Five Things to Consider Before Putting Your Home on the Market

Article Emily Shea

Selling your home doesn’t have to be a headache. But more often than not, it is. Why? One reason may be the plethora of misinformation that’s floating around on the web. Lucky for us, we recently had the opportunity to put all of that misinformation to rest when we sat down with Charlotte native and local real estate professional Hanes Walker. Hanes shared with us five pieces of advice that everyone can use as they consider putting their house on the market.

1. Consult an interior designer. It’s so important to hire a professional who knows how to build in or enhance value-adding amenities to your house. Should you change your furniture layout, raise the ceiling, tear down a wall or merely update the color palette? Interior designers can give you advice on whether or not those things are really needed. 

2. Invest in quality product. Take the advice of the professionals you hire, and do not go cheap. Potential buyers will not be interested in a cheaply modeled or decorated space, so it’s better to invest in quality fixtures, appliances and finishings. 

3. Appeal to the market. Remember that you are selling your house for someone else, not yourself. Since you are not staying here, it doesn’t need to be—nor should it be—your style. 

4. Curb appeal is important. Make room in your budget to manicure your yard and exterior so it fits your price point. The truth is, no one is going to pay a luxury price for a less than stellar curb appeal.

5. Get your home inspected. Have a home inspection done upfront, and address anything that raises a red flag. 

Learn more about Hanes and his more than 20 years of real estate experience as a real estate agent at SothebysRealty.com.

The Ideal Retirement Community Option that Promotes an Active Lifestyle for Seniors

Article Wesley Smith

When deciding to change living arrangements, seniors should consider an option that helps them thrive in retirement. For those who are age 62 or older, Windsor Run retirement community offers many elegant amenities and activities seniors can enjoy if they want to live a healthy lifestyle that supports physical, mental and emotional needs. Any senior considering world-class living services that will help to promote an active lifestyle should take a closer look at Windsor Run, a 60-acre retirement community in Matthews, Mecklenburg County.

Windsor Run offers the opportunity to be a member of a top retirement community. It encourages healthy living as a key part of each and every resident’s physical, spiritual and emotional life. There are many fun and exciting games and activities seniors can enjoy in a safe environment, while at the same time socializing and making friends.

Exercise is highly recommended when it comes to sustaining an active lifestyle, and it is prioritized by Windsor Run. If seniors are not sure of how to get started, they need not worry. Windsor Run offers experienced personal trainers who will help build a tailor-made workout routine that will meet one’s health needs in the fitness center.

Seniors can engage in many activities in the all-season pool. They can stay in shape with lap swimming and water aerobics, among other activities. The campus includes paved, well-lit paths ideal for jogging, biking and taking a stroll. Alternatively, individuals can stay indoors to take educational classes and listen to guest speakers, all the while utilizing the climate-controlled walkways. Windsor Run’s pathways offer many physical activity options that residents can take part in daily. Residents can also bring their pets into the community and take walks in the dog park.

Experienced chefs at Windsor Run take into account dietary restrictions and use fresh ingredients to prepare a variety of healthy foods. The friendly staff treats residents with respect and caters to their needs. Seniors can be assured of having the support and care they need at any time.

Many people are reluctant to move into retirement communities until the last minute. However, it is advisable to move into independent living communities early. Getting familiar with a new community can help make adjusting to new schedules, socializing and picking activities easier. 

Windsor Run supports a vibrant and active lifestyle. There are a plethora of activities residents are able to enjoy while experiencing an important phase of life in the most convenient and best way.  

Leader of ShelfGenie, the Top Name in Custom Shelving and Home Storage Solutions

Article Melinda Burris Willms

ShelfGenie CEO Andy Pittman has a long history with the organization, having first joined the company as a franchisee in 2009. Seven years later, Andy became the chief operating officer and last year, he took the helm of the organization as CEO. Andy continues as a franchisee owner and explains that being a franchise partner makes him a better CEO because there really isn’t much that the company franchise owners experience that he hasn’t faced himself.

In fact, Andy was among the earliest franchisee owners to join ShelfGenie, the leading home improvement and custom shelving franchise in the nation, when the company first began offering franchise opportunities 10 years ago. While he is proud of all the organization has accomplished thus far in the fragmented shelving, storage and home improvement industry, Andy sees an optimistic and expansive future for ShelfGenie.

“I still think there is huge potential for ShelfGenie. I think over the next two to four years, we can easily double the number of territories we’re in,” he says.

ShelfGenie Storage Solutions and Customizable Shelving

ShelfGenie has set itself apart from its competitors by offering its clients innovative and customizable shelving and storage solutions. ShelfGenie can help you in organizing any room in your home, be it the kitchen, pantry, bathroom, home office or garage, with its proprietary Glide-Out shelving, a high-quality, custom-designed storage solution available only from ShelfGenie.

Custom-built to the millimeter to fit into your existing cabinetry, each ShelfGenie Glide-Out shelf is constructed of Baltic birch and finished with furniture-quality hardwood or melamine. Glide-Out shelves move easily, at the touch of a finger, and thanks to their sturdy construction, each shelf can bear up to 100 pounds in weight and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

“When the interior of your kitchen is beautiful, and things are easier to find, you experience more joy in your own home,” says Lisa McLeod, a ShelfGenie client.

The Design Process

With ShelfGenie, the design process is a personal but simple one. Your personal designer will schedule a time to come to your home and discuss your storage needs and design tastes. Based on these discussions and an assessment of your storage and cabinet space needs, a custom-designed solution will be drawn up for you then and there, with no obligation to you. Upon your approval of the design, ShelfGenie will create and install your unique, expertly crafted storage solution.

Andy is uniquely qualified to lead ShelfGenie as the company continues to expand. In his dual role as CEO and franchisee, he has invested much into the success of the organization. Andy has illustrated leadership as an active member of the ShelfGenie Franchise Advisory Council. In addition, the commitment Andy and his team have to quality and superb customer service has received recognition, with him twice being named Franchisee of the Year.

“When the interior of your kitchen is beautiful, and things are easier to find, you experience more joy in your own home.” –Lisa McLeod, ShelfGenie client

Fireplace & Granite Distributors has everything you need to create the kitchen or bathroom you’ve been dreaming about.

Article Noah Milliken

With over 30 years of experience, Fireplace & Granite Distributors has installed all types of fireplaces, granite fireplace surrounds and granite countertops for home builders and homeowners in the Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC, area. They set themselves apart from the pack by being family-owned and operated for over 22 years. They are also a one-stop home improvement shop and showroom that offers everything you could possibly need to complete just about any time of house project, saving you time and money.

The kitchen or bathroom of your dreams is only a call away thanks to the dedicated team that is determined to complete your project, no matter how big or small. In addition to the unparalleled convenience, Fireplace & Granite has a team of highly trained designers that are always available to answer your questions. They offer a massive selection of granite slabs, displays of quartz, tile, cabinets, sinks and faucets while fabricating all of their granite and quartz counters on site.

In their Concord showroom, hundreds of granite colors are available for purchase. Whether you’re putting the finishing touches on a brand new kitchen or want to revamp your old bathroom countertops, Fireplace & Granite’s collection is unmatched by its competitors. Furthermore, Fireplace & Granite makes the installation process a breeze with an exceptional customer service department that works with you to schedule a convenient installation time and date. If having dedicated design specialists and quality installers matter to you, then make your choice a simple one: choose Fireplace & Granite Distributors. 

Article Valery Huffenhus of Decorating Den

Ottomans are the great equalizer in the land of design. Available at many price points and in countless shapes, sizes, colors and textures, they offer any room some distinctive design style. They can be incorporated into any decor style whether it’s transitional, modern, eclectic or traditional. They are multifunctional, acting as seating, serving or storage options for any space. Ottomans often add a unique shock of color, texture or shape to a room. Solid fabric or leather ottomans can spice things up with bright colors, providing that extra oomph an area may need. Graphic or floral design ottomans bring flair to a boring space with form and pattern. Shapes vary from circular to square to rectangular, keeping your design more interesting. Heights vary from low, like extra media room seating, to high, becoming side table service. Dress them down with casual natural fabrics like jute or dress them up with plush luxurious velvets. Need extra storage? They can double as a place to stash smaller items, books, games and throws  with their removable tops. Whatever their purpose, they serve style unlike any other design piece you may purchase. So, spend a lot or a little and you’ll win either way with a piece that is stylish and smart.

1. Here an interesting graphic fabric ottoman that functions as a side table.
2. These unique and stylish hair on hide ottomans offer upscale dining seating.
3. Use attractive textured leather ottomans to serve as additional seating or as side tables.

Patrice Hawkins and Valery Huffenus are award-winning South Charlotte designers with more than 20 years of experience. For a free consultation please call (704) 802-1353. 

Article Valery Huffenus, Decorating Den Interiors

Kermit may have said it’s not easy being green, but we think he was wrong. With so many products and design options available for your home, being “green” can be a relatively easy and environmentally friendly way to create a beautiful room design. From paint to lighting, accessories to fabrics, furniture to wall coverings, being eco-friendly at home has become an extremely high priority for many homeowners, manufacturers and consumers. There are so many exciting options for incorporating green design into your home!

Furniture

Natural fibers, like rattan, bamboo, abaca, government-certified hardwoods and plantation-grown woods (which are grown specifically for furniture in order to avoid depleting forest-grown woods), provide homeowners with a wide variety of styles, textures and designs from which to choose. If purchasing eco-friendly furniture for your home is a priority, you might check to see if your furniture manufacturer is a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC) which was established in 2007.

Lighting

Not only have the soft light of halogen lamps been all the rage for the past few years, they are a boon to energy savings, as are the wide variety of energy-saving light bulbs available in the marketplace. Furniture isn’t the only arena for natural fibers; we’re also seeing natural materials such as cork, rattan and twig in eye-popping lighting pieces.

Fabrics

Believe it or not, gorgeous decorative fabrics are being made from recycled plastic water bottles, recycled polyester and recycled paper. Oftentimes these eco-friendly fabrics are treated and finished with only water-based or environmentally approved dyes. You’ll find nature-friendly bamboo in fabrics, too, where it’s used as a fiber for towels and in natural woven shades.

Wall Finishes

Paints now feature low odors, faster drying times and stronger durability, all by maintaining environmental codes. If repainting is in your future, be sure to ask if the paint you’re considering has a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) rating, so that you can continue your environmental stewardship. Natural grasscloth wall coverings are another way to add warmth, beauty and texture to your wall décor while maintaining your green focus.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle

Designs all around the home today feature products that have been repurposed in order to minimize negative impact on our environment. It’s easy to turn that old chest into something funky and fun with a coat of paint and new hardware or reuse an old piece in a new space to bring character and interest to the room. Recycling furniture is an easy option with reupholstery (bonus points for using a sustainable, green fabric!).

And let’s not forget the importance in design of the color green! This ever-popular shade can be found in almost every design scheme. Whether you incorporate green with succulents, plants or trees displayed in you room’s design or you make the hue a predominant feature, any shade of green will add a bit of the great outdoors to your décor.

Photography Long Roofing

There may be many things that make a house a home, but top of that list? A roof.

It’s not exactly glamorous, and it’s usually overlooked in those hit renovation shows, but your roof is the most integral element of your home. That’s why we’ve rounded up these tips and tricks from the regional experts at Long Roofing so you can know the ins and outs of your roof and keep your home homey.

Eye to the Skies

Most roofs need to be replaced every 20 years or so. Here’s what to look for when you think it might be time to raise (and replace) the roof:

1. Leaks in your home, usually identifiable by brown spots on your ceiling or walls.

2. Shingles popping up or visible cracks in the shingles.

3. Excessive black streaks on the shingles.

4. Shingles that are curling.

5. Fiberglass showing (your shingles will look shiny around the edges).

6. Excessive granules on the ground.

7. Moss or algae growing on the roof.

8. Missing shingles or shingles that have fallen out of place.


Go Through the Roof

It’s time—your roof needs replacing. Here’s what the experts at Long Roofing do to make sure your roof lasts a lifetime.

1. Remove the old roof down to the decking, at which point they replace any rotten or bad wood.

2. Install aluminum drip edge around entire perimeter of roof.

3. Install WinterGuard barrier on eaves, valleys and around chimneys. This is a waterproof barrier for extra protection where water is wont to penetrate.

4. Install a synthetic underlayment that is water and tear-resistant but breathable. This is used instead of typical, old-fashioned felt or “tar” paper.

5. Place down the CertainTeed Shingle (see the “50 Nifty Years sidebar for details on why this is so important!).

6. Replace all chimney flashings and step flashings where possible.

7. Replace all boots on pipe collars.

8. Ensure proper ventilation intake and outtake to keep temperatures down in the attic.

9. Step back and enjoy.

There’s nothing quite like a summertime vacation. The warm sand, hot sun and cool water of a getaway are incomparable—but who says you have to get away in order to enjoy the benefits of a destination? What if you could create your own escape; what if you could avoid the hassles and hold-ups of travel and instead lose yourself in your own backyard?

Metro Greenscape, Charlotte’s premier outdoor designers, can create a space that incorporates all the finest elements of the best vacations into your backyard (plus keep it looking good for years to come).

Sun

Imagine the sun-flecked tiles of a Grecian grotto, or a Spanish island soaked in sunshine. You don’t need to fly around the world to appreciate these subtle beauties; Metro Greenscape intentionally and meticulously incorporates those design elements—or any you could think of—into your own space. Luxury pieces can be shipped in from European destinations and integrated into your one-of-a-kind design. There’s also an intentional transition from indoors to out, with an elegant evolution of space that creates one cohesive home.

Sand

“Imagine an ocean with concrete all around it—do you get the feeling of the dunes in the wind?” asks Darin Brockelbank, President & Chief Visionary of Metro Greenscape. “The same thing’s true with the landscape. You can’t get to that happy place by just one element, you have to create elements around the area with color, scents and smell.” It’s about so much more than just one element: all the senses should be alert in your backyard escape, from the feel of sand beneath your toes to the scent of your favorite flower. “You should feel like you’re not in a neighborhood.”

Water

Water combines all the best elements of those senses: the cool slip of it on skin, the gurgling trickle and drip, the glint of its shining droplets. Water can be a trigger that instantly transports you to your own kind of escape. It’s a gathering ground for friends and family, too. “A pool can be active for teenagers, a saltwater pool for healing, walk-in for older people, a tanning ledge with a few inches of water to stay cool,” says Brockelbank. “Our job is to create an atmosphere that makes them go to their happy place.”

Maintenance

Your happy place can quickly become your un-happy place when its burdened by upkeep and maintenance. That’s why Metro Greenscape also provides maintenance services to keep your backyard vacation destination just that. “You can come home and feel like you’re on vacation because you don’t have to do any of that work,” Brockelbank points out. “You can wake up and it’s perfect. That level of detail creates that atmosphere of escape.”

Article Swell Décor
Photography Ben Sherill

There are many words in the English language that can describe a man—but how does a room describe a man? Is a manly room embellished with sports memorabilia or decked out floor to ceiling with mounted animals that they proudly caught themselves? Possibly a manly room isn’t the man cave with the stereotypical dark leather couch. Quite possibly a man’s room is a clean-lined, sophisticated, uniquely decorated office space.

Swell Décor designed this space for a medical doctor with the goal of an industrial vibe, paired with textured details. The foundation of the wooden desk is custom-made steel to satisfy the industrial look for the room. The cowhide rug is a soft yet rich touch that grabs your attention when entering the room. On the main wall, a mixture of framed photography, a pair of illuminating Egyptian-like lamps, and unique decor make this space diverse with design.

The United States is founded on the belief that all men are created equal. Conversely, for Swell Décor, all rooms are created unequal. Unequal in the sense that Swell’s designs are created with unique details tailored to meet the necessities and desires for each client’s home. Whether man, woman, child, or even pet, Swell Décor can design the perfect room for you.

Swell Décor is an Interior Design Studio offering assistance for a variety of needs from single room projects to complete home renovations.

Living in the Queen City has its perks – from the exciting atmosphere in uptown to the accessibility of endless dining and shopping adventures around every corner. But one thing Charlotte doesn’t have is beachfront property. A coastal feel in the city is just what a Wilmington native and now South Charlotte resident wanted when collaborating with Swell Décor.

A coastal feel in the city calls for a pristine balance of design. This theme should be subtle but consistent. The Swell Décor duo and this sweet family of four chose to communicate the coastal feel through a neutral color palette with calm greys, light and airy blues and crisp whites.

The goal of the designers was to incorporate textures, coastal art and unique decor throughout the home with various woods, antique and acrylic art and a unique pop of fun coral fabric. Those wood accents stand out in the playroom entrance’s barn door, a vintage decorative ladder, and a sleek table in the informal dining room. One of the most striking additions was a resin clamshell for a nice eye-catching piece in the living room.

The artwork is also anchored in the coastal feel with an acrylic depiction of waves crashing on the shore. This set of paintings will surely put the viewer’s mind at the beach, even if their body is rooted in Charlotte. Another trio of artwork is an antique set that illustrates a galaxy of starfish dancing across the canvas.

This family brought the beach to them with Swell’s classically beachy decor.