Your pets are a part of the family. Our real estate agents are well aware of that and, since September is National Happy Cat Month, we want to share with you some of the many ways you can make your home more comfortable for them. Make your home the purr-fect place for your feline friends by following these tips.
If you think one of the exquisite Raleigh homes for sale might be a great new place for you and your cat, our real estate professionals would like to help you find it. Contact us today to get started.
Looking for an easy, affordable way to improve your garden and reduce your waste output? Create your own backyard compost pile!
Composting is the natural process of recycling garden, yard, and kitchen waste into fertile garden soil. When you add compost material to your soil, you improve its health, help it retain moisture, and provide protection against disease and pests.
Our real estate agents know that a property with attractive landscaping appeals to prospective buyers. Here are some tips to follow for optimal backyard composting.
A compost pile is a great way to supply your garden with nutrients. Ready to add your home to the list of Raleigh homes for sale? Contact us today to get started!
Finding a new home that meets your needs can be a difficult task. There are plenty of Raleigh homes for sale, but what if you want to build your own? It affords you more control and ensures that the finished product will meet all your standards. What does it take to build a home, though? What does it cost, and what can you expect throughout the process? Here's what you need to know.
Cost
On average, building a new home costs a little under $300,000. Keep in mind this estimate doesn't factor in the cost of buying the land for the build. Buying a home, on the other hand, costs around $435,000.
Of course, the cost also depends on how big of a house you plan on building. A good rule of thumb is to factor around $100-$200 per square foot. So building a 1,000 square foot house will cost between $100,000 and $200,000. Building a 3,000 square foot house will cost between $300,000 and $600,000.
Budgeting
Once you have an idea of the total cost of building a new home, it's important to break down exactly where that money is going to give you a more accurate idea of how much your home, specifically, will cost to build.
About 40% of your budget will go towards labor. This includes the construction crew, as well as an electrician, plumber, roofer, framer, and other jobs. Shop around and see how much each of these services costs in your area.
About 50% of your budget goes towards materials. This includes everything such as lumber, concrete, drywall, siding, and more. What your house is made of will greatly influence the cost.
Finally, you need to decide if, in addition to the house itself, you want any extras. A swimming pool, for example, can cost anywhere from an additional $36,000 to $66,000. You may also want an outdoor deck, an unfinished basement, or heated floors. Each of these things will add to the total cost of construction.
Scheduling
Your new home will probably take longer to complete than the initial estimates. Most contractors will give you the most optimistic estimate they can, but plenty of things can cause delays, from bad weather to zoning and permit issues, and almost anything else.
When your contractor gives you a timeline, think of it as a guide rather than a strict schedule, and plan on at least a few extra months before you can move in. If you're in a hurry to get into a new place, you're probably better off buying rather than building.
Sweat Equity
Sometimes it's possible to save both time and money by doing some of the work on the house yourself. Major projects like plumbing and electricity should always be left to the experts, but smaller tasks like painting or laying the tile in the bathroom, you can do on your own if you're up to it. This is called sweat equity: putting your own labor into a building or improving your house to save money and increase its value.
These are just a few of the considerations when building a new home. Our real estate agents can help you find the perfect property on which to build it. In fact, we have a whole team dedicated to helping those looking to build a home in the area! Or, if you'd rather, we can help you find an existing home that will meet your needs. Contact us to learn more!
Once you've found your perfect home, the next step is to make it your own - starting with the kitchen. If cooking is your passion, you can up your culinary game with a few simple design ideas. There are plenty of Raleigh homes for sale with amazing kitchens to suit your needs. Here's how to take those kitchens even further.
Appliances
The right tools can help in a myriad of ways. An induction cooktop, for instance, regulates heat much more accurately than a regular stovetop, allowing for more precise temperature measurements. The appliance itself never gets hot, reducing the risk of accidental burning. Plus, it's more energy-efficient than electric or gas stoves.
You might also consider a high-speed oven. Using both convection and microwave heating, it heats better and more accurately, cutting cook times in half.
Finally, if you don't have a stand mixer, it will change your life. A good quality mixer will last for many years, providing thorough, even mixing. You can do everything from whip cream to beat meringue to knead bread dough quickly and easily without wearing out your arms. Plus, with extra attachments, you can roll out and cut your own fresh pasta, grind your own meat, and much more.
Organization
A few simple organizational improvements can help you tremendously. Install some sturdy hooks above the stovetop, on which to hang your pots and pans. This will make them easier to find and access when you need them. You can do the same for mixing spoons, spatulae, and other basic tools. For knives, consider installing a long, magnetic strip that the knives can stick to. That way, you can simply remove one when you need it and put it back in its place when it's clean.
In your cluttered cabinets, try putting in a Lazy Susan. They design them for all different purposes, from organizing herbs and spices to storing empty containers. Whatever you're using it for, a Lazy Susan lets you keep everything organized and view it at a glance, so you don't have to rummage through a lot of extra clutter to find what you need.
Also, consider installing tension rods in your cabinets. They make great customizable barriers that you can prop things like pans and cookie sheets against, rather than stacking them up. By storing things vertically, you can create more space in your cabinets and keep things more organized.
Renovation
If you're really committed to updating your kitchen, consider some renovations and remodels. Start with more shelves. A single shelf that stretches across an entire kitchen wall can provide a tremendous amount of storage for various things without taking up much extra space.
If your home doesn't have a kitchen island, you should put one in. It provides extra space for everything you need: a counter for prep work, a table for seating, plus storage beneath for pots and pans, appliances, etc.
To make cleanup simpler, cut a small hole in the kitchen island countertop, and store a trash can in the cabinet underneath. Now you have a quick and easy way to eliminate everything from eggshells to empty packaging as you cook.
These are just a few of the kitchen updates you can make in your home to make cooking easier and better. Get creative and see what other improvements you can make to help you when you cook.
If you want to find your perfect home with your dream kitchen, contact us. Our real estate agents can help you find the right space for you and ensure every room will meet your needs.
When it comes to luxury, top dollar is paid for not only the finer things in life but for convenience. When it comes to Chatham Park, the convenience factor gets a 10 out of 10 rating. From 5G network connectivity to dining and shops to healthcare and schools, the luxury of living in Chatham Park resides in its proximity to life's necessities.
This eye-catching, contemporary masterpiece is a custom model home located in the one-of-a-kind Chatham Park community. Situated on a half acre lot, this home is convenient to parks, greenways, walking trails and all future mixed use development that will make Chatham Park one of the premier communities in Central North Carolina.
A dramatic two-story foyer opens to a spacious great room and living room which blend together with the kitchen making this an entertainer's dream floorplan. A huge island quartz countertops, a six burner gas range, wet bar and walk-in pantry highlight the light-filled kitchen. Rounding out the main level is the owner's suite and spa bath which comes complete with a luxurious and modern walk-in shower. Upstairs is a large bonus room, two more bedrooms as well as two unfinished flex rooms both with windows to allow the natural light flow through. And going back to that whole convenience factor – how about this home has laundry on both levels?
Enjoy the outside porch all year long – turn the fan on during the warmer months and hit the switch to the gas fireplace during the cooler ones. And finally, this stunning contemporary home has pristine landscaping in place and will therefore always provide a solid first impression along with its stunning façade.
View the full property listed by Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston New Homes & Land Office.
For more information on HPW Luxury listings, check out the latest edition of our HPW Luxury magazine.
This newly constructed, modern farmhouse in Chapel Hill's exclusive Governors Club feels like the perfect mountain retreat while having access (and views) to a golf course and the country club lifestyle.
No details were left out in the construction and thoughtful design of this estate which consists of 6 ensuite bathrooms including a main floor guest suite plus a 7th in-law or nanny suite with full bath access, indoor parking for four vehicles, two office spaces, two laundry rooms and five fireplaces.
Clean lines and modern touches can be seen throughout the 8,500 square feet of living space. Your eyes will be drawn to the fully covered, quartz kitchen island, followed by the Thermador appliances, wood beams and scullery. A stunning master suite impresses with a vaulted ceiling, fireplace, balcony and a luxurious spa bath.
Outside, you'll find a courtyard, a screen porch with a fireplace and a lower level summer kitchen patio complete with a built-in grill and wood burning fireplace.
For more information on HPW Luxury listings, check out the latest edition of our HPW Luxury magazine.