Real Estate Appraisal Blog

People are spending more time at home, where their living spaces have become classrooms, gyms, offices, restaurants and more. The additional time at home provides a unique opportunity to make changes to create healthier living environments. 

In fact, a majority of Americans (54%) report being more concerned about having a healthy home since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent online survey of 2,000 adults conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Carrier Global Corporation, a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions.

If you're looking to improve your living space, consider these tips for making your home the healthiest it can be:

Create an ideal sleep environment. Most people sleep most comfortably when the air is slightly cool, so target a room temperature between 65-70 F. If this is cooler than you keep the home during the day, consider using a programmable thermostat that automatically lowers the temperature at bedtime. Also, remove distractions that may keep you awake and, if necessary, use a white noise device for uninterrupted sleep.

Improve indoor air quality. Maintaining heating and air conditioning filters is a concern many homeowners reported. According to the survey, 49% of respondents are concerned about reducing dust, pollen and other indoor pollutants as part of their filter maintenance. 

In addition to changing air filters on a frequent basis, air purifiers and humidifiers can help make the air inside homes fresher, cleaner and more comfortable. For example, third-party testing has shown the Carrier Infinity Whole Home Air Purifier inactivates 99% of select viruses and bacteria trapped on the filter, such as those that cause common colds, streptococcus pyogenes and human influenza. The purifier was also tested by a third party against the murine coronavirus, which is similar to the human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. In that testing, the purifier inactivated 99% of coronavirus trapped on the filter.

Update fire protection. Since the pandemic began, people are also more concerned about fire safety precautions in their homes, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Smoke alarms should be installed on each level of your house and inside each bedroom. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed. In addition, install a fire extinguisher on each level and consider one for the kitchen, as well. Make sure to check extinguishers routinely and replace every 10-12 years.

Install carbon monoxide alarms. Another cause for concern amid COVID-19 is the potential for dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in homes. CO alarms should be installed on each level of the home and outside sleeping areas, and it's important to test them monthly. Consider installing alarms with a 10-year battery, such as the Kidde Wire-Free Interconnect 10-Year Battery Combination Smoke & CO Alarm for less hassle. It offers wire-free interconnect capability, a voice warning feature that accompanies the loud alarm tone and verbal announcements such as "replace alarm" at the end of the alarm's life.

To learn more about creating a safer, healthier home, visit carrier.com/healthyhomes.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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Source: Carrier
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Source: Carrier

While you may see kitchens in a variety of styles and find them all beautiful in their own way, finding inspiration for your dream kitchen often requires sorting through many different considerations. From transitional to modern and every style in-between, these ideas can help you decide what suits your home while also fitting your personal tastes.

 

Find more inspiration at wellborn.com. 

 

A Budget-Friendly Flooring Option with Vibrant Variety

Why resilient flooring may be right for your spring remodel

(Family Features) Floors are an investment. When you’re sitting down to plan out a remodel, you don’t typically start with a designer lamp or a sleek lounge chair – you design your spaces from the floor up.

As you’re planning out your remodel this spring, consider an option like Beautifully Responsible resilient flooring to bring the room to life while giving you room to live your life. If you’re redoing your kitchen, you need floors that can stand up to spills and other messes. If you just got a puppy, you’ll need floors that don’t pause at the sight of paws. Resilient flooring offers durable options that can stand up to everyday wear and tear, all in designs that can fit your budget.

Consider these reasons to opt for resilient flooring during your remodel.

Woodgrain Without Budget Drain
You can leave the hammer and tile spacers at the store and still bring beautiful oak or pine woodgrain or ornate stone patterns into your home on a budget. Resilient flooring offers a wide variety of color, texture and design options to fit nearly any vision you can dream up. Beyond their surface beauty, resilient flooring options from members of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute are made with sustainable manufacturing practices like reducing energy, water and waste, and avoiding depleting limited natural resources.

New Floors Faster
Many resilient floors are designed to be easier to install, but you can also find resilient flooring options in nearly every home improvement store – meaning you could get started on your renovation today. Whether it’s in sheets that can cover an entire room or luxury vinyl tiles you can tailor to your space, resilient flooring can save time and money on installation.

A Breath of Fresh Air
As the seasons change and allergies abound, make sure your flooring helps create a healthy and quality indoor environment. Hundreds of resilient flooring products and their adhesives have earned the third-party FloorScore IAQ Certification, which originated within the resilient flooring category, setting strict limits on the types and amounts of volatile organic compounds that can be emitted from non-carpet flooring products.

Whatever look you want, whatever room you’re renovating, there’s a resilient floor that can add a spring to your step this season. Find your floor today at beautifullyresponsible.com.

 

SOURCE:
Beautifully Responsible

Wellness is at the forefront of nearly everyone's mind, including keeping germs at bay and creating surroundings that promote mental and physical health. Even small, but important, spaces like the bathroom can benefit from changes with wellness in mind. 

A bathroom can be one of the easiest rooms in your home to give a little extra TLC toward creating a healthier lifestyle. These cost-effective measures can turn your bathroom into a more practical, functional space that promotes your well-being. 

Switch Up Surfaces
The countertops in your bathroom, much like the flooring, must be able to withstand a lot of water. Nonporous vanity tops, such as those made from quartz, hold up to being wet constantly and can help keep germs from breeding. In addition to being easy to clean, a solid-surface option like quartz never needs to be sealed or polished, making it an aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting option. 

Clean Green  
Bathrooms are often hot and steamy places, and water vapors in the air can carry potentially harmful chemicals from cleaning products. Green cleaning products are made to control the spread of bacteria and viruses using safe and effective means. Not only are they helpful in preventing asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, but they are a low-cost way to improve overall indoor air quality.  

What you use to clean yourself is just as important. Using green or organic personal care items can help reduce toxin exposure and lessen the likelihood of an allergic reaction.


Reduce Humidity
All that steam can affect your health in other ways, too, since it creates a humid environment that encourages mold and mildew. A heated towel rack is an inexpensive way to add a touch of luxury to your space while generating heat that helps reduce humidity and the growth of mold and mildew, therefore benefitting indoor air quality. 

Heated towel racks like those from Amba Products come in a variety of finishes and styles to coordinate with your decor. For modest accommodations, the Radiant Small is a space-saving choice, and freestanding models are available if wall space is at a premium. Another advantage: Since the racks dry towels, they'll stay mildew-free longer and don't need to be washed as often, which helps save valuable natural resources. 

Enhance Air Quality
Creating a green, spa-like oasis with plants can bring wellness benefits that don't break the bank.  Indoor plants help rid the environment of pollutants, and the energy and ambiance they add may have mental health benefits, too. Plants like mother-in-law's tongue or peace lily are popular options to incorporate as natural air purifiers.  


Explore Color
A bathroom's color palette can also play a role in your wellness goals. Warmer shades like red and orange enhance energy while cooler colors like green and blue can be calming. 

Begin planning bathroom upgrades that improve your health and well-being with more tips and ideas at ambaproducts.com.
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Source: Amba Products

 A new year brings opportunities to refresh your living space and add colors into your life. These four trends are all about incorporating more of yourself and your lifestyle into your home, whether it's answering your need for a serene escape or dialing up the energy with vibrant surroundings.

Bring in Nature
Soothing earthy tones help bring a sense of calm and balance indoors. When designing with nature in mind, use gray-green tones to connect your aesthetic with the serene elements of the outdoors. Incorporate nature's palette with greens in fabrics, accessories and even on the walls. Wood and stone materials naturally complement these shades for a look that's cohesively pleasing and peaceful.

Stylish Sophistication
If you're aiming to infuse some sophistication with an update to a favorite space, opt for a monochromatic look in a dark (almost black) hue. The approach is simultaneously bold and classic, but the secret to this trend is finding a shade that's rich and deep, but not quite black, then complementing it with fabrics and furnishings that let the hint of color shine.

Connect with Your Inner Self
Creating a living space that is uniquely yours requires understanding your inner motivations, traits and talents. One source of personal inspiration may be your zodiac sign, a reflection of the earth's orientation to the sun on your birthday.

The color experts at Valspar partnered with Ophira and Tali Edut of the AstroTwins to make it easy to explore the intersection of your character and style by explaining which 2022 Color of the Year best aligns with each zodiac sign. When you combine your sign with the convenience and advanced one-coat coverage of premium Valspar Reserve Interior Paint + Primer, available at Lowe's, you can create a luxurious space that reflects the real you.

* Aries - Sunset Curtains: A warm and soothing color like this supports a transformational year full of new opportunities.
* Taurus - Gilded Linen: This clean, cozy color makes spaces feel open, perfect for celebrating togetherness.
* Gemini - Grey Suit: This is a color of warmth and versatility, a signature combination for Geminis.
* Cancer - Delightful Moon: A spirited, playful color inspires a year of growth and adventure.
* Leo - Mountain River: A dark and dreamy color invites inspiration for a year filled with abundance.
* Virgo - Subtle Peach: It's the year of partnerships for Virgos; this harmonious color works well alongside others but can also stand on its own.
* Libra - Orchid Ash: A cool and breezy color keeps it simple so Libras can focus on a year of vitality.
* Scorpio - Fired Earth: This warm and approachable color is perfect for Scorpios who plan to bring new people into their lives this year.
* Sagittarius: Rustic Oak: A relaxing and comforting color that welcomes coziness in the new year.
* Capricorn - Blanched Thyme: For Capricorns, this is the year of variety, and this is a refreshing tone to support change.
* Aquarius - Country Charm: This hue provides warmth and stability for a year of productivity.
* Pisces - Lilac Lane: A playful pastel hue that brings softness along with optimism and renewal.

Add Comfort and Warmth
Treating your home like a sanctuary never goes out of style, and one way to create a soothing, inviting space is through the use of cozy neutrals. Whether it's applied to a bedroom retreat or a more bustling space like the living room, a neutral palette can add to the allure of comfort and warmth. Keep the visual interest strong by incorporating subtle patterns, textures and layers of complementary neutral colors.

Find more 2022 color trends and design inspiration at Valspar.com.
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Source: Valspar

Installing or updating a deck can transform your outdoor living area.

Not only is a deck aesthetically appealing, but it also allows you to create additional space for a wide range of uses, whether it's a lively entertainment zone or tranquil, relaxing retreat.

If you're planning a deck build or renovation in 2022, consider incorporating one or more of these design trends identified by Westlake Royal Building Products, a leading manufacturer and distributor of materials for home remodeling, building and construction.


Creativity in Design
While decking design features used to be reserved for luxury upgrades, creative flair is increasingly mainstream. Some options for incorporating greater depth and style into your deck design include mixing and matching boards to create patterns, inlays and focal points or utilizing two-tone designs for more visually interesting aesthetics.

On-Trend Colors
Classic lumber-toned decks never go out of style, but adding some flair with an eye-catching color is a subtle way to elevate your deck's aesthetic appeal. Some designs incorporate color throughout while another way to bring color to your deck is through distinctive inlay design or other design features.

Working with a product like Zuri Premium Decking gives you a selection of six on-trend colors, including Hickory, a true mid-tone brown, as well as Chestnut, Walnut, Pecan, Brazilia and Weathered Gray. The planks feature minimal grain repetition to capture the look of true exotic hardwood with no painting, staining or resealing needed, and all are backed by a 25-year warranty against color shifting.

Multi-Seasonal Spaces
Once you create an incredible outdoor space, you'll likely want to use it as often as possible. That's why many homeowners are designing decks with multiple seasons in mind. Features like retractable walls can help you block cool breezes and trap the warmth of space heaters or a fireplace while roofs provide shade and fans help circulate the breeze during warmer months. Decks built with clean, simple lines can offer a connection to nature as well as convenience for homeowners transitioning from indoor to outdoor spaces.

Popularity of Composite Decking
Weather patterns can cause substantial damage to a home's exterior materials, including a deck where natural wood is prone to drying out. This creates an upkeep cycle that requires ongoing investments of time and money. An alternative to natural wood, such as Zuri Premium Decking by Royal, combines the low-maintenance, high-durability properties of composite decking with the exterior environment-defining presence of exotic wood. The result is an authentic look with zero-maintenance upkeep.

Bringing the Inside Out
A deck's design elements were once limited to predictable furnishings like a picnic table and grill, but those days are gone. Homeowners seeking to create an outdoor oasis are bringing amenities of the indoors outside. You'll find outdoor kitchens and weather-proof TVs, rugs and furniture, allowing homeowners to incorporate the convenience and comfort of indoor living rooms and kitchens into their outdoor spaces despite elements like snow, wind and rain.

Masonry as an Accessory
If you love the look of masonry but have your heart set on a deck, you can take the path of many homeowners and incorporate masonry as an accessory or design element. Mixing building mediums provides texture, which creates an immersive tactile experience through sight and touch. Options like a fireplace or firepit, pillars, skirting, bench seats, planters, water features, kitchen or bar space and walkways can all complement and enhance the decking so you get to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Clean Sightlines
A deck is an ideal vantage point when you have a beautiful view to enjoy and using the right materials can enhance that experience. Creating a clean, sophisticated and unobstructed view is easy when you outfit your deck with the right lighting and use cable or glass railings, which provide safety along with clear views of the landscape beyond.

Find more tips and ideas to spruce up your outdoor living space at liveabode.com.
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Source: Westlake Royal Building Products

(Family Features) In the aftermath of the COVID-19 lockdown, labor shortages and access to certain products affects numerous industries, including remodeling. Even so, after extra time at home and delays caused by the pandemic, there is high demand for home renovation projects.

If you're planning a home remodel or construction project, consider these tips from professional remodelers to avoid frustration and ensure your vision comes to life.

Do Research and Plan Ahead
Mapping out your project early and thoroughly can help you avoid delays. This is especially important when it comes to materials, said John Brown of Bliffert Lumber and Hardware.

"The quicker a homeowner can make selections, the sooner we can get it on order and get it in," Bliffert said.

Some contractors are adjusting the way they approach planning to offset delays. For example, selecting materials and finishes at the outset, instead of as you progress through the project like you normally would, may mean the materials are available when you need them.

"The design process has really changed," said Robi Kirsic of TimeLine Renovation and Design. "We're still designing based on homeowners' wishes and dreams, but we're also modifying by providing options based on what's available."

Know Where You're Willing to Compromise
Whether you're able or willing to compromise often comes down to why you're doing the renovation in the first place.

"Some homeowners are specific about what they want," Kirsic said. "They've been waiting for a long time to do this project and they're not doing it to compromise. Others have a time constraint for one reason or another; they don't have the luxury of waiting."

It's a sentiment echoed by others, who caution that you may be able to get an item you have your heart set on, but you may need to be willing to wait.

"If you have your heart set on a certain bathtub, it might be a 6- or 8-month wait, but another one might be available sooner," said Jason Hensler of Marvin Windows and Doors.

Avoid Making Changes
Once your plans are set and your materials have been ordered, avoid unnecessary delays by changing your project scope or material selection. In this environment, project timelines are extremely tight and even minor changes can create significant disruptions, especially if there's a delay in obtaining different materials or your new ideas require a different crew that wasn't already scheduled for your job.

Choose a Trustworthy Partner
While these are unusual times, having a reliable contractor can make the project run more smoothly and help you feel more comfortable as the project progresses.

"Use someone you trust, someone who is part of a reputable group like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry," Brown said.

That way, if you encounter unexpected bumps along the way, you can be confident they will be handled professionally and appropriately. Brown encourages his teams to communicate early and often, which helps homeowners understand and trust they're doing everything possible to keep the job on track.

Be Patient
Above all, understanding these are unusual times can go a long way toward a more successful project.

"Patience will help it go a lot smoother," Hensler said. "That may mean accepting longer wait times than you anticipated and a later completion date than you hoped."

The sooner you get your project started, the sooner your contractor can start mapping out a project timeline. Find contractors in your area at RemodelingDoneRight.com.


Photo courtesy of Getty Images
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Source: National Association of the Remodeling Industry

 

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