Long Beach Home Kitchen Remodels

Long Beach Homes - Kitchen Remodels

Nothing increases the appeal or salability of a Long Beach Home more than a great kitchen and bath remodel.  With all of the information and choices out there it can get pretty confusing for a consumer. 

Where do you start?

The key is in the design.  If your kitchen is the center of activity in your home then the design needs to accomodate that.  Consumers are seeking more integration, more space and more high-end features in todays kitchen remodels.  They want a kitchen they can be proud of and show off. 

In most older Long Beach Homes kitchens are very closed off, seperate rooms, removed from the activities of the family, Formal Dining rooms sit largely unused.  Many Long Beach Homeowners are opting to tear out the doors and walls between the kitchen and dining room and are incorporating the square footage into a more useful, functional and attractive space, integrating the kitchen with the rest of the home. 

Allowing more natural light to stream in can create the illusion of more space.  Many are adding additional windows, skylights or are just increasing the size of existing windows. 

While some homeowners are still opting for white cabinetry, the current trend is towards the darker woods, cherry and maple are the most popular with some interest in hickory as well.  Oak is so out! 

Consumers are concentrating on the design and style, choosing more streamlined cabinets with less detail, instead placing more emphasis on pulls and hinges. 

Read more »

Posted on July 21, 2007 09:36:44 by Laurie.Manny

Long Beach Home Bathroom Remodels

Long Beach Homes - Bathroom Remodels

Long Beach Homeowners want more space in their kitchens and bathrooms.  Bathroom remodels are reflecting many of the same design trends and choices as kitchens. 

Long Beach Homeowners want their bathrooms opened up.  They want more space, more light and room for more than one person to be comfortable in the room at the same time.  Adding windows and skylights, or enlarging existing windows brings light into the room, cheering it up and creating the illusion of more space.  Using lots of glass and glass block helps achieve this goal. 

We all know that the choice to live in a beach close Long Beach Home generally means higher prices and less square footage.  How can we create more viable living space when we only have just so much in the way of usable square footage?  

Read more »

Posted on July 21, 2007 09:32:56 by Laurie.Manny

Long Beach Backyards-Ponds and Nasty Swimming Pools

LONG BEACH CA REAL ESTATE

Do you have a nasty old pool detracting from your Long Beach backyard?  Don't use it anymore?  Takes up valuable space?  Costs a small fortune to maintain!   Afraid it may get in the way of selling your Long Beach Home?

Not all Long Beach Buyers are interested in maintaining a swimming pool.  For many first time buyers the expense of maintaining the pool is just too much for them to deal with.  If the pool is not in pristine condition it could turn off a buyer, nobody wants to take on potentially unknown expenses.  Removing an existing pool can be very expensive. It is time to get out of the box in your thinking. 

Wouldn't you just love to have a beautifully landscaped pond instead?  Apparently you are not alone! 

Imagination!   It amazes me!  Some people are blessed with not only a fabulous imagination, but also with the ability to bring their dreams into reality.  Erik, of Portland Oregon is such a man. 

Erik purchased a home with a swimming pool and made his dream of a large pond come true.  His blog recounts the entire conversion process with beautiful photos.  His talents are limitless.  He not only converted the pool, his landscaping talents are unparalleled.  Erik designed a biological vegi filtration system for his pond which keeps the water crystal clear, uses no chemicals, the pond is self-sustaining and he makes it look effortless. 

The kicker is, he did this for only about $2,000.  Yep, here is his estimation:

Read more »

Posted on July 15, 2007 17:29:15 by Laurie.Manny

Why Stage Your Long Beach Home or Condo?

LONG BEACH REAL ESTATE

Professional Home Staging Sells Long Beach Homes and Condos!

Long Beach has a tremendous amount of homes and condos on the market and only a limited number of buyers in a position to purchase.  It is just common sense that these buyers are most interested in the Long Beach homes that show the best. 

Professionally staged Long Beach properties just look better than their competition.  Buyers are no longer interested in purchasing homes or condos that need much in the way of upgrading.  Most are barely willing to paint.  They no longer have to do any of this to get a good buy in today's market. 

If your Long Beach home or condo needs paint and new carpet, your kitchen and bathroom are out of date, you must reflect this in your offering price.  If you want a higher price, an investment in a professional home staging service may be the answer for you.  Staged Long Beach Homes and Condos sell faster and typically sell for higher prices. 

Read more »

Posted on July 04, 2007 14:45:39 by Laurie.Manny

Curb Appeal On A Budget

Curb Appeal on a Budget

When it is time to improve your Long Beach Homes curb appeal it does not have to put a major dent in your finances. By simply replacing an old worn-out garage door with a new upgraded model you can change the look of your home more than almost any other upgrade to the exterior, especially if the garage is in the front of your property. This is a simple and easy project that will not break the bank. Here are some suggestions to increase the 'Curb Appeal' of your Long Beach Homes. Compliments of Laurie Manny your Long Beach Realtor.

Top Ten Things You Can Do to Add 'Curb Appeal'

 1. Does anything make as big of an impact as a fresh coat of paint?

Is there a Long Beach home out there that would not benefit from a nice coat of fresh paint?

Read more »

Posted on April 26, 2007 12:44:36 by Laurie.Manny