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Top 5 (and more) Thriving Second-Home Markets

Home prices in second home markets are on the rebound, climbing more than 10 percent last year in some places, Barron’s online reports. 

Barron’s recently released a list of its top picks for second-home markets that are likely to see a big rebound in sales and price soon. 

  1. Sea Island, Ga.: Located along Georgia’s coastline, this market saw prices plunge by a third last year, but its housing market is on the mend with sales volume picking up and prices expected to soon follow.  Median Home Price 2009: $3.3 million; Median Home Price 2010: $2.3 million
  2. Maui, Hawaii: Following two years of a decrease in sales, Maui home sales are starting to picking up, particularly in the towns of Wailea and Makena, which have had sales volumes increase 35 percent last year.  Median 2009: $1.5 million; Median 2010: $1.7 million
  3. Hamptons, N.Y.: Prices in this popular second-home destination, which can fluctuate largely depending on what’s happening on Wall Street, are steadying and sales are starting to increase.   Median 2009: $1.5 million; Median 2010: $1.6 million
  4. Aspen, Colo.: The Aspen market is more affordable than during its peak in 2008, but deals aren’t expected to last much longer. For example, in Red Mountain, sales volume doubled last year and prices rose 14 percent.  Median 2009: $9.5 million; Median 2010: $10.8 million
  5. Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.: This second-home market has become a popular international destination, and modest summer homes quickly are being replaced by luxury mansions.  Median 2009: $1.34 million; Median 2010: $1.35 million

View Barron’s full list of Top 15 best second home markets.

Source: “Best Places for Second Homes,” Barron’s Online (March 7, 2011); Blog distribution provided by Kenneth Bargers and Bargers Solutions residential real estate services located in Nashville, Tennessee

March 9, 2011 Posted by | real estate | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Popular Kitchen Remodeling Trends

Remodeling kitchen trends are creating stylish kitchens with cleaner lines, built-in dining, and pops of color, according to a recent article in RISMedia. 

Here are some recent trends in kitchens across the country. 

  1. Built-in dining areas. Eat-in kitchens are in high demand as more remodelers are opting for extensions in counters that resemble a table, either in lower or higher height to the countertop. The counter extension is different than bar seating because diners can sit around the edge and face one another, and not just sit in a row. The counter extension saves space, offers an extra buffet service, and more kitchen storage, says Deanna Carleton of Kitchen Design Group.
  2. Dressing up the kitchen with lighting. An affordable way to upgrade a kitchen is just by switching out the lights, designers say. For example, hand-blown glass shades on pendant lights, contemporary drum shades, and chandeliers can quickly update a kitchen. Layers of light continue to be popular, such as with a ceiling lighting fixture combined with under-counter lighting as well as ambient lights behind a glass-front door, designers say. LED under-counter lighting and LED recessed ceiling lights are also popular.
  3. Pops of color. Neutral colors in the kitchen is the safe preference, but more kitchens are adding bolder pops of color–such as in persimmon or pomegranate–to spice up the kitchen. Colored knobs, kitchen accessories, and even appliances are bringing in these pops of color. Designers say pops of color can also be brought in by the fabric choice in kitchen window seats, the upholstered seats, or window valances.
  4. Striving for simplistic luxury. Clean lines and transitional designs are “in” while ornate Tuscan and French country kitchen styles are falling out of favor in the kitchen. Betty Nairn of Cabinet-S-Top in Granger Township, Ohio, says “simplistic luxury” is the kitchen trend nowadays.

Source: “8 Areas to Pay Attention to When Updating Your Kitchen,” RISMedia (March 5, 2011); Blog distribution provided by Kenneth Bargers and Bargers Solutions residential real estate services located in Nashville, Tennessee

March 9, 2011 Posted by | home remodel, real estate | , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

   

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