The leading expert in color, Pantone, Inc., has made it stated that Turquoise was the “it” color for 2010.  But before you deck the house from top to bottom in the gemstone hue, consider the other latest trends.

Behr paint company says neutral is still in–think light colors such as grays, camels and off-whites.  Experts suggest buying bigger furniture such as sofas and armchairs in these safe colors, which never truly go out of style.  Complement neutrals with aqua and gold tones, but stay away from the darker browns, which are becoming passé.

While monochromatic schemes are still versatile and dependable, HGTV says the real winners in the color game right now are bold jewel colors such as ruby red or emerald green and the brighter the better–especially if it’s a purple hue.  Experts advise pairing these daring tones with a smoky charcoal or a softer black to give a room a vintage feel.

Going green and getting back to nature is a major trend, too.  Earthier tones, such as sand or yellow-greens, are perfect for living rooms or kitchens.  But going back to your roots doesn’t just mean dipping into Mother Earth’s favorite colors.  Decorators say Asian-inspired or tribal patterns are adorning decorative elements consumers look to get the most bang for their buck.  Think pillows, area rugs or murals as key items this season.

After kitchens, bathrooms are a home buyer’s biggest concern. The good news here is that bathroom renovations typically realize a homeowner an 80-90% return on their investment. For a small space, $1,000 can go a long way to helping you boost your home’s value.

In addition to tiling the floor, you could upgrade the vanity and sink. Depending on the size of your vanity and the number of sinks you would like to install you can buy a premade, finished piece at most “big box” home improvement stores and sink for several hundred dollars. Or opt for a pedestal sink (or two) and freestanding cabinets for storage – a hot new trend – and you’ll still come in well under your $1,000 spending limit.

                Get Efficient

Use your $1,000 budget to make a smart and eco-friendly investment in your home such as:

• Going tankless. Installing a tankless hot water heater for $150-$1,000 (depending on size) is an attractive energy-efficient upgrade for today’s homeowners and buyers…and it will save you between 10-20% on your utility bills monthly.
• Installing ceiling fans. Ceiling fans aren’t just decorative – they’re an easy way to reduce your overall energy consumption during hot summer months.

Not sure where to start? Hire an interior designer for a flat hourly fee to get some professional advice or ask a local realtor to walk through your home and give his/her opinion of the best renovations you could make given your local market.

Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor

www.BrianRipp.com  serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.

• Make the exterior of our home welcoming by staining or painting your front door and cleaning the windows inside and out so they sparkle.
• Remove stored items from your garage to make it look spacious and organized.
• Make sure your home is infused with light.  Take advantage of sunlight by opening your drapes.  If showing in the evening or on over-cast days, turn on lights in every room.
• Brighten the interior of your home with fresh, light-toned paint.
• Clean and organize kitchen cabinets, drawers and pantries.  Remove any clutter from countertops.  You may want to bake a pie or cookies before a showing to make your home smell inviting.

Of course, this works for both selling your home or even if you are planning on renting it out.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions or concern regarding any real estate issue.

Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor

www.BrianRipp.com  serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.

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