Home maintenance is a must if you want your home to look its best and be in top condition. Our real estate agents will tell you, it's also a great way to add value before listing. Add to your comfort and improve the aesthetics and functionality of your Albany home for sale with this home maintenance checklist for the summer.
Being able to play music in any room you're in or even throughout the entire house is a goal for many homeowners. With all of the advancements in technology, multi-room audio is now easier than ever before and can be achieved in a variety of ways. Here are a few systems our real estate agents see used most often.
Turning your backyard patio into a relaxing outdoor space is easy. By adding lush greenery, colorful flowers, and decorative pots, you can make your patio feel like a tropical oasis. Whether you enjoy backyard parties or reading a good book, our real estate agents know that beautiful plants add design appeal and relaxing atmosphere to any patio.
When buying patio plants, it's important to choose wisely. Just because you like the look, the plants you choose may not thrive on your patio. To create a sustainable outdoor environment, you need to choose the right patio plants for Albany homes for sale. Here are some things to consider.
Oh, the frustration! Our real estate agents helped you find a great house with plenty of garage space, but now you're looking at an ocean of boxes and bins with no room to even park your car. It's OK. Take a deep breath and get organized. Before you opt to spend even more money on a storage unit somewhere, take some time to maximize the space you already have.
Butterfly gardens are popular additions to Albany homes for sale as they decorate backyard spaces and delight children. Not only are these insects beautiful to observe, but they are also an integral part of the ecosystem as they pollinate plants. Fortunately, butterflies are easy to attract with the proper setup. Our real estate agents have compiled a simple guide below to help you start a unique butterfly garden.
Living in an older home can sometimes feel like a catch-22. How do you infuse the comforts of modern-day living without compromising its character and old-world charm? Period homes, like these Albany homes for sale, offer a captivating glimpse into bygone days and come with charming architectural details that imbue them with a timeless appeal. That said, you still want your kitchen to be functional and energy-efficient.
Let's see how you can modernize your period kitchen while retaining those beautiful features that made you fall in love with it in the first place.
If you often daydream of the beach but are miles away from the ocean, coastal décor can bring the charm of the seashore to your doorstep. When browsing through Albany homes for sale, you may wonder how to make your choice feel like summer all year round. Luckily, our real estate agents are fans of coastal interiors, and they share their best tips to evoke this style in your home below.
A coastal interior uses the texture and colors of seaside elements like the blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and sand to reflect the breeziness of the beach. Coastal interior designs differ between regions, depending on the style you desire. For instance, the Mediterranean coastal vibe features beautiful tile work, vivid colors, terracotta flooring, and warm and earthy textures.
Come January, most of our holiday greenery and decorations are a memory, and our homes can seem rather dull without them. Furthermore, January is still a long way from spring and blooming gardens, so what are we to do in the meantime? Adding greenery by way of houseplants is one way to brighten things up—a fact which will come into particular focus on Jan. 10 for National Houseplant Appreciation Day.
If you're ready to liven up your new house found among Albany homes for sale, our real estate agents are happy to share some delightful ways to do so.
Colder weather might mean more time spent inside Albany homes for sale. But that doesn't mean your DIY home projects have to come to an end. There are all kinds of things you can do to complete upgrades, improve energy efficiency, or even make your surroundings a little more pleasant. Crossing a few of these projects off your to-do list this winter will be well worth the effort.
Whether you're still looking at Albany homes for sale or have already found the perfect one, you probably can't wait to decorate your home for Christmas. The Christmas tree is the central decoration in many families, and it makes a home feel so cozy and warm. But do you put up a real tree or an artificial one? Here are some factors to consider if you're still deciding between the two.
Our real estate agents can tell you if there's one thing almost everyone wants in Albany homes for sale, it's plenty of storage. The living room is one spot some extra storage can make a difference. Since it's a common area, it's not unusual for clutter to quickly take over. You might have a variety of different things that you use in that area too, so staying organized is key. If you've been longing for some additional storage, try one or more of these ideas to add function and style to your living room.
One of our real estate agents' favorite annual events is coming soon: America Recycles Day on Nov. 15. It's the only nationally recognized day dedicated to empowering Americans to recycle more and buy recycled products. The day educates and encourages individuals to reuse as much as possible, be mindful of what they consume, repurpose items, and focus more on the recycling bins than trash cans.
Homebuyers considering some of the many gorgeous Albany homes for sale are often attracted to the majestic trees and lush lawns that surround them. But as the leaves transition from green to gold and red, they also drift to the ground, creating clean-up chores that can cut into your Saturday mornings. Our real estate agents wanted to share several helpful tools designed to keep that imposition on your time to a minimum. Here are some of their favorites:
You don't need a real estate license to find your dream home, but it does help to become familiar with the real estate jargon you might encounter during the process. When searching for a home or applying for a mortgage, you may hear your real estate agent or lender use any of the terms or acronyms below.
Keep this four-part guide handy — you'll be fluent in the language of home buying before you know it.
Find out what else you can do to prepare for buying a home here.
Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and our real estate agents know you can't wait to start making that space officially your own. If you're like most people, you probably have a lot of projects in mind to help you do exactly that. But before you get started, take a minute to do these 10 things first. You won't regret it!
When decorating your home, it's important to explore modern elements that adhere to your preferred aesthetic. One increasingly controversial item in the world of home decor is the installation of ceiling fans.
Some home decor enthusiasts feel ceiling fans are a potentially outdated, low-end addition. However, our real estate agents know that when used correctly, ceiling fans are a valuable addition to any home. Follow these tips to ensure your ceiling fans are a hit.
Improving the appearance of your landscaping can boost the curb appeal of Albany homes for sale and give your home that wow factor. Mulch is an essential part of the overall look of your landscaping. It gives everything a neat and finished look making your yard look well cared for. The right kind of mulch will help keep your plants healthy too.
There's more than one way to finish off your landscaping, so here's how to know if mulch is right for your situation:
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 20 percent of people were working from home. This figure has increased to a whopping 71 percent of people who report that they work from home at least some of the time. With so many people working from home, it's important to have a productive workspace.
If you don't have dedicated office space, you can transform your closet into one. Our real estate agents know that a home with an office space also appeals to potential home buyers. Check out these tips to turn your closet into a cozy home office.
If your books are littered everywhere around your house, here's some good news: You don't need master carpentry skills, thousands of dollars, or a workshop full of tools to build a dreamy bookshelf. With the right supplies and a little bit of creativity, you can build a unit worthy of a great library. Use it to display your cherished reads, media collection, knickknacks, and anything that suits your fancy. Our real estate agents give you the steps below for building an easy and inexpensive DIY bookshelf.
Without a doubt, 2020 was a year that no one will ever forget – and for Coldwell Banker Prime Properties, that's not just because of the pandemic. Last year, we grew by double digits, expanded into new markets, and helped more than 6500 individuals find a place to call home. At the core of our surging success is our local leadership teams, which are made up of 22 individuals, 18 of whom are women.
As a top 2% Coldwell Banker affiliate, we are especially proud this year to celebrate Coldwell Banker's recent honor of the Women's Choice Award. The Women's Choice Award is the only award that recognizes and identifies brands that women recommend.
At Coldwell Banker, we value women in real estate. I am beyond proud to work for a brand that empowers women to take on leadership roles and strives to make the industry better. Through our work with our Inclusive Ownership program and What Moves Her initiative, we are continuously exploring new ways to support leadership development, promote shared values, and provide resources for enhancing leadership tools and capabilities for women in the industry." – Liz Gehringer, chief operating officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate.
Not only is Coldwell Banker recommended as a brand to work with, but as real estate leaders in customer experience and quality, Coldwell Banker Prime Properties is an incredible place to work for.
Want to BE PART OF THE COLDWELL BANKER BRAND? Contact one of our local branch offices today!
Without a doubt, 2020 was a year that no one will ever forget – and for Coldwell Banker Prime Properties, that's not just because of the pandemic. Last year, we grew by double digits, expanded into new markets, and helped more than 6500 individuals find a place to call home. At the core of our surging success is our local leadership teams, which are made up of 22 individuals, 18 of whom are women.
As a top 2% Coldwell Banker affiliate, we are especially proud this year to celebrate Coldwell Banker's recent honor of the Women's Choice Award. The Women's Choice Award is the only award that recognizes and identifies brands that women recommend.
At Coldwell Banker, we value women in real estate. I am beyond proud to work for a brand that empowers women to take on leadership roles and strives to make the industry better. Through our work with our Inclusive Ownership program and What Moves Her initiative, we are continuously exploring new ways to support leadership development, promote shared values, and provide resources for enhancing leadership tools and capabilities for women in the industry." – Liz Gehringer, chief operating officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate.
Not only is Coldwell Banker recommended as a brand to work with, but as real estate leaders in customer experience and quality, Coldwell Banker Prime Properties is an incredible place to work for.
Want to BE PART OF THE COLDWELL BANKER BRAND? Contact one of our local branch offices today!
As a seller, you're probably looking for that extra something to give your home an edge over the competition. Starting with some advice from our real estate agents is always a good idea. They can tell you about the market in your area and what buyers are looking for right now.
Like everyone else, many buyers in the market right now have spent far more time than usual at home over the last year. And they've realized that their current home just doesn't fit their needs. So how do you make your Albany homes for sale stand out to them? Taking advantage of the current landscaping trends is an excellent place to start. The outside of the house and yard are the first things a buyer sees, so they can make a big impression. It can also help them imagine themselves entertaining friends, working out, or enjoying their favorite hobbies outdoors in this new space. And that might be just the thing that motivates them to make an offer.
Your new home's fireplace may be the part of your home that you fell in love with first, but if you've not had a fireplace before, you've got a few things to learn about your new love. Fireplaces are beautiful for creating treasured memories but require care. Not all the Albany homes for sale have fireplaces, but if you have or are looking for a home with a fireplace, keep the needs of fireplaces in mind.
Home technology seems to get smarter and smarter every year, and with some truly innovative products on the market, there couldn't be a better time to start creating your own smart home. Choosing the right devices can be confusing and ultimately comes down to your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Our real estate agents have become experts on smart home technology after seeing some of the convenient devices in these Albany homes for sale. In fact, adding a few smart devices is a great way to stage your home for potential buyers. If you're looking to add some convenience and automation to your life in 2021, our real estate agents have several tips for how you can get started with smart home technology.
There is nothing worse than having to put on the tool belt and perform home repairs in the dead of winter. Our real estate agents suggest getting a jump on those last-minute home repairs before the last leaf hits the ground this autumn. It is not only a great way to avoid frosty fingers and toes, but it is also the best way to ensure your home is protected from the wind, rain, snow, and sleet that Mother Nature is likely to deliver when winter arrives.
Some of us have a little more time on our hands than we know what to do with this summer. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as we think of ways to beautify, improve, or just make more interesting use of our landscapes. Summertime is the right time in our region to make the most of great weather and get things done before falls sets in.
Our real estate agents are experts at helping homeowners enhance their properties. They can answer your questions about how to make your home stand out among other Albany homes for sale.
Have a look at these easy projects where you can channel your creativity while making your property more appealing.
Are you listening to what your air conditioning unit is trying to tell you? Like other appliances throughout our home, our HAVC system may display symptoms of malfunctioning long before it breaks down. Unfortunately, it's much easier for us to ignore these signs if we're not trained to recognize them. Our real estate agents would hate for you to wake up to a broken A/C unit in the middle of the night. We suggest that you keep your eyes and ears open for these 10 tell-tale signs of a problematic air conditioner.
Summer is just a few short days away. Our real estate agents understand that you are eager to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and relaxing evenings around the fire. We're right there with you, and we want you to have a fun, enjoyable, and safe time. While fire pits are pleasant additions to any backyard, it's essential to follow these safety tips to ensure that your relaxing evening doesn't end with a trip to an emergency room.
As we do our best to make the most of our time at home, many of us are looking for inexpensive ways to spruce up our space. From spring cleaning and touching up your curb appeal to small interior decor updates, there are a lot of creative ways to update your home without breaking the bank.
Here are a few fun projects that our real estate agents have tackled over the past few weeks.
If you're anything like our real estate agents, there's an excellent chance you will find yourself working from home a little more than usual this year. And, if you have children at home, that means greater competition for precious internet resources so that everyone can get their work, homework, and, of course, shopping is done on time. As they say, there's no time like the present to make sure your Wi-Fi is up to the task.
Are you hearing bumps in the night? Does it sound like a screaming banshee has taken up residence in the attic? If you are hearing unusual noises coming from your house, take heart because you're not alone. Before you call an exorcist to investigate those spooky noises, our real estate agents recommend taking a look at the following common causes of the strange sounds you hear.
When our real estate agents meet with prospective buyers, they often find that a big backyard is on their "must-have" list of home features. This is typically an easy goal to meet, as many of the best Albany homes for sale have plenty of outdoor space.
Now more than ever, homeowners are starting to think about how to turn some of that backyard space into gardens. Once you know the basics, gardening is actually much easier than you might think! Start with these simple tips.
New homeowners, set a reminder on your smartphone: January 6th is National Technology Day! Technology is woven into nearly every aspect of our daily lives, and our real estate agents want to help you maximize your connectivity around your new living space. Believe it or not, many homeowners aren't aware of the many recent tech advances that can turn any type of house into a fully-functional smart home. Bring convenience into your life and consider upgrading your new space with these home automation upgrades.
Offering an added revenue stream and flexibility, Airbnb can be a tempting option for homeowners and homebuyers. Over the last 11 years, Airbnb has grown from a small startup to a global company that has disrupted the hotel and vacation rental industries. And with the growth of the online marketplace and sharing economy, Airbnb has become extremely popular and the profits may look incredible. But, is this really a good solution for you? Our real estate agents share some of the implications you should consider before renting out your home on Airbnb.
Our real estate agents receive many questions from clients who have inherited a home. Over the next few decades, an estimated $27 trillion in total wealth is expected to change hands due to inheritance. A great deal of that will come in the form of homes.
While many older adults downsize their homes in the last decade of life, inheriting a property can still present you with many challenges. At a time when you may be dealing with final arrangements, you also need to figure out what to do with a house.
An inherited home can represent a windfall, but it must be handled carefully.
Before you know it, ongoing expenses from a new property can turn into a financial burden. The key is to take the right steps from the start and keep moving forward with a clear plan for the home. In many cases, that ultimately means putting it on the market.