~FLOWER POWER (Real Estate Style!)

Are you fighting a bad case of cabin fever this Winter? If so, you're not alone! Dormant flower beds all across the nation are begging for some splashes of color.





Here's a list of the top 10 inexpensive, easy-to-maintain flowers that will please those beds, your budget, and your neighbors.  

Curb appeal is your home's first impression to buyers and neighbors alike. It can say a lot about how you respect your home and property. Ask yourself these questions: How do you feel about a home with an overgrown lawn? Do you prefer flower beds that are empty and full of weeds or beds that are planted with new Spring flowers? The answers are easy! We all prefer yards that are well-kept. That includes buyers.

When a buyer makes an offer on your home, they are buying the idea of a lifestyle as much as the structure itself. This is why it is so important to start off on the right foot. You want buyers to think of your home as the perfect home with the perfect, charming yard.

Here's are the top ten flower to include this year:

1. Knock-Out Roses. Traditional roses usually have a few week blooming period. And while those blooms can be fragrant and spectacular, it means limited time when the color is out. Instead opt for these high-powered performers.

2. Hostas. While a hosta isn't a "flower" per sae (though they do flower), it can be a perfect addition to beds that beg ground cover. They work great in shady areas and as an added bonus come back year after year.

3. Geraniums. These colorful flowers bloom all summer long (when you pick off dead blooms) and pack an added bonus. Their fragrant scent is a natural mosquito repellant. Geraniums come in a wide array of colors so let your creative side come out to play when choosing your hues this year.

4. Petunias. There are lots of colors to choose from and these growers look great in hanging baskets. Pick complimentary colors for your house. Red with green, orange with blue and so on. Keep them watered and they'll bloom well into Fall.

5. Violets. These low growing purple flowers are also perennials and can add a lovely border edge to any bed.

6. Impatiens. These little beauties are another shade-tolerant plant that looks great in beds around the base of trees as well as along borders.

7. Marigolds. These golden-hued bloomers are hardy. This means even those with a black thumb may have a hard time killing them! Just like their color implies, these flowers love full sun.

8. Vincas. These delicate little flowers can add just the touch of charm to sidewalk borders. They are low maintenance and will add color all season.

9. Grasses. Do you need to add some height to your flower beds? Pampas and other ornamental grasses can be real statement plants. They "bloom" in a variety of colors. Just keep them away from your house since dry grasses in the Fall can be a fire hazard.

10. Zinnias. Does your region get blistering hot summers? Do half of your plants die every year? This sun lover with bask in the heat and keep on blooming.

Once the risk of freeze is passed in your town, your local home improvement stores will start offering your favorite blooms and buds for sale. Remember the simple rule of thumb that annuals are here for the season and then gone, while perennials come back year after year. When the time for planting comes to your region, give some thought to the curb appeal of your home and how plants can help you make a statement.

Home Sweet Home for the Holidays!

~Home Sweet Home for the Holidays~

by Kelsey Johnson

As real estate agents, Brian and I know a thing or two about finding homes for our clients. It's our job and personal obligation to find the best home for each and every client, and when we talk about finding home, we don't just mean finding a "house."

The difference between a "house" and "home" is a very simple philosophy. "Home" should be the place you see yourself cooking Christmas dinner, and where you envision how you're going to entertain guests on your patio with a nice BBQ next summer. It's a place where your kids can search for Easter eggs, and unwrap presents under the family Christmas Tree. You should look for rooms that feel comfortable and reflect you and how you enjoy living your personal life. Home is the only place we can truly be ourselves and feel completely carefree about doing so. 

 "Home" is much more than just a house, and we strive to find our clients their new "home" each and every day during the home search process. Though the process may be long and hard, you can count on us to be patient and kind during your most important decision.

We understand that making a committment to a home is one of the biggest, and most important decisions in life you'll ever make. That's why we're here as your aides, guidance counselors, and friends to help you with this process, and make it as fun and stress-free as possible.

Brian and I work with a great company, one that allows us to use the latest technology and tools to help you find the home of your dreams. We have access to several MLS systems, and know this area  well to provide you with the best service possible, whether you want to live in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Boerne, Schertz/Cibolo, Canyon Lake, and beyond!

When the time comes to move again, don't waste your time with a real estate agent who doesnt' care about you personally and isn't trying to find you a "home." Work with someone who is diligent and knowledgable, and will find you not a house, but a HOME. If you're looking to buy or sell or know someone in the central Texas area who does, give Brian and Kelsey a call at 830-624-8272, or contact us at kelsey@realsa.com. You'll be glad you did!

Cheers to a healthy and happy holiday season! xoxo



The Pyschology of

*Color*

in Your Home

Agents frequently suggest that homeowners paint before placing their home on the market. Don't be offended! Agents understand "Color Psychology," which focuses on color's effect on human behavior and emotion. Since people's reaction to color is immediate, it has a tremendous influence on their daily choices.


Dollars and Color Sense

"Color choices are very personal and when selling your home, it's critical to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers," said Allegra Dioguardi, president of Styled and Sold Home Staging in New York. "With so many people beginning their search for a home on the Internet today, your home and listing photos must stand out from your competition. Color is one very simple way to do this."

The Art of Blending In While STANDING OUT

"Painting your house's exterior before you put it on the market will give the biggest bang for your fix-up buck, as long as you are using colors that conform to the neighborhood's decorating norm," says Eric Brown, author of House Selling for Dummies. Your home's exterior color is the first thing most potential homebuyers see when they drive up or inspect the property on the web. The correct color may be the most powerful and cost effective design tool at your disposal.

Warm, Cool, & In-Between

Colors affect us in many ways, and by using the principles of color psychology, you can make your home stand out from the competition, sell more quickly, and at a higher price.




In general, blues and purples will feel cool, while reds and oranges feel warm. Neutrals like beige, off-white and gray may not be as provoking, but they're great for trim and small spaces.






Consider the purpose for each room. Kitchen and dining areas painted in "food colors" such as coffee browns, celery greens, and scrabmled egg yellows will make the rooms feel more natural.




Color it "Sold!"

So, what are the "correct" colors these days? Brown's research shows that homes painted in pale yellows with cream or beige accents have sold fastest during the past few years. In general, ligher colors are favored for exteriors as they make the property seem larger.

Dark Accents: Good or Bad? Conversely, painting your sideboards with a darker color will make the house seem smaller, though dark colors can draw more attention to your home's details. For older homes, you may consider historical accuracy, as this could be a big selling point!




Bedroom Colors

According to Jeanette Fisher's book Joy to the Home: Secrets of Interior Design Pyschology, deeper shades of color imply intimacy and serenity. She recommends painting master bedrooms a medium shade of green or blue for warm selling seasons, and rouge red for cooler weather.

Don't know what to paint other bedrooms and baths? Try creamy tones of green, blue, or pale shell pink.


                            

Sellers: Keep Your Winter Yard Looking Sharp!

This is the time when people start to want to stay indoors a bit more, especially when the temperatures significantly drop. But you can't neglect your outdoor patios and decks, especially if you plan to sell soon. Buyers won't want to see broken-wood decks or corroded wrought iron patio sets in your backyard.
The good news is that if you prepare ahead, you can save yourself time and money. Taking some good housekeeping steps now will allow you to step outside into the fresh spring air next year to a well-preserved outdoor space.

Where to begin? First, if your deck is looking a little worn and tired, make the necessary repairs now. Don't wait until you can stick your foot through a board (like I did). That's not only dangerous but it also mandates a quick fix.

• Give your deck a good cleaning and sealing or staining before the weather gets too cold and wet to do this. Make sure you check for loose nails and get rid of any splintery edges by sanding them down. Seal with waterproofing sealants. For these, generally the weather has to be above 32 degrees F and 50 degrees F for sealing and stains, respectively, to work properly.
• Put the clippers to work. Take a good look around your yard and decide which plants need to go. Many annuals may have been killed by frost and it's time to clear them away. Keep your flowers keep them looking good by trimming away dead leaves. If you cut your plants back now it will cause them to grow and flower more effectively later on.
• Add seasonal plants. You can still have some nice color in your yard if you get the right plants for your yard's climate. Kale and ornamental cabbage are attractive. In warmer climates try primroses for winter color.

• Use creative containers with your seasonal plants. Putting a perennial plant in a beautifully painted container can add style and allure to your patio all winter long.
• Plant potted vegetables. Nothing's better than fresh food especially when it comes from your own yard. There are some cool-weather vegetables that work well in pretty pots. Things like lettuce: kale, leaf, mustard, and Chinese cabbage are good for this. Also, don't forget herbs; they'll come in handy for the holiday dinners.
• Get artsy. Making your yard look good in winter is also about what you leave outside. Those brightly colored throw pillows and rugs that worked great in summer, of course, should be brought inside. Instead get creative with lights that give a sparkle on a cold winter night. Hang plants with ornaments on them. Also, hang bird feeders to attract birds.

Taking a few simple steps to keep your deck, yard, and outdoor furniture in good condition will give you an easy progression into spring. And, if you're listing your home for sale in the winter, these steps are sure to please buyers.

How Buyers Find the Home they Purchase....Would you have guessed this?

We've all been there. It's time to start thinking about your upcoming move, and you're ready to start looking for homes. Where do you go first??

According to Prudential Real Estate.com, it's a toss up between the two most popular methods: the internet, and a real estate professional. With technology booming like it is, it's no mystery why people are turning to the internet to find and browse for homes. Many folks are doing both, where they browse online in addition to working with an agent.

Other methods include talking with a neighbor, seeing property in a magazine/newspaper, walking in an open house, and more.

Today, the discussion of buyer's looking to cut out their agent to save money came up at lunch. The four of us, all agents, discussed why it's sad that more people aren't aware of how exactly this industry works. So, we'd like to clear the smoke a little.

Although this idea sounds like a possibility, think about the logistics: When a buyer teams up with a professional real estate agent, 99% of the time, they don't pay a dime for their time or service. In Texas, buyer's agents are paid by the seller, who pays both their listing agent and the buyer's agent. This means you get to view homes, be insured, and have a professional help you find a home for free! In some rare circumstances you may run into a seller who completely refuses to pay the buyer's agent, but generally speaking, you've got nothing to worry about.

So, when it's time to explore your moving possibilities, invest your trust and loyalty to a professional with the knowledge and determination to get you the best home possible. After all, that's our job and we love doing it!!!