Do many of your rooms look better with the lights off? Perhaps you’re
just in the mood to make some changes and liven up your home. Whatever
the reason maybe you can make dramatic improvements on a budget.
Small changes with regards to lighting can make a dramatic
improvement in the look and feel of your home, and they don’t cost much
to do. Here are a few ideas to infuse some zest and rejuvenate your
look.
Front Door
When you drive up to your home at night, what do you see? If the
answer is “not much,” then you should replace your front entry light
with a lamp that gives off more light and livens up the place. A well
lit front entrance says ‘Welcome,’ while at the same time enabling you
to greet guests and identify visitors. Not only will updating your
lighting improve the look of your home from the street, it will enhance
your sense of security because the front door will be better lit.
If you have a single lantern next to the door, consider replacing it
with matching wall lanterns to give the home a warm look, while assuring
the safety of those who enter. For homes with a porch or overhang, you
have even more options: a recessed, chain-hung or ceiling fixture.
The Dining Room
Want to dress up your dining room without spending a small fortune on
new furniture? Simply painting those plain white walls and switching
out the chandelier hanging over the table will make a dramatic
difference.
Not sure what color to go with? Think about these choices;
Soft yellows can be cheering and make individuals feel sunny. Bright
yellow can be used as an accent that attracts attention and helps to
brighten a room.
Green is the ultimate pacifier. Often associated with nature, it is
both relaxing and reassuring. Pale yellow-greens conjure images of
growth while deep greens are associated with status and wealth.
Blue arouses feelings of freshness, coolness and relaxation. In
lighter hues, blue is airy and open, while dark blues represent wealth,
strength and respect, evoking the feelings of reassurance in
individuals.
Red attracts attention, causes excitement, and even raises blood
pressure. Intense red is stimulating; however, it can also be
distracting in large amounts. Red is associated with wealth and
sophistication, while high value reds (pinks) can make people feel good
about the way they look.
The Bathroom
And if your bathroom still looks like it’s circa 1970 with dark paint
and globe lights around the mirror, choose a lighter paint color and
swap out the fixtures for a bold new look.
A modern lit bathroom will have a fixture above the mirror with
usually two, three, four or more bulbs. This fixture will provide
overhead and top of the features lighting. The next type of fixture that
helps you achieve a well lit bathroom is scones. One sconce on either
side of the mirror will help avoid shadows and fill in the rest of your
face and neck properly. Most bathrooms will require additional flush
mount ceiling lighting in the toilet area or center of the room to fill
the entire room properly with light.
These are just a few suggestions to help you brighten up your home inexpensively.
Bold Real Estate Group.
Your one-stop source for residential and commercial real estate. Our
site makes your search for Florida Real Estate very easy. The site
includes all Florida properties for sale or rent in a searchable online
database by Listing City or MLS Number. We assist Buyers, Renters and
Sellers Locally, Nationally and Internationally. Bold Real Estate Group
strives to provide the highest standard of real estate service by
combining today’s technologies with yesterday’s caring attitude. Our
goal is to give our clients the confidence to know that their
transaction will be completed successfully.
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
It doesn’t matter what state you’re from finding the best possible mortgage loan can be difficult if you don't know a little bit about how the different types of mortgage loans work.
The average mortgage rate for a 30year fixed rate loan is approximately 4.75 percent, but that can fluctuate on a daily basis. When it comes to mortgages, the rate is the bait and the closing costs are the hook so potential homeowners and refinancers need to look closely at all the figures. For example, you may or may not know that:
The annual percentage rate (APR) includes the upfront costs of the loan, while the stated rate does not. The APR helps you compare mortgages that have different closing costs.
A mortgage with a low monthly payment doesn't always have a low interest rate. Sometimes, low payments mean that you aren't paying down any principal. Compare mortgage loans on all terms, not just by the payments.
It's essential to understand how your payments will be applied to your debt balance over time. Faster reduction of your principal balance leads to lower interest costs.
Pay close attention to the Annual Percentage Rate (APR); it is often used to compare mortgage lenders and the programs they offer. While it’s not the most effective tool for lender/loan comparison, it can open your eyes to all the fees and costs a lender is really tacking on.
Some of the fees/closing costs that the APR includes are:
Points (discount and origination points)
Prepaid interest (from closing date to the end of the month)
Loan processing fee
Underwriting fee
Document preparation fee
Private mortgage insurance
When lenders calculate APR, they assume that the mortgage won't be paid off early even though the average life span of the loan ranges from 5 to 7 years for most borrowers. The APR also doesn't consider the value of money used for paying lender fees even though you may use it to get a low rate on your mortgage. Until and unless the fees are added to the closing costs, the lenders won't consider it when they calculate APR.
Let's consider 2 mortgages - A and B, both being fixed rate mortgages of the same amount and loan term (30 years).
Loan A has the following details:
Mortgage amount = $200,000
Interest rate = 6%
APR = 6.25%
Lender fees = $5000
Loan B has the following details:
Mortgage Amount = $200,000
Interest = 6.25%
APR = 6.45%
Lender fees = 1500
Loan A: The amount financed (loan amount minus fees, points, etc) = $(200,000 – 5000) = $195,000 and the Payment is approximately $1199.10
Loan B: The amount financed = $(200000 – 1500) = $198,500 and the Payment is approximately $1231.43
We see that loan A has a low Annual Percentage Rate but you need to pay higher lender fees for loan A whereas if you go for loan B, you can save money on fees.
You must take into consideration how long you may remain in the home and what you’re really saving. It may be worth it to pay higher fees upfront and reduce your monthly mortgage payment or simply pay the extra $32 per month and not pay extra in upfront fees.
When you review all the low interest rates be sure to ask what the lender fees are. That will help you make a more educated decision.
Bold Real Estate Group.
Your one-stop source for residential and commercial real estate. Our
site makes your search for Florida Real Estate very easy. The site
includes all Florida properties for sale or rent in a searchable online
database by Listing City or MLS Number. We assist Buyers, Renters and
Sellers Locally, Nationally and Internationally. Bold Real Estate Group
strives to provide the highest standard of real estate service by
combining today’s technologies with yesterday’s caring attitude. Our
goal is to give our clients the confidence to know that their
transaction will be completed successfully.
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
Many renters are so enthusiastic about finding there new home that
they rarely do any in-depth inspections. College students and first time
renters usually aren’t aware of issues that come up when it’s time to
get their security deposit back.
Most landlords will have the checklist ready for any pre-existing
situations to note during your move-in walk through, but are you aware
of all the items not listed on that checklist?
When you decide to leave from this rental you’ll also perform a
move-out walk through, comparing the condition of the home at move-out
to what it was at move-in. It’s to your advantage to prepare a list of
things you need to look at of your own, to ensure the landlord notes all
pre-existing conditions, so you won’t have to pay for conditions you
didn’t cause when it is time to leave. Listed below are just some of the
things you have to check.
Windows; Make sure the windows are all firmly sealed. Check for
cracks and moisture between panels and also by sliders, all windows
should be tempered. Look for any stains on the window sills. This might
be an indication that the windows were not sealed properly, and, in cold
weather, the windows may “sweat” on the inside. Landlords could say you
had a habit of leaving the windows open to cause the cracks and stains.
Doors; All doors must be painted on every side and there should be no
scrapes or holes in them. Open and close doors to check for correct
adjustment and alignment. Ensure all the knobs and locks are working
correctly.
Floor tiles; Search for uneven, loose, chipped or cracked floor tiles
especially in corners where it can easily be hidden. Be sure grout
isn’t cracked or missing.
Home and kitchen appliances; Examine the appliances and make sure
they work, test to see it’s working properly. Same thing goes for the
gas, electricity, plumbing, garbage disposal and water. With the water,
run 2-3 different water taps at a time and see if the pipes make any
noise. These must all be tested.
It’s highly recommended that you bring your own walk through
checklist along when; this way you won’t overlook any of these essential
items as well as showing your landlord you know a thing or two and
you’re serious about the quality of your surroundings.
When it comes time for your move-out walk through, you won’t be held liable for conditions you didn’t cause.
Bold Real Estate Group.
Your one-stop source for residential and commercial real estate. Our
site makes your search for Florida Real Estate very easy. The site
includes all Florida properties for sale or rent in a searchable online
database by Listing City or MLS Number. We assist Buyers, Renters and
Sellers Locally, Nationally and Internationally. Bold Real Estate Group
strives to provide the highest standard of real estate service by
combining today’s technologies with yesterday’s caring attitude. Our
goal is to give our clients the confidence to know that their
transaction will be completed successfully.
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
By Ellen Falk, Mortgage Banking Officer, Seacoast National Bank, Phone:
(772)342-7701, ellen.falk@seacoastnational.com
Pre-qualification is the first step in obtaining mortgage financing. A potential
borrower answers a few questions to provide the loan consultant with a quick
snapshot of the borrower's income, existing debt, accumulated savings and
whether or not there is a co-borrower. Signature(s) allow the loan consultant to
run a credit report and begin to determine what loans are good candidates for
this particular client. However, there are literally thousands of loan programs
available. It is important for the loan professional to know the long-term
financial objectives of the prospective homeowner.
Pre-approval is a
written documentation that proves the borrower has full support of a lender. It
means the form 1003 Uniform Residential Loan Application has been completed and
reviewed by an underwriter. Based on the borrower's income, debt ratio and
savings, the underwriter will provide a dollar amount this borrower is eligible
for. Now the borrower has the convenience of shopping for a home in the price
range agreed upon by the lender.
Pre-approval allows potential homeowners
to shop as cash buyers, and that means negotiating power. Sellers will take an
offer from a pre-approved shopper much more seriously and may even accept a
lower bid because they know the financing is in place and the deal is
secure.
By: Millie Gil
For many people who cannot or don’t want to sell their home in this depressed market, renting it out can be a practical option.
Many homeowners fail to get a bid that they’re willing to accept so what do you do when you just can’t afford the mortgage? If you’re one of the many folks who are in this situation, you look into renting your home -- it can lessen the financial burden, and you might be able to turn a small profit.
Pros and cons of renting out your home include:
Pros
• You can keep your property to sell later at a better price
• The rental income covers mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc
• The tax breaks offset rent or other income
Cons
• You are the landlord
• Tenants may damage your property
• Could be taxed on gains if you later sell
But consider the tax breaks you can get from renting out your home. You can deduct pretty much any out-of-pocket expenses related to owning and managing your property when you rent it.
This includes deducting your mortgage interest payments, insurance, property taxes, maintenance, repairs, cleaning services and even the cost of travel and local transportation expenses incurred in the maintenance and management of the property and the collection of rent.
Then, there is the other deduction, called “depreciation. This is the portion of the property value you can take as a deduction each year.
And the really good news is the amount by which rental expenses exceed rental income is a tax deduction that can be used to offset up to $25,000 of other income, including salary. This juicy tax break is available as long as your adjusted gross income is $100,000 per year or less (this applies to single filers as well as married individuals). For those with income above $100,000 this tax break begins to be phased out and is phased out completely above $150,000.
Keep in mind, renting a home will come with headaches and problems. You’ll still need to maintain the property or pay someone else to do it for you. You’ll also need to check with your home owners insurance company to make sure you are still covered for damages while renting your home. If not, then you’ll need to revise or change your coverage.
Lastly, look to the tax benefits to sweeten your financial results and when the rental payments start to fall short of your out-of-pocket costs, It’s time to sell.
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
By: Millie Gil
Whether you want to purchase a home to live in for several years or to resell quickly, location will certainly play a role in its resale value. Chances are that you may not live in the same home your entire life, so location and resale value may be important considerations when purchasing a home.
The most important step in finding a home with resale value is choosing the right neighborhood. One of the first things you may want to consider when researching a neighborhood is the economic stability of the neighborhood.
A desirable area will:
Possess a good mixture of residential and commercial districts
Have jobs for future residents
Demonstrate consistent economic growth
Be supported by a strong local government
Another important factor to consider as you try to find the best neighborhoods is the quality of the local school system. Even if you don't have children, you should try to research the closest schools before purchasing a home. This provides a good criterion to factor in of the attitude of the neighborhood and the type of people you’ll be surrounded by. High scores can mean parents are fully invested in their local school system and their children and this translates into how they feel about their homes.
By placing a call to the local school district, you may be able to find out what type of funding area students receive, how well students have performed on standardized tests and whether or not the district will be opening or closing any schools in the foreseeable future. Regardless of where the home is located, the quality of the nearest schools will almost certainly be an important factor for potential buyers when you try to sell the home.
Beyond the schools and local government, there are a number of factors you may want to consider regarding the home's immediate surroundings. For instance, you may want to look for property in neighborhoods where most of the homes are similar in size and style. Additionally, the ideal location for a home is nearest the center, away from busy streets and bordering only other homes, as opposed to businesses, apartment complexes or schools.
Finally, you may want to think about the traffic patterns that surround the neighborhood and whether the street is used as a shortcut between two busy roads.
Though you may be looking for properties that lie in the middle of desirable neighborhoods, you should also consider how convenient the location is for a potential homeowner. The best homes will be located near all the essential businesses and have “walkability” - such as grocery stores, dry cleaners and banks.
In short, the ideal neighborhood will represent the best of worlds, offering residents both privacy and convenience.
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
By: Millie Gil
Many who weathered the storm during this past recession and viewed their dreams go through short sales, modifications and foreclosures may have something to cheer about; relaxed loan guidelines for future Fannie Mae home loans.
Everyone who lost their home in one way or another believed they would really never qualify for another home or at least not qualify in the next 5 or so years but Fannie Mae has changed its rules and will allow those homeowners who experienced recession-era problems to qualify within 2 years.
Beginning with applications submitted after July 1 of this year, troubled homeowners that can present a 20 percent down payment will be eligible for loans within two years of a short sale or giving the deed back to the bank.
If a borrower can only put down 10 percent, the wait time will still be four years; and if less than 10 percent, it could be longer.
If borrowers can show there were "extenuating circumstances" in their situation, such as medical bills or layoff, they may qualify for a loan with 10 percent down in two years.
The other requirement, seen as more challenging, rests with credit rehabilitation. Fannie Mae expects borrowers to have rehabilitated their credit enough to gain passing grades from the company’s automated underwriting system. Fannie Mae also states that they will not consider applicants with "non-traditional" or "thin" credit.
Fannie Mae’s new credit criteria include a FICO score of a minimum 620 with debt-to-income ratio below 45 percent. The old criteria included a FICO score of 580 and were increased due to the amount of defaulted loans. Fannie Mae felt they should “step up” to a level that remained competitive with commercial lenders. And while this may be feasible, Fannie Mae still remains well below “normal” mainstream credit criteria, whereas most lenders now require FICO scores closer to 700 and above.
This is a great effort to reward troubled homeowners who through no fault of their own lost their home due to extenuating circumstances and continue to work with banks instead of just walking away from their property. However, when you consider that homeowners can buy a new home and come up with 20 percent down payment and revamped credit within two years, its questionable how many people will be able to take advantage of this program?
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
By: Millie Gil
The realtor called and they have someone who is really interested in your home. They want to see it this afternoon. So you get the house ready, and you clean up the bathroom and kitchen, and you see a few people pull up into your driveway.
These must be the people who are interested in the home. But wait, where are they going? Are these just strangers making a U-turn in my driveway, or did my front yard just scare them off? No, they were your potential buyers.
When you're selling a home, it's true that staging the inside of your home for interested buyers is important. However, first impressions are even more important. That's why you should pay close attention to sprucing up your front yard. You won't have a chance to make another first impression.
Any real estate agent will tell you when you sell a home, curb appeal and landscaping is key; it can attract the eye of a buyer, or send them back to the internet to continue their search. With so many homes available, there are plenty of homes with impressive yards.
Keep your front yard, and your porch neat, clean and tidy. Here are some easy ways to get your front yard up to speed:
1) Edge your flower beds, and your grass. By fixing many little things, you can improve the overall look of your home.
2) Mow your lawn and remove all the leaves.
3) Prune your overgrown shrubs and trees.
4) Use a weed killer like Roundup to kill the weeds growing through the cracks in your driveway.
6) Mulch is inexpensive. If you need to add mulch to your gardens or around trees, do it. It always looks messy when there are an enormous amount of weeds popping up around mulch that looks 10 years old. The color of the new mulch will also revitalize your yard.
8) Put a $50 bag of fertilizer on your yard. Scott's with weed and crabgrass control comes highly recommended. It won't take long to turn a healthy green color.
Don't leave your yard looking disorderly. Never assume that even if you're selling your house at a bargain price, that the new owners will want to tackle the task.
When the time comes to sell your home, you should always start with your front yard, and work your way in. As one realtor told me, "When your front yard catches their eye, they're always intrigued by what’s inside."
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
By: Millie Gil
Everyone is looking for ways to save money during this recession including DIY everything. And although times look bleak there are many buyers out there ready to purchase your home. Question is can you go it alone or handle everything yourself?
Many homeowners believe they can go it alone and find themselves looking for a professional to save them.
With the advice of a real estate agent you’ll have a much better chance of selling quickly; recession or not.
But there are several crucial reasons for using a real estate agent.
First off, a real estate agent is trained in keeping an eye on how the market is moving and responding to different circumstances. This will allow them to tell you the important information as it develops. If you were selling your property by yourself you would be on your own as far as figuring out what a recession is doing to the real estate market including competition in your own backyard and sales and trends.
Second and most important, a real estate agent knows all the legalities, requirements and guidelines the buyer and seller must adhere to. You have no idea how many legal forms you are responsible for. You wouldn’t want to get caught with a voided contract after laying out tons of cash because you forgot a key item, would you? How about getting stuck with a one-sided contract in favor of the buyer?
Additionally, in order to improve your odds you will want a real estate agent helping out with all marketing related tasks. For instance, your agent will be able to schedule open houses, send out flyers, add your home to multiple websites, call clients and other agents in the market, and much more. These are all marketing tasks that need to be done successfully, and during a recession it is much better to use a real estate agent.
Sure, there are many ways to save during this recession but holding back on professional services during the sale of your home is definitely not one you want to undertake.
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
By: Millie Gil
It is no secret that the home selling market is flooded with short sales and bank owned homes, so the question is how to compete with these homes when it comes time to sell your home.
Yes, it is a buyer’s market as some might say but the need or desire to sell your home may still be inevitable.
If you are in this situation then you need to understand your area and the competition. Do you need to price your home the same as a short sale home or a bank owned home? The answer is not likely.
First of all most bank owned homes are in need of much TLC and not necessarily a good comparison to yours. Short sales take so long and are not only in disrepair but the wait as well as possible rejection by the bank often times makes many buyers not willing to deal with these homes. While waiting on the bank’s response just imagine how many homes the buyer will miss out on.
This brings us to homes like yours that is a mainstream sale! Mainstream being an operative word here, basically, not a short sale or bank owned home.
Most home buyers today are looking for mainstream homes for many reasons. The obvious wait time and frustration in short sales has driven home buyers away from dealing with this type of sale.
The competition with cash buyers and investors on well maintained bank owned homes finds most mainstream buyers in an unlikely position to obtain the home.
Buyers have realized that a normal sale in which they can make a reasonable offer, get a response in a timely manner, have an inspection and actually ask for repairs to be done and expect to get the home in good condition is well worth it.
Competing with short sale homes and bank owned homes aren’t that difficult. Real estate agents are on top of the market and will know your competition and how well things are selling for in your area. Be reasonable when it comes to pricing because you still need to appraise when it comes down to it. Obviously, making your home look nicer than most of the competition should be the easy part; let your pride in your home show. Take the advice from your seasoned agent on how to stage your home.
Do not get wrapped up in the fact that you think your home is worth more than what it is likely to sell in this market or you will waste a lot of time with little to no showings. You need traffic, traffic brings potential buyers.
Make sure your home has several shots or pictures of areas in and around your property that makes a buyer want to see more! Neutral tones and less furniture and belongings make your home feel more open and spacious.
You can price your home higher than your competition of short sales and bank owned - just not so far out of reach that you are not going to get potential buyers interested in your home. Homes of all price ranges are selling in this market and yours can too.
Believe it or not, if you and your agent have done a good job, you are likely to sell your home very quickly in a market like this!
About the Author: Millie Gil is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Bold Real Estate Group. For more information please forward email to communityinfo@comcast.net
Fannie Mae new website
www.knowyouroptions.com helping borrowers struggling to avoid foreclosure.
Read more
Florida is a hot market offering great inventory of homes, condominiums
& villas including
foreclosures!
Millie specializes in
Residential
and
Commercial Real Estate servicing the areas of
Port St Lucie,
Hutchinson Island,
Vero Beach,
Jensen Beach,
Stuart,
Palm City,
Palm
Beach. If you would like professional assistance with your future real
estate sales, rental or investment,
Millie can be your connection to
Florida. There is something in Florida for everyone, whether you are
looking for a gorgeous new home, an oceanfront estate, a home with a
lake, river or golf view, land to build your dream home when you retire
or a modest and affordable home to call your own. To schedule a private
and confidential appointment, please contact
Millie either at (772)
224-1634 or communityinfo@comcast.net or Preview exclusive inventory of
homes at
http://www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com or
http://www.PGAVillage-Homes.com or
http://www.TheCascadesatStLucieWest.com and for questions about relocation of medical staff view
http://HealthcareRelocationServices.com "Se Habla Español"
Hutchinson Island, St. Lucie County
-
Announcing oceanfront condo for sale 1,463 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm "10 Floor ". Now
$325,000
- North Hutchinson Island.
Property information
| Carlos J Gil | Bold Real Estate Group Inc. | (772) 905-8173 |
3870 N Highway A1A, Hutchinson Island, FL | | North Hutchinson Island Oceanfront Condominium | | | 2BR/2BA Condo | | offered at $325,000 | | Year Built | 1993 | | Sq Footage | 1,463 | | Bedrooms | 2 | | Bathrooms | 2 full, 0 partial | | Floors | 4+ | | Parking | 4+ Car garage | | Lot Size | Unspecified | | HOA/Maint | $526 per month |
DESCRIPTION
| Magnificent oceanfront condominium in North Hutchinson Island featuring a furnished 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms on the 7th floor with formal living room, dining area, breakfast nook with kitchen pass-thru, inside utility, sliding doors & windows with wide ocean view open balcony. Master bedroom tastefully furnished with window treatments, additional 2 twin beds including mattresses, living room & dining room set, 42" Plasma TV & stand, all artwork & area rugs, 2 barstools, additional side tables & lamps, patio furniture, kitchenware, hurricane shutters & much more! Oceanfront building offers heated pool, spa, exercise room, tennis, sauna, beautifully decorated lobby, including private garage! A must see, contact us for your personal tour. | | | | see additional photos below | | | | | | PROPERTY FEATURES
| - Central A/C |
- Central heat |
- Walk-in closet |
| - Tile floor |
- Family room |
- Living room |
| - Bonus/Rec room |
- Dining room |
- Breakfast nook |
| - Dishwasher |
- Refrigerator |
- Stove/Oven |
| - Microwave |
- Washer |
- Dryer |
| - Laundry area - inside |
- Balcony, Deck, or Patio |
|
|
| COMMUNITY FEATURES
| - Guest parking |
- Clubhouse |
- Fitness center |
| - Swimming pool(s) |
- Sauna/Spa |
- Tennis court(s) |
| - Gated property |
- Secured entry |
- Elevator |
| - Wheelchair access |
| |
|
| | |
| ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
 Photo 1 |  Photo 2 |  Photo 3 |  Photo 4 |  Photo 5 |  Photo 6 |
|
| | | Contact info: |  |
Carlos J Gil |
Bold Real Estate Group Inc. |
(772) 905-8173 |
For sale by agent/broker | |
| | | | | | | Posted: Jul 12, 2010, 8:38am PDT | |
By Jean Patteson
RISMEDIA, July 8, 2010--(MCT)--The outdoor kitchen is rapidly becoming
the social hub of the home, much as the indoor kitchen is the favorite
gathering place for family and friends. The trend is especially strong
in areas where the climate favors outdoor living almost year-round.
"It's a hot item," said Scott Redmon, owner of Alfresco Living in
Maitland, Fla. "And the outdoor kitchen is becoming a lot more than a
grill and a sink in the corner of the porch. It's a whole entertainment
system. People have a higher expectation for their exterior spaces
since HGTV came around."
Outdoor kitchens are popular because they are fun to live with, said
Russ Faulk, vice-president of product development at Kalamazoo Outdoor
Gourmet in Kalamazoo, Mich. "They add to the quality of life for the
homeowner. Preparing a meal outdoors is not a chore, it's an occasion,
a reason to have friends over and enjoy the process."
In addition, an outdoor kitchen expands a home's living space and adds
to its value, he said. "The return on your investment is comparable to
an indoor kitchen redo."
Since the economic downturn, "People have been unable to sell their
homes, so they are starting to upgrade with better landscaping and
outdoor kitchens, spending more time at home," said Sue Fern, manager
of the Florida chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
The built-in grill was the start of the outdoor-kitchen trend, said
Faulk. "Then came the sink, the refrigerator, a counter for food prep,
cabinets for storage — pretty much what you'd have in an indoor
kitchen."
As more equipment is added, outdoor "rooms" are becoming larger and
more covered, he said. Seating areas are added, along with outdoor TV
sets, fire pits and water features.
The grill — fired by gas, wood or charcoal — is still the heart of the
outdoor kitchen. Especially popular are hybrid grills, which can be
switched from gas to wood or charcoal, depending on what is being
cooked, said Faulk. "There's nothing like grilling fish over an oak
fire."
Pizza ovens are starting to threaten the grill's reign as king of the
outdoor kitchen. Oven designs range from large, wood-fired brick and
clay ovens that take several hours to heat up, to compact countertop
models fired by gas that are ready for baking pizzas in 20 minutes.
Also gaining popularity in outdoor kitchens are keg-tappers, wine chillers, ice makers and warming cabinets.
When designing an outdoor kitchen, be sure to look for low-maintenance
equipment, said Faulk, "or you defeat the purpose of carefree outdoor
cooking."
Also, make sure any cabinetry is designed to keep the contents clean
and dry in inclement weather; install good task and ambient lighting;
and choose counter-top material that is stain- and grease-resistant and
stays cool in direct sunlight.
"Get counter-top samples, leave them in the sun and see how hot they
get," advised Faulk. "Heat-retention is not always related to color.
Some light colors get hotter than some dark colors."
He also offers these cost-cutting tips. "Design the outdoor kitchen
against the house to reduce the cost of getting utilities to the space.
And buy the best grill you can afford."
When designing an outdoor kitchen, "Consider how the space will be
used: as a personal refuge or a place to entertain and be social; as a
place to cook and eat, or to drink and socialize," said Eduardo Xol,
exterior designer on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and celebrity
designer for hayneedle.com.
And remember, he said, "Indoor-outdoor living helps balance the soul.
It keeps you connected with nature and helps you become more aware of
living green."
(c) 2010, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.