Ohio Market Watch: Good news…first-time home buyer interest rising

Ohio Market Watch: Good news…first-time home buyer interest rising

Karen Halman

Transaction Realty

330-807-3970 call or text

Voted Beacon's Best 2015

karenhalman@gmail.com

The Sleek Studio Modern Style Guide

The Sleek Studio Modern Style Guide

If the idea of a crisp, clean, clutter-free space appeals to you, a modern look might be just the right fit for your home. Follow these tips below and discover how minimalist furniture, high-polish accents, and a bold but well-edited color palette can give your home a fresh new look.

Contemporary Style 101: All of the essential moves for a modern home.

Simplify and Minimize:

Sleek, pared-down shapes are essential to modern design. Choose furniture and decor that are fairly compact and low-profile, such as sofas that sit closer to the floor, lamps with thin, slight bases, and accent tables with minimal hardware. Not only does this create a streamlined, airy look, it makes living in smaller spaces easier and more comfortable.

Find the Right Angle:

One of the most important characteristics of modern decor is clean lines and an emphasis on overall form rather than intricate detail. When choosing furnishings, select pieces that feature crisp angles and clean surfaces. Coffee tables, mirrors, and rugs for the modern home are often inspired by geometric forms—squares, rectangles, and triangles.

Add Curve Appeal:

While straight lines are important, a bit of curvature balances the look. Think bentwood chairs, tulip-style tables, and sculptural oval lamps.

Turn Up the Heat:

Modern design has an undeserved reputation for being stark and cold, but the right mix of pieces can create a truly inviting space. To keep more contemporary silhouettes from feeling sterile, choose accents in bold shades like red and orange, add a faux sheepskin area rug, or incorporate warm woods like polished teak, walnut, or maple.

Elements of Modern Style: The fundamental components of contemporary style.

The Palette:  Your home doesn’t have to be a vision in white to be modern—there are endless possibilities when it comes to your color palette. Any color scheme can work as long as it’s pared down enough. Stick with two or three colors for your anchor pieces, and play with accent colors to your heart’s content.

The Classic:

Juxtapose sophisticated neutrals like camel, navy, and black with shiny metallic finishes like brass, copper, polished nickel, and chrome.

Electric Style:

Choose a neutral like light grey or ivory and use different shades of it throughout your space. Then, throw in a pop of color using throw pillows, decorative bowls and vases, and artwork in neon hues.

Into the Dark:

Go deep by using mostly black and charcoal to decorate. Keep it from feeling closed off by incorporating lighter elements sporadically—for example, break up a sea of dark cabinetry with an ivory countertop. If you’re going with a black sofa, offset it with a white accent chair.

Modern Furniture

In our book, furniture needs to be both hardworking and beautiful. Create a home that’s modern and functional with these decorating ideas.

Add Elements of Surprise:

In a smaller space, increase functionality by trying a sleek settee in place of a traditional sofa, a set of lucite nesting tables instead of a standard coffee table, or a storage ottoman instead of an extra arm chair.

Leave it to the Legs:

When choosing your furniture, don’t overlook the legs. Tapered legs, hairpin legs, and legs in a dark wood or even a chrome finish are all safe bets for modern spaces.

Emphasize Wood Tones:

Choose coffee tables, sideboards, or bookshelves in polished walnut or burled wood to create a warm environment that still feels modern.

Modern Accents & Decor

Once you’ve taken care of the color palette and the larger items, you’re free to play with smaller accent pieces. Find the perfect modern details for every room of your home by following these tips.

Go Chrome:

Quintessential to the modern aesthetic is shiny chrome. A table lamp with a chrome base, a bookshelf with chrome shelves, or a gleaming light fixture is a sure way to command attention.

In the Abstract:

Since many modern furniture pieces are artful and sculptural in their own right, they pair well with quirky wall art and sculptures. Try a colorful abstract print on its own or in a gallery wall, or place a shapely statement object on your coffee table or mantel.

Float On:

Instead of a standard bookcase, consider using a series of floating shelves to display your collections. You can also lean framed pieces against the wall this way. Floating shelves are an easy way to change up your décor, and because they’re suspended off the ground, they can help create the illusion of more space.

https://www.jossandmain.com/Modern-C1860540.html

Cottage Furniture Style Guide

Cottage Furniture Style Guide

Love the idea of living in an inviting cottage full of flea-market treasures? Any space can be transformed into a shabby-meets-sophisticated space with a few thoughtful touches. Create your own inviting, timeworn look at home with these cottage furniture ideas and decorating tips.

Cottage Style 101: How to create a charming, welcoming look in any home.

Embrace Distress:

What sets a cottage-inspired space apart is its sense of easy hospitality. Weathered, distressed pieces set a relaxed tone and lend your furnishings a sentimental air. Common finishes for country -cottage furniture, décor, and accents include whitewash or gesso, galvanized metal, and vintage glass.

Think Heirloom, not Antique:

A hallmark of shabby-yet-sophisticated style is items that nod to the past. But that doesn’t mean you have to source museum-quality antiques. Family heirlooms, yard-sale finds, and items that appear “found” or passed down add as much, if not more, cottage charm to a room.

Bring In a Bit of Whimsy:

Whether it’s a ceramic rooster perched on a kitchen shelf, a candleholder fashioned from mason jars, or burlap table runner, items with an unexpected story keep a home’s mood light.

Mix the upscale with the utilitarian:

A vintage-style chandelier offers a delightful contrast to a barnwood headboard, while delicate china displayed against humble beadboard assumes a quiet grace. Mix and match to create the perfect balance of elegant and rustic.

https://www.jossandmain.com/Cottage-C1860535.html

The Rustic Furniture Style Guide

The Rustic Furniture Style Guide

If a warm, cozy space filled with vintage-inspired finds and tidbits of history appeals to you, then rustic decor may be the perfect fit for your home. Follow these design tips and use rich leather, distressed woods, and hints of metal to give any room a well-worn, laid-back feel.

Rustic Style 101: All of the essentials for a rustic home.

1. Distressed is Best: Furniture and accents that appear timeworn will give your space a homey, lived-in look. Intersperse newer-looking pieces, like plush throw pillows and polished wall sconces, to keep it from feeling too shabby.
2. Work with Wood: Shelving, consoles, and coffee tables in rough-hewn wood are hard-working but feel cozy. Pieces made from reclaimed wood bring an element of antiquity to your home.
3. Mix and Match Metals: Copper, steel, and iron work well together in a rustic setting. Iron wire baskets, copper pitchers, and steel barstools are all useful ways to incorporate metals in your space.
4. Love Leather: Sofas, arm chairs, and benches upholstered in buttery leather are both practical and comfortable, while storage bins and large trunks with leather details exude rustic appeal.

Elements of Rustic Style: All of the necessary components to achieve a rustic look.

The Palette: It's hard to go wrong with a rustic color palette. Choose a neutral color scheme and mix in hints of warm and cool colors for a welcoming, relaxed space that still has an indisputable energy about it.

A Traditional Approach

A classic rustic color palette is forged in deep browns, grays, black, and dashes of navy blue and sage green. Warm auburn and hints of paprika tie it all together to create a cozy, inviting home.

Rustic, Redefined

Add pops of brighter hues throughout your space-a chest in a weathered robin's egg blue, an accent stool in a rusty red, and an iron bench in a bright kelly green all achieve this.

Light and Bright

Reflect more light and give your home an airy feel with a lighter color scheme. Combine white, ivory, and lighter gray with small accents in a color like pale green or burnt orange for a fresh take on rustic style.

Rustic Furniture

Rustic decor has a warm, inviting feel. Make sure you channel that in your furniture by choosing pieces that incorporate soft leather, casual fabric, sturdy wood, and hints of metal.

1. Go For an Industrial Edge: Classic silhouettes with factory-inspired detailing tie in well with a rustic design scheme. Find this look in cabinets with wire-fronted drawers, bookshelves made from metal rather than wood, and consoles on large casters.
2. Keep it Cozy: Soft leather sofas, wicker arm chairs, and footstools upholstered in casual linen all help a space to feel laid-back and comfortable.
3. Choose Wooden Furniture: Rough-hewn wood is a must-have in any rustic home, so choose a media cabinet, dining table, or nightstand in a beautiful, long-lasting wood to achieve this classic look.

Rustic Accents & Decor

Add a personal touch to your space with vintage-inspired finds and accents that tie the rustic look together.

1. Light it Up: Simple iron chandeliers, pendants, and table lamps are all hallmarks of the rustic design scheme. Add in a light fixture or two with metal or wire cage shades to bring in a subtle industrial twist.
2. Climb Up the Walls: Don't forget to utilize all of your wall space-hang distressed, understated wall clocks, large vintage prints, and unique shelving units to fill it out.
3. Bring the Outdoors In: Display seasonal wreaths, faux taxidermy, and chandeliers made from faux antlers to create a lodge-like space.

https://www.jossandmain.com/Rustic-C1860529.html

Coastal Furniture & Decor Style Guide

Coastal Furniture & Decor Style Guide

Whether your home has an ocean view or you simply crave a casual, coastal chic feel, there are just a few steps between you and a beach beautiful space. Consider these coastal style furniture ideas and nautical decorating tips.

Seaside Style 101: The basics of ocean-inspired home design.

1. Keep it Casual: Since coastal cottages are all about unwinding, furniture and finishes should be relaxed and unfussy. (can we get a quick example that names some furniture types?) e.g. Stay away from wrought iron and go for some weathered wicker patio furniture.
2. Bring the Outdoors In: The look is inspired by coastal settings, so turn to natural wood tones, natural fibers that evoke beach grass, and colors reminiscent of the sand, sea, and sky. Same as above, e.g. Teak or white dining furniture are favorites for this look.
3. Let in the Light: As beach house spaces are bright and breezy, plenty of light is a must. To let in lots of natural light, opt for diffusing shades or sheers over windows. Layering light fixtures (like mixing pendants with sconces and table lamps) adds to the airiness.
4. Think Outside the Shell: A literal approach to coastal style—one that incorporates marine wall decor like anchors, shells, and boats—is more appropriate for harborside homes than inland ones. But even if your home has a water view, limiting yourself to one or two beach-themed patterns keeps the look from crossing into “kitsch”. Beyond those details, focus on using materials and textures that communicate “beach” in a subtle, sophisticated way.

Elements of Coastal Style: Colors and materials with beach-house charm.

The Palette: For ocean-inspired homes and beach houses, there’s no combination more classic blue and white. But by varying shades, saturation, and accent colors, you can personalize the palette for your space and style. Whether you prefer nautical and preppy or natural and serene, consider these tips.

For a New England-nautical vibe

Accent a navy and white palette with bold pops of red and yellow. For furniture, choose darker, polished wood tones like a walnut coffee table or cherry accent chairs, plus painted pieces in primary shades.

For a Carolina-coastal approach

Pair misty blues and pale shades of aqua with softer shades of white like cream and eggshell. With wood, opt for bleached or white-washed finishes.

For a neutral take

If you prefer to decorate without much color, evoke a beach house feel by pairing shades of white, gray, and sand with furniture in weathered or reclaimed wood.

For a tropical twist

Deep aquamarine shades accented by touches of pink recalls waves, conch, and coral. Painted or natural, pieces like rattan decorative boxes and bamboo framed mirrors augment the island vibe.

The Furniture

1. Say yes to slipcovers. Casually chic and easy to clean, slipcovered seating in a pale neutrals evokes the sails of a boat.
2. Choose furniture with function. Bunk beds, daybeds with trundles, pullout sofas, and extra seating make it easy to accommodate house guests.
3. Follow tradition.Coastal style has traditional roots, so look for timeless shapes or antique pieces. If you want a more updated look, paint classic furniture white or a vibrant shade of red or blue.

The Accents & Decor

1. Include elements of the coastal life. Stripes, rope accents, porthole mirrors, and buoys add classic regatta-inspired charm. Sea glass, sun-bleached shells, and collections of glass bottles in various shades of blue and green are reminders of the ocean landscape.
2. Bring in blooms. Bouquets of real or faux hydrangeas, pale roses, and tulips keep the look light. Choose casual arrangements, and stick to a mellow pastel palette.
3. Incorporate details found in classic coastal homes. Beadboard, shiplap, and wainscoting add interest to walls. Lantern-style pendants illuminate interiors and outdoor spaces alike.

https://www.jossandmain.com/Coastal-C1860520.html

Boho Furniture & Decor Style Guide

Boho Furniture & Decor Style Guide

If you crave a relaxed, fun space that reflects your personal interests and experiences, then bohemian furniture and decor may be for you. Find unexpected harmony in overlapping prints, fabrics, and styles by following these decorating tips.

Bohemian Style 101: All of the essentials to create an enchanting, eclectic interior.

1. Play up the Pattern: Mixing textiles is an easy way to give your space a romantic, undone vibe. Try combining sizes and styles; choose a large zebra hide rug, a more subdued ethnic throw, and delicate floral pillows to give a living room an undeniable energy.
2. Showcase Travel Treasures: Bohemian style represents insatiable curiosity and an exploratory nature. Display souvenirs from your travels or ones that call to mind your favorite places to create a home that is rich with memories and culture.
3. Bring in the BotanicalsSurround yourself with lush plant life to evoke a carefree atmosphere. Nothing says bohemian like easygoing decor-and nothing says easygoing like the organic forms of cascading foliage and bright blossoms.
4. Ride the Curve:When choosing larger pieces for your home, focus on finding furniture and accents with soft forms and rounded edges. Think Moroccan poufs, floor pillows, and deep, inviting seating.

Elements of Bohemian Style: The materials and colors to design a wonderfully eccentric home.

The Palette: Rich, luxe shades-warm and cool alike-are fundamental elements of this unorthodox style. That being said, never underestimate the power of more traditional earth tones to bring serenity to your space.

Cool Comfort

Try playing with amethyst, turquoise, and jade. Turquoise is vivid, so use it in smaller accents throughout a room. Jade makes a wonderful wall color, and furniture upholstered in faded amethyst velvet provides a hint of vintage glamour.

Warm Wishes

Saffron, ruby, and dashes of bright pink work in harmony to create a cozy, inviting space. Cover a neutral sofa in patterned pillows laced with mustard and magenta, and anchor the space with a rug in coordinating shades of deep red and golden yellow.

The More the Merrier

Combine warm and cool shades for an exuberant landscape of color that is sure to invigorate your space. Then, choose textiles that utilize both shades to tie everything together.

Natural and Neutral

If you love the bohemian vibe but aren't as inclined to pile on layer after layer of color, earth tones may be your best option. Look for upholstered furniture and patterned accent pieces in cream, beige, and rich terracotta to create an understated bohemian vibe.

The Furniture

For a globetrotting feel, bohemian style furniture shouldn't be perfectly matched. When considering sofas, break up a coordinating set by incorporating a flea market find, and don't forget that soft furniture with plenty of room to lounge is essential to creating a relaxed environment.

1. Mix and (don't) Match: Take a fearless approach to your furniture-don't think twice about mixing leather, velvet, and wood. You can tie the materials in together later on with textiles and decor. .
2. Bend and Bow: Furniture with graceful, curved lines is ideal in bohemian decor. Try modern takes on Victorian styles-their swooping silhouettes mixed with more casual bohemian elements create a sort of free-spirited elegance.
3. Toy with Textiles: Don't limit pattern to small accents and decor pieces. Pick a printed arm chair-and while you're at it, choose a printed ottoman to go with it.

The Accents & Decor

Complete your bohemian oasis by tending to the details of the space. Your pieces should feel collected, so take your time gathering unique items that really resonate with your style. It won't happen in one afternoon, but the result will be a distinctive space reflective of your personal interests.

1. Mix in Metallics Gold, bronze, and copper accents are sure to catch your eye and add interest to a room. Use these colors in statuettes, decorative bowls, and picture frames.
2. Give in to Glass Glass-colored and clear-is a must-have in a bohemian space. Moravian star pendant lights, miniature terrariums, and vases are all great ways to incorporate glass.
3. Curate Culture: In your travels, choose small items, like eclectic textiles, one-of-a-kind wall art, or local pottery to bring home and display. Not only will these elements make wonderful conversation pieces, they'll serve as everyday reminders of your adventures.

https://www.jossandmain.com/Bohemian-C1860522.html

The Industrial Furniture and Decor Style Guide

For quite some time I have been trying to explain the Industrial Style to my husband. This is a terrific introduction to the currently popular decor style.

The Industrial Furniture & Decor Style Guide

Is your dream neighborhood a quirky combination of coffeehouses, art galleries, and funky bistros? Love functional pieces with a bit of rough-hewn edge? Then an industrial furniture style look with downtown appeal may be just the right style for your space. Create a surprisingly comfortable abode by combining an open, airy space with factory-inspired decor and a warm color palette.

Downtown Style 101: The basic steps to achieve an industrial-chic style

1. Rough it Up:  Mimic the rustic architecture or commercial past of a city loft space with industrial furniture and accents. Reclaimed-wood farm tables, drafting stools, cart-style tables, and hard-working leather upholstery communicate the industrial furniture look.
2. Be a Collector:  Loft living forgoes a buttoned-up finish in favor of collected cool. Mix and match textiles and accents in a variety of styles to give your space depth and personality. Unify an eclectic decor scheme with a common color palette.
3. Create Texture:  Not everyone is lucky enough to have exposed brick walls, smooth concrete floors, and beamed, vaulted ceilings. If your space lacks texture in its foundation, bring in large pieces that establish the raw and salvaged furniture vibe, such as a weighty industrial console in your entry, a trunk-style coffee table, or factory-inspired shelves that span an entire wall.
4. Mix in Metal:  When choosing finishes and accents, industrial style often incorporates plenty of metal, such as iron, nickel, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. Shake things up with a stainless-steel counter top on your industrial kitchen island, or add a utilitarian edge by hanging cage-style metal pendant lights. (Bonus points for using exposed-filament, Edison-style bulbs.)

Elements of Industrial Style: The materials and colors to create a factory-inspired home

The Palette:  Decor that is truly reminiscent of an urban, industrial loft space utilizes a lot of different elements—you’ll most likely be working with an abundance of materials, textures, and styles. A pared-down color palette will unify your space and keep it from feeling cluttered.

1. The Former Factory:  For a reclaimed space, take inspiration from the industrial surroundings and use steel gray, brick red, and rich wood tones in your home. Incorporate forest green and black accents for a pop of color and contrast.
2. The Artist’s Loft:  Mix touches of bright, saturated colors with a more muted color scheme to bring a vaguely artsy, bohemian vibe to your home. Take palette cues from a colorful rug or patterned throw pillow you love.
3. An Airy Retreat:  Emphasize the openness of your loft-like space—or create the illusion of openness—with a lighter, more monochromatic palette. Using mostly ivory and light gray will provide a more modern feel, but the right silhouettes and accents will ensure an overall “industrial” look.

Industrial Furniture

Create a downtown vibe with a mix of materials and styles, keeping in mind these key points while you shop:

1. Highlight Wood Tones:  Wood tones are an important component of loft-style decor. Seek out wood furniture with a rough-hewn or salvaged look, including pieces with distressing and visible nailheads.
2. Mix and Match:  When decorating with industrial furniture, mix in the occasional traditional silhouette or antique piece to give the room depth and prevent it from feeling stark or cold.
3. Lounge in Leather:  Leather furniture ties in beautifully with industrial decor. An oversized leather sofa gives a room warmth and softness that is absent in metal, concrete, and brick. Accent seating in deep chestnut brown or tobacco tones—or even cherry red leather—work seamlessly with industrial color palettes.

This industrial dining table is a perfect choice for an urban dining room. It’s metal base gives it the industrial look, balanced by the wood tones of the tabletop.

Pick furniture, like this industrial coffee table, that feature metal wheels and gears that look like they’ve been salvaged from an old factory.

Industrial Accents & Decor

While basics like the color scheme and furniture are important in achieving the industrial vibe, in the end it’s the details like industrial decor that really define the “loft” look. Every piece should tell a story and contribute to the overall space, so don’t forget to give the smaller items ample attention:

1. Display Graphics and Typography:  Industrial Wall art like subway maps, blueprints, and marquee signs are a natural fit in urban apartments and are go-to industrial accents.
2. Think Vertical:  In a loft or warehouse-type space, make the most of soaring ceilings by arranging art, gallery style, all the way up the walls.
3. Embrace Your Soft Spot: Balance hard lines and slim silhouettes with soft, textured accents. Pile industrial style throw pillows on the sofa and layer urban area rugs to create visual interest.
4. Go Clear:  Try to incorporate lighting with clear glass shades—or no shades at all—to display antique-inspired Edison bulbs.
5. Add mechanical elements:  Oversized nail heads and studs, task lighting, and architectural details are all small elements that will have a big impact.

https://www.jossandmain.com/Industrial-C1860554.html

Making an Offer

Making an Offer April 2016 In a seller’s market, the first person to put an offer on a house is not necessarily the person who will get the house. In fact, there may be a number of potential buyers all vying for the same property. How do you win the house of your dreams? Get Good Guidance The best piece of advice you can get when buying a home is to hire a knowledgeable, trustworthy real estate agent who can guide you through the ups and downs of a home purchase. An experienced agent will not only be able to explain the process to you simply and easily, but will also understand how the market is working in your area. A good agent will know what kinds of deal-sweeteners will catch the seller’s eye, and, of course, will write the actual offer in a way that gets you the best deal for yourself, as well. Get Preapproved I can’t stress this enough: If you don’t provide a preapproval letter from your lender when you make your offer, you won’t even be considered as a serious buyer. Getting a preapproval is free; it also helps you determine your budget and will give you an idea of what your monthly payments will be. I am ready to sit down and talk with you at any time about the paperwork you’ll need to gather and the steps we’ll take to get you a preapproval letter in hand. Making Concessions To get what you want, you need to give a little. There are numerous extras you can offer a seller that will push you to the top of the potential buyers’ list. Pick up the seller’s escrow fees and county transfer tax or fee. They generally add up to about $1,000, give or take, making this an easy favor that looks like a big deal. Bring extra cash. If the house does not appraise for the amount you’ve offered, you can bridge the gap between the appraised value and the offer price at closing. Be willing to move as quickly (or as slowly) as the seller needs. If they want a 12-day contingency period, then get a move on and start ordering those inspections. Conversely, if they won’t be ready to vacate the home in order to close in one month, then slow down your own moving plans. Go the Extra Mile With so many houses receiving numerous offers these days, sellers are able to pick and choose on whatever bases they like. This doesn’t mean they always pick the highest offer. Give yourself an edge by responding promptly in a serious, straightforward manner. Be sure your financing is lined up and ready to go. And be personable. Yes, sometimes a seller will choose the buyer they like the most. One way to get a leg up in this area is to write a personal letter to the seller that not only raves about the house, the location, and the amenities, but also shows you as a real person, with plans to make the house your home. Showing that you will love the home as much as the seller did can propel you ahead of the competition. Keep in mind that no matter how much you love that house and how desperately you want it, it is never a good idea to waive inspections. Pest, home, roof, and in many cases sewer inspections will save you from seeing your dream home turn into a nightmare. For recommendations on an excellent real estate agent and experienced real estate inspectors, contact me at your earliest convenience, and we’ll get you ready to make a move on a new home! Copied from: Scott Melaragno Mortgage Loan Originator Home Point Financial 8351 North High Street Suite 101 Columbus, OH 43235 Office: 614-721-8604 Fax: 614-448-4571 NMLS: 83286 Contact Me My Website