| Home StylesOld world styles are popular. | | | | homes may be wire, pipe or painted |
| French, English, Tuscan and Spanish homes | | | | metal.Front porches and covered patios are |
| with stone or stucco walls, tile roofs, iron | | | | always a strong selling point. Outdoor |
| fixtures, heavy beams and rustic floors are | | | | fireplaces are popping up everywhere.Floors & |
| in demand. A sense of historic connection | | | | WallsDistressed wood floors that look old are |
| resonates with buyers today.The Craftsman | | | | valued. Simple wood boards are sometimes |
| style, built in the early 1900's, is back. | | | | laid down with cracks exposed. Re-claimed |
| Features of this style, such as cobblestones, | | | | wood is very desirable.Bamboo floors are |
| deep eaves, tapered columns and wide trim, | | | | popular, especially in modern style homes |
| favor the handmade look over mass | | | | where light colored floors are |
| produced.Farmhouses and country homes are | | | | desired.Concrete floors - often stained and |
| perfect remodel candidates and prototypes for | | | | scored are popular. These go well with the |
| new homes. Native materials, wood windows, | | | | modern look, and are used in Craftsman and |
| simple floor plans, and warm colors connect | | | | rustic European styles too.Colorful laminate |
| with nature and earlier times.The retro look | | | | floors are a good fit with mid-century |
| is fashionable. Ranch styles and split | | | | modern. Laminate floors that looks like wood |
| levels built in the 1950's are perfect for | | | | are out. Parquet floors are out, unless hand |
| sleek remodels, and fit with fashionable | | | | crafted.Framed or hung mirrors are preferred, |
| furniture styles.Urban modern is everywhere. | | | | although plate glass works in ultra modern |
| Modern open plans make use of color, tile, | | | | styles. Mirrors used on walls or ceilings |
| glass, and experimental materials such as | | | | are a turn off.Colors are in, but soft is the |
| plastic and metal.Floor PlanThe preferred | | | | word. Soft greens, yellows, earth tones and |
| ceiling height is 9'-11'. Two story ceilings | | | | creams create a serene background that fits |
| are out. In small rooms these feel like | | | | many styles. Complex colors, with more |
| towers.Lots of floor level changes are not | | | | colors in the mix, are sought after. Deeply |
| desirable.Most buyers today want four | | | | saturated colors, such as plums and reds, are |
| bedrooms, and at least two living areas. | | | | used in moderation.Flat paint on walls hides |
| Formal dining rooms are still in | | | | flaws and creates a designer look. Shiny is |
| demand.Formal living rooms are often | | | | out. Soft whites are safe for trim.Faux |
| converted to studies, libraries, or guest | | | | finishes are out. Often these do not turn |
| rooms.Media rooms are a sought after feature | | | | out as well as expected, and are difficult to |
| when price range allows.The visual and | | | | maintain.The same (or similar) wall color |
| spatial connection between kitchen and family | | | | through adjoining spaces creates a more |
| room is firmly established.Cabinet space is | | | | spacious feeling.Historic paint colors such |
| required for large televisions and wall space | | | | as sage greens, beiges, muted yellows, and |
| for the newer flat screens.Three car garages | | | | grays work well on the exterior. Bold or |
| are needed, especially in areas without | | | | harsh colors are a turn-off to most |
| basements.Structured wiring is important | | | | buyers.Wallpaper is problematic and harder to |
| today for internet, phone, cable and sound. | | | | change than paint. Very often it does not fit |
| Desk space for computers is required.Good | | | | the buyer's taste.Heavily textured walls and |
| access to the outdoors is something buyers | | | | popcorn ceilings are totally out.Lighting & |
| look for. French doors combine access with | | | | Plumbing FixturesBuyers want more windows, |
| light. Sliding glass doors are not as | | | | natural light, and a greater connection with |
| favored.Lots of storage is needed for today's | | | | the outdoors.People today are more |
| lifestyle. People have lots of stuff. Huge | | | | discriminating about the quality of light. |
| master closets, pantries, laundry rooms, and | | | | Windows on two sides of the room balance the |
| extra storage closets are expected.On the | | | | lighting and reduce glare.One light in the |
| other hand, very spare lofts are perfect for | | | | middle of the room will not do. Under |
| some lifestyles. Simplified spaces are an | | | | cabinet task lighting is appreciated. |
| antidote to today's complex | | | | Security lighting is important. Wall sconces |
| lifestyle.Kitchens/BathsMost buyers are savvy | | | | offer soft ambient lighting. Recessed cans |
| about kitchen design and appreciate good work | | | | provide area light. Dimmers help to control |
| spaces with easy access to range, | | | | the lighting.Light fixtures are a decorative |
| refrigerator and sink. Lots of counter | | | | element in all styles. Clean, modern |
| space, deep drawers, two sinks, nearby extra | | | | fixtures, such as pendant lights, recessed |
| refrigerator, and butler's pantries are all | | | | cans, and wire string lights compliment the |
| desirable features.Stainless appliances are | | | | urban look.Retro fixtures are interesting |
| going strong. In urban modern styles, white | | | | decorative features in 1930's craftsman and |
| or colored appliances are back. High end | | | | 1950's ranch styles.Industrial metal fixtures |
| homes conceal some appliances as | | | | are in. The un-decorated, industrial look of |
| cabinetry.Eat-in kitchens are a basic | | | | metal or stainless steel is in.Heavy drapes |
| requirement for most buyers.Antique tables or | | | | are out. They are too pretentious, and, |
| cabinets are being refurbished and used as | | | | well, heavy. Light cotton, linen or silk |
| bath cabinets. Kitchen cabinets that look | | | | drapes are in. Or, wood blinds. Or |
| like furniture are a great look.Granite, | | | | nothing.Retro woven wood blinds have made a |
| marble or stone counters are popular. | | | | comeback. Mini blinds are very |
| However, granite tops added to 1980's | | | | yesterday.Bath fixtures are finished in |
| cabinets do not go over well. Consider your | | | | rustic bronze, nickel, or chrome. Old style |
| architectural style before adding | | | | two-handled faucets and farmhouse sinks are |
| features.Concrete countertops are perfect for | | | | in style.Bath sinks may be glass bowls, |
| ultra modern, but most buyers shy away from | | | | granite, stone, stainless or traditional |
| them.Wide, cabinet depth refrigerators have a | | | | china. Cultured marble is out.Free standing |
| built-in look, and are not as expensive as | | | | tubs are in. Pedestal and wall hung |
| the true built-in type.Large rustic tiles, | | | | lavatories are in.Energy EfficiencyWith fuel |
| stone, concrete or wood floors have a warm, | | | | costs going up, energy efficiency is |
| functional appeal.Subway tile (3" x 6") is | | | | definitely in. Buyers want high efficiency |
| popular in bathrooms and on kitchen | | | | AC, good insulation, low-e glass, |
| backsplashes.Patterned cultured marble and | | | | programmable thermostats, double pane |
| laminate are out. Slippery, white floor tile | | | | windows, and ceiling fans.Effective passive |
| is out.TrimWide, baseboards (6"+) and door | | | | solar orientation is a great advantage. It |
| and window trim (4"+) are key features in old | | | | shows a smart planning and useof natural |
| European and American styles.Craftsman style | | | | solar energy.Instant hot water is a perk that |
| doors - simple square frames with flat panels | | | | buyers like, as are drinking water filters.No |
| - work well with both old and modern | | | | one wants foil on windows or stick-on window |
| looks.Iron or heavy wood entry doors make | | | | film.Light is in demand. Don't close blinds. |
| strong statements that buyers love.Rustic | | | | Do remove solar screens when they are not |
| finishes on hardware, such as brushed nickel, | | | | needed, such as under patio roofs, porches or |
| oil rubbed bronze, weathered brass, and other | | | | shade trees.Screened porches are back. They |
| non-shiny finishes are the popular | | | | create a multi purpose space that is both |
| choices.Rustic wood beams or wood covered | | | | indoors and outdoors, and keep mosquitoes |
| ceilings create a hand crafted, primitive | | | | away.Roselind Hejl is a Realtor with Coldwell |
| look that buyers like.Wrought iron gates, | | | | Banker United in Austin, Texas. Her website |
| stair rails and light fixtures compliment the | | | | - - offers homes for sale, market trends, |
| rustic style.Stair rails in ultra modern | | | | buyer and seller guides. |