Seattle-area real estate tips and updates.
From Irene Nash, REALTOR�, ABR, CRS and Mike Nash, Broker 
Windermere Real Estate/Northeast, Inc.
Irene:  (206) 335-3335  |   Mike:  206-799-8687  
Please visit our website:  www.Nash4Homes.com 
In This Issue

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Irene and Mike Nash
Remodeling a bathroom is expected to be the second most popular renovation project for homeowners in 2014, and there are definitely some new design trends being seen this year.

Here's a summary below, and please remember that you're welcome to ask our advice on any home project you have planned.

 

By the way, if you or anyone you know has a real estate need, please contact us today. We'll always provide first-class service!
 
Popular Bathroom Design Trends 


Bathroom design in 2014 is all about comfort, clean lines, and monochromatic color schemes for a contemporary look and feel.  Here are some highlights from two recent trend surveys by the National Kitchen and Bath Association and Houzz.com.


- It's Time to Go 'Greige'

'Greige' encompasses a range of grey, beige, and bone colors, and is the new color scheme of choice for bathrooms in 2014.  Opting to include a warm neutral such as bone color can offset the cooler feel of grey, and may help to keep your remodel current if future trends favor warmer colors.


- Subway Tiles Are In

Rectangular-shaped subway tiles are showing up in more and more remodels throughout the home.  Typical tile sizes range from 3 by 6 inches to 12 by 24 inches.  While smaller tiles might seem like an obvious choice for the bathroom, keep in mind that bigger tiles may create a less 'busy' effect and can make smaller areas seem larger.


- Universal Design Is Holding Strong

Grab bars in the shower and bathtub, along with other features that make the bathroom safer and more accessible to people with limited mobility, have been a strong element in home design for years. Expect universal design features like these to become even more popular as the population of seniors increases.

Notice the grey color scheme, large subway tiles, and designer grab bars in the bathroom photo below.

Bathroom with grey color scheme and subway tiles

- Heated Floors Are Still a Hot Item


Over half of the designers surveyed by the NKBA said they expect to see increased demand for electric radiant floor heating in 2014.

Note:  If you are remodeling for a future home sale, this can be a relatively easy and inexpensive way to add some 'Wow Factor'.


- Pair Stand-Alone Tubs with Steam Showers

Freestanding tubs are starting to displace jetted tubs in popularity, and are often installed alongside steam showers.  Seventy percent of designers in the NKBA survey reported installing built-in seats in showers, and requests for no-threshold showers (those that require no step to enter or exit) are on the rise.


- Quartz Is King for Countertops

Engineered quartz was the popular choice for bathroom countertop material in the NKBA survey.  Similar to granite in cost and appearance, quartz is slightly less porous and therefore easier to keep clean. Unlike granite, it does not need to be sealed.  Typical prices range from $50 to $100 per square foot installed.


Floating vanity in bathroom- Expect More Floating Vanities
 
Floating vanities are suspended above the floor from attachment points on the wall, providing easier access to the flooring for installation or repair.  Because they allow more of the floor to be visible, they can also make the room appear larger.

(This photo shows raised sinks, but undermount sinks are becoming more popular.)


- Darker Wood Trumps Light

Homeowners prefer dark and medium tone wood to lighter wood for cabinets, according to the Houzz.com survey.  Cherry and maple were the two favorite choices.  The survey actually showed white cabinets as the most popular color, but it's hard to go wrong with a nice wood cabinet.


- Silver Tone Fixtures Top the List

Brushed nickel and polished chrome were the top two choices for fixture materials in the Houzz.com survey, followed by brushed and polished stainless steel.  Brushed bronze was last on the list.





Quick and Easy Bathroom
Remodel Ideas


When you don't want to invest time and money in a full-fledged bathroom remodel, what simple upgrades can boost appeal relatively quickly?  Here are three ideas:

1.  Add a glass tile backsplash to an older sink.

Glass tile backsplashes are quite easy to install, and they instantly impart a newer feel to older bathrooms.  The photo below shows how a new backsplash livens up an original 1970's vanity.

Older bathrrom with glass tile backsplash


2.  Replace hardware, mirrors, and lighting.


Something as simple as a new faucet or modern style drawer handles can add pizzazz to an older vanity.  If mirrors and lighting are dated, swap them out for a more contemporary style.  Oiling a worn out oak cabinet with Danish Oil can revitalize the wood and make it look much newer.


3.  Replace old flooring with resilient vinyl plank flooring.

Photo of resilient plank flooring'Resilient' tile and plank is a new generation of high quality vinyl that looks like tile and hardwood.  It is easy to install and holds up well in areas that are prone to water damage, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
 
Note:  Interlocking planks may be easier to install than the self-stick variety, and they are also easier to remove later on.  You can click here to see an example of interlocking resilient planks at Home Depot.


 


 

Recent Market Highlights

 

Chart and magnifying glass. - U.S. home prices rose 13.2 percent year-to-year in January, according to a recent  S&P/Case-Shiller report.  They rose 12.2 percent year-to-year in February, according to CoreLogic, a data and analytics company. 

   

- The national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is in the low to mid 4-percent range. 

 

The Pending Home Sales Index dropped 10.5 percent year-to-year in February, according to the National Association of Realtors�.

 

Note:  Housing statistics based on closed sales typically reflect market conditions of two or three months ago.  To find out what's going on right now in our local market, please call us directly.

 

 

 

Are you planning to buy or sell a home, or do you know someone who is?  Please call or email us. We're never too busy to help you and the people you care about with real estate.
 
 
(*What the lawyers make us say: The information in this newsletter is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Please always consult a qualified expert before making decisions based on this content. Nothing in this article is meant to be taken as expert legal, financial, or medical advice.) 

 

Links that Make Life Easier 

Sometimes real estate-related, sometimes not... these are assorted links that come in handy:

A list of the expected life spans of many household items and materials.

A handy list for home shoppers who need to know if their bed will fit well in a room.
  
The Houzz website has thousands of user-created photo collections showing renovations, materials, and color schemes. Just type "Houzz" and the name of what you'd like to research into a search engine, and you'll almost certainly find examples to browse through.
 
A great way to get bathroom design ideas is to look through these user photo galleries on Houzz.com.

The Today website offers a list of good tips to help you avoid hiring the wrong person.

 
The Lighter Side

Child with dog
If you're in the mood for a smile, you might want to check out this series of cute photos that show "Why Every Kid Needs a Pet."  (They do make their point pretty well.)

Click here or on the image to see the photo gallery on the Inspire52 website.

 

 

Your Resource for
Seattle Area Real Estate 

Irene and Mike Nash
Irene and Mike Nash
Whether it's netting you the most from your home sale or giving you the edge in a tough multiple offer situation, we're there for you every time.

Click here for a free home valuation.

 
 
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Irene Nash, REALTOR�, ABR, CRS - 206-335-3335
Mike Nash, Broker - 206-799-8687
[email protected]
Windermere Real Estate/Northeast, Inc.
www.Nash4Homes.com   

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