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Avoid Stress When Buying A Home

March 14, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

It’s always good to remember to leave the stress behind when buying a home. There is a lot going on during the transaction and it’s easy for the best of us to let it get to us. Take our advice with these 5 simple secrets to a stress free transaction. With a little preparation, communication, and flexibility, you can be on your way to a smooth sailing transaction. Of course, the best way to have a stress free transaction is to call a Kimberly Howell Properties agent (you knew we were going to say it!). Want a downloadable PDF to share with your friends?

Are Your Negotiations Killing The Sale?

March 11, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Negotiations can be a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties – the so-called “win-win” situation. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly and make even the most agreeable sellers quickly say no and shut down the process. Negotiations are both an art and a science and there are plenty of opinions on how to best handle them, particularly when it comes to real estate. Here are five of the most common negotiation tactics we see that buyers can resist to avoid killing the sale.

Lowball offers. Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they’ll accept and if you’re not even approaching the low end of that range, they won’t even consider the offer. While we encourage our sellers to look at all offers and counter even the lowest of them, sometimes the lowball offers backfire and no amount of change in the offer price will get the sellers back to the negotiating table.
Incremental negotiations. Don’t continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can grow tiresome and lead the seller to consider other opportunities. This can be especially true in hot market where multiple offers are common – someone is going to step up with a bigger, better offer quickly and you’ll find yourself left holding the bag.
“Take it or leave it.” Try not to draw a line in the sand with your initial offer. The seller can get defensive and consider other offers if you immediately show that you’re unwilling to budge. Even if it’s true, don’t make a show of it. Remember, a seller spent their life in this home so it often means a lot more to them than just price.
Nitpicking after inspection. Obviously if a home inspection reveals a major issue, it should be factored into the final sale price. But insisting on a lower price for every minor repair can put negotiations in a stalemate. Whether you’re asking for price concessions or the actual repairs, remember that most people are simply not going to fix everything.
Asking for more, more, more. Some buyers will request that the sellers throw in add-ons like furniture or appliances that weren’t included in the listing. Try to avoid giving the seller a reason to feel that they’re doing all of the giving. Give a little to get a little as they say…the more flexibility you show, the more flexible they will become.

image courtesy of rbrwr

Fix Up Your Home Before Putting It On The Market

March 5, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

When you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, it’s important to remember that you want to show it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells…and for what price. Some of these items won’t cost you a lot and can be done over a weekend or two and if DIY home repair just isn’t your thing, these can be done by a local handyman for not a lot of money. Here are our top five recommended repairs to make before listing your home and putting it on the market.

Repaint Walls

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to make it look great, and generally, it can be a weekend DIY project. Make sure to cover any walls with scratches and chips (and patch and re-texture if the damage is large enough) and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.

Repair Floors

Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing them. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting or having them professional steam cleaned can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!

Refresh The Landscaping

Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the in. Clean walkways and driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges and trees, install outdoor décor pieces and put down a fresh layer of mulch. Make sure you keep the lawn watered and green.

Fix Your Fixtures

Leaky faucet? Rusted drains? Loose drawer handle? Making these small fixes can make a big difference to potential buyers with detail-orientated minds. Improve your kitchen. An outdated kitchen can really detract from your homes other better qualities. Updating cabinetry (even just changing out the hardware or painting cabinets can help), repairing or replacing countertops, and installing new faucets and sinks may be worth the investment.

Small changes can make a large impact and it’s always a good idea to knock out some of those quick fixes you’ve been meaning to get to, but never can seem to get crossed off your list.

image courtesy of emily @ go haus go

MedDropSA – Dispose of Unused Medications and Household Hazardous Waste

January 24, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

If you have unused medications laying around the house, you can safely dispose of them at the MedDropSA event sponsored by SAWS, SAPD, and the City of San Antonio. On January 26 from 8am-1pm you can bring prescriptions, unwanted and unused medications, and other household hazardous waste to the Bulky Waste Collection Center at 2755 Rigsby Avenue. These items will be accepted free of charge and disposed of in a safe manner. Proper disposal of medications helps keep drugs that can be abused off the streets along with keeping them out of the reach of children and out of our water system (flushing medications down the drain is not a safe disposal method!). For more information, visit the MedDropSA.com website (you can also see other dates and sites for safe disposal of unwanted and unused medications).

image courtesy of e-MagineArt.com

Dream Home Open House in Canyons at Scenic Loop

January 17, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Join Kimberly Howell Properties and McNair Custom Homes for the Dream Home Open House event in Canyons at Scenic Loop this weekend, January 19 and 20, for a tour of this beautiful home and many others. The top builders will have models open and you won’t want to miss McNair Custom Homes open house at 10211 Nina Ridge, a 5,246 sq. ft. 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath two story home on over a half acre. We’ll have agents their to guide you through the property and showcase some of the custom detailing throughout. And of course, this home comes complete with McNair Custom Homes legendary energy efficiency, which will save you money with their heating and cooling cost one year guarantee. Don’t miss this event if you’re interested in living in Canyons at Scenic Loop!

When: Saturday, January 19, 10am-5pm and Sunday, January 20, 11am-5pm

Where: Canyons at Scenic Loop

Homes for Sale in Canyons at Scenic Loop

TO BE BUILT IN THE PRESTIGIOUS CANYONS AT SCENIC LOOP! Exquisite contemporary home designed by the acclaimed Stadler Custom Homes. Masterfully planned home taking advantage of this 7.3 acre lot with views of the hill country and amazing downtown views on a clear day. This 4 bedroom 3.5 bath and 3 car garage all in 4814 square feet features custom finishes in every room. The living room features a floor to ceiling tiles fireplace and wall to wall windows capturing the views from one of the highest point in Bexar county. Chef's kitchen boasts custom cabinetry, huge island, breakfast bar, and gas range. The first floor provides a lovely guest room with full bath. The master retreat features a resort style spa bath and huge 15x15 master closet fit for a queen. CUSTOM FINISHES THROUGHOUT AND FINISH SELECTIONS TO BE MADE BY THE BUYER. INQUIRE NOW. THE PRICE INCLUDES A 95K POOL ALLOWANCE AND A 40K LANDSCAPE ALLOWANCE. PICTURES AND VIDEO ARE OF THE EXACT PLAN BUILT IN ANOTHER COMMUNITY.

$2,155,000 Active

22977 Stallion Ridge San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 4 Baths 4,814 SqFt 7.305 Acres

Listing courtesy of Blain Johnson with JB Goodwin, REALTORS

French Country-style luxury living with a view in The Canyons at Scenic Loop, one of San Antonio's most sought after neighborhoods. You'll love this beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 full baths and 2 half baths custom home that features a full guest suite, office, game room, exercise room and a theater room so that the whole family can stay entertained. Warm fireplace in the living room and in the outside back patio. Expansive 11 foot ceilings downstairs, large kitchen with custom cabinetry with walk-in pantry and butler's pantry are just a few of the highlights you'll notice, but the amazing panorama view from the back patio is what your friends and family will want to come over for! Schedule your showing now before someone else gets your dream home! *Note - photos are to give a sense of overall style and not necessarily an exact representation of the final home build.

$1,900,000 Active

23315 PEPPER CANYON San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 6 Baths 5,250 SqFt 1.070 Acres

Listing courtesy of Shane Neal with Keller Williams City-View

Extraordinary opportunity in the desirable Canyons at Scenic Loop! Designed to capitalize on the panoramic views, this custom home boasts over 5000 square feet of living space and too many special features to list! The heart of the home is observable upon entry to the great room featuring a grand fireplace and open to a gourmet kitchen which hosts state of the art appliances, to include a separate ice machine, as well as an expansive island, which is sure to be a gathering place for friends and family! The versatile floorplan showcases a main floor secondary bedroom/bathroom , off the kitchen, ideal for multi-generational living or guest accommodations, and an owner's suite that you have to see to believe! In addition to a closet that most only dream of, a work out room flows seamlessly from the spa-inspired master bath, offering access outside to a swim spa and hot tub. As you enjoy a luxurious soak, you can choose to enjoy your gorgeous view or use the remote control to lower the automatic shades for a more secluded experience. You are sure to be impressed with the beautiful study, featuring built-in shelves and cabinets, as well as a "fun" secret room! A game room and two secondary bedrooms and bathrooms are conveniently located upstairs, allowing for privacy. Generous storage options are found throughout this functional floorplan. Sitting on 1.15 acres, the possibilities for creating your own hill country oasis are endless! https://www.seetheproperty.com/u/394772 9743AutumnCanyon.com

$1,475,000 Active

9743 Autumn Canyon San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 5 Baths 5,058 SqFt 1.146 Acres

Listing courtesy of Kimberly Stewart with JB Goodwin, REALTORS

New Construction. Exquisite Lifestyle by Stadler custom home offers a light, bright, modern-infused open-floor plan home. Upon entry you will see straight through to the rear courtyard with mature trees. The great room offers high ceilings with sliders opening up to the outdoor kitchen & courtyard making entertaining seamless both indoors & outdoors. The master retreat also overlooks the courtyard & features a spa-like bath with dual master closets. Opposite the home is a guest suite with its own access.

$1,439,000 Pending

23413 Joshua Creek San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 4 Baths 4,600 SqFt 0.602 Acres

Listing courtesy of Michael Harrell with Rhapsody Realty Services, LLC

Gorgeous Modern Day Farmhouse currently being built at The Canyons at Scenic Loop with an estimated completion date of April, 2022. Breath taking Hill Country Views with City convenience. Gated community. Features included:Engineer Grade Hardwood Floors, Stunning Tall Ceilings, Solid Core Doors, Custom Kitchen with a Prep Kitchen. Second Bedroom Down could be used as a Study with a Bathroom. Nearby Shopping at La Cantera with Boerne Lake & Canyon Lake near by. Hurry and book your showing today to see your future home! Won't last long!!! Buyer and buyers agent to verify accuracy of school information and measurements.

$1,404,000 Active

22911 Linwood Ridge San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 5 Baths 3,894 SqFt 0.529 Acres

Listing courtesy of Holly Floyd with Fathom Realty

CAPTIVATING VIEWS of the Texas Hill Country! See video tour^ Majestic custom built estate on over an acre with outstanding architecture that combines modern and rustic details. Spacious open concept multi level living featuring 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and over 4000 sq ft living area. Savor the dream kitchen with state of the art Thermador appliances. Your master retreat features a private balcony and spa like master bath complete with steam shower and fireplace. The resort-style outdoor living space is enhanced with Sonos indoor outdoor sound system, a pool with swim up bar, amazing heated spa with covered patio, and travertine multi level deck. There's also a separate outdoor kitchen and fireplace, so you can enjoy outdoor entertaining year round. Each bedroom has it's own private bath. This is a rare 1+ acre lot in this prestigious neighborhood. Schedule your private showing today! Northside ISD

$1,390,000 Pending

9707 Autumn Canyon San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 5 Baths 4,162 SqFt 1.010 Acres

Listing courtesy of Pamela Roberts with Keller Williams Heritage

Looking for a touch of modern in the beautiful Texas hill country? Look no further! This luxurious home radiates all things "Restoration Hardware," while embracing warm undertones. From the dramatic entry foyer, inviting guests a sneak-peek at the backyard, to the sweeping ceiling heights in the great room that draw the eye upward to the handscraped, tongue-and-grove, tray ceilings, this home leaves no detail overlooked! Entertain guests on the beautiful covered back patio with outdoor kitchen. Or integrate two spaces into one by opening the large sliding doors from the gameroom to the back patio, extending the outdoors in! With a blank slate for that future pool (see design in associated docs for pool plans), this backyard is truly the paradise you have been looking for! Relax after a long day in your private owners' sanctuary that showcases a beautiful free-standing tub and walk-through shower. It will be hard to not call this one "Home!"

$1,290,000 Active

23115 Norfolk Canyon San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,984 SqFt 0.660 Acres

Listing courtesy of Brittney Bounds with Phyllis Browning Company

"To be built" presented by Elite Homes. This is only a brochure, not the final plans for a custom home. Construction price per square feet starts at $250 and will depend on the finish outs and changes the client requests if contracted. Use any builder and build anytime. Taxes are estimated. The lifestyle you've hoped for! Gorgeous hill country views from this 1/2 acre residential lot located in The Canyons at Scenic Loop, a premier gated community just minutes away from Boerne, Leon Springs, The Shops of La Cantera. Close to parks and golf courses and located in desirable Northside Independent School District. Underground utilities including SAWS water, CPS electric and gas. Seller has completed the Geotechnical Engineering Study in Sept 2020. Build whenever you are ready, chose ELITE HOMES or chose your own builder.

$1,200,000 Active

10811 Kendall Canyon San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 5 Baths 3,907 SqFt 0.538 Acres

Listing courtesy of Johna Hutchison with JB Goodwin, REALTORS

Welcome to this modern trilevel custom built home with over 1000 square feet of outdoor living areas on mutilple levels to take in the breathtaking panoramic views! Well crafted and designed by the up and coming designer Gustavo A. Guerra. Gustavo has created this unique multi-level home with careful attention to the lot's natural topography and preservation of the natural landscape. The dwelling has been optimally placed toward a southern hill country view with a large expanse of Pella windows to naturally capture sunlight while minimizing the warmth of the sun's direct light. Upon entry, homeowners and guests alike will be greeted with astonishing panoramic views of opulent canyons and hills which can also be viewed from an expansive patio perfect for al fresco dining or sharing a bottle of wine from the designer wine closet. Additional features of the mid-level include a large family area with a fireplace, gourmet island kitchen with state of the art appliances, double ovens, walk-in pantry and 2 RO water systems, executive home office and the essential laundry room. The upper level contains a sophisticated and serene penthouse styled owner's suite which includes a sitting area, abundant panoramic southern facing views from bedroom and private terrace (pre-plumbed for a hot tub or ease to water plants), spacious walk in closet, coffee bar, a cozy fireplace, and an en-suite similar to a 5 star resort hotel with a freestanding soaker tub within a large walk in shower (excellent for facials). The sublevel boasts a game room, guest bedroom with en-suite and an additional 2 bedrooms with a shared bathroom. All downstairs bedrooms enjoy the natural privacy of the landscape. Pella triple sliding door located off of the game room provides an exit to additional outdoor living/entertaining space with well-appointed lighting. Such an unparalleled property with over a 1,000 sq. ft. of outdoor/entertainment living space, this home is sure to provide ample space for your family to enjoy! Buyers can make selections if you contract quickly. Home to be completed Spring 2021. Additional upgrades include a REME Halo UV light air purification system, pre-wiring for solar energy, energy efficient designer landscaping will be completed before closing. Call today for a tour! Home almost completed!

$1,200,000 Pending

22817 LINWOOD RDG San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,683 SqFt 0.710 Acres

Listing courtesy of Autumn Martens with Rainmaker Realty

From the creative mind of the JPA Custom Homes' architect, a well-versed in designing simply stunning interiors artist, comes this sleek contemporary 4/4/1 to be built residency with an exterior that boasts stunning, clean lines and expansive windows in The Canyons at Scenic Loop. Uncluttered and accentuating the attractive features of an open floor plan with lots of light and simple line furnishings that are pure modern elegance, it creates a soothing and inviting space that has a timeless aesthetic!

$1,195,000 Active

22906 Linwood Ridge San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 5 Baths 3,925 SqFt 0.589 Acres

Listing courtesy of Miguel Herrera with CB Harper Global Luxury

Exceptional 4 bedroom / 4.5 bath, split level contemporary, two story home on elevated lot overlooking the Canyons Subdivision at Scenic Loop. Spacious plan with terrazzo flooring throughout entry level and backlighted staircase. High end fixtures and finishes with custom cabinetry, Thermadore appliances (excluding fridge) and new washer dryer combo in utility/laundry room. Butlers pantry with separate sink, servory and refrigerated wine cabinets make for great entertaining throughout the open configuration and onto the 1200 sf deck/patio. Additional amenities include flush mounted TV and fireplace displays (3), water softener, irrigation system, and large storage area below deck at lower level. Residence also fully landscaped with dry stacked stone walls along a winding driveway and beautifully tiered hilltop topography. All in all, a must see for those wanting to enjoy the privacy of a contemporary home with modern finishes and unobstructed hill country views.

$1,150,000 Pending

10009 Ivory Canyon San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 5 Baths 3,805 SqFt 0.603 Acres

Listing courtesy of Carlton Simpson with Carlton S. Simpson

Its all in the details in this modern luxury home. The curb appeal of this gorgeous 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home is created by the beautiful stone and stucco exterior, lush landscaping, and a water feature that greets you as you make your way inside. Fabulous details continue in this open-concept layout with high ceilings, unique designer light fixtures, and floor to ceiling glass sliding doors & picture windows that exemplify the views throughout. The heart of this floor plan is the open-concept living area which flows seamlessly into a beautiful kitchen together with indoor/outdoor living areas. Fit for a gourmet chef this dream kitchen features an expansive 20ft island, GE CAFE appliances including a 60" gas cook top, double ovens, built in fridge, stylish accents, farmhouse sink and large walk in pantry. Retreat to the spacious owners suite, with an impressive spa like en suite that features an oversized rainfall shower, spa tub, and luxurious finishes that are sure to WOW! The secondary bedrooms and baths are tastefully appointed with functional placement and stunning finishes. Outside, enjoy the breeze on the 800 sq ft spacious outdoor living and kitchen with large stone fireplace. Dip into the refreshing pool and gather around the swim up margarita table! This home is sure to impress!

$1,150,000 Price Change

23214 HENNESS PASS San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,522 SqFt 0.530 Acres

Listing courtesy of Kara Gilbert with Texas Property Group

Custom home on acreage VIEW LOT with a full bath for each bedroom plus study and gamers. Atrium styled one story focused on indoor/outdoor living. Family, dining & kitchen open to patio with over 500 covered sq feet of living space & outdoor kitchen. Chef's kitchen w/large island, built in fridge and hidden pantry. Marble oversized master shower. Foam insulation,TO BE BUILT PHOTOS ARE RENDITION

$1,150,000 Active

23406 Collin Canyon San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 5 Baths 4,155 SqFt 1 Acres

Listing courtesy of Charo King with RE/MAX North-San Antonio

Elegance & Quality Abound in this Stunning Modern 3200 sf Michael Robare Custom Open Concept home featuring 4 BR, 3.5 BA, 3 car garage & office sitting on a beautiful 1/2 acre lot. The exceptional workmanship is apparent you arrive and are welcomed by the newly installed glass garage doors and stone wrapped columns framing the entryway. As you enter the fully compatible SMART Home your eyes will be drawn to the crisp clean design lines, exceptional high ceilings and gorgeous view through the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the covered patio. With high end finishes around every corner the next space to vie for your attention is the gourmet kitchen with oversized island, gas range with breathtaking custom SS detailed tiled wall, floating shelves with chrome/mirror tile backsplash & custom cabinetry throughout providing an abundance of storage. The floating banquette in dining area & huge walk through pantry complete this exquisite entertaining space. The owner retreat boasts a resort style spa stand alone tub, huge designer tiled floor to ceiling walk in shower & master closet fit for a queen. The second master is equipped with a full bath & designer touches. The functional split floor plan w/2 bedrooms and bath opposite of master retreat create room for all. You'll be sure to enjoy year round relaxation on the covered patio with gas fireplace. With Contemporary custom lighting in every room along with striking ceiling fans, cutting edge technology throughout you will want to make the rolling hills of The Canyons your community and this Robare masterpiece your new home! Too many updates details to list...You have to see this one in person!

$930,000 Active Option

23417 EDENS CYN San Antonio, Texas

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,234 SqFt 0.550 Acres

Listing courtesy of Darren Graichen with Marshall Reddick Real Estate

Countdown 2018 – Top 10 Pages and Posts

December 30, 2018 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Every year at Kimberly Howell Properties, we take a look back through the activity on our website to see what you’ve been looking at on the site and see what’s been on your minds. We try our best to put out content that you will find interesting and relevant to your real estate needs (and we’re always open to suggestions from our readers!). This year has been a great year on our website and we’ve added lots of new content as well as some new features (our latest IDX powering some of our property searches will see a big expansion through 2019). It’s definitely a labor of love – it takes a lot of work to bring you content that isn’t canned, cookie cutter rehashes of the same old recycled content, but it’s something we take great pride in and based on the feedback and compliments we’ve received from you over the years, we know it’s something you have come to expect from us. We promise to continue working to bring you the best content possible.

Here are the Top 10 Pages and Posts from our website through 2018:

10. Closing on a Home While You’re Out of Town? No matter where you are there’s always a solution to getting you closed, no matter where you are.

9. Disclosing Death in Texas We hear this question a lot and we see it’s a very popular Google search as well.

8. Time is of the Essence: What Does it Mean? Tick, tock. The countdown is on – what does this important real estate phrase mean in contracts?

7. Our Agents We’re proud of our agents and we love that you look them up and learn about them before picking up the phone!

6. What If Your Property Survey is Incorrect? It does happen from time to time – so what do you do when it’s discovered?

5. The Option Period: Termination and Timelines Real estate contracts have several important timelines and the option period is one of the most crucial to buyers.

4. Writing Effective Repair Amendments Repair amendments are a critical piece of the contract and writing them well is a skill.

3. What’s a T-47 and Why Do I Need One? Apparently, a lot of people have questions about this form that is used in conjunction with the survey.

2. Search for Homes We’re all here to talk about homes, so it’s no surprise that our search feature is one of the most popular items on our site.

1. Why is My Rental Application Taking So Long? No one likes waiting and we get a lot of questions about the length of time it takes to process applications.

image courtesy of Meno Istorija

New Home? Get It Inspected

December 26, 2018 by khproperties Leave a Comment

We’ve written on this subject multiple times, but it never becomes less important. Recently, we’ve seen quite a few clients choose to go without an inspection on a new build home and we’re concerned it may be a growing trend. A general home inspection (and at times other key inspections like pool, HVAC, well, septic, etc.) is an essential part of the home buying process. Common wisdom is that when you inspect an older home you will find problems – no home is perfect. We’d like to make it common wisdom that if you inspect any home, old or new, you will find problems. It’s just a fact of life.

We could write lists of things we’ve discovered on inspections at new homes: windows not caulked and sealed, fireplaces built in the wrong place, missing wiring, wrong appliances, broken appliances, exterior walls missing insulation, dangerous wiring improperly done, doors you couldn’t open, windows installed crooked…it’s an endless list. Pointing this out is not to say all builders are bad, but rather all builders are human. Ever have a bad day at work and know your focus isn’t solid like it should be? Ever had family stuff distract you from the work in front of you? Ever just flat out forget a key step in what you do day in and day out and realize it days later after it’s too late to correct? It happens to all of us.

Inspections allow you a second set of eyes to look at the things. They allow you an independent opinion of the house. All builders go through their own inspection processes, but those inspections are designed to benefit them, not you. That’s not to say they’re shady and one big set up, it’s just that we all have our focus – the builder’s is not exactly the same as yours.

An inspection will cost you money, but the money you spend will save you money by finding the problems before they become big problems later. Talk to your agent about getting an inspection and if your builder discourages you from getting one, let the red flags wave.

image courtesy of dynamosquito

Merry Christmas From Kimberly Howell Properties

December 24, 2018 by khproperties Leave a Comment

We wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Regardless of your beliefs or personal traditions, we hope you have a wonderful time and get to spend some time with your families and friends. While the holiday maybe rooted in religious traditions, we find it to be a great time to look around and celebrate with loved ones and share with those who may not be as fortunate. It’s about the spirit of the season and we want you all to have a great day. Kimberly Howell Properties and its family of agent’s will do our best to relax and enjoy a little time off as our offices will be closed Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25). We’ll be back on Wednesday and ready to wrap the year up.

image courtesy of nan palmero

That Color is Too Dark

December 20, 2018 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Your eyes are incredibly complex human machines. If you don’t believe me, google any one of the thousands of optical illusions that get passed around the internet – like what color is the dress or are the plates upside down or right side up. The eye can play tricks on you and when it comes to painting and choosing paint colors, you often have to try and outthink your eyes. We sat with a designer recently and discussed how choosing paint colors can be difficult but with the right mindset, you can overcome some of the common things that come up.

Darker isn’t always darker. One of the first things people think about a particular color is that it’s too dark. While it can be, it’s not always the truth. Dark colors can actually draw in more light and make rooms seem brighter. Painting an entire room black probably isn’t going to work to make it look sunny, but you’d be surprised how dark colors can actually lighten a room.

Test in large areas. Most people will paint small swatches on their wall when trying to make a decision. The designer suggests painting large patches – think feet, not inches to truly get a good idea.

Let the paint dry. Paint colors change as they dry (and they dry differently on different walls and surfaces).

Don’t always count on a color that looks good in your friend’s house. Paints are affected by a lot of factors and what looks one way in your friend’s house may not look anything like that in yours. Everything from the surface to the natural lighting to the objects in the room can make the color look completely different.

If you just don’t feel you have an eye for it, don’t be afraid to ask the experts in the store or to hire a designer or professional painter to assist. Not everyone has the natural ability to bring color and design together to make those picture perfect rooms that we all dream of having.

image courtesy of acme

Do You Have A Green Thumb?

December 17, 2018 by khproperties Leave a Comment

They say having plants in your home will make you happier and healthier. A burst of green along with the fresh, clean smell of flowers are welcoming and comforting and can take a house to a place you’ll call home. So what do you choose? How do you keep your plants thriving? Do you have a green thumb?

I’m not the best at keeping plants going. It’s a curse I was born with, but I continue to try. I’ll buy a plant, try and solve its riddle and usually succeed for awhile, but then somewhere along the line, the leaves start to turn brown and the plant starts to look a little rough. I google and try everything I can find, but in the end I tend to lose the battle. But I don’t like fake plants and refuse to use them in my home.

So how do you keep your plants alive?

Pick the right plants. Plants need sunlight to thrive and some need more than others. Pay attention to this when shopping – putting a sun thriving plant on a shady part of your living room is going to guarantee disaster. Also watch for drafts. You may have a bright sunny window, but if the cold air is creeping in through that window, all the sun in the world may not save the tropical plant you put it in.

Watch the water. One of the easiest things to do is to overwater a plant. Trust me. Making things worse, overwatered plants often have leaves that turn brown and start to curl up…which is also a good indication of underwatering. Watering is probably one of the hardest parts to master. If a plant seems to be dying and you’ve been watering, back off on the water and see if that helps.

Poor potting. Read about the plant and know how to set one up. Proper drainage is usually required on most plants. Leaving water stagnating at the bottom of the pot and close to the roots can cause all sorts of fungus and diseases in your plant that will kill it off slowly while you watch in horror and try in vain to stop the slow spread.

Feed me Seymour. Don’t forget to feed your plants with fertilizers. Check your plants’ specific needs. Since they are not living in soil whose nutrients are replenished in the natural cycle, you’ll need to replenish those nutrients through fertilizers.

Despite all that advice, I still admit to being really good at killing a plant. I’m currently nursing a bird of paradise and some orchids and while I refuse to give up, I have a larger plant that I think I need to admit defeat on. If you have some great tips, we’d love to hear them.

image courtesy of Amadeusz Leonardo Juskowiak