updating kitchen, kitchen renovation, kitchen DIY, kitchen update

Five Signs That it’s Time to Upgrade Your Kitchen

When you’re thinking about selling your home, there are many things that you may need to upgrade or repair. A home’s kitchen has a big impact on the price a buyer is willing to offer, so when it’s time to sell, your kitchen is the first place to look for improvements that could be made. The kitchen is the new family room, and a prospective homeowner is going to give the kitchen a thorough look. Often, it is the one room that will make a difference in whether an offer is made or not.

Use this guide to help determine whether your kitchen is due for an upgrade.

Reasons to Remodel or Upgrade Your Kitchen

You see a lot of damage or wear. No one expects the kitchen to look brand new, but if you have mold, water damage, peeling countertops or stains on the wall, you should be willing to make repairs. Prospective buyers will open cabinets and look at the countertops. Mold will be a turnoff, as will water damage. Consider new countertops or remediation if needed.
The counter space is small. Older homes tend to have less counter space. Today there are more appliances that tend to live on the counter, so buyers will want more space. If counter space is limited, consider adding an island.
Your appliances are old. Whether they were original to your home or just haven’t been replaced in several years, consider upgrading. New appliances are more attractive and may help to increase the value of your home.
Your kitchen is high maintenance. Do you spend time cleaning linoleum floors that still look grimy or does your kitchen have lots of tile with deep grout that must be maintained? These things will discourage a buyer who is looking at your home. You may want to replace them with lower maintenance materials.
Your décor is outdated. Older homes tend to have unique layouts that were deemed progressive and stylish at the time they were built. Not only can range islands be burdensome when working in the kitchen, but they can also be dangerous if your kitchen gets a lot of traffic. Sometimes a poor layout can also create a lack of cabinet space, which needs to be addressed.

Find a Good Contractor

If the results of your examination indicate that it’s time to make some changes, you may need to find a kitchen remodel contractor. Be sure to work with a licensed and experienced contractor to ensure that your upgrades go well and help increase the value of your home.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and North Atlanta. We live, work and play here, and our agents are hand-picked for their connections in the community. Our highly effective marketing program allows us to shorten the number of days on the market. We’ve even put homes under contract sight unseen!

If you are thinking about selling your home, call us at 770-352-9658.

kitchen cabinet, kitchen design, kitchen island, kitchen remodel, modern kitchen

What Buyers Want: The Hottest Kitchen Design Trends

If you are looking to sell your home, and are thinking about remodeling the kitchen, there are a few trends to be aware of. Buyers interested in your home will love these features, and they may even add value to your home.

You can add a few of these features with a small budget and without having to bring in a demolition crew.

Clean, Minimal Style

While shaker cabinets were once considered to be a clean look, buyers today prefer a more minimalistic look with flat-panel cabinets. The current trend is black cabinetry. Not interested in Black? Deep Navy is also a popular choice for kitchen cabinets. For a classy look on dark cabinets, consider brass accents.

Form Follows Function

Instead of a multi-featured kitchen, the trend is to have a more functional kitchen. Not every kitchen needs a grill. A focus on functionality means making sure lots of counter space is available. Wood is a top choice countertop and for bar areas, and many homeowners are using stone counters near the sink.

Neutral Colors

Earth tones have long been a top color choice for walls, and today’s kitchen trends keep the focus on neutrals. White, beige or light grey paint are all good choices.

Open Shelving

Open shelves have been on-trend for a few years, but they are more popular than ever. Perfect for displaying glassware or plates, this type of shelving helps the room feel more open, especially when shelves replace over-the-counter cabinets. This trend fits in well with the desire for a more minimal and functional kitchen.

Recessed Lighting

Do you have a kitchen island? If so, you likely have pendant lighting over it. The trend in today’s modern kitchens is a simpler style. Recessed lighting is finding its way back after being off-trend for a while.

Beverage Centers

With entertainment in mind, beverage centers are a growing trend. Creating one can be as simple as placing a mini-fridge in a cabinet or adding a wine refrigerator.

Eco-Friendly Design

If you are looking to bring your kitchen up-to-date, consider going green. More home buyers today are looking for energy-efficient appliances. You can also add LED lighting to reduce energy costs.

If you are thinking about selling your home, call us at 770-352-9658.

Ten Things to Look for When Buying a Home

Purchasing a new home can be both an exciting and stressful moment. It’s a big decision, and one that you should enter into carefully. Unlike a car, you can’t test a new home – the current owners may not be happy about you spending the night in their home! But, you can make a sound decision if you know what to look for.

There are some issues that aren’t easy to spot, and could end up costing you more money down the road after you move in. Answering these 11 questions will help you get the information you need.

Questions to Answer –

How old is the roof? Does the home have a new roof? Does the crawl space have moisture? A home that needs a roof replacement will end up costing you several thousands of dollars. If you think that you may be able to wait a couple of years, you could be wrong. A roof leak will end up costing you more due to water damage.
How old are the appliances? Replacing the appliances, while not overly expensive, will add to the cost of maintaining the home. Also, check to see if the appliances have the features that you want or need. If they don’t, you may end up replacing them anyway.
Are there large tree limbs near the home? Not only can the limbs damage the home in a storm, but they can also offer squirrels and other rodents a pathway into the home. Dangerous limbs or trees will need to be removed.
Do you know where the sewer line is? If a tree’s roots grow into a line, you will have to pay to clean up the lawn or basement as well as to repair the sewer line.
Is it hot, cold or drafty in the home? If you feel a draft or if the home is unusually hot or cold (even individual rooms), then you may end up paying more for heating and cooling costs. If it is newer home, it may mean weather stripping along the doors or windows may be in need of replacement.
Do you see mold in the bathroom or kitchen? Don’t just look at walls or caulking. Open the cabinets and look under the sink. Do you see any leaks or mold? These repairs can be costly, and mold may be dangerous to your health.
Are the water pipes and attic well insulated? Poor attic insulation will affect your heating and cooling costs, while a poorly insulated pipe may burst in the winter.
What do you hear outside the home? Is it near a busy road? Do you hear the neighbor’s children playing? Do you hear any industrial noise? Think about the sounds and whether or not they will have an impact on your quality of life. Also, if there is a busy street nearby, consider your safety traveling to and from home.
Do all the lights and faucets work? Turn on all the faucets and lights to make sure they are in working order. Flush the toilets, too.
Do you see yourself in the home ten years from now? If you can’t see your family enjoying the home long term, it may not be the house for you. Still, some people only buy their home with a 3-5 year horizon, so consider the resale value of your home no matter how long you plan to live there.
How is the commute to work or to school? Being in the wrong location could lead you to wasting hours in your car to get to where you need to go.

These questions are not all-inclusive, but they do give you a good idea of whether the home will need additional work in the long run. Don’t neglect to get a thorough home inspection. This guide should not replace this step. Work with a real estate agent to find a licensed home inspector.

Contact An Agent Today

Let us help you find a house that you and your family will love. We’ll guide you through the purchasing process and work to protect your interests every step of the way.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and North Atlanta. We live, work and play here, and our agents are hand-picked for their connections in the community. We find out about homes coming on the market before anyone else, and our clients see them first.

If you are thinking moving into Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or the surrounding areas, call us at 770-352-9658.

Six Simple Steps to Increase Your Home’s Value

Thinking of selling your home? Buyer demand is high while inventory is at an all-time low, so you want to make sure you take advantage of market conditions and get the most for your home. Before placing your house on the market, there are simple steps you can take to increase the value of your home – ranging from quick, affordable changes to small renovations.

1. Make the outside of your home look as good as you can. You don’t have to hire a professional landscaper. Instead, look for any areas where the landscaping is overgrown. Some simple pruning and trimming can go a long way. Remember, the outside of your home is the first thing that potential buyers and the appraiser will see. We also recommend fresh pine straw or mulch, pressure washing your walkway and driveway and adding some annual plants for color.
2. Enhance the lighting in your home. You can add things such as brighter light bulbs, removing heavy drapes that do not let in natural sunlight, and keeping your blinds open. To make a small room seem brighter, use a high wattage light.
3. Complete the maintenance that you may have neglected. Check the insulation levels in the attic; repair plumbing leaks; fix a rotted stair or rail on the porch; make sure that windows open, or replace broken screens. Buyers will notice these as detractors, and it may lower their bid.
4. Examine your front door. Is it welcoming? Does the doorbell work? An inviting entrance will make a great first impression. In fact, many buyers will decide on their interest level in the home within the first seven seconds.
5. Paint your walls a neutral color. Buyers want to imagine a blank slate. At the very least, touch up areas of the walls the have marks or chipping paint.
6. Spruce up your bathroom and kitchen. While you can add new fixtures, there are smaller changes that will resonate with buyers. Deep cleaning helps. Remove stains, clean any mold, mildew or soap stains. Replacing peeling or stained caulking can help the bathroom look cleaner and brighter.

Contact An Agent Today
When you’re ready to list your home, let us help you find ways to boost the value. We’ll guide you through the home selling process, working to protect your interests every step of the way.

At Karen Cannon, Realtors, we are local real estate experts for Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and North Atlanta. We live, work and play here, and our agents are hand-picked for their connections in the community. Our highly effective marketing program allows us to shorten the number of days on the market for the homes we list. We’ve even put homes under contract sight unseen!

If you are thinking about selling your home, call us at 770-352-9658.

Karen Cannon, Realtors Welcomes Polly Frederick to Our Team

Part of the successful formula that makes the Karen Cannon, Realtors team so dynamic is the expertise and corporate approach our team takes towards real estate, along with our team’s incredible knowledge of our surrounding communities.

Polly Frederick is an intricate part of the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs communities. She embodies what we look for in team members. Polly has lived in Dunwoody for 25 years, but more importantly, she’s been an active member of the community.

Anyone can live in a neighborhood and know the street names and available properties. As a Realtor, Polly far exceeds that. She is connected with the people of Dunwoody. She has raised her kids among other families and has been active in schools, charities, and her church. Polly and her husband have three children together: their oldest daughter is 19 and is a freshman at UGA, their middle child is a junior at Dunwoody High School, and their son is 13. He is in the 8^th grade and attends Peachtree Charter Middle School. In her spare time, Polly enjoys exercising, traveling, going to the beach, and she roots for Alabama and Georgia football.

Aside from have a keen eye and the knowledge of the Dunwoody area, she is also familiar with the surrounding areas of Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and Chamblee.

We asked her a few questions so that you could get to know her a little more.

KCR: What would you tell someone who is considering living in your area?

Polly: You can’t beat the location! Dunwoody is like a small town in a big city. It is close enough to Atlanta to take advantage of what a big city has to offer, but has a tight-knit community. I love that it’s conveniently located close to all major highways, which makes it very accessible. We pretty much have everything you need: great schools, parks, shopping, and restaurants. What more could you want in a city?

KCR: Tell us about your connection with the Dunwoody community?

Polly: I have lived in the Dunwoody area for 25 years, and I am very familiar with the area and the market. This personal connection will make for a very special experience when working with buyers and sellers in this area.

KCR: Why do you find real estate so rewarding?

Polly: I think for me, successfully finding the perfect home for my buyers and negotiating to make sure I am able to get the best price possible for them is the most rewarding aspect. I take great pride in is successfully marketing my seller’s home and bringing them qualified buyers who will pay top dollar.

KCR: What can someone expect when they meet you/work with you?

Polly: I am a hard worker, dedicated and professional. I am organized and provide excellent customer service to my clients. I provide the information my clients need to make one of the most important decisions in their life- buying the perfect home.

Karen Cannon, Realtors is excited to welcome Polly Frederick to the team. Ready to buy your perfect home in the Dunwoody area? We encourage you to give Polly or anyone else on our team a call at (770) 352-9658. Are you interested in joining our team? Click HERE.