In & Out in New Rochelle

This month’s REALTOR magazine published a What’s In, What’s Out list. This scientific poll is courtesy of Mark Nash’s ezine subscribers. I loved the list so much I’ve adapted it to work in New Rochelle and the surrounding communities.

http://www.realtor.org/rmomag.NSF/pages/homeanddesignapr08?OpenDocument#what's%20in

Have fun reading and planning.

WHAT'S IN?…

A Reduced Carbon Footprint… your home and you both have a great impact on the environment. Your emerald green expanse of lawn is sucking up precious water and causing you (or your gardener) to purchase unnecessary fertilizer and pesticides. Those lovely impatiens & petunias also are a drain on the water supply. Remember what your house looked like during the last water restriction? Instead of planting annual flowers, think of native perennials that use less water, are easily adaptable to your house, attract birds and butterflies and are fragrant! When was the last time someone commented on your fragrant impatiens???

Outdoor Living… Now that your garden is fragrant and playing host to hummingbirds, butterflies and a rainbow of birds go out and enjoy it! Fireplaces or chimneas, outdoor kitchens and patio heaters turn your decks and patios into extensions of your living space. A covered seating area offers shelter from rain showers or too much sun and provides a quiet place to catch a nap.

Fully Concealed Appliances… This doesn’t mean covering your fridge with magnets and art projects from the kids! Staging rule #1 is to remove all of that. Appliances are now tucked behind custom cabinetry to give a built in feel.

Floating Homes… Here in Westchester, this conjures up very bad images. Many of us are still reeling from last winter and spring hundred year storm (twice). Houseboats are ranch homes built on stationary barges in a lake or river and generally exist elsewhere. Sounds nice, though.

Home Elevators… This is a perk boomers want. They are far more attractive than those chairs that ride up & down the stairs and entertain the grandkids.

Pet Showers… I have a golden retriever, so I can’t speak enough of how nice this would be. A small area off the garage to hose off muddy paws… and to destinkify (this should be a word!) him (and the kids?)...sign me up!

Freestanding Bathtubs…oversized soaker tubs are a bathroom centerpiece. What’s old is new again.

Bathroom Suites… Complete with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridge and cappuccino makers. I’d never get to work.

WHAT'S OUT?

Living Rooms…Every time I show a house someone always asks “where do you hang the TV?” LRs are no longer needed or desired. Buyers want media rooms & family rooms with open walls.

High Ceilings… these belong in museums! They’re a waste of space, require more heating/cooling and look strange in a 10 x 12 room.

Tiny Balconies… Unless you’re expecting Romeo to come by each evening, make them functional for entertaining and enjoying your garden.

McMansions…This might be a bit touchy in this market... so I’ll tread gently… they’re out! They are too big, have no property, cost a fortune in taxes that only go up each year, are expensive to maintain and have a carbon footprint the size of Manhattan!