Gender Gap in Home Ownership

When it comes to the housing market there is a gap between the genders. One in five people that purchase a home is a single woman. This is the second-largest group of homebuyers after married couples. Women control around 60 percent of the total wealth in the United States based on information from the National Association of Women Business Owners in conjunction with the Small Business Administration. Sellers and real estate agents and now catering to this market. The latest development for Midtown Gardens Guocoland can be found here.

The Meyers Research company based out of Costa Mesa, California surveyed 33,000 people shopping for a home including both men and women. The influence of female home buyers has a bigger impact on the market. Women are purchasing their homes independently and many single men are looking for advice when it comes to purchasing homes.
Once a woman purchases the home it will reflect her success. Women want a large pantry, their bathroom, an office, and a porch. Sellers are looking to include these features in their homes.
There are some things researchers are doing to see what people are looking for in their ideal home.

.1 Why They Make a Purchase

Women want a home for safety and good schools for their children. Men purchase a home for prestige. Single women see purchasing a home as a smart investment and they want to purchase while interest rates a low. Women also see homeownership as a way to help with financial security. Single men are more likely to move often and do not want to be tied down with a home.

.2 Size and Location

Men and women want to live in the suburbs. A man is more willing to drive a long distance to work. Women want to stay close to home. Women prefer smaller homes with a functional design. Men like bigger homes because they feel it gives them a better lifestyle.

.3 Indoor vs Outdoor

Females are more interested in the interior of the home and look for large storage areas. They like the idea of having a front porch so they can sit and socialize. A man looks for outdoor space where he can barbecue with friends. He also looks for a garage and a large backyard.

.4 Design

Both men and women want modern styles. Men like Spanish styles while women look for casual contemporary. White is a top color choice for both genders and they look for a home that looks comfortable.

.5 Changes

Females like to have utility space and upgrade kitchens and bathrooms. They also have guestrooms for visitors. Men want a wine storage area and are looking to upgrade later.

.6 Pets

Eighty-one percent of buyers think about pets when picking a living situation. Women want to have pets and will treat them like family. They are looking for pet doors and places to wash them. They also want areas with dog parks.

.7 Extras

Men look for communities with gyms and a place to getaway. Both genders want pools and wifi. Female buyers are willing to trade off some of these features with the chance of making a good investment in their home purchase.

Bunk Bed Renting Instead of Home Ownership

Bulk Bed Instead of Home Ownership The New Thing

As there is a lack of housing in metro areas rent is getting out of control. The price to rent bunk beds reach as high as $1,000. College graduates are living out of duffle bags as they struggle to find jobs in big cities.

There are apartments and hostels such as PodShare where people are paying as much as $1,000 a month to rent a bunk bed in a large room with other people. This is about half of the monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment. Included with the bed are utilities, toiletries, coffee, and some basic food items including peanut butter and ramen noodles.

There is staff on-site that will clean up after the renters and will even help them cook meals. People all over the world come to live in these new age apartments. They share a bathroom, a common room, and a kitchen.

When it comes to privacy there is none. Sex is not allowed in the beds. People have met and fallen in love with these rooms. A couple recently got married after meeting in a PodShare apartment. The event went back for wedding day pictures.

While renting a bunk is not for everyone some people are liking it. If a person earns $40,000 a year they are paying and earning below-average pay this can be a way to save some money.
PodShare rents over 220 beds in five cities including LA and San Francisco as people are looking for ways to find affordable housing.

As there is a lack of housing in cities these beds are good for people that want to live in an urban center but may not be able to afford rent. Young professionals are finding rooms since they have small paychecks and high student loan debt. They cannot afford to purchase a home or pay high rent costs.

Many of the companies that own these bed renting facilities are looking to help people feel like they are part of a community. A person is not living alone so they will not have to worry about feeling lonely. Around 30 percent of millennials are lonely which is the highest out of any generation.

People that do live in these PodShare arrangements tend to form bonds with others. While they may move on to the next step which is often a studio apartment there are some benefits to living in a bunk. It will help a person save money and will help them make friends in a big city.

Other co-living centers may rent out rooms for up to $2,000 a month. While this may sound expensive they are still below the average rent price of a studio apartment.

These co-living arrangements are helping to allow people to find a house with the housing market crisis. More people are working and living in cities than there is room and developers are looking for a way to increase their profit. With the lower prices are shared space it seems that these room-sharing companies are only going to increase.

Making a Home a Palace for Pets

Whenever clients look for a condo, apartment or house, savvy real estate professionals ask a few questions. One of the questions is whether pets are a part of the family. Nowadays, homeowners have different types of pets including cats, fish, small mammals, birds, dogs, and even reptiles. However, some property owners do not like renting out to people who have pets. On the other hand, some are trying to make their homes a palace for their pets!

According to a recent study, pet owners spend a considerable amount of money trying to keep their pets happy. For instance, in 2015, American pet owners spent about $61 billion on furnishings, food, toys & other pet goods. Although pet owners go over and beyond, some home improvements depend on several factors like labor costs, size of the room and level of finish. Nevertheless, since pets offer countless benefits, most animal lovers cannot put a price tag on their choices especially if they affect the happiness of their beloved pets.

As tenant competition soars in many cities, developers and managers of apartments and condos have decided to factor pet owners because it pays off. As a result, there are certain measures that they’ve reduced or eliminated. For instance:

Pets’ restriction
Lowering or eliminating additional fees for pet owners
Pet size and number elimination

With these measures in place, animal lovers can rent an apartment regardless of the size of the pet or the number of pets he/she has. This was not easy in the past because property owners were very sentimental about pets.

To attract tenants real estate developers and managers have devised other tack ticks. For instance, Related (a real estate company in NY) has always had a pet-friendly policy since 1986. They offer wax and booties to dogs during the winter season! After some time, Related established a Dog City Location where they provide pet care services to pet owners who are worried/concerned about the wellbeing of their pets’ when they are away from home. Some of the baseline services offered at Dog City Location include access to special areas to play, nail clipping and cleanup space. The client is only required to pay an annual fee of $250. The facility also offers additional services like puppy nannies, socialization services, spa services, walks and veterinary care on a different package to willing clients.

As the multifamily segment was covered on news and social media, homebuilders and designers started prioritizing pets. Homeowners and potential homebuyers started getting inspirations from Pinterest and Houzz. As a result, pet features started being included in single houses. To determine the type, size, and other features to include, designers and homebuilders had to ask a few questions. For example, the type of pets, number, and size the homeowner wishes to have in the future. Some of the added features include toy storage, cabinetry that has built-in food bowls and water, bed and wall hooks for leashes & collars. Sometimes, home designers include a ‘doggie door’ that offers access to the yard and a window that’s placed strategically for the pets to see the outside. It seems like homeowners are willing to make their homes a palace for their pets.

How Old Homes Can Gain an Edge for You

Although interior design can make your home new and current, it can also preserve the character of old homes. However, for your old home to gain an edge, you need the help of an experienced interior designer. Nowadays, using the latest floor styles, countertops, and lighting, you can remodel your old home especially if you are looking to resell.

Although the design and style of a home do not affect the sale of a house, buyers consider these factors when choosing between new construction and resale. When realtors help potential new buyers in areas with newer units nearby, they battle a misguided perception that existing homes are not desirable even if they are in their pristine condition. Ergo, modernizing your home will make it competitive especially if you are looking to resell.

You don’t have to break the bank when remodeling your old home because small upgrades like adding a fresh coat of paint, changing the old kitchen and door hardware and adding aesthetic details can increase the resale value of your home. However, the most important upgrades sellers can make include bathroom remodels, energy-efficient appliances and new countertops. Nevertheless, not all home sellers are willing to spend thousands of dollars on their old homes to gain an edge.

Aesthetics have added value to new construction & resale homes. Some advantages of improving older homes include:

i. Better lifestyle options – normally, older homes are located close to public transportation, schools, restaurants, and shopping. On the other hand, new constructions are on the town outskirts. Therefore, when you buy an improved older home, you will have a better lifestyle because you will be near social amenities.

ii. Investment in both curb and backyard appeal – many sellers of older homes have added porches and decks to improve your home. These homeowners have worked closely with contractors, landscapers, and contractors to improve their curb and backyard appeal. As a result, potential buyers will not spend extra money to make these changes. However, they may have to spend some money to make some changes. For example, laying sod or planting grass on their front or back yards.

iii. Individual charm – unlike new construction, older homes have a new charm because they’ve historic features that add an extra appeal. Older homes are surrounded by larger and mature trees thus offering more privacy and individual charm.

However, since the floor plan, interior finishes and the size cannot be changed, it is impossible to customize older homes. But, if the buyer wants to make these changes, he/she may have to invest a considerable amount of money. Secondly, as the demand for eco-friendly homes rises, it is hard to retrofit green features in resale homes. Finally, resale homes’ design cannot be changed regardless of the remodels or appliances you will buy. Therefore, when buying a resale home, you will have to be contented with the design while enjoying associated benefits.

These Doors Can Upgrade The Look Of Your Home Listing

Front doors have been considered very relevant when it comes to increasing home appearance. Nice looking doors have the capacity to give your home a unique look. You should consider installing front doors that add style. Some of the most popular front doors have been known to solve the difficulties of design.

It is good to know that strategically positioned doors in open floor plan settings can bring privacy. People have been preferring front doors simply because they boost the usability of tight rooms. Popular property homeowners have gone to the extent of using barn doors hung on sliding tracks.

You might be aware that barn doors are fixed above the door frames. Although it is not common, you can also find pocket doors inside a wall. Recent remodeling and staging projects feature such types of doors. Nowadays, barn doors and gates are being used in master’s toilets. In such projects, there is often a spacious field that is normally separated from the bathing and commode area.

This is not the case with older homes. Some of the oldest homes do not have vanities in the bathroom. You will mostly find them fixed in the master bedroom. This style is quickly losing its importance. Many people are closing with a barn door. In fact, a large percentage of people who have embraced this trending style are enjoying the alternative.

Away from that, you can also use two bard doors. They can hang on each side of the open door frame. What is the main reason for this style? You will be in a good position to fix the privacy problem. It is every person’s dream to have doors with extreme privacy. With that in mind, you should not hesitate to install these doors.

What about constructing an addition off the living region? You can use it as a bedroom for your guests. You don’t have to install a gate to separate the bedroom from the primary region. In case you are not comfortable with the installation, you can consider double barn doors. This means that the room can either be used as a guest room or opened whenever there is a need to expand the living area. Be guaranteed that it will make the space and bring new architectural value to your home.

Never be confused by the word barn door. Your listing does not have to be the same with the country chic in order to benefit from this space saver. Do you know that pocket doors differ from place to place? You will come across some pocket doors manufactured from glass and wood. Do you love sliding doors? You can look for an experienced door installer to attach the sliding door to your kitchen stand. This will allow you to close places for animals or kids.

As for now, sliding doors are the most popular. From a clear view, their popularity will continue in the next few years.

Ways to Showcase a Good Ceiling at Your Home

The fifth wall is a key element when it comes to the design scheme. It is arguably the last place many people look. A nice looking ceiling can make a huge difference in a room. Over the years, ceilings have been taking a center stage. Homeowners prefer extending finishes like the bold color of the paint. Personalizing space has been gaining a lot of popularity for the last couple of years.
A ceiling is an important part of your décor. It is relevant for a ceiling to pair well with the walls and also the rest of your space. We have seen ceilings getting the designer treatment as home to become more and more coordinated. It is good to know the different types of ceilings before you have started building or even renovating your home.
We have analyzed ways that you can use to showcase your ceiling style. Take a look.

Lighting has been changing day by day over the years. You might have come across numerous eye-catching trends. Some of these trends have taken the world by storm. Usually, they come in different colors and also diameters. This means that you have the full freedom to place them anywhere. While some people prefer placing these lights around the ceilings, others love arranging them in a shotgun approach. It depends on your taste.

Recently, large fixtures have been trending more so along with fans with in-built lights. They have attracted a lot of attention to the homeowners. Which are the most common bulbs in that case? LED lights are known to have a better performance when compared to other common models in the market.

They are being considered as the new smart home applications. The main reason why you should consider purchasing these lights is that they have been manufactured by one of the best companies in the world. You should keep in mind that the manufacturer has built a long-lasting reputation for manufacturing high quality and durable products for very many years.
Being a pioneer lights manufacturer, be guaranteed that you will get durable ceilings lights that will last for life. They don’t compromise when it comes to quality. You will not only get what you have been looking for but also what you deserve. And there is no doubt you deserve the best.

The best thing about this style is that you can use them for all kind of interior spaces. It will be a perfect choice more so when your architectural trim is wider and thicker. How can you identify a house with this style? They look much luxurious and comfortable from a distance. Away from that, it can also be used in more elaborate ways.

You might be thinking that this option is overrated but that is not the case nowadays. Many design experts have been favoring wallpapers like never before. There are numerous reasons behind that. Before choosing the right wallpaper for your house, you should look for recommendations from experienced friends.