Try This New DIY Room-Building Kit for Pop-Up Privacy

Photo from YOURspace

YOURspace delivers a portable pod of peace and quiet for any room of your home.

With so many of us Zooming through our days amidst a maelstrom of family, pets, deliveries, laundry, and other distractions, finding a quiet corner can prove nearly impossible. That was certainly the case for local entrepreneur David Faust, who recently created a solution that’s just a flat-packed box away.

“With four kids under the age of 14 schooling from home and an otherwise busy household, finding privacy to get things done was a challenge,” Faust says. “I found myself longing for a little room I could call my own, and that sparked the creation of YOURspace,” a portable office space that you can pop up anywhere—from kitchen to living room to garage.

Faust, now YOURspace’s CEO, developed the concept and design with his business partner, Debbie Parrott, the CEO of Highmark TechSystems, an Indiana-based manufacturer of modular systems and wall units for exhibits and events. The YOURspace units are also modular and completely customizable. They’re based on an extruded aluminum structure and come in 11 sizes ranging from 5 by 3.5 feet (17.5 square feet) to 11.3 by 8.4 feet (94.92 square feet).

With more than a dozen exterior and interior finishes—from plain white to “weathered pallet” shiplap—combined with easy assembly and disassembly, the units bridge the gap between furniture and architecture. “You can easily change the look of the pod if you move it to another room or environment,” Faust says. Options including window openings, magnetic dry-erase panels, lighting, hardware, desks, and shelving can be arranged to suit your specific needs. Sound-dampening features, a central electric panel, integrated ethernet ports, and exhaust fans for air ventilation provide functional flexibility. And the whole unit is strong enough that it can remain floor-less, so it can be placed over existing flooring and vents.

Prices vary, but Faust says the basic, smallest YOURspace units start at $6,995, with free domestic shipping and handling. They take about three weeks after ordering to arrive, and the average assembly time is less than 90 minutes, with step-by-step instructions, tools, and hardware included.

Though the pods were originally designed for use as a home office, “we quickly realized we were not giving our units enough credit,” Faust says. “We have had people reach out to us to configure their pods for education centers for home schooling, universities are using them in common areas on campus, corporations set them up for meeting rooms, and manufacturers use the larger units as standalone offices on their production floors.”

What’s next? Faust and his team have developed a new collapsible partition system with a built-in desk that mimics a cubicle, and a two-wall pod that fits into the corner of an existing room. Both units can be folded down and stored when not in use. And, just in time for warmer weather, YOURspace is planning to launch an outdoor pod, which just might make another summer of working from home a little more feasible.

Read more at 5280.

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Budgeting For Closing Costs When Buying a House

Are you considering purchasing a home for the first time? Then you’re probably already saving money for your down payment. 

But what about all the other costs needed to complete the transaction? Understanding what expenses are required at closing to buy a house will help you budget and save more effectively. In this article, we break down exactly what closing costs are so you’re prepared when you start shopping for a home: 

What are closing costs?

Closing costs are the thousands of dollars associated with buying a home. These expenses vary state-by-state, due to the differences in property and transfer tax, as well as rates charged by different attorneys and lenders.  

On average, closing costs equal about 1 to 4% of your home’s value, which isn’t something most home buyers are usually aware of. In fact, according to a study conducted by Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research, 50% of buyers were “surprised” by how much they were charged at closing. Knowing exactly how much money you need to come up with, in addition to your down payment, will make purchasing your home a less stressful process. 

Here are some of the fees you may be expected to pay before getting the keys to your new home, according to Bloomerg:

1. Loan Origination Fee

Loan origination fees are what lenders charge to set up a loan. This includes courier fees, underwriting fees, appraisal costs, administrative fees, etc. The costs vary depending on the lender, but typically range between 0.5% – 1% of the loan amount.

2. Application Fee

This fee covers your application process for a loan and includes the cost to run a credit report, as well as additional administrative fees. The application fee varies depending on the lender you’re working with but can be anywhere from $300-$500. 

3. Mortgage Broker Fee 

Closing costs include a commission fee that brokers charge at the end of the mortgage process, which is why homeowners are encouraged to shop around for the right mortgage broker. These fees vary but are usually between 0.5% to 2.75% of the home’s purchase price.

We’re here to make sure there are no surprises for you at the closing table. If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Bar + Pantry Make Over

West + Main agent Alexandria Reed has only lived in her home for two years...but the constant struggle to find storage without a pantry was already getting really old.

The kitchen definitely didn't need a full remodel, but the strange space next to the fridge just felt like an un-used waste, no matter what Alex tried to fill it with. Inspired by all of the new-construction homes that she was busy showing to clients, the answer became clear: by framing and drywalling a brand-new pantry enclosed with a modern barn door, and filling in the rest of the nook with a coffee bar and reading corner, several problems were solved with just a minimal investment!

"I love creating little vignettes of joy in our home...and this project gave me plenty of opportunities to do just that! Mixing + balancing textures, colors, old treasures and fresh finds is a never-ending process, and so much fun!"

- Alexandria Reed
W+M Agent

Materials - $400

Labor $1,000

Love of my new space - Priceless 

PAINT COLOR is SHALE - BENJAMIN MOORE

I love my home so much more now, and if we ever decide to sell, we'll definitely stand out from competition in the neighborhood, because the builder did not incorporate a pantry space or coffee bar, which are both highly sought-after features, into any of the floorplans available in this community.

For more remodel inspiration, visit the first edition of the West + Main Home Magazine.

Refresh Your Home by Using Staging Techniques

When you’re putting your house on the market, preparation and presentation can be the keys to boosting your home's value and selling it quickly.

While curb appeal improvements can definitely help, interiors are always the most important selling point. “Most buyers today shop for homes online, making a home’s web appeal just as important as its curb appeal,” says Jeremy Wacksman, Zillow’s chief marketing officer. “To sell a home fast you want to attract as many potential buyers to your listing as possible. Featuring high-quality, staged listing photos and videos are a great way to boost your home’s virtual appeal and help it stand out in today’s competitive marketplace.”

Home staging doesn’t have to be a costly, time-consuming process—especially if your house is already in good shape. “You want buyers to be able to easily envision themselves in your home, so it’s important to declutter and remove personal items that might cloud that vision,” says Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, a Zillow Digs expert​.

And if you don't plan to sell your house anytime soon? These home staging tips can still help you create a beautiful, organized home for your family and guests. If you're ready to give it a try, check out these tried-and-true home staging tips from interior design experts and real estate agents, according to a survey by Zillow Digs.

Add Mirrors

A mirror not only adds some style to a space, but its reflective quality can also open up a room, making it brighter and seem less cramped (even if it’s tiny). “If you lack artwork, consider picking up a sizable mirror at your local home store,” Christina Salaway of Eleven Two Eleven Design says. “It will make your space feel more curated and designed.”

Replace Window Treatments

If you have old and heavy drapes, toss them for something more modern and breezy. “Simple, functional window coverings on opened windows allow a space to breathe and appear visually larger and more open,” says Kelly. Choose floor-length curtains and hang them near the ceiling, instead of at the top of the window frame, to make the room appear taller.

Buy Crisp, White Towels

To stage your bathroom, go with monochromatic hues. “Put all-white towels in your bathrooms,” says Marc Thee of Marc-Michaels Interiors. “Colored towels don’t feel spa-like and they can seem dingy and add heaviness to a space. White towels feel fresh and clean.” You can't go wrong with Parachute's classic bath towels, or check out some of our other favorites.

Upgrade Rugs

“Buy rugs that actually fit your rooms and your furniture,” says Salaway. For a living room rug, avoid one that’s too small; make sure at least the front legs of your couch or chairs are touching the rug. The right-sized rug in a complementary style to the room will make the space look larger and feel more “pulled together.”

Reorganize Bookcases

And while you’re tidying everything up, give your shelves some style. “Remove 25 percent of your books entirely, and then rearrange what’s left so that some books are vertical and some are stacked horizontally,” says Salaway. “Place a couple of trinkets within the bookcase to function as accents and bookends. This will add character and personality to the room while also lightening up your bookcases.”

Deep Clean

No prospective buyer wants to walk into a house with a dirty bathroom or scuffed-up walls (and likely neither do you!). Take some time to clean every room in your house, but beware of cleaning smells. “Don’t overpower homes with scented items,” says Christina Esala of Tierra Antigua Realty. “They will think you are hiding something. Instead, make a batch of chocolate chip cookies and leave it on the counter for future buyers.” Even if you're not currently selling your house, this is one home staging tip your family is sure to appreciate.

De-Personalize

We know you went to great lengths to make your home your home, but now that you’re trying to sell it, keep in mind that not everyone has the same tastes. “Take out personal photographs and everyone’s clutter,” says Thee. “You want the potential buyer to be able to envision their lives inside the house.”

If you're not selling your home anytime soon, then go ahead and let your personal style shine.

Get more staging advice from Real Simple.

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A Serial House Flipper Shares Her Property Checklist

Renovation TV shows make flipping a house look simple: Take a sledgehammer to a wall, lay some new floors, and you’ve got yourself a dream home in a matter of days.

But anyone who’s ever attempted a gut job in real life knows it’s not quite that straightforward. Plumbing or electrical issues quickly become money pits, city approvals delay progress by months, and all that effort can go to waste if it doesn’t actually increase the property’s value.

Many of these costly mistakes can be avoided before you demo a single cabinet: It all starts with picking the right place, followed by knowing how to make the most of it. It can be tempting to buy an old Victorian or a run-down cottage at a fraction of the cost. But before you do, take note from Shanty Wijaya, founder of Allprace, a boutique real-estate renovation and development company. With 11 years of experience under her belt, she’s got her real-estate checklist down to a science.

Remember the Winning Trifecta

The three main things Wijaya considers in a potential project: location, price, and physical condition. “We typically search on desirable streets in high-demand neighborhoods,” she says. Swapping out tile and painting walls is easy, but changing a house’s environment or neighbors is not. 

She keeps an eye out for distressed and neglected buildings that have been sitting on the market for a while, since their costs tend to be more negotiable. That said, Wijaya always does the math first to make sure the amount of work that needs to be done is higher than the potential sale price that awaits on the other end.

Look Beyond Cosmetics

Buyers like to see how they would live in a home immediately; they want spaces that are inviting, open, and filled with natural light. But Wijaya searches for the opposite. “Many people overlook the hidden potential and tend to hyper-focus on the negatives,” she says. Think about the possibilities of restoring original architectural features, adding windows, or improving flow.

It takes courage, calculated risk, and imagination to see beyond those closed-off walls, unusual layouts, or dingy bathrooms, but it can pay off as long as you’ve budgeted for them. Wijaya suggests bringing along a trusted contractor to help evaluate noncosmetic changes. “If you get the all clear, you might find yourself a hidden gem,” she notes.

Focus on Curb Appeal

Wijaya invests a lot of time, money, and effort into landscaping. Beyond drawing in potential buyers, it also creates meaningful experiences. “We always think about the future homeowner or family,” she says. “We picture children playing outside, couples entertaining, and creating a sanctuary for people’s busy lives.” Especially in her Southern California market, where an indoor-outdoor lifestyle is possible year-round, making the exterior as inviting as the interior can turn an unused yard into a second living area.

Make the Most of Each Square Foot

Most old homes have areas that fall short in terms of livable space: Cramped living rooms, tiny kitchens, and lackluster master suites often top the list. So Wijaya often opens up communal rooms and will even eliminate a small bedroom to make the others more comfortable. “It’s important to maximize the square footage, no matter the size of the lot,” she explains. Whether that means adding an extension or building a small studio in the backyard, every inch counts.

Visit Domino for more tips.

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