Monthly Archives: June 2019

There are many different reasons to desire a home in a particular style, including layout, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular home styles for homebuyers in 2019.

Contemporary

Contemporary homes continue to be popular since their unique building styles can take on many different looks. Contemporary homes incorporate sleek clean designs with large windows and open spaces that connect with the outdoors. People gravitate toward the blending of historic elements and the attention to current lifestyle trends that these homes offer. These homes incorporate many of the smart home technologies that homeowners want. Contemporary homes tend to emphasize sustainability, energy efficiency, and the use of recycled, non-toxic materials. These are extremely important features for millennials who are beginning to enter the homebuying market – it’s a savvy move since contemporary homes give you a sleek stylish look with low energy and maintenance costs.

Mediterranean

Mediterranean homes can make you feel like you are on vacation in Italy, France, or Spain. Home owners living in nice climates like California and Florida love them for the hacienda style layouts, usually with a central courtyard – However, they are popping up in suburbs everywhere. Entire communities in California are created in this style to create a timeless sense of elegance and culture. They welcome you home with a warm, historic, lived in look. The details like balconies, heavy wooden doors, multicolored tiles, and exposed wooden beams give these homes an extravagant feel that is flexible enough to fit anyone’s needs.

Ranch Homes

Ranch homes were originally modeled after rural Western ranches. Their one-story layout with an attached garage is probably the most common design in the United States. There are many reasons why this style home maintains its appeal. For starters, practicality and our cultures love affair with the car are the main focus of the ranch homes design. Another reason for the resurgence in popularity of this common design is that our aging population wants single story homes to give them a manageable house for retirement, while at the same time maintaining their freedom and independence. Families are seeking out ranch homes as well for the large backyards that usually accompany this type of home. These sprawling one-story houses offer space and privacy, plus their low-key design can be updated to fit anyone’s style.

Townhouse

Obviously if you can afford to own a historic townhouse in an amazing neighborhood like the heart of San Francisco, then the benefits are enormous. However, for the vast majority of us that is not an option. The townhome though is still one of the top designs for growing cities in 2019, and you may be surprised to hear that the reasons for its popularity are affordability and value. Townhomes can be built quickly and at a low cost, and they take up less valuable space; plus, they are typically centrally located in desirable parts of the city. This makes the Townhome an amazing value for homebuyers who want the privacy of a single-family home, but can’t afford the price. This also makes them a great fit for first time home buyers. Being built in convenient locations in major city centers makes these homes popular amongst working professionals as well, since they want to avoid a long commute. Many new townhouse developments come with all the amenities of a high-end apartment or condo like swimming pools, gyms, and parks, so they can offer a lot of value.

If you are interested in selling your home and getting into one of the top styles on the market, give us a call. We are Gulf State Homebuyers and we can buy your home for cash and close in as little as five days. We offer very competitive prices, especially when you consider all the hassles and fees associated with selling your home on the open market. We perform a free appraisal of your property and make you an offer the same day. If you like the price, all you have to do is sign on the dotted line and we take care of the rest. We can even help you move. Contact us today for your free home evaluation and get yourself into a home with the style that fits you best for 2019.

Whether you realize it or not the floors in your home make a huge impact on your life. They can make the difference between a dark and dingy space or a light and airy room. Floors can help control noise levels and temperature. The type of floors you have can even save you time and money when it comes to cleaning, maintenance, and return on your investment. Face it, the floor you stand on is a big deal, so let’s see if your floors fit your life.

Carpet

Wall to wall carpeting remains the most popular floor covering in the United States, and for good reason. To have soft carpets under your bare feet as you walk around the house is an often-unnoticed luxury. Carpets literally and figuratively warm up a room, plus they are the best choice for absorbing noise and echo. With more options to choose from than any other floor covering, you are sure to find a style that is right for you. Common styles include textured, frieze, cable, looped, and cut and loop. New styles and textures make it easy to blend carpets in with any home decor. The down side is that carpets tend to be hard to keep clean and can be a poor choice for high traffic areas, families, and pet owners. The wear and tear these homeowners can potentially put on carpeted floors can leave permanent stains and odors that can only be solved by replacing the floors.

Linoleum, Marmoleum, and Laminate

Linoleum is an extremely durable, low-maintenance flooring that comes in many patterns and colors. It is available in sheets or more intricate cuts and because of the wide variety of styles and options, linoleum can complement almost any home. This flooring material is often confused with some similar materials like marmoleum. This all-natural and renewable resource is composed of recycled materials that are beneficial to the environment. Unlike linoleum, marmoleum resists dust and dirt and has no strong odors. This makes it an excellent allergen-free choice for the home. Laminate is another material that is often confused with linoleum because it can duplicate the look of hardwood, natural stone and many other types of flooring. Laminate makes a great low budget option for those who still desire an upscale look. It will however wear out more quickly than linoleum so be cautious of those high traffic areas when deciding to go with laminate floors.

Tile

Tile can be the most durable option of any floor covering. The most common tiles for homes are ceramic tiles which come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, finishes and colors. This limitless variety make this type of flooring easily compatible with almost any design style. Another benefit of ceramic floor tile is that it’s finished with a durable glaze which makes the floor water-resistant and easy to clean. Natural stone tile is another popular choice. No two tiles are the same, and they come in a wide array of choices, including granite, slate, marble, travertine, limestone and onyx. The natural stone can create a timeless and organic beauty that adds a rich and luxurious feel to any home. Although stone tile adds value and doesn’t go out of style, it can have the opposite effect of carpet, making rooms look and feel cold.

Wood

Wood is an elegant flooring option that adds depth, character, and value to the home. There is a wide variety of choices including red and white oak, maple, cherry, white ash and hickory. Hardwood floors can be tailored to fit anyone’s individual taste. Since hardwood floors are the most expensive option, there are many cheaper engineered wood floor options available.

Similar in appearance to hardwood floors, engineered hardwood is composed of a core of hardwood, plywood or high-density fiberboard and a top layer of hardwood veneer that’s available in almost any variety. In fact, engineered wood floors can outperform solid wood floors in areas beyond price, like water and moisture resistance. This makes them a great choice and a good value when trying to choose what floor is best for you.

So, if it is time to change your floors or you feel the need to switch to a floor style that better fits your life, why not switch houses instead? This is not as crazy as it seems when you consider all the expenses and disruptions to your home that replacing the floors entails. We are Gulf State Homebuyers and we can buy your home with its old floors, in as-is condition for all cash. Quick, easy and competitively priced, we can help you get into the home with the right floors in no time.

Summer may not seem like the ideal time to sell your home: The weather is nice, vacations are planned, and school is out, leaving many of us lacking the motivation and time to sell. However, there are plenty of good reasons to sell in the summer, including the likelihood of earning more for your home. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you should sell your home this summer.

1. Your Home Looks its Best 

Summertime is the most beautiful time of year. It’s prettier outside, the sun is shining, and the neighborhood is in full bloom. Spring cleaning is done and gardens are perfectly manicured, leaving all the neighboring properties looking at their best. Chances are that your house is more aesthetically pleasing in the summer months as well. This gives you a huge advantage when it comes to your homes curb appeal. The same as any purchase, homebuyers’ shop with their eyes. When your home is looking its best, surrounded by the lush warm vail of summer, it is sure to get more attention and command top dollar.

2. Your Home Will Close Quicker

Summer comes with the pressure of a time limit, especially for families. It never feels like you have enough time before fall comes creeping in, hailing the start of the holiday season. This means buyers will want to close on a sale as quickly as possible. Families want to close and be settled in their new home well before the kids go back to school. Plus, most buyers want to get moving off their plate well before the onset of the holidays. If you live in an area with winter weather, then the pressure to move quickly becomes even greater, since no one wants to be stuck between homes or moving once the cold fall and winter months have arrived. This is why buyers will do everything in their power to ensure a smooth and speedy close.

3. Home Prices Are Higher

Contrary to what you may think, the summer real estate market has become synonymous with competition. As we know, competition can drive up demand, which in turn drives up prices. In springtime, most homes in the neighborhood will have just sold at their peak value, making your home by comparison more valuable as well. Buyers will be willing to make higher offers in order to secure the property they want and be in by the fall, while sellers are forced to compete with each other to seal the deal and earn the buyer’s business. This is great news for anyone who is prepared to sell their home in the summer because it provides you with the maximum amount of leverage when it comes to price.

4. Waiting Could Be Financially Damaging

Most industry professionals are indicating that this could be the year to sell no matter what the season. Right now, it is still a seller’s market – new buyers are entering the market and interest rates are still low. Even though summer is not high season for home sales, if you wait, you could lose money. Current economic pressures and past trends are causing fears that the housing market will take a downturn by 2020. Markets typically follow 10-year trends, meaning we are a couple of years overdue for a dip in the market. Selling your home this summer could be your last chance to maximize your profit for years to come.

If it looks like you want to get out of your home quickly, and summer time is the right time for you, then we might have the solution for you. We are Gulf State Homebuyers and we can buy your home at a competitive price for all cash. Our process is simple, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy all the fun that summertime brings. We conduct a quick, easy, and free appraisal of your home in as-is condition and make you an all cash offer that very same day. Our offers are extremely competitive especially when you consider all the costs associated with selling your home on the open market. If you like the offer, we can close in as little as 5 days or work around whatever moving date you choose – it’s that simple. So contact us today to get started with your free, no obligation appraisal and be settled into the new home of your dreams before the leaves begin to turn!

As of recently, there are five generations participating the housing market, causing an array of challenges for homeowners interested in selling. Each generation varies in their buying habits and requires different amenities to the home they purchase. Let’s take a look at how each generation contributes to the real estate market.

Generation Z, Born 1997 –2012

This generation has just recently started participating in shopping for new homes. Unfortunately for them, many are still unable to afford homes due to the rapid increase in home values over the last few years. This does not deter their motivation however – according to the National Association of Realtors, 97% of Generation Z believe that they will own a home in the future. They do however appear to be at a disadvantage financially – 47% of those that have acquired a home were only able to put under $10,000 down. This generation, although ambitious on the amenities they would like, are limited due to their financial restrictions.

Millennials, Born 1981 – 1996

Millennials are leading in the market for homebuying – by the end of 2018, they were responsible for 45% of all new mortgages. It is estimated that 20% of Millennial’s in 2018 purchased a home for over $300,000. These individuals are at an age in which they are starting families and have an established career. This means that they are seeking out homes that have specific amenities to match their long-term needs. They are in fact more willing to buy run down homes and take on the DIY projects the homes require – as first-time home buyers, they are making educated decisions to benefit their future.

Generation X, Born 1965 – 1980

Those in this generation are generally at the point in which they are upgrading their home – they are at the peak of their earning years and are willing to spend more on their homes in order to upsize for their growing families. The challenge they have recently been faced with however is a lack of inventory in their purchasing options – they are more particular in what they want and are willing to hold out for the home that fits them best. Some of the amenities that they are searching for may include larger backyards, outstanding views, upgraded interiors, and eco-friendly additions, to name a few.

Baby Boomers, Born 1946 – 1964

Today, Baby Boomers own a majority of the homes in the United States. Those that are buying now are often selling their current home and moving into a smaller, more manageable one. No longer are they seeking the extra space for hosting guests, but instead they are looking for less maintenance so that they can enjoy their retirement years. Since many of them are retiring at this time, they are looking for homes that have specific upgrades that can help them save on their monthly bills, such as homes that have particular upgrades that reduce cooling and heating costs (double pane windows and doors or a new HVAC system) – if they are on a set income, this can be extremely crucial to their lifestyle. In addition, many members of this generation are starting to move out of cities and enjoy the quietness of the neighboring suburb.

Silent Generation, Born 1928 – 1945

Those that are over 74 represent the smallest community of recent homebuyers, embodying only 7% in 2018. They are generally already established in their retirement and have no interest in making the hassle of a big move. However, those that do decide to move do so primarily to be closer to family, friends, or relatives, or move into a senior housing community. Unfortunately, many health issues can impact one’s ability to live alone, so unless the home is fully equipped with the most recent technologies to ensure they are safe, this generation is seeking assistance in their living situation.

Who Will Buy Your Home?

Each generation represents a different selling opportunity, so preparing your home for a sale can be challenging. You will need to assess the type of community you live in and determine who will be most likely to make an offer. Review what amenities your home has to offer and identify if there are specific upgrades you can undertake to make your home more appealing to the market leading generations.

However, this can be tricky to balance. The wrong changes to the house can actually have a negative impact on your opportunities. There is one way around this dilemma – you can sell your home to an all-cash buyer. You can avoid the hassle of upgrades and marketing, and sell your home within days of your initial inquiry.

The benefits of selling to an all-cash buyer are numerous – to learn more about this unique opportunity, contact us here at Gulf State Homebuyers and we can provide you with a free consultation.