Keller - Roanoke - Northeast Fort Worth - July 2022

GUIDE

Local businesses oer home improvement tips

HOME IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

ASK A REAL ESTATE AGENT

With all the changes in the market in recent months, real estate agent Jessica De La Cruz shares advice on how to secure a home.

COMPILED BY HANNAH JOHNSON & SARA RODIA

prices are going to also shift, meaning that they’re going to go down to being normal and not overpriced. WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MARKET GOING THESE NEXT FEW MONTHS? I think [the market] is going to normalize itself. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE ON ENTERING THE MARKET NOW? I would denitely advise to have a good agent that is going to take the time to do the comparables [and] to really look at the market trend to really scope out the area so they are not overpaying or getting into a situation where they are going to overpay for the property in the long run. Educating the buyer is very, very important and key for myself in making sure that they’re still getting the best deal possible.

WHAT’S THE NO. 1 THING PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PUTTING THEIR HOUSE UP FOR SALE? The market has shifted in the last month or so. At this point, it’s no longer the same expectation [that] you put your house on the market, and it’s going to sell within a day or two, and there’s going to be a crazy bidding war. Of course it depends on the area, [but] I would [tell] a seller to keep in mind that the home may be back in the traditional market, meaning it’s going to sit on the market for 10 to 30 days. WHAT TRENDS IN REAL ESTATE MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE? It will surprise them [that] the home is sitting longer, but that has nothing to do with them or the home. It just has to do with current trends right now. ... List

TIPS FROM AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

April Littmann, the founder and principal interior designer of Neighbor Interiors in Southlake, oers some ideas about design.

and then take into consideration how much natural light your oce receives throughout the day. Light plays such an essential part to good design and increases productivity. WHAT ARE SOME DESIGN CHANGES YOU HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR? We’ve seen a shift toward mixing nishes, materials and furniture that aren’t all a perfect match. We’ve seen this a lot on exterior home selections. This approach to design creates interest and layers, which we love.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RECENT TRENDS IN INTERIOR DESIGN? We are seeing a resurgence of saturated colors, which has been a refreshing change from the recent trend of neutral interiors. Also, a lot of organic, owing shapes, such as curved furniture, circular- shaped pieces and unique forms are becoming popular. WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP FOR SOMEONE LOOKING TO CREATE OR REDESIGN THEIR HOME OFFICE? Focus on your functionality needs rst,

Jessica De La Cruz Agent Lily Moore Realty 1301 Solana Blvd., Bldg. 1, Ste. 1505, Westlake 817-701-5414 www.lilymoorerealty.com

April Littmann Founder and interior designer Neighbor Interiors 325 Miron Drive, Ste. 110, Southlake 832-743-5696 www.neighborinteriors.com

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MAINTAINING YOUR HOME The National Association of Home Builders oers routine home maintenance tips for homeowners looking to maintain their homes’ value and ensure their

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

1 Roofs should be inspected by a qualied roofer every three years, and skylights should be inspected so leaks do not develop. 2 Ensure downspouts and gutters do not get clogged with leaves and other debris. 3 Inspect siding each year to see if it needs repainting, and trim shrubs away so they do not touch the siding. 4 Check for split or cracked caulking on windows and doors annually, and replace the caulk as necessary. 5 Moving parts of garage doors need to be oiled once every three months.

6 Air lters require regular replacement, generally once every three months. 7 Regularly check security alarms and circuit breakers . Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 8 Clean each faucet’s aerator every three to four months. Maintain garbage disposals by running cold water through them. 9 Masonry walls can develop a white powder that can be scrubbed o with water and a sti brush. 10 Hardwood oors without polyurethane need to be waxed with a liquid or paste “spirit” wax. Use emulsion wax on vinyl.

safety. Find other useful homeownership tips at www.nahb.org.

SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERSCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM