Six Architecture Trends That Never Go Out of Style
The world of architecture revolves around finding solutions driven by human needs — the need for shelter, security, and a place to stay warm and comfortable, to name a few. As an industry, it has always prided itself in designing not only functional spaces but also beautiful ones. Try looking up Pinterest home designs and you’ll know what we mean. It’s amazing how architecture changed over the years. As is with every other practice, new ideas bloom, and trends are set. However, there are certain trends in architecture that have stood the test of time. In this article, we’ll discuss six of the timeless architecture trends to inspire you for your next home acquisition or project. 1. Tiny homes/Tiny living Recent times have seen a boom in a more conscious lifestyle. With more and more people living and needing only the essentials, tiny homes have sprouted everywhere to support the movement. These houses go as small as 15 square meters (or less!), but homeowners continue to make the switch since they’re eco-friendly, sustainable, and affordable. If you’re thinking of downsizing, or if this is your first time purchasing a home, you may want to consider living in a tiny home. Their simplistic and functional designs are perfect for minimalists or anyone on a budget. 2. Smart homes Technology and design have come a long way. And with the rise of smart tech, it’s making its way into our homes, on to the quest to future proof our humble abode. You’ll see these advancements through lighting gadgets, kitchen mechanisms, and even in the bathroom. Soon, automation will make day-to-day tasks obsolete. It brings a sense of ease and convenience to the present-day homeowner. A house that knows whether to keep itself cold or warm is something to marvel at, don’t you think? 3. Taking the outdoors inside The pandemic has been ravaging for quite some time, and it brought with it a longing for the outside world. Formal dining and living rooms are fading away and are being replaced by spaces that take in fresh air. Just like that, we saw a rise in architecture and design revolving around this idea— bringing the outside world into our home. From placing plants inside, to using earthy tones, to indoor-outdoor bathrooms, and even actual open areas in the middle of the house, this movement has set a milestone for great seamless living. Having a space that lets you breathe is now a plus in every home. It gives you a sense of wellness without having to be outside the comfort of its four walls. 4. Sustainability As the call to let the Earth breathe continues to ring across the globe, sustainability has been at the forefront of architecture. This movement aims to reduce the carbon footprint a home leaves and makes. Architects heavily consider numerous factors in order for them to call a property “sustainable”, and some of which include the actual materials used to build it, the location of the actual property, and the design. With architecture shifting its focus to designs that focus on sustainability, it brings with it cost-effective measures that will make the Earth and us happy. From designs that cool the house to recycling rainwater, to utilizing solar power – these are all great and easily-implementable steps that even you can do for your current home. 5. Multi-functional open spaces If you’ve looked for home designs online, then you’ll see pictures of open floor plans dominating the feed. It’s not a shock that this trend is here. People used to be so obsessed with walls and dividing spaces. Perhaps this suffocated them. Now they want to move freely with fewer limitations. Say goodbye to excessive walls as we welcome the era of multi-functional open spaces. It’s not very hard to be gone with the walls since there are wonderful design pieces out there that help compartmentalize spaces. Homeowners who choose to apply this approach enjoy the versatility of agile spaces. People can work, entertain guests, and lounge around in the area, essentially making the idea of having separate home offices, entertainment rooms, and even study rooms outdated. 6. Renovated or Rehabilitated Homes As the demand for homes and spaces continue to rise, so does the demand for fixer-upper projects. With more and more homes and buildings entering old age, this trend gives home seekers a cost-effective way to acquire a property. As we innovate, timeless ideas persist The trends we have listed are a move to innovation, all packaged in a timeless approach. Architecture and design will continue to evolve, so expect more wonderful concepts to take hold. We hope this article inspires you to pursue only the best ideas for your home or future property. Rabecca Ranaldi As an Associate Broker at EXIT Realty Mountain View - I help home buyers and sellers along Colorado’s Front Range including Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, and Peyton. As your Local Resource, I am happy to help! Associate Broker for Exit Realty Mountain View 719-426-0949 cell
When to Build vs Buy…
Everyone has fantasized at some point about his or her dream house. You may want closets big enough to live in; a bathroom that doubles as a spa; a kitchen in which you could produce programs for the Food Network but, as in most fantasies, there is usually some epic journey required to achieve the goal. And building your dream house follows that plot line all too closely. But isn’t it the dream that makes the quest worthwhile? Yes, if you can weather the storms and battles along the way. And the determination to keep moving forward is usually a function of a strong will and a big heart. It is likely that you have options when you begin the process of buying a home. There may be existing homes in the area that are affordable and that meet your needs. But there are always things about any property or house that don’t exactly meet with your approval. The basement may not be finished or the yard may be too small or the interior decor may have to be entirely redone. It is virtually impossible to buy an existing home without making compromises. Building new allows you to imagine, design and build the home that accommodates needs and amenities that are important to you within a budget of course. And that is one thing that must be considered. A new home will be more expensive, on a cost per foot basis, than an existing one. That is due to the cost of land, the price of building materials and labor expense. You might also find that taxes are high as a new area is developed and the municipal authorities factor in the required infrastructure for a growing population and the need for services like education, law enforcement and recreation. You may find yourself subsidizing some of these costs as an area develops. The ongoing costs associated with an existing house are more predictable. However, there will likely be more maintenance expense than for a new house and energy costs tend to be higher with older properties because newer homes are more energy efficient. Commuting costs may be an issue. Developers must go further and further out to find enough land to accommodate a new subdivision. That may mean higher costs for commuting to work and to access other businesses and venues that may be closer to the nearest major population centre. You should consider this from both a monetary perspective and to determine if you are comfortable with an additional investment of time. If your new house is built in a subdivision there may be ongoing fees required. In addition, there may be covenants that are designed to protect property values that may apply serious restrictions on your ability to enhance your home and/or your property down the road. A new home needs new landscaping. This may be included in the price of the home but there will likely be a limit to what is covered under the agreement. To landscape the property in a way that is truly satisfying may require an additional outlay. Beware of construction delays! Building contractors are notorious for setting deadlines they miss and making promises they can’t keep. Make sure you do some thorough research about the builder and his track record before you commit. Weather is always unpredictable and may have an effect but that should be factored in from the start. A new subdivision can be a hornet’s nest of building activity. If you move into your home early in the process be prepared for hammering, sawing, trucks, mud and general chaos for quite a while as the subdivision progresses. This is a lifestyle issue and is a temporary inconvenience. But some have found this level of activity disconcerting and disruptive especially when they are settling into their dream home and trying to savour the experience. If you build new be prepared to stay for a while. With new construction all around you it would be difficult to compete with the rest of the properties available for others who want to build a house from the ground up. You would have to make it worth their while and that usually means a compromise in price. All this being said (and trust me there is more that could be said) there is nothing quite as satisfying as showcasing the house to family and friends that you designed and built and that reflects your unique vision and personality. If you survive the journey, you will likely have turned your fantasy into reality. Call me or Message me to get started on building your dream home Today!
#TipTuesday
New Construction Benefits in this Market! Nothing beats the feeling of living in a house where everything is new and luxurious. Check out some of the benefits of buying new: 1. Low cost maintenance – because the home is brand new there are going to be less maintenance costs for upkeep and daily living with your home. Less things to worry about breaking or having to fix or clean or care for. 2. You can readily move in – a lot of new builds will have move in ready homes, but right now with this crazy fast market those will be hard to find right now. However, these homes once completed are ready to move in right upon closing. everything will be brand new and ready so you wont have to paint or pull carpets or change anything before moving your furniture in! 3. It’s protected by a new home warranty – different builders offer different home warranty and structural warranty options. Ask them what their plans are and if you want extra coverage I can help you with that as I work with a few amazing home warranty companies that are running some great promotions right now. 4. It’s more energy efficient – with LED light fixtures, new windows, updated plumbing and furnaces and so on… NEW HOMES are going to be more energy efficient allowing you to have a much lower electric bill than a home build in the 1980s. 5. Modern designs and styles that are fit for your lifestyle – these builders spend a lot of time paying attention to current trends and popular styles in the market. If you want something new and functional while also modern and popular, check out what these builders have to offer! And look at them all because each one has slightly different styles. 6. A new community with top amenities – many new build communities have top of the line rec centers/ community centers pools, activity areas, golf courses and so on. Make sure to ask what amenities are offered in that particular community and add that bonus to your list of pros and cons. 7. Inclusions – some new builds offer landscaping or certain upgrades you will not find in a resale property. Each company has different items that come ‘standard’ with the build and different ‘upgrades’ available so make sure to check them out. 8. Customize – sometimes it is just a beautiful feeling to be able to customize a brand new home to fit exactly what you want/need. Some builders allow you to change certain structural options and others allow you to pick and choose various interior items at their design center that fit your style. 9. Lender Partner Benefits – MANY new build companies offer incentives for using their preferred lender partner. If you have not begun working with a lender I would ask them who their Lender Partner is and what incentive they offer for using that Lender. 10. ZERO COMPETITION- in this crazy hot sellers market, one huge huge huge benefit to working with new construction is undoubtedly the fact that you wont have to deal with 20 other offers over list price with cash appraisal gaps. Once you sign the contract to purchase the home with the builder you are UNDER CONTRACT and that’s it. No multiple offers, just first come first serve basically. SO, if you aren’t in a hurry and have time to work with a builder, I highly recommend talking with your agent (or myself if you don’t have one you are working with) about looking at some new builds right now! Are you thinking about whether to buy a pre-occupied home or a new construction? Comment below and or message me I will send you my FREE value-packed guide all about buying new with all kinds of info about the local builders I have worked with.
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