| Home StylesOld world styles are popular. French, | | | | the rustic style.Stair rails in ultra modern homes |
| English, Tuscan and Spanish homes with stone or | | | | may be wire, pipe or painted metal.Front porches |
| stucco walls, tile roofs, iron fixtures, heavy beams | | | | and covered patios are always a strong selling |
| and rustic floors are in demand. A sense of | | | | point. Outdoor fireplaces are popping up |
| historic connection resonates with buyers | | | | everywhere.Floors & WallsDistressed wood floors |
| today.The Craftsman style, built in the early | | | | that look old are valued. Simple wood boards are |
| 1900's, is back. Features of this style, such as | | | | sometimes laid down with cracks exposed. |
| cobblestones, deep eaves, tapered columns and | | | | Re-claimed wood is very desirable.Bamboo floors |
| wide trim, favor the handmade look over mass | | | | are popular, especially in modern style homes |
| produced.Farmhouses and country homes are | | | | where light colored floors are desired.Concrete |
| perfect remodel candidates and prototypes for | | | | floors - often stained and scored are popular. |
| new homes. Native materials, wood windows, | | | | These go well with the modern look, and are |
| simple floor plans, and warm colors connect with | | | | used in Craftsman and rustic European styles |
| nature and earlier times.The retro look is | | | | too.Colorful laminate floors are a good fit with |
| fashionable. Ranch styles and split levels built in the | | | | mid-century modern. Laminate floors that looks |
| 1950's are perfect for sleek remodels, and fit with | | | | like wood are out. Parquet floors are out, unless |
| fashionable furniture styles.Urban modern is | | | | hand crafted.Framed or hung mirrors are |
| everywhere. Modern open plans make use of | | | | preferred, although plate glass works in ultra |
| color, tile, glass, and experimental materials such | | | | modern styles. Mirrors used on walls or ceilings are |
| as plastic and metal.Floor PlanThe preferred ceiling | | | | a turn off.Colors are in, but soft is the word. Soft |
| height is 9'-11'. Two story ceilings are out. In small | | | | greens, yellows, earth tones and creams create a |
| rooms these feel like towers.Lots of floor level | | | | serene background that fits many styles. |
| changes are not desirable.Most buyers today want | | | | Complex colors, with more colors in the mix, are |
| four bedrooms, and at least two living areas. | | | | sought after. Deeply saturated colors, such as |
| Formal dining rooms are still in demand.Formal | | | | plums and reds, are used in moderation.Flat paint |
| living rooms are often converted to studies, | | | | on walls hides flaws and creates a designer look. |
| libraries, or guest rooms.Media rooms are a | | | | Shiny is out. Soft whites are safe for trim.Faux |
| sought after feature when price range allows.The | | | | finishes are out. Often these do not turn out as |
| visual and spatial connection between kitchen and | | | | well as expected, and are difficult to maintain.The |
| family room is firmly established.Cabinet space is | | | | same (or similar) wall color through adjoining |
| required for large televisions and wall space for | | | | spaces creates a more spacious feeling.Historic |
| the newer flat screens.Three car garages are | | | | paint colors such as sage greens, beiges, muted |
| needed, especially in areas without | | | | yellows, and grays work well on the exterior. Bold |
| basements.Structured wiring is important today | | | | or harsh colors are a turn-off to most |
| for internet, phone, cable and sound. Desk space | | | | buyers.Wallpaper is problematic and harder to |
| for computers is required.Good access to the | | | | change than paint. Very often it does not fit the |
| outdoors is something buyers look for. French | | | | buyer's taste.Heavily textured walls and popcorn |
| doors combine access with light. Sliding glass doors | | | | ceilings are totally out.Lighting & Plumbing |
| are not as favored.Lots of storage is needed for | | | | FixturesBuyers want more windows, natural light, |
| today's lifestyle. People have lots of stuff. Huge | | | | and a greater connection with the outdoors.People |
| master closets, pantries, laundry rooms, and | | | | today are more discriminating about the quality of |
| extra storage closets are expected.On the other | | | | light. Windows on two sides of the room balance |
| hand, very spare lofts are perfect for some | | | | the lighting and reduce glare.One light in the middle |
| lifestyles. Simplified spaces are an antidote to | | | | of the room will not do. Under cabinet task lighting |
| today's complex lifestyle.Kitchens/BathsMost | | | | is appreciated. Security lighting is important. Wall |
| buyers are savvy about kitchen design and | | | | sconces offer soft ambient lighting. Recessed |
| appreciate good work spaces with easy access | | | | cans provide area light. Dimmers help to control |
| to range, refrigerator and sink. Lots of counter | | | | the lighting.Light fixtures are a decorative element |
| space, deep drawers, two sinks, nearby extra | | | | in all styles. Clean, modern fixtures, such as |
| refrigerator, and butler's pantries are all desirable | | | | pendant lights, recessed cans, and wire string |
| features.Stainless appliances are going strong. In | | | | lights compliment the urban look.Retro fixtures are |
| urban modern styles, white or colored appliances | | | | interesting decorative features in 1930's |
| are back. High end homes conceal some | | | | craftsman and 1950's ranch styles.Industrial metal |
| appliances as cabinetry.Eat-in kitchens are a basic | | | | fixtures are in. The un-decorated, industrial look of |
| requirement for most buyers.Antique tables or | | | | metal or stainless steel is in.Heavy drapes are out. |
| cabinets are being refurbished and used as bath | | | | They are too pretentious, and, well, heavy. Light |
| cabinets. Kitchen cabinets that look like furniture | | | | cotton, linen or silk drapes are in. Or, wood blinds. |
| are a great look.Granite, marble or stone counters | | | | Or nothing.Retro woven wood blinds have made a |
| are popular. However, granite tops added to | | | | comeback. Mini blinds are very yesterday.Bath |
| 1980's cabinets do not go over well. Consider your | | | | fixtures are finished in rustic bronze, nickel, or |
| architectural style before adding features.Concrete | | | | chrome. Old style two-handled faucets and |
| countertops are perfect for ultra modern, but | | | | farmhouse sinks are in style.Bath sinks may be |
| most buyers shy away from them.Wide, cabinet | | | | glass bowls, granite, stone, stainless or traditional |
| depth refrigerators have a built-in look, and are | | | | china. Cultured marble is out.Free standing tubs are |
| not as expensive as the true built-in type.Large | | | | in. Pedestal and wall hung lavatories are in.Energy |
| rustic tiles, stone, concrete or wood floors have a | | | | EfficiencyWith fuel costs going up, energy |
| warm, functional appeal.Subway tile (3" x 6") is | | | | efficiency is definitely in. Buyers want high |
| popular in bathrooms and on kitchen | | | | efficiency AC, good insulation, low-e glass, |
| backsplashes.Patterned cultured marble and | | | | programmable thermostats, double pane windows, |
| laminate are out. Slippery, white floor tile is | | | | and ceiling fans.Effective passive solar orientation |
| out.TrimWide, baseboards (6"+) and door and | | | | is a great advantage. It shows a smart planning |
| window trim (4"+) are key features in old | | | | and useof natural solar energy.Instant hot water |
| European and American styles.Craftsman style | | | | is a perk that buyers like, as are drinking water |
| doors - simple square frames with flat panels - | | | | filters.No one wants foil on windows or stick-on |
| work well with both old and modern looks.Iron or | | | | window film.Light is in demand. Don't close blinds. |
| heavy wood entry doors make strong | | | | Do remove solar screens when they are not |
| statements that buyers love.Rustic finishes on | | | | needed, such as under patio roofs, porches or |
| hardware, such as brushed nickel, oil rubbed | | | | shade trees.Screened porches are back. They |
| bronze, weathered brass, and other non-shiny | | | | create a multi purpose space that is both indoors |
| finishes are the popular choices.Rustic wood | | | | and outdoors, and keep mosquitoes away.Roselind |
| beams or wood covered ceilings create a hand | | | | Hejl is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker United in |
| crafted, primitive look that buyers like.Wrought | | | | Austin, Texas. Her website - - offers homes for |
| iron gates, stair rails and light fixtures compliment | | | | sale, market trends, buyer and seller guides. |