home improvement: 6 Ways to Make Your House Look More Elegant (Without Breaking the Bank) - 10/25/17 07:15 AM
Everyone wants to live in their dream home, but financially that may not always be case. If you’re in the market for inexpensive ways to make your home more elegant, then you have found the right place!
1. Crown Molding
Because details matter! Crown molding can easily take your space and transform it into a elegant dream. Whether on the ceiling or baseboards, the effect of crown molding will be felt throughout the home. Crown molding can be very inexpensive, especially the plastic models that are even paintable for more customization.
2. Paint
Paint is a simple trick with powerful results. When painting a space, … (0 comments)

home improvement: 4 Innovative Gadgets for Smart Homes - 10/23/17 07:16 AM
Smartphones, smartwatches and smart homes, these items are all a part of our daily lives. The tech we use today is more powerful than ever before. At home we have our thermostats hooked up to our phones and some of us even “drive” to work in cars with self-driving technology. Yes, it seems as if the future is here, doesn’t it? New technology is always emerging from some of our days' most innovative thinkers, so often that it’s almost difficult to keep up with the latest and greatest innovations. From weather stations that give you reliable reads on the forecast and … (0 comments)

home improvement: Tips On What To Do When Building A New Home - 02/27/17 12:46 PM

Are you wanting to build your next home, but don’t really know where to start? It seems like there a millions things to consider before you can make any progress. Don’t stress, here are some tips to help you start! 
Look at various floor plans  Are you wanting a one story or two story? How many bedrooms? Open kitchen? Homes nowadays consist of lavish floor plans which you may not even thought of! It is important to choose a floor plan that will work best for you.
Find an experienced agent.It is important to connect with an agent that has experience with home … (0 comments)

home improvement: Pre-Sale Home Renovations to Add Value Rather Than Waste Money - 02/17/17 12:37 PM
2017 could be a great year for selling a home. 2016 was the best existing-home sales year since 2006, with 5.45 million sales, the National Association of Realtors reported in January. This growing demand was coupled with record-low supply, pushing home values up to a median of $232,200 in December, an increase of four percent since December 2015.
If you’re looking to capitalize on these trends in 2017, you may be considering home renovations. Renovations can sometimes add value to your home, but before you invest in them, here are some things you should know about the dos and don’ts of pre-sale renovations.
Do: … (3 comments)

home improvement: The importance of curb appeal - 02/15/17 12:55 PM
For those of you not fluent in real estate lingo, curb appeal refers to the attractiveness of your house from the outside. Curb appeal can greatly hinder or help you when try to sell your home!

Why is curb appeal important? All our lives we have been told how important first impressions are, especially when it comes to professional events and meeting new people. First impressions give others a taste of what you are like without getting into too much detail and can greatly influence how you are thought of and treated. First impressions of houses are no different - that is why … (1 comments)

home improvement: Revamping your Laminate Floors - 02/13/17 12:40 PM
 
 
Laminate flooring is a multi-layer, synthetic flooring product that simulates wood. Although there are many pros to having laminate flooring, there are several common problems that can come along with it.
Laminate Problems and How to Fix Them:
1.Peaking
Peaking is an expansion problem. Floors and walls expand and contract based on the weather, humidity and other things. When flooring expands against doorways, molding, or walls, it can buckle. This can be fixed by taking out the molding to let the floor expand and even out.
2. Water/Moisture-induced warping/buckling
Dampness, either from humidity or water, can cause laminate flooring to buckle or warp. A balancing layer can help … (0 comments)

home improvement: Energy Saving Tips for the Fall and Winter - 09/22/16 01:45 AM
Everyone wants to save energy. With the tips below you can improve your home and your energy saving capabilities!
Seal Up your HomeDoors, windows, electrical outlets, pipes, etc. can be a major factor of escaping heat. Sealing these cracks to the outside could save you up to 20% in your heating bill. On doors and windows use caulk or weatherstripping to seal the air leaks; add tight-fitting, insulating drapes to improve energy efficiency even more. On the exterior of your home use airtight, insulated jackets for pipes, outdoor outlets and even window air conditioners.
Heating your Home EfficientlyBe sure to change out your … (2 comments)

home improvement: Home Improvement: 3 Ideas to Customize the Ultimate Garage Space - 08/09/16 04:26 AM
 
The garage attached to your home doesn’t have to be a dull, dark and cluttered unusable space. Instead, modernize it by creating some space for added functionality, storage or even entertainment purposes. But if your garage is littered with boxes that should be in storage, dusty with spiderwebs and generally a space where you don’t like to spend time, use these tips to transform that dingy area of your home into a garage that’s organized and accessible with these how-to tips.
  Tidy Up the Joint The first step in any home project starts with a little organization. If your … (2 comments)

home improvement: How Does Home Staging Help Sell Your Home? - 07/07/16 05:51 AM

Tired of having to lower the price of your home because of the amount of time it’s been on the market? Wondering why your home hasn’t sold, or attracted potential buyers? Chances are you’re missing a very important piece of the selling process: home staging. By applying staging you could very well attract the wide variety of prospective buyers you’ve been missing and sell your home for the highest price in the least amount of time.
What is Home Staging?Home staging is the process of “dressing” your home to be sold. Staging highlights the pros of your home, while at the same time downplaying its weaknesses. It focuses on … (2 comments)

home improvement: 6 Home Projects You Should NEVER Ignore - 06/29/16 04:37 AM
You know those pesky problems that have been bugging you for years? The one’s you hope will magically fix themselves if you continue to ignore them? Well I’m here to tell you, DON’T ignore them; these problems will not go away in time and they will only end up causing you bigger problems in the future. It’s better to fix problems as they happen, so they don’t keep building up and costing you more money than is necessary. Here’s a list of six problems that shouldn’t be ignored and why.
1. Roofing Problems
This seems like a no brainer when it comes to … (1 comments)

home improvement: Home Inspection Mistakes to Avoid - 06/13/16 04:03 AM
Real estate is one of the most reliable investments with the biggest ROI, if you get the right property in the right location with the right house. So any smart homebuyer knows the home inspection is key in spotting troubles before investing to ensure that you’re not getting sucked into a money pit.
Owning a home comes with unforeseen expenses that are bound to arise. From flooding to roofing issues, things need to be repaired, replaced and maintained. But getting a good home inspection and knowing the right questions to ask is an art form that can save you from a decade … (0 comments)

home improvement: Part Two: What are the Different Kind of Blinds and Curtains and the Benefits of Each One? - 06/09/16 04:52 AM
Just as we learned in the previous blog about blinds, there are also valance and sundry types of curtains.  We’ve picked out the most popular ones and will explain their types and benefits.
Ascot Valances are a pointed design hung from a standard or a continental rod link to a standard curtain rod. You can use two rods to hang a double row of valances for a fuller look, just make sure to stagger the pointed ends of the ascots.
Curtains are made of lighter material and tend to make the home feel cozier. There are three basic styles of curtains: panels, café, and tier. Some … (0 comments)

home improvement: The Difference between Home Improvement vs. Remodeling - 03/24/16 12:12 AM
If you’re like many homeowners, there will undoubtedly come a time when you’re ready to upgrade that old paint job or add a half-bath to your game room. Whether you’re staging the house for a potential buyer or simply in need of a change in aesthetics, remodeling and home improvements can seem like daunting tasks.
These tips (and differentiations between the two) may help you prep for your next project.
Home ImprovementHome improvements are usually simpler and less time-consuming endeavors and most of the time won’t involve a contractor or architect. From a new coat of paint in a bedroom to refinishing hardwood floors, these … (17 comments)

home improvement: How to Choose Your New Home’s Color Scheme - 03/09/16 04:16 AM

Some call it zen, others call it feng shui.  It doesn’t matter what you call it, choosing the right color scheme is important.  Your home is your safe haven and there are specific colors that will make or break the flow of your space. Implement some of these tips and you’ll feel warm and cozy in your newly painted home.
Shades of ColorUsing different shades of the same color throughout your home creates a brilliant flow.  Also, choosing hues with similar undertones will connect different rooms.  Benjamin Moore says “choose between three and five favorite colors, and then alternate the primary, secondary, and … (1 comments)

home improvement: As Backyard Fire Pits Become More Popular, We Have Your FAQs - 03/07/16 04:56 AM
Backyard fire pits are a huge hit with homeowners. In a 2012 American Society of Landscape Architects survey, 95.8 percent of respondents rated outdoor fire pits as "somewhat" or "very" in-demand, and California's Orchard Supply Hardware reported that backyard fire pits were one of their biggest growth areas this summer. You just can't beat a fire pit for barbecuing, socializing or just adding a little rustic charm to your backyard. Pits are relatively easy to install, but before getting started, here are a few questions you should consider.
Are There Any Restrictions? Check your local ordinances or homeowners association guidelines. Some … (5 comments)

home improvement: Four Tips for Preparing Your Home for Spring - 02/29/16 04:57 AM
 As we impatiently wait for the fresh, warm air to arrive, we begin to prepare our homes for spring. Here are a few tips to help you better prepare your home for the new season!
Yard With winter season coming to an end, an easy way to start preparing your yard for the spring season is to rake areas that have excess leaves and remains. You also want to ensure that your lawn mower is working correctly in case you need to make any repairs before you begin cleaning up your yard. 
If weather permits, you can also begin to water … (1 comments)

home improvement: Which Roof Is For You? - 02/21/16 10:55 PM
Homeowners put hundreds of thousands of dollars into the perfect family home. Without a doubt, the house as a whole is a major investment, but rarely do homeowners understand each piece that makes up this investment — especially the roof.
From sheathing to shingles and fascia to flashing, there are many things to consider when talking about the roof. It’s importance to the home structure is unrivaled as it protects the house from severe weather conditions. The most common and dangerous threats against the roof include wind, rain, snow and ice, condensation, trees, algae and moss, and yes, even the sun.
So how … (0 comments)

home improvement: Which Home Renovation Projects Add the Most Value to Your Home - 05/06/15 05:27 AM
When it comes to adding value to your home, some renovations can be more helpful than others. Deciding which projects will add the most value to your home is crucial for those on a budget and looking to maximize selling value. We did some searching and found the five best renovations with the highest return on investments (ROI). 
Replacement Vinyl Siding:Although this doesn't sound like a major renovation, a $9,000 replacement of siding can $8,000 to the asking price. This results in an 89% ROI.
Major Bathroom Remodel:Many consider redoing a major bathroom as one of the best renovations you can do. A … (0 comments)

home improvement: A Home Maintenance Checklist for All Seasons - 04/28/15 01:03 AM
Being a first-time homeowner is a unique experience. Compared to renting, you now have much more on your plate if you want to keep your home in tip-top condition. There’s a lot to remember that comes with the responsibility of homeownership, and some of the smaller seasonal to-dos and maintenance items can easily slip your mind.
Of course, unexpected emergencies will always arise, but if you follow this seasonal checklist, you’ll be as prepared all year long.
Winter Reminders A few reminders for the winter season:
Replenish your emergency kit and stock up your pantry. Replace water and ice filters in your fridge. … (0 comments)

home improvement: How to Prepare Your House Before Placing it on the Market - 04/17/15 04:44 AM
 Selling a house can be a difficult thing to achieve.  The last thing you want to happen after finding a home you want to move into, is not being able to sell the one you have on the market.  In order to avoid any inconveniences as such, there are several steps one can take. 1. The first step to doing this is disassociating yourself with your house.  By disassociating yourself with your house, you will be able to get rid of an owners mentality, and become capable of making wise decisions when staging the house. The simplest way to stage your house is … (0 comments)

 
James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com (Cortiers Real Estate)

James Murr

www.cortiersrealestate.com

College Station, TX

More about me…

Cortiers Real Estate

Address: 809 University Drive East, Suite 101A, College Station, TX, 77840

Office: (979) 985-5610

Mobile: (979) 739-7237

About Bryan College Station real estate, the local market, buying and selling homes, etc. College Station Homes for sale and other College Station Real Estate. We are an advanced web marketing firm and work with a lot of buyers and sellers across Texas.


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