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Trends that will be popular with Home Buyers in 2007

By Val Allocco

Home Stager with Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island

March 25, 2007 12:28 PM

I just finished reading an article which spoke about trends that are going to be popular with home buyers this year. The writer cited Mark Nash, who wrote "Real Estate A-Z for Buying and Selling a Home" and "1,001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home" as the source for the list which included the following interesting concepts:

- Use 'engineered stone compound' for kitchen counter-tops in lieu of granite which is more expensive

- Avoid installing those above-counter bowl sinks in the bathroom as they are difficult to maintain and keep clean

- Use glass tiles for kitchens and bathrooms in lieu of ceramic because of their 'reflective qualities'

- Wrought Iron fencing on a property appears luxurious and is preferable to wood, resin, or chain link

- Although they may appear lovely in a 'staged' room, installing too many glass cabinets in a kitchen is not recommended because they require more effort to keep orderly on a day to day basis

- When replacing floors, avoid bamboo wood because it scratches and dents easily

I found the information to be fascinating...definitely not your typical list of 'what to do to sell your home'! I had never heard about "engineered stone compound" nor was I familiar with the new 'glass tiles' or 'bamboo wood'. I suppose it's obvious that I haven't done many home improvements on a grand scale as of late. Nonetheless, one never knows when they will need to know about those type of upgrades.

I will agree that I enjoy looking at property that is surrounded by wrought iron fencing and I love the look of glass cabinets in a kitchen and the above-counter bowl sinks in the bath. Personally speaking, I wouldn't mind having to keep the glass cabinets in order nor would I be against having to work a little harder to keep a shiny new 'bowl sink' looking its best. However, since we are talking 'trends', we are generalizing about the 'typical home buyer'.

The only 'trend' that was missing and that should have been at the top of that list, was that "Home Staging" by a professional will improve the appearance of the house and create a marketable property that will stand out from the competition.

There...now the list is complete!

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Kimberly Wester

Valparaiso, IN

Val -

I had heard the same about the bamboo floors. I just wonder if like other hardwoods it may be possible to give it a more durable finish?

I have been recommending engineered solid surface since I started staging. It's most common product name is Corian or Silestone. It is basically particles suspended in an epoxy substance. I loathe granite. Not only is it more costly than is reasonable, it is difficult to maintain. Most people don't know of the upkeep - just the popularity. Engineered surfaces such as Corian are much easier to live with and repairs are simpler.

This guy must not know everything if he didn't add staging to the list...:)

Mar 25, 2007 03:45 PM

Sue Argue

Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH

NH Home Stager

Val, interesting list, thanks for sharing. Glass tiles' reflective qualities do add light and sparkle to a room, and some are made out of recycled glass.

Mar 25, 2007 03:54 PM

Laurie Manny

Long Beach CA Real Estate - Long Beach, CA

Deja-vu somebody else wrote about this article today also. It is the strangest thing, similar comments different people. I feel like I warped into an alternate universe.

Mar 25, 2007 06:05 PM

Phyllis Pafumi

ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ

ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

Hey Val

While I like the look of those above BOWL sinks, I think that in years to come they will be considered too trendy as was Orange Walls and shag carpeting, LOL

Love the wrought iron, but YES what about us HOME STAGERS they keep leaving us out!

Phyllis Pafumi

Mar 25, 2007 11:14 PM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Well now, that was a very interesting article. Thanks for sharing.

I personally wasn't aware of the "splashing" that occurs with the bowls nor that the bamboo floors scratch and dent easily. However, I'm with Gina on this one - it adds character.

Thanks Val for having added staging. The list is NOW complete.

Mar 25, 2007 11:33 PM

Melissa Marro

Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL

Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

Interesting information. I have a hard time imagining granite countertops are on their way out this year personally. As someone who has corian countertops - they came with the home we bought this year - my husband and I keep looking at them and debate replacing them. Yes, we know that they are probably more durable and less upkeep than granite, but there is nothing more beautiful than the natual surface. My home is very country and as such has lots of warm woods, etc. The corian looks out of place. Not nature friendly... I guess that part is true. Will have to get my conservationist side to over-ride my designer side. I do like silestone, and have it picked out for our bathrooms, but not for the kitchen. The less than random pattern is a bit taxing and again, IMHO appears fake... which it is.

Bamboo flooring? I had it at my old office and didn't have any problems with it. It was beautiful, cleaned great and as already said is an easily renewable resource. I would continue to recommend.

Glass tiles, love them, but I again feel they will be much like the bowl sink - think in the year 2015.... we will all be laughing as we walk through sellers home's telling them to replace.... just like the beautiful yellow and green sinks we see today, or worse the pink and green or grey ones!!! ahhhhhh.......

Mar 25, 2007 11:57 PM

Maureen Maureen

Orangeburg, NY

Val - Thanks for the summary. I had not heard that bowl sinks are hard to keep clean. They look so pretty!

Mar 26, 2007 01:35 AM

Anonymous

sue

I have found for myself personally when I am doing home renovations I carefully think about how much money I want to put into a trend and how easy is it to change out. The tips are great on the products that I have not personally used. It is great to be able to pass on info. to clients. Thanks Sue

Mar 26, 2007 01:46 AM

#13

Val Allocco

Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY

HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Thanks everyone for your comments and generously sharing what you already know about the products! I was quite surprised to read that someone else wrote about the same article...I guess that great minds do think alike!

Laurie, if you read this, can you link us to that other post? I would love to read that person's take on it.

VAL

Mar 26, 2007 03:33 AM

Alyse Bromberg

Dressed for Success - Kingston, ON

It's so funny that you should post this article today. I was just discussing some of these trends over the weekend. Including the 'engineered stone compound' - only in my case we were looking at a black sink at Home Depot that was 80% granite.

I wonder if one of the other trends that seems to be so widely popular should be added to the list - Subway tiles, regardless of the compound.

and lastly, Copper sinks and countertops - though the fact that they kill bacteria, vs harbour it, may be something we see start to become more standard, vs a trend.

Mar 26, 2007 03:43 AM

Alan Taylor

Willoughbys - Kitchener, ON

CRSS - Willoughbys

Interesting comments on the counter tops........just a point of clarification, there is a huge difference between engineered solid surface (Corian) and engineered stone (Quartz) products. The solid surface products - of which there are now dozens of manufacturers - is a PLASTIC composite product. Engineered quartz on the other hand is a manufactured STONE product that is approx 7 times harder than granite. Each has pros and cons..... Solid surface is visibly "Seam free" but doesn't like hot pots placed on it. Quartz is very forgiving but expensive...... make your own choices based on lifestyle and budget.

Alan R. Taylor, CRSS
Certified ReDesign and Staging Specialist
alan.taylor@willoughbys.ca
www.willoughbys.ca

"The highest compliment my clients can give me is the referral of their
family, friends and business associates. Thank you for your trust."

Mar 26, 2007 04:36 AM

Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

Val, great post. I was under the same impression about bamboo as most. And, I love everyone elses input! This is a great group!

Just a question, since I'm new to this.... As Melissa pointed out about trends, in reference to the bowl sinks (which I do enjoy, by the way), is it best to 'suggest' trendy things of such expense? I know upgrading is one thing, but why upgrade to something trendy that in 5 years or so is going to be passe'? Personally, I think trends should be maintained for less expensive things that can be easily changed and replaced. Or, is is something that is used on a per-house basis? I have alot to learn and you all know what your are doing, so I welcome your feedback---good, bad or otherwise!

Have a great day,

Abby

Mar 26, 2007 05:30 AM

Teri B. Clark

http://www.teribclark.com - Sanford, NC

What about color? Anybody have a feeling what the color trend will be?

Mar 27, 2007 04:39 AM

Janice Sutton

1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA

Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Thanks for the education, Val. I love those bowl sinks and was even thinking of getting one. Not anymore!! I also love the bamboo floors....oh well. Back to the drawing board. ;)

Mar 27, 2007 05:19 AM

Anonymous

Marilynn Currie

great post

I need help from all you active rainers out there. I have a storage problem. How to safely pack away and then carry to your next project.I use the blue rubbermaid tubs but I threw out the packaging for my mirrors and glass containers Oh my! Any suggestions that work properly And where do you get facsimile computers and tv's

Thanks in advance

Marilynn Currie

Ps. I have four stagings to do within the next two weeks. Help!!!

Marilynn Abbotsford/Chillilwack

Mar 27, 2007 06:15 AM

#20

Angel Walker

Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Johns Creek, GA

Marilynn, you can purchase fake TVs and computers from several websites: http://www.turbopropsshop.com/ is one of them.

I've read from other Stagers that they use old comforters to pad their mirrors and artwork. I believe they fold them over and sew up 2 sides, kind of creating a huge padded pillowcase. Hope that makes sense.

Mar 27, 2007 09:03 AM

Anonymous

Marilynn Currie

Thanks Angel,

I just love active rain! It encourages and challenges me everyday!

Cheers, Marilynn

Abbotsford/Chilliwack B.C.

Mar 28, 2007 03:59 AM

#22

Jessica Hughes

Ambiance Staging - Boulder, CO

Val,

I had bamboo installed in my parents last home because its environmentally friendly, but it really did scratch and dent WAY too easily. I don't understand why because it's supposedly very hard wood.

Around here granite is out too, but concrete countertops are quite popular!

Mar 28, 2007 10:11 AM

Anonymous

Trieu Hoang

Please pardon my intrusion, but I was passing by and couldn't help but chime in about your comments regarding bamboo floors.

Only one person here got it right: "All wood flooring scratch easily"... So really, it depends on the traffic and uses -bamboo or hardwood, like it or not, there will be wears and tears. The caveat is the actually age of the bamboo when they were harvested. If they were less than 3 years old, then they are no good. (The same is true for hardwood. The older the tree, the better the end product.)

Age for age and ounce for ounce, bamboo surely beats hardwood to the punch, both in durability and price. Because of smaller grains, thin bamboo strips adhered together make a tougher floor than hardwood. If heavy traffic/use is your concern, choose the bamboo flooring with smaller/vertical grains.

Best regards,

Trieu Hoang

Apr 12, 2007 10:31 AM

#24

Jo Potvin

Design To Market LLC - Cincinnati, OH

Home Staging Cincinnati - Design To Market

I have enjoyed reading your blog. Great entries.

I was impressed with your trends list. I do think the engineered stone compound can be a smart decision. There are many different looks available and often they can be purchased at a price point slightly lower than granite. We recently recommended this solution for a home that had white Corian on white cabinets and had feedback of "dated kitchen." They had an offer within a week of updating the counter-tops and staging the main living spaces in the home.

Jo Potvin Design To Market LLC Cincinnati

Apr 18, 2007 03:26 PM