Tiffany Morrisett Coldwell Banker Real Estate Agent

  Buying Land: Look Before You Leap Have you found yourself dreaming of your own Walden Pond lately? Whether you're looking to build a luxury retreat or you just want a natural escape, the dream of scooping up an undervalued piece of land is an understandable one. But before you break out the flannel, it's important to remember that buying land is different from buying property with a structure already on it. Here are some things to keep in mind when buying land: If it's an investment, consider it a long-term investment Land is not a quick flip. You should only plan to buy land if you're going to hold on to it for at least 10 to 20 years. Landholding can protect you against inflation, but its value isn't going to rise quickly. Pay cash if possible If you aren't going to build a home on your land right away, lenders will see you as a risk, and you'll have to pay 30 to 50% upfront (if not full price). If you are going to build right away, you can get a constru

  Home Décor to Look Out For in 2021 Even with 2020 in the rear-view mirror, it's fair to assume we'll still be spending a good amount of time at home in early 2021. Here's a roundup of popular décor and design trends to keep in mind if you plan to redecorate this year, so you can nest with the best. Comfort and functionality 2020 was a year when most of us spent more time at home than ever before. Not only were we confined to our homes during our free time, but our homes also became our gyms, our schools and daycares, and (if we were lucky) our offices. All of these new demands have made comfort and functionality top priorities in home design. Unused guest rooms and formal living rooms have been given more useful purposes. Home offices have gone from makeshift setups to more permanent work stations. The rise in popularity of overstuffed living room furniture signals that consumers are focused on actually relaxing in their living spaces. Furniture sellers are also seeing hi

  Saving on kitchen cabinets When it comes to home renovations, a kitchen remodel is on the higher end of the price spectrum. One of the biggest line items in any kitchen remodel is cabinetry, which can account for up to 40% of your total budget. If you're willing to think outside the box a little, you can save yourself some money and still make a solid long-term cabinet choice. As always: do your research Take time to learn about the materials that separate budget cabinets from premium options. Particleboard is the cheapest option, but it's not incredibly durable and degrades easily if it comes in contact with water. Medium-density fiberboard has a slightly higher price tag but boasts superior quality without breaking the bank. MDF is very water-resistant and actually resists warping and expansion better than expensive hardwoods. Solid wood cabinets are beautiful and durable when cared for properly, but they're expensive, heavy, and just as susceptible to damage from moist

  Your way-too-eager, probably over-the-top early spring checklist Let's face it – it's been a long winter, but brighter and warmer days are upon us. If you're the type of person who likes to be prepared, it isn't too early to gear up for lawn and garden season. Here are some tips to help you hit the ground running this spring: Test the content of your soil with a kit.  Soil test kits are designed to determine levels of PH, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, and other micro/macronutrients in your soil. An accurate test will tell you how to amend your soil for optimum growing. Disinfect any tools that will touch vegetation  to prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi, and soil pathogens. Soak lawnmower blades, shovels, trowels, rakes, and pruners for 30 minutes in a solution of 10% bleach and 90% water. Tune up your lawnmower.  If you didn't already do it in the fall, drain your lawnmower of old fuel. Add fresh fuel, replace the spark plugs, clean/replace the air filter,