Blinds and Curtains

Defining Your Living Spaces Beyond Your Front Door

Who says blinds & curtains are only meant for the interior of your home?

Blinds and curtains aren’t just for the living areas inside your home. Places like garages, outdoor patios and porches can also benefit from having window treatments. Curtains, valances or faux wood blinds can help give these spaces definition, and a feeling of being finished. Here are some ideas to consider when putting treatments in some of these unexpected areas.

Garages
It seems everyone uses their garage for different things beyond simply parking their cars. They can be workstations, a playroom for the kids or an honest-to-goodness extra living space. If your garage is a storage space bursting at the seams with “stuff,” it’s not a lost cause. Get the garage organized and cleaned up, and you could find a hidden gem of a functional space, ready for design details like window treatments.

If your garage space is a workstation full of tools and benches and half-finished projects, with a lot of sawdust or dirt and grime flying around at any given time, it’s probably not the best idea to hang fabric curtains in the vicinity. They will get dirty in a hurry, and they’re much more difficult to clean than mini blinds or faux wood blinds. Putting up mini blinds or faux wood blinds will give you a sense of privacy and also give the garage that finished look. Adding blinds can also help keep out harsh sunlight, and help to keep the garage cooler in the warm months and warmer in the cold, perhaps increasing productivity in your workspace.

If your garage doubles as a kids’ playroom, cordless blinds or window shades are a great way to ensure your children and their friends can play in privacy, while keeping them safe from dangling cords.

For a garage that is a fully functioning extra living space, curtains come into play. Adding a valance atop faux wood blinds gives these extra living spaces the same warm, comforting feel you have inside the home. Treat these garage living spaces like a second living room.

Outdoor Living Spaces
Adding curtains, shades or blinds to outdoor living spaces like patios and porches can be a great way to add style, but it can also be tricky. Curtains need to be covered year-round: Any direct rain or weather will ruin them in short order. However, if you have a covered patio that has an overhang to protect your curtains, these can be great in adding some color and some privacy. They also create an elegant look when they flow in the breeze.

When you put your curtains up in your outdoor living space, make sure your choice is mold- and mildew-resistant. In colder climates, you will also want to take them down in the winter, and launder them before putting them back up in the spring.

Faux wood blinds or retractable shades are the way to go if you have windows in your outdoor living area, such as a screened-in or three-season porch. Using real wood blinds won’t work due to the natural moisture of the outdoors, and mini blinds won’t last through even the faintest of windstorms or weather changes. When it comes to shade outside, porch or patio enclosure shades that roll up and down, either through a remote control system or a pulley, are a great bet. These provide continuous shade and protect your outdoor furniture from fading and being damaged by the elements.

When adding design features to you home, don’t stop at the front door. Take functional and stylish elements like window treatments outside, and extend your home’s comfort and livability.

Search for Homes @
http://www.islandhomelife.com/
If you would like more information on this call Neaulani 808-358-9700
News & insights
http://alohainvesting.com/
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties rs-73536

Read More

The Ultimate Pumpkin Soup Recipe for Fall

Whats cookin’ in your cauldron this fall?

Our grills are covered and the last of our summer garden goodies have been eaten. Now is the time to turn on our ovens and fire up our stoves for hearty meals that warm our bones. At Coldwell Banker we are filling up our fall cauldron with this amazing pumpkin soup recipe. We hope you enjoy it!

Pumpkin Soup Recipe | Inspired by LivingTheLLife

Ingredients

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups pumpkin puree

1 small chopped onion

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. freshly ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Optional:

4 pieces cooked bacon, chopped (I used turkey bacon)

Sour cream (or plain greek yogurt)

Directions

1. In a large pot, combine the first 8 ingredients and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered.
3. Using a food processor or blender, puree soup in small batches (1 cup at a time)
4. Return soup to pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream.
5. Pour into serving bowls. If desired, top with chopped cooked bacon and/or sour cream (or greek yogurt).

So tell us, what are some of your favorite fall recipes?

Search for Homes @
http://www.islandhomelife.com/
If you would like more information on this call Neaulani 808-358-9700
Seller Experience -  Let us show you the ropes.
http://www.alohainvesting.com/Selling-a-House.html
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties rs-73536

Read More

Tips to Buying a Hawaii Home

 

What Is Fee Simple Ownership?

Fee simple, also known as fee simple absolute or allodial ownership, is probably the most familiar form of property ownership to buyers of residential property, especially on the US Mainland and common law countries. A fee simple buyer acquires ownership of the entire property, including both the land and buildings. The fee simple owner does not pay ground rent, but does pay maintenance fees and real property taxes. The fee simple owner has the right to possess, use the land and dispose of the land as he wishes - sell it, give it away, trade it for other things, lease it to others, or pass it to others upon death.

The fee simple estate is also called fee simple absolute (because it is the most complete form of ownership), "estate in fee simple" or "fee-simple title."

What Is Leasehold Ownership?

A leasehold interest is created when a fee simple landowner enters into an agreement or contract called a ground lease with a lessee. A lessee buys leasehold rights much as one buys fee simple rights; however, the leasehold interest differs from the fee simple interest in several important respects. First, the buyer of residential leasehold property does not own the land and must pay ground rent. Second, his use of the land is limited to the remaining years covered by the lease. Thereafter, the land returns to the lessor, and is called reversion. Depending on the provisions of any surrender clause in the lease, the buildings and other improvements on the land may also revert to the lessor. Finally, the use, maintenance, and alteration of the leased premises are subject to any restrictions contained in the lease.

Conversion of leasehold property to fee simple ownership involves purchasing the landowner's remaining interest, called the leased fee interest. The lessors of many, if not most, leasehold properties are currently offering to sell their leased fee interests to their lessees or prospective buyers of a leasehold property. There is a State of Hawaii law and a City & County of Honolulu ( Oahu ) ordinance affecting the mandatory conversion of residential leasehold properties.

It is extremely important to understand fee simple vs leasehold because it: affects your decision to buy, affects your ability to obtain a loan, and it affects your ability to sell.

There are also some disadvantages of Leasehold ownership.

At the end of the lease you have to give back the land, unless you are offered the fee or you negotiate an extension.
If there is a surrender clause in the lease, the buildings or other improvements may revert to the owner.
Each year, as the lease term ticks down, the property becomes less valuable and thus harder to sell or obtain financing on.
If there are less than 10 years left on the lease term, financing will not be available, you will have to seek out cash buyers.
In order to qualify a Leasehold property for 1031 exchange, there must be a minimum of 30 years remaining on the lease.
In most cases, the Home Owners Association fees are not rolled into the lease rent. They are two separate payments.

Search for Homes @
http://www.islandhomelife.com/

If you would like more information on this call Neaulani 808-358-9700
News & insights
http://alohainvesting.com/

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties rs-73536

Read More

Kitchen Remodeling on Budget

Kitchen Upgrades For Any Budget

Ideas Between $1,000 and $10,000

Article by Lindsay Listanski

Guest Blog Post by HomeAdvisor

When you’re trying to budget for a kitchen remodel, you can spend different amounts of money with different results. A limited budget — one of $1,000 or so — will require a lot of work on your part; and you’ll want to focus on small improvements rather than major renovations. A bigger budget — up to $10,000 or so — will allow for some work to be left to the pros; but it’s still unlikely that everything in the kitchen can be renovated.

Did you know that most homeowners in the U.S. reportedly spent between $18,000 and $27,000 in total project costs to remodel their kitchen? If that sounds too steep, here is a comparison of a $1,000 kitchen remodel versus a $10,000 kitchen remodel:

 $1,000 Remodel

 Photo courtesy of Katlia Construction

 One thousand dollars won’t go far in renovating your kitchen. That’s because professionals who work in cabinet refinishing, flooring replacement and painting–to name a few–will quote at least $400 to $700, which will eat up the majority of your budget. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Focus on the important areas: Keep elements that are in good condition — your cabinets, flooring, or countertops, for example — and focus on aspects that are in serious need of repair or updating. Maybe you need to update lime green cabinets reminiscent of the 50s; maybe you need to replace a few chipped tiles in your floor.  You can make small changes with a big impact without spending a fortune.
2. DIY, DIY, DIY! You’ll need to do as much of the remodel work around your kitchen as possible to stretch your budget. Watch home improvement shows and online tutorials, read books; do whatever it takes to get the know-how. But never approach doing electrical, plumbing or structural work in the kitchen yourself. These tasks are dangerous and should always be left to professionals. Try your hand at painting, laying tiles, sanding or putting in a backsplash — it’s a great way to learn; and it saves you money while revitalizing your kitchen.
3. Don’t do everything at the same time: Since you’re on a limited budget and doing a lot of the work yourself, you can break the project into phases over weeks or weekends. This gives you time to rest and see how things are progressing. If you do everything at the same time, you might spend more than you’d like or create a daunting mess in your kitchen. Phasing your project will make it more manageable.

Some common projects to tackle in a $1,000 kitchen remodel include:

• Painting the walls and ceilings
• Adding a decorative backsplash
• Refinishing or painting your kitchen cabinets
• Replacing your floor with ceramic tile
• Installing LED lighting

Remember: Practice safety when doing your kitchen remodel to avoid paying medical bills on top of any remodeling work.

  $10,000 Remodel

Photo courtesy of Arrowhead Remodeling & Design, Inc.

With a bigger kitchen remodel budget, you have some room to hire professionals to help with the renovations. This doesn’t mean you can completely gut your kitchen and start from scratch — that’s more of a $45,000 project — but you can make a few major changes.

Here are some recommendations for a $10,000 kitchen remodel:

1. Do some DIY: Since labor will be a major factor in the cost of hiring a professional, try doing some of the work yourself. Maybe it’s tiling a backsplash or painting some of the cabinets or walls — the same things you’d do in a $1,000 kitchen remodel. Some of the money in your budget will go towards materials, but you’ll spend far less than you would to hire a professional.
2. Don’t move the major appliances: Keep your dishwasher, sink and oven/hood where they are — even if you’re doing major renovations. Moving them will involve not only labor, but also the cost of installing plumbing and electrical wires in the new locations. This time and money would be better spent on other projects around the kitchen.
3. Are your cabinets worth replacing? Unless your cabinets are moldy (if made from wood), so worn down they’re about to fall off the wall, or otherwise past the point of repair, consider updating instead of replacing them. You can stain, paint, refinish or reface them for a fraction of the replacement cost and they’ll look almost brand new.
4. Make smart appliance investments: If you decide to replace any of your appliances, first consider whether you really need stainless steel. It can be scratched, stained and easily marked by fingerprints. Also consider investing in energy-efficient appliances for what they’ll pay back on your utility bill over time.

Some projects homeowners can do for a $10,000 kitchen remodel include:

• Painting walls
• Painting, refinishing or refacing the cabinets
• Hiring flooring contractors to install new flooring
• Hiring a countertop professional to replace your counters
• Replacing one or more of your appliances
• Installing LED lighting

Whether you hire a professional for one or more of your projects, remember that you can help with part of the project to help cut down on costs. It’s educational and it helps to get the project done faster — so you can be back in your kitchen, cooking and enjoying time with your family.

Search for Homes @
http://www.islandhomelife.com/

If you would like more information on this call Neaulani 808-358-9700
News & insights
http://alohainvesting.com/

Read More

Hardwood Floors During The Summer

How To Care For Your Hardwood Floors During The Summer Months

Don’t let high temperatures & sunlight affect your hardwood floors this summer – here’s how to keep them looking like new!

The following is a guest  blog post by Tim Rasmussen of Mohawk Flooring

---

Every year, we look forward to the warm summer months. July and August bring trips to the beach, mountain hikes, sudden storms, and days spent by the pool. We take care to protect our skin from the summer heat, but you might be surprised how high temperatures and sunlight are affecting your hardwood floors, too.

Your Mohawk hardwood planks are highly durable, but it’s still important to care and protect them with regular maintenance. Make sure summer is kind to your beautiful home with these smart, simple tips for protecting your hardwood floors during summer.

The Doormat Difference
Remember during the winter season, when you made sure that everyone wiped their shoes on the doormat so no snow, ice, or dirt got tracked inside? Those doormats will come in handy during the summertime as well. (Bonus points if your doormat is a DIY project!) If you are on the coast or coming back from the beach, be extra careful about tracking sand into your home. Those sand particles can have a sandpaper effect on your hardwood floors.

Mohawk Hardwood with ArmorMax Finish is engineered to withstand scratching and stains with a 50-year warranty to give you the ultimate peace of mind. Combine ArmorMax hardwood with strategically placed doormats at every entrance, and you can nip those scratches before they ever occur.
        Design Tip: A Mohawk SmartStrand Forever Clean cut and bound rug can serve as the high-performing doormat, as well as the perfect style accessory for adding a pop of summer color to your existing home design!

Shade over Sunlight
When we forget to apply ample sunscreen during the summer months, we feel the burn. Those same UV rays are no friend to our pristine hardwood floors. Discoloration is the last thing we want for our Brazilian cherry or mahogany planks, but that’s exactly what can happen from direct sunlight. Wood floors will also age faster from overexposure. Hardwood floors love the shade just like we do, so make sure to use curtains and blinds in these rooms.
        Design Tip: Add curtains or drapery with vibrant colors and patterns to keep rooms feeling summery and lively, even when keeping the sun out.

The Right Way to Clean
It’s not summer without backyard cookouts, BBQs, and block parties. Hosting means cleaning, and some people have the misconception that the right way to clean hardwood floors includes polish and wax. In reality, vacuuming with a floor attachment is the best way to care for your hardwood. You actually want to avoid using wax, oil-based cleaners, and acidic floor cleaners. For an extra clean finish and removing food stains, use an all-natural, organic, hardwood-specific cleaner like Mohawk Floorcare Essentials.

Keep Humidity at Bay
Here’s a summer tip for hardwood floors that you may have never considered: use a dehumidifier. Nobody enjoys the high humidity levels during the summer, and that includes our hardwood surfaces. A dehumidifier will vastly decrease the possibility of your planks warping or cracking. The benefits far outweigh the cost, and you can continue using the humidifier function during the cold winter months.

Use these summer tips to enjoy a worry-free summer while maintaining the beauty ofyour home’s hardwood flooring. Remember to give your hardwood flooring the care it deserves. If you do, your wood floors will serve your home dutifully and beautifully for years to come.

Search for Homes @
http://www.islandhomelife.com/

If you would like more information on this call Neaulani 808-358-9700
News & insights
http://alohainvesting.com/

Read More

Take your backyard s’mores

 

PARTIES

S’More Backyard Fun Please

Take your backyard s’mores creations to the next level with these tasty enhancements!

S’mores are an absolute summertime classic.  There are few things that exemplify summer more than hanging out in your home’s backyard with family and friends watching marshmallows brown on a skewer in a bonfire.  Everyone knows and loves the original recipe (unless your last name is Smalls).  So some may be hesitant to mess with the traditional, but I assure you, your adventurous side will come out after seeing these delicious alternatives!

Bacon:

We are going to lead off this list with bacon because, well, why not?  It’s bacon – the food that keeps on giving just gave us another excuse to eat more.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr User Eli Christman

Create candied bacon by sprinkling each strip with brown sugar.  Set your oven to between 375 – 400 °F and cook for 15-25 minutes until the bacon is crispy.  For those with a preference for the juxtaposed tastes of sweet and salty, use dark chocolate in your final creation.

Fruit:

Doctors are always recommending to eat more fruit.  Oblige them by adding your favorite fruit you your favorite backyard summertime treat!  Whether it is bananas, strawberries, blueberries or raspberries, it will be delicious.

Image via Flickr user Personal Creations

Do you have a bunch of fruit lying around waiting to be eaten?  Kick your S’mores up a notch by first roasting your ingredients for a caramelized fruit garnish.  It’s the doctor’s orders.

No Graham Crackers, No Problem:

Don’t feel like going out to the store to grab graham crackers?  No worries.  Many snacks and treats you may already have lying in your pantry will do the trick!

Photo via Flickr user vastateparksstaff

Instead of the traditional, go rogue by using chocolate chip cookies, Oreo’s, waffle cookies or Rice Krispies for the perfect marshmallow and chocolate conveyor.

This is Just the Veganning:

Have you not been able to enjoy a S’more in the years after you became vegan?  Don’t miss out anymore!

Photo via Flickr user Heather Katsoulis

You can still join the fun by substituting regular marshmallows for the vegan kind and milk chocolate for organic dark chocolate.

S’Mores Lasagna:

I’ve never gazed upon the rolling hills of Tuscany or traversed the watery, serpentine allies of Venice, but when I imagine Italy, I think of a place where layers of pasta, sauce and cheeses combine to make the entire country smell like my friend Giuseppe’s grandmother’s kitchen.  I also would like to imagine when they do dessert, it is in the lasagna mold.

Photo via Flickr user Joy

Start out by lining a base layer of graham crackers on the bottom of your tray.  Then, sprinkle chocolate chips and mini marshmallows (the small pieces will make it easier to layer) until you are satisfied.  Place another layer of graham crackers atop your chocolate and marshmallows and repeat!  Preheat your oven to 500°F and cook for about 6 minutes until browned and gooey!

Think Outside of the S’more:

Here is the section where things may get a little crazy.  The beauty of the S’more is that practically any combination of your favorite sweets and treats will taste amazing!  Love peanut butter or Nutella?  Spread some on each cracker while you are waiting for your mallow to brown.  Want to switch it up from the classic milk chocolate?  Use Milky Ways, Snickers, Kit Kat bars or anything else to make this traditional treat your very own!

No matter what your personal preference, the best thing about S’mores is spending time with loved ones on a beautiful summer night in a place you call home.

Search for Homes @
http://www.islandhomelife.com/

If you would like more information on this call Neaulani 808-358-9700
News & insights
http://alohainvesting.com/

Read More

How Home Sellers Have Changed

 Over the Past Decade Results of the Coldwell Banker Seller Survey

• 
 
• 
 
• 
 
• 

 Home

Today's home seller is notably different than the seller of 10 years ago. The recession not only changed the housing market, but it also changed the way home sellers approach the sale of their home. The Coldwell Banker Seller Survey looks at approximately 1,500 home sellers and analyzes trends from before and through the recession, as well as the initial recovery years and today:

• 2014-2015 - Recent Years (Sellers Today)
• 2010-2013 - Initial Recovery Years
• 2008-2009 - Recession
• 2006-2007 - Pre-Recession
• 2005 and Earlier

How Selling a Home Has Changed Over the Years

Since 2014, more than one in four home sellers sold their home in less than two weeks after 
putting it on the market.

Compared to the initial recovery years, more of today's sellers are receiving multiple offers.

The percentage of home sellers receiving offers above their asking price dipped during the 
recession, but has now bounced back to pre-recession levels.

During the recession and initial recovery years, significantly more sellers took the first offer 
on their home than are doing so today.

Today's sellers are nearly twice as likely to choose an offer based on emotion rather than
money alone, compared to pre-recession years.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States between April 27-29 & April 28-30, 2015 among 4,023 adults (aged 18 and over) among whom 1,545 are selling/ever sold a home by Harris Poll on behalf of the Coldwell Banker brand via its Quick Query omnibus product. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, the words "margin of error" are avoided as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The data has been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in our panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Search for Homes @
http://www.islandhomelife.com/

If you would like more information on this call Neaulani 808-358-9700
News & insights
http://alohainvesting.com/

Read More

Articles You Should Read Before Buying A Home

 

These must-reads cover everything from working with a real estate agent to choosing the right home.

Buying a home is likely the largest investment one makes in a lifetime, so it’s important to be informed about the whole process before signing on the dotted line.  These 5 articles share advice on everything from working with a real estate agent to choosing the right home.  You’ll also read about some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.  Homeownership may be only a few reads away!

1.  3 Things to Consider Before You Buy a Home

A common dilemma that home buyers are often faced with is deciding between two or three properties. While finding more than one home that best suits your needs and lifestyle is an advantage, choosing which one you’ll ultimately purchase may be a bit perplexing. This must-read article offers insightful advice to help you sort through your options and make the best choice.

2. Tips for Home Buyers: Working with a Real Estate Agent

A vital component to buying a home will be cultivating a successful working relationship with your real estate agent. You and your agent will both have unique ideas and expectations to help you reach your dream of home ownership. The tips in this article will help you foster a productive partnership with your real estate agent.

3.  Looking Past Sale Price When Buying a Home

For many potential buyers, the cost of a home is the primary financial focus when beginning to search. While finding a home that fits within your budget is crucial, there are other financial factors to take into consideration beyond the listing price. The following article provides sound budget-related advice for home buyers.

4. Most Common Mistakes Home Buyers Make Searching for a Home Online

Looking for the most efficient way to search for a home online? Coldwell Banker has an app for that! In addition to providing mobile and tablet apps that simplify the search process, the following tips will also help you avoid making common and easily overlooked mistakes when searching for a home online.

5. Pros and Cons of New Construction Homes and Older Homes

The first question that often comes to mind for most people thinking of purchasing a home is whether to build a new house or to buy an older home. Both options present unique advantages and disadvantages. The following article offers valuable pros and cons to consider before making a decision.

Read More