SiteSelection.com, a publication for corporate real estate and economic development, reports that more people are moving into and out of California than any other state.

In the Golden State, the number of outbound moves by the 700 or so moving companies in the movers.com network rose 10.3 percent, while incomers increased 9.4 percent.

In terms of population changes, SiteSelection states that New York lost 33 percent more people than it gained. Texas, meanwhile, gained 50 percent more people than moved out.

Source: Orange County Register, Jan Norman (09/05/2010)

Some people see a corner lot as an asset, but an equal number believe it is a liability.

Pluses of these properties include more flexible design options, shorter driveways, sunnier interiors, and more on-street parking. The negatives are a small and not-very-private backyard, more noise, more streetlights and headlights, and a greater need to look out for dogs and children.

Additional maintenance demands, which bring higher costs, discourage some would-be buyers of corner properties, said Steve Hovany, president of Schaumburg's Strategy Planning Associates, a real estate planning consultancy.

But some buyers like corner homes anyway. A corner home "is a rare home," said Ray Hartshorne, partner with Chicago's Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. "It's a home that's distinctive in a world that makes distinctive homes more valuable."

Source: Chicago Tribune, Jeffrey Steele (09/03/2010)

Plus, radishes are a great fall weather crop. These shade-tolerant plans also work well in the southern region of the U.S. in the winter when temperatures are in the 70s.

Sow the tiny radish seeds in half-inch deep, well-worked soil. Plant in rows or in a mass; just remember to thin so the plants are two to three inches apart once the root systems are established. Be sure to harvest the plants before the roots get too big, or they will crack and become woody.

In addition to bringing life to the garden, radishes will bring life to the kitchen. Cut off the tops and give them a good washing. Radishes will store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. They are high in vitamin C and have plenty of fiber. Raw radishes are wonderful in salad or as a crudités, and radish greens are edible as well!

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2010/08/25/fall-garden-favorites-radishes/

Sellers who replace their front door may get a full return on their investment or even turn a profit from the increase in their home’s value, according to Remodeling Magazine’s most recent annual Cost vs. Value Report. A new door will also boost their home’s curb appeal—and may even be eligible for a tax credit to boot.

Help sellers sift through their front-door options—steel, fiberglass, or wood—with tips now available in the June “Exterior Upgrades” package of articles at the REALTOR^® Content Resource. Here are some of the pros and cons of steel doors:

1. If you’re looking to save money, a steel door may be a good choice, particularly if you have the skills to hang it yourself. A simple, unadorned steel door can sell for as little as $150 (not including hardware, lock set, paint, or labor) and typically runs as much as $400 at big-box retailers. Steel offers the strongest barrier against intruders, although its advantage over fiberglass and wood in this area is slight.

2. Replacing your entry door with a steel model actually reaps a profit in added home value. Remodeling Magazine estimates the total project cost of installing a 20-gauge steel door at about $1,200—and the project, on average, returns about 129% of cost or $1,400.

3. The attractive cost of a steel door comes with an important caveat: Its typical life span under duress is shorter than either fiberglass or wood. A steel door exposed to salt air or heavy rains may last only five to seven years, according to Bob Bossard, general manager of 84 Lumber in Clarksville, Del. Despite steel’s reputation for toughness, it actually didn’t perform well in Consumer Reports testing against wood and fiberglass for normal wear and tear.

4. With heavy use, a steel door may dent, and the damage can be difficult and expensive to repair. If your door will be heavily exposed to traffic or the elements, you may be better off choosing a different material.

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2010/06/23/knock-knock-who%e2%80%99s-there-a-new-door/#more-1501

The seemingly endless run of bad housing news is discouraging some potential home buyers from considering a purchase. But the truth is that the advantages of homeownership have very little to do with investment gains. The best things about owning a home have a lot more to do with personal comfort and satisfaction.

Here are five of them:

· Be your own landlord. The bank can only kick you out if you don’t pay; a landlord can be much less dependable – deciding to sell the property or choosing to live there themselves.
· Paying the principal is forced savings. Yes, it’s possible that home prices will fall further. It is also possible that your 401(k) will lose value. But over the long haul, both are likely to enjoy modest gains in value.
· Fixed-rate mortgages never rise – and eventually you pay them off. With mortgage rates at record lows, people who buy now are locking in real bargains.
· Good schools. Family-sized rentals are harder to come by in areas with excellent public schools.
· Spacious properties in pleasant neighborhoods. Sizable homes in attractive communities are almost always owned – not rented.

Source: The New York Times, Ron Lieber (08/27/2010)

In-ground pools can be attractive features when selling a home; Realtor.com allows buyers to narrow their home search to properties with only a pool. However, some buyers are looking more closely at the added expense, just as some home owners are even opting to remove that once-considered jewel of the backyard.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article (Taking a Bath on Your Pool by Brett Arends), experts estimated that pools can add $3,000-$5,000 in maintenance a year. And if something goes wrong, say the filters or pump need replaced, costs can quickly add up. 

For example, a pool that is five years old often needs a new filter or pump, which could cost an estimated $500, according to an MSNBC article (“Is It a Pool or Money Pit?” by Melinda Fulmer). A pool that needs to be resurfaced may cost $5,000-$10,000, depending on its size. And thinking about upgrading the tile, decking, or plaster? That could cost you up to $20,000, according to the article.

And don’t forget initial installation fees too. Pool installation fees, which vary considerably, often range from about $25,000 to $50,000.

Don’t want the pool any more? Getting rid of it isn’t cheap either. A partial removal can run you anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the size. A full removal, which varies greatly, averages $10,000 to $15,000 for a small pool, according to CostHelper.com.

Taking into account all of the expenses, many financial advisers are telling buyers to take caution before jumping into pool ownership.

However, expenses aside, a well-maintained pool, especially in an area where you can use it more than three months out of the year, can still be an attractive feature to buyers.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, a trade association representing the industry, recently posted a response to The Wall Street Journal’s article questioning the expense of a pool: “There are many, many things – including pools – which people choose to buy because it makes their lives better,” the association writes on its Web site. “A pool or a hot tub may or may not be a financial investment, but they are most assuredly a quality-of-life investment.”

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2010/08/30/are-pools-worth-the-expense/

The increased use of digital applications to ensure consistency, safety, speed-cooking, and make bathing and kitchen work more enjoyable continued this year at the annual National Kitchen & Bath Association industry show.

Bathroom and kitchen products have gotten so smart, in fact, that home owners soon may have little to do but sit back while the power of water swooshing from a rainhead turns on its lights, or a laundry “cabinet” steams wet clothing dry while making it smell as fresh as the outdoors.

Here are other favorites seen at this year’s show:

1. Aquatic’s tubs look inviting, and the 60-inch by 32-inch models that fit a standard-size alcove offer a plus — they’re accessible and don’t convey an institutional aesthetic. The touch of a button causes a tempered, double-pane glass front to drop down. Other benefits: a 30-second quick drain, unobtrusive grab bars, and optional air jets.

2. Delta’s “Touch20” technology lets users tap a faucet to turn on water, thereby eliminating twisting a lever for those with arthritis or simply up to their elbows in flour or other cooking messes; it also times-out after a few minutes, so water stops flowing; good for conservation. 

3. Moen’s “io” has added a hand-held spray for Roman-style tubs for home owners to use when bathing (or showering). The digital device allows users to pre-set favorite temperatures and flow rates, akin to having a personal butler. An optional remote control is available.

4. Lutron, known for providing the right amount of artificial light in a room through sleek switches and dimmers, now is helping home owners control natural light, too. With its drapery and Roman shade systems, home owners touch a button and window treatments in a choice of fabrics descend or rise. Wireless hand-held options are available.

5. Blum’s “Aventos” lift-up, lift system comes equipped with a button so bi-fold cabinet doors open and close without home owners having to reach up and lift, good for aging Boomers or anyone with physical disabilities or health challenges.

6. Most burners generate plenty of high heat, but keeping a flame at a low simmer is a tougher challenge. DCS Range’s models melt chocolate and other foods without burning them at a very low 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. BreezeDry’s recessed or freestanding eco-friendly clothes-dryer cabinet eliminates trips to a drycleaner, shrinkage, damage of delicates, and fading from sunlight if clothing is placed outdoors. Home owners hang or lay wet items inside the cabinet, choose whether they want to simulate outdoor or indoor air, push a button—and the system senses when drying is done. Favorite settings can be programmed, and less energy is used than with a standard dryer.

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2010/05/25/7-ways-to-go-digital-in-the-kitchen-and-bath/#more-1441

Sometimes what works in creating a great photo of a home doesn’t work in reality. That’s the main point of an article on “10 Decor Trends to Skip,” written by The Nest and reprinted at MSN.com. It’s always amusing to read the latest fashion faux pas when it comes to home design.

Here are some of the design blunders that made The Nest’s list.

• Antlers: Mounted horns displayed on walls became popular accessories in magazine home design spreads. But it’s now best to leave the horns on the animals, not the walls.

• Inspirational decor: Inspirational sayings like “Keep Calm and Carry On” or lettered decals such as “dream” or “friends” are no longer inspiring for home decor.

• Boutique hotel chic: It’s no longer a good idea to take pointers from hotels to guide your decorating. You’ll be left with “stiff minimalism, dull neutrals” — a quick way to achieve a blah room design, according to the article. (You might want to channel those inspirational sayings before starting your design!)

• Accent walls: Yes, surprisingly, accent walls made the list. Accent walls were once touted as a great way to bring in splashes of color, without committing to painting the entire room. But there’s no half-way now: It’s all or nothing. According to the article: “When all-white rooms were in fashion, one brightly painted or wallpapered wall was a great way to break up the monotony. But now, with bolder paint colors the norm, accent walls have less purpose and can break up the flow of a room. Plus, what was once an unpredictable pop of color is now, well…predictable.”

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2010/06/10/the-big-bad-ugly-of-home-decor/#more-1453

Cash-conscious consumers continue to seek value, whether they purchase a $10,000 bathtub with jets, chromatherapy, and soothing sounds, or a $25 gallon of low- or no-VOC paint in chic fashion-forward hues.

Part of building in value is having the ability to make selections, then change them affordably as lifestyles change. A host of products at were showcased at the the annual National Kitchen & Bath Association show in Chicago in April. They demonstrated how flexible and cost-effective kitchen and bathroom products have become. Some innovative designs on view:

• 

  Rev-a-Shelf

  Rev-a-Shelf’s space-saving interior systems now include glass-lined shelves that can be adjusted up and down or left to right, depending on a cabinet’s shape and size and what’s stored. One pull-out “basket” turns 360 degrees to provide complete access. The glass is finished to prevent items from sliding.

• Giani TM, a paint kit that transforms laminate countertops or backsplashes into granite look-alikes, lets homeowner’s redesign rooms quickly and stylishly at a fraction of the price of costly remodelings, whether for their own enjoyment or to attract sellers. The $49.95 kit offers a choice of six patterns and colors and requires just five steps.
• With counter space at a premium, sinks are no longer just sinks. Kohler’s “Poise” features a removable cutting board, wine glass rack for glasses to dry upside down, and basin to protect the sink base. The company’s “Stages” sink has a removable cutting board and prep trays and serving bowls. Blanco offers similar solutions with its 20-inch-round “Ronis” sink with cutting board and tray with colander and solid basket.
  
• Saving space means greater design flexibility, and Geberit’s concealed tank and carrier system frees up 2 square feet of floor space per toilet. The design also makes it easier to clean underneath the bowl.  
  

  Liebherr wine and humidor

• Liebherr’s fully-integrated wine and humidor equipment take up no counter or floor space since they’re designed to be built into walls. The humidor fits 15 to 16 dozen cigars; the wine cellars keeps 18 bottles at a range of temperatures.
• Kichler’s energy-efficient LED lighting strips can be installed in a variety of lengths and in any place–from along toe kicks at cabinet bases to underneath countertops and inside ceiling coves at the top of a room.

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2010/06/21/kitchen-bath-building-in-flexibility/#more-1468

Functionality is still a key driver when home owners spend thousands of dollars to build and remodel kitchens and bathrooms. But high performance shouldn’t exclude comfort — and fun. These products, which were highlighted at the 2010 annual National Kitchen & Bath Association show in Chicago, mesh function and comfort:

1. Warmly Yours adds the right amount of warmth just where it’s needed to make bathing, shaving, or applying make-up easier and more delightful, with radiant floor mats, towel warmers, and defoggable mirrors. Outdoors, sensors can detect wetness and cold to warm surfaces, whether a driveway, front walk, or patio.

2. Known for its dish drawers, Fisher & Paykel introduced an all-in-one “CoolDrawer” that makes gathering in the kitchen more enjoyable. The undercounter, variable-temperature drawer can be programmed to chill or freeze foods and store wine.

3. Glass works well as a countertop surface since it’s fashioned from recycled content, is low maintenance, nonporous, durable, and can be molded into curves or angles. But it also can be an artistic, fun surface to work on. ThinkGlass’ control panel allows the glass to change colors while also being illuminated.

4. Bathing hasn’t been just about getting clean since ancient times, but today’s tubs keep upping the ante on how relaxing the experience it can be. Kohler’s “Fountainhead VibrAcoustic” design features vibration, recorded sound tracks–though home owners can add their own music choices, chromatherapy, and different colors for the tub itself. Maax’s “Eterne” tub offers similar pleasures with aromatherapy, chromatherapy, a quiet pump, and optional back massage heater.

5. With new standards required to make showering more water efficient, Moen’s “Envi” rainhead satisfies the need; its 100 nozzles also make the experience more soothing. The head can also be adjusted so fewer nozzles provide a more concentrated spray.