a time for NEW beginnings!

Attention Sellers!



The busiest time of year in real estate is upon us and home sellers should be getting their properties into market-ready showing condition NOW!

In our current market, it’s vital to grab any advantage. Breathe new life into the property by taking care of repairs and doing upgrades to meet and slightly exceed buyer expectations (keeping in mind with what fits the style and price range of the neighborhood).



Area homeowners have come to realize that homes that are Staged®, or prepared for sale look better than other homes on the market by being clean, clutter-free, and ready to show to prospective buyers. And, although some popular TV shows have put Staging® in the spotlight, DIY’rs need to be aware of ALL that’s involved. Staging® is not adding a new throw pillow or hanging some art. It involves psychology – it is part of my marketing plan and is very strategic.

If you are considering selling, do you know who your buyer is?

As both a Realtor® and Stager®, I work to identify who the target audience is for a particular property. A condo at Reston Town Center should offer very different décor than a 4 bedroom family friendly Colonial or even a townhome! Will your buyer be a professional single or perhaps have small children, pets?



Staging® is NOT about the seller – it’s about appealing to a buyer pool for that particular property! This is where strategy and added value really stand out!

Sharon Goetz



Realtor®, Accredited Staging® Professional (ASP), Certified Interior Decorator (CID)

Keller Williams Realty

Smart Tips for Kitchen Updates!

These Tips and Advice from House Logic are a MUST READ for anyone who is thinking about kitchen updates!! WHAT makes the most $ence:

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  Appliance Guide: Wall Ovens

  
  

  When deciding on a new wall oven, here’s what you’ll need to know about features, style, price, and performance. Read

  
  
  
  



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  Appliance Buying Guide: Ranges

  
  

  When deciding on a new range, here’s what you’ll need to know about features, style, price, and performance. Read

  
  
  
  



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  7 Smart Strategies for Kitchen Remodeling

  
  

  Keep the same footprint, add storage, and design adequate lighting so you preserve value and keep costs on track. Read

  
  
  
  



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  Smart Options: Kitchen Flooring

  
  

  Choose kitchen flooring that marries your priorities—durability, sustainability, low maintenance, or an open floor plan—with the options. Read

  
  
  
  



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  Appliance Buying Guide: Refrigerators

  
  

  When you buy a new refrigerator, arm yourself with the facts, so you’ll be sure to make the right decision for your budget and space needs. Read

  
  
  
  

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Sharon Goetz
703-679-1712, Sharon.G@KW.com
Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator
Keller Williams Realty

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com
www.facebook.com/SellingHomesByDesign

Please visit my website to see photos of Staged homes
& to request my FREE report on “Preparing Your Home for Sale”.

The NEW Neutrals of Paint Colors

The New Neutrals of Paint Colors:

Paint is THE most cost-effective investment you can make! The new neutrals add warmth and definition to a space. It can define a focal point such as a fireplace or view.
It can make your home stand out from the rest in your neighborhood.
These new neutrals are derived from colors in nature – think sand, mushroom, wheat!
Tans, honeys, and sages sell!



Highlight any architectural details like crown molding or wood trim in a contrast color – like glossy white. It will really stand out.
For those who have ever been to a model home – you’ll note you’d be hard pressed to find white walls. White walls are cold and uninviting. Color affects our moods, our appetite, our working efficiency and our very health.
Paint can contribute to the high-end look today’s buyer prefers. First, begin by inspecting current conditions of the walls and trim and ceiling and fix anything that needs repairing before painting. Then get started!



Let’s talk about Wallpaper. Wallpaper is like a bathing suit – it rarely fits 2 people! Wallpaper is too personal and will not appeal to the taste of your buyer. Add value by removing that wall paper and painting! Buyers may be more willing to re-paint a room, but they do not want to have to remove your wallpaper.

So be a weekend warrior - grab your gear and start painting! No other home improvement project provides such instant results :-) !!

Share your favorite neutrals and where you've used them in your own home!!

Selling your Reston home? Upgrades that get the BEST ROI!

Buyers look for and appreciate updated kitchens and baths not only here in Northern VA; but pretty much everywhere. These are the remodels you stand to gain the largest payback on! Spend your money on the rooms that have running water as a general rule.

A buyer is likely to subtract literally hundreds of dollars if they see a dated bathroom vanity with 70’s faux marble top and chipped sink. A small, new furniture-style one piece vanity popular with buyers can be purchased at any home improvement store for about $100.00. Such an update provides value.

For bathrooms, inspect all tile, grout and hardware. Clean or repair grout. Use vinegar to remove soap residue from shower heads and shower doors. Look at the floor ~ peel and stick vinyl tiles in a faux stone look can be a very cost effective update.

Brushed nickel is still the finish of choice – just updating simple knobs and towel bars can give a bath a fresh look. Go with a spa-like motif and invest in neutral towels, shower curtains and accessories ~ you can always take them to your new home. Keep bath products to an absolute minimum. Clutter undermines all your hard work!

Everyone knows a kitchen can sell a house! While it’s true that stainless appliances and solid surface counters such as granite are the #1 choice of buyers, your budget may not permit. Laminate countertops with a solid surface look can give an updated feel. See what tips Home Improvement Magazine has at www.HomeImprovement-magazine.com!

If you can’t replace appliances; ensure they are squeaky clean and in proper working order. Wash cabinets to remove any grease build up and consider replacing hardware. Backsplashes and under cabinet lighting add additional value to a kitchen. Tile backsplashes are inexpensive and can be installed by any do-it-yourselfer.
Remove “stuff” from counters, above cabinets and top of fridge – it shouts “Hey, this kitchen has no storage!”.

Remember, glass front cabinets and hutches are for display – not storage. Use them accordingly. Take all magnets, artwork off the fridge.
Lastly – look at the flooring. If solid surface replacements are beyond your budget, remember those vinyl tiles.
www.Remodeling.hw.net is also a good reference.

Have YOU received a big bang for your upgrade $$?? Let me know about it.

Best of luck preparing your Reston home for sale!