5 Ways to Transform Your Basement Into a Cozy Haven

 
 

Does the thought of your basement bring to mind a dark, damp dungeon?

It's time to change that perception and turn your basement into a cozy haven that you and your family can enjoy. With a few key upgrades and design choices, you can transform this underutilized space into a welcoming retreat. Explore five ways to make your basement cozy and inviting. 

Ensure Adequate Heating
Before you start any other renovations in your basement, it's crucial to ensure that the space is properly heated. A cold basement is not conducive to coziness, so consider upgrading your current heating system. A furnace installation can make a significant difference in the comfort level of your basement, allowing you to enjoy this space year-round. Consult with a professional HVAC technician to determine the best heating solution for your basement.

Add Soft Lighting
Basements are known for their lack of natural light, so it's important to incorporate soft lighting to create a cozy atmosphere. Consider installing recessed lighting, sconces or floor lamps to brighten up the space and add a warm glow. Avoid harsh overhead lighting that can make the basement feel cold and unwelcoming. By strategically placing lighting fixtures throughout the room, you can create a cozy ambiance that invites relaxation.

Invest in Comfortable Furniture
To transform your basement into a cozy haven, invest in comfortable furniture that beckons you to relax and unwind. Consider plush sofas, oversized armchairs and soft area rugs to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Add throw pillows and blankets for extra comfort, creating a space where you can curl up with a good book or watch a movie with loved ones. Choose furniture pieces in warm, neutral colors to enhance the cozy vibe of your basement.

Create a Relaxing Atmosphere
To truly make your basement a cozy haven, consider incorporating elements that promote relaxation and tranquility. Add a small indoor fountain for a soothing sound, install a fireplace for warmth and ambiance, or introduce plants to bring a touch of nature indoors. Consider adding a cozy reading nook with a comfortable chair and good lighting, creating a quiet space where you can escape and unwind. By infusing your basement with these relaxing elements, you can create a peaceful retreat within your own home.

Personalize the Space
Finally, don't forget to personalize your basement to make it feel like a true extension of your home. Display family photos, artwork and personal mementos that add personality and warmth to the space. Consider incorporating a theme that reflects your interests, whether it's a cozy cabin retreat, a beachside getaway or a rustic farmhouse. By infusing your basement with your unique style and personality, you can create a cozy haven that feels like a retreat from the outside world.

With these five tips, you can transform your basement from a dreary space into a cozy haven that you and your family can enjoy for years to come. From ensuring proper heating with a furnace installation to adding soft lighting, comfortable furniture, relaxing elements and personal touches, there are many ways to make your basement a warm and inviting retreat. So roll up your sleeves, get creative and turn your basement into the cozy haven you've always dreamed of.

Read more at Rismedia.com

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The Best Week To List Your House Is Almost Here

 
 

Are you thinking about making a move?

If so, now may be the perfect time to start the process. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is just around the corner.

A recent Realtor.com study looked at housing market trends over the past several years (with the exception of 2020, since it was an unusual year), and found the best week to put your house on the market this year is April 14-20:

“Every year, one week stands out from the rest as that perfect stretch of time when it’s great to be a home seller. This year, the week of April 14–20 is the best time to sell—that is, if sellers want to see lots of interest in their homes, sell quickly, and pocket some extra cash, according to Realtor.com® data.”

Here’s why this matters for you. While the spring market is a great time to sell no matter the week, this may be the peak sweet spot. And if you’ve been putting your plans on the back burner and waiting for the right time to act, this could be the nudge you need to make your move happen. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com explains:

“The third week of April brings the best combination of housing market factors for sellers. The best week offers higher buyer demand, lower competition [from other sellers], and fewer price reductions than the typical week of the year.”

But, if you want to get in on the action, you’ll need to move quickly and lean on the pros. Your local real estate agent is the perfect go-to when it comes to figuring out a plan to prep your house and get it on the market.

They’ll be able to offer advice to balance your target listing date with what you need to do from a repair and renovation standpoint. And they can walk you through exactly how to prioritize your list so you know what to tackle first.

For example, if your house is already in good shape, you’ll be able to really focus in on the smaller things that are easy to do and make a big impact. As an article from Investopedia says:

“You won’t have time for any major renovations, so focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers.”

Here are some specific examples from that article:

 
 

Just remember, even if you’re not ready to list within the next couple of weeks, that’s okay. The window of opportunity doesn’t close when this week ends. Spring is the peak homebuying season and it’s still a seller’s market, so you’ll be in the driver’s seat all season long. 

Bottom Line

Ready to get the ball rolling? Connect with a real estate agent to schedule a time to go over your next steps.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

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Millennials are once again driving the home purchase market: NAR

 
 

Millennials replaced baby boomers as the largest group of homebuyers in 2023.

The combined share of millennials, both younger (ages 25 to 33) and older (ages 34 to 43), made up a combined 38% of the home purchase market last year, up from 28% in 2022, according to the 2024 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Meanwhile, baby boomers — comprising both younger boomers (ages 59 to 68) and older boomers (ages 69 to 77) — saw their share decrease from 39% to 31% during the same period.

“The generational tug-of-war between millennials and baby boomers continued this year, with millennials rebounding to capture the largest share of home buyers,” Jessica Lautz, NAR deputy chief economist and vice president of research, said in a statement. “This notable rise is attributed to both younger millennials stepping into homeownership for the first time and older millennials transitioning to larger homes that suit their evolving needs.”

The report highlights a surge in first-time buyers across all age groups, with millennials leading the charge. Notably, 32% of all buyers in 2023 were first-timers (up from 26% in the prior year), with millennials comprising 75% of this demographic. Additionally, older millennials and Generation X (ages 44 to 58) also saw significant representation among first-time buyers, respectively accounting for 44% and 24% of this group. 

Generation Z, which comprises individuals between ages 18 and 24, only accounted for 3% of all buyers. But among this age group, 31% were single women,  a significantly higher proportion than in any other age group.

“Gen Z buyers are entering the housing market, and their demographics are emerging distinctly from other age groups,” Lautz said. “More than half are single buyers, outpacing all age groups of single men and single women, and they are also most likely to identify as LGBTQ+.”

Baby boomers remained the largest generation of home sellers, accounting for 45% of all sellers in 2023, down from 52% in 2022. 

The tenure of homeownership varies by generation. The median amount of time spent in a home among all buyers was a 10-year stay before selling, but older millennials sold their homes after a median stay of just six years. Meanwhile, Gen X, baby boomers and the Silent Generation (ages 78 to 98) typically stayed in their homes for 15 years.

“Baby boomers continue to dominate the home-selling market as they make pivotal decisions regarding their retirement living situations, whether it’s right-sizing or moving closer to loved ones,” Lautz said. “Benefiting from longer periods of homeownership compared to other generations, boomers approach these transactions with substantial equity, enabling strategic housing trades.”

A recent survey conducted by Redfin found that over three-quarters (78%) of older American homeowners (ages 60 and up) are planning to stay in their current home as they age. Meanwhile, about one in five baby boomers (19%) are considering moving into a community with older people or have already done so. Smaller shares of baby boomers are considering moving in with an adult child, moving to an assisted-living facility or moving in with friends.

The inertia of baby boomers is making it harder for younger Americans to find a family home, according to a Redfin analysis. In fact, empty-nest baby boomers own 28% of three-bedroom homes in the U.S., while millennials with kids own just 14%. Furthermore, nearly 80% of boomers own the home they live in, compared to 55% of millennials. 

Homeownership continues to be perceived as a sound financial investment by 82% of all buyers surveyed by NAR — especially younger millennials. Across all generations, the role of real estate agents also remains pivotal. Nine in 10 buyers expressed willingness to enlist their agent’s services again or recommend them to others. Similarly, sellers showed a high likelihood of reusing or referring their agents.

“The universal value of owning a home transcends every generation, serving as a cornerstone for both personal prosperity and community development,” NAR President Kevin Sears said in a statement. “In navigating the complexities of the market, buyers and sellers continue to rely on agents who are Realtors for their expertise and guidance, underscoring the invaluable service they provide in bringing dreams of homeownership to life.”

To conduct this study, NAR sent a 129-question survey in July 2023 to 189,750 recent home buyers and received 6,817 responses from primary residence buyers. Buyers had to have purchased a primary residence between July 2022 and June 2023.

Read more at HousingWire.com

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Open, Airy, and Whimsical

 

West + Main Agents April + Rob Schmidt

The overall architecture of the house truly inspired this project. It was built in 1954 as a personal residence for an architect. Big windows that let the outdoors in, wood tones, and an open, airy and whimsical feel are all key elements in Midcentury Modern design.
— April

April + Rob had been wanting to remodel the kitchen for several years, but other projects always took precedence. When the time came to redo the kitchen space, they really wanted to honor those design elements that make a mid-mod home special. They widened the front window from 30 inches to just about 6 feet wide, chose a light wood tone cabinet reminiscent of the popular blonde wood of the 1950s, and added a bit of whimsy with the navy blue KitchenAid range.

“The KitchenAid appliances were definitely the biggest investment for the kitchen, over all they were $14,000,” explained April. “That being said, we really did not break the bank with this remodel. That’s the beautiful thing about a small space, you can really up your game with cool finishes because you’re not finishing off a large amount of square footage. However, Rob and I used to remodel and build houses as a career, and Rob is a licensed residential and commercial general contractor, so he was able to do a bulk of the work on his own with my help and supervision. Lol!”

 “We spent about $30,000 total, but it would’ve easily been double that if we would have had to pay for HVAC, electrical, plumbing,” she said. “As well as cabinet, appliance and window installation. Those projects were all done by Rob with my assistance. The only work we hired subcontractors for were the countertops, tile and drywall finish.”

The Schmidts are very happy with how the kitchen turned out...it functions well, it’s fun to cook in, and it has a ton of storage with the large pantry units.

“Our absolute favorite thing is the navy blue range! It definitely exceeded expectations when it was unboxed and installed in the kitchen. I might’ve cried a few happy tears upon first seeing it! It really is the focal point of the space!”

 

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Single Women Are Embracing Homeownership

 
 

In today’s housing market, more and more single women are becoming homeowners.

According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 19% of all homebuyers are single women, while only 10% are single men.

If you’re a single woman trying to buy your first home, this should be encouraging. It means other people are making their dreams a reality – so you can too.

Why Homeownership Matters to So Many Women

For many single women, buying a home isn’t just about having a place to live—it’s also a smart way to invest for the future. Homes usually increase in value over time, so they’re a great way to build equity and overall net worth. Ksenia Potapov, Economist at First American, says:

“. . . single women are increasingly pursuing homeownership and reaping its wealth creation benefits.”

The financial security and independence homeownership provides can be life-changing. And when you factor in the personal motivations behind buying a home, that impact becomes even clearer.

The same report from NAR shares the top reasons single women are buying a home right now, and the reality is, they’re not all financial (see chart below):

 
 

If any of these reasons resonate with you, maybe it’s time for you to buy too.

Work with a Trusted Real Estate Agent

If you’re a single woman looking to buy a home, it is possible, even in today’s housing market. You’ll just want to be sure you have a great real estate agent by your side.

Talk about what your goals are and why homeownership is so important to you. That way your agent can keep what’s critical for you up front as they guide you through the buying process. They’ll help you find the right home for your needs and advocate for you during negotiations. Together, you can make your dream of homeownership a reality.

Bottom Line

Homeownership is life-changing no matter who you are. Connect with a local real estate agent to talk about your goals in the housing market.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

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