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27.07.2024 - 00:22 / sunset.com
When my husband and I were planning to move from New York to California, I spent most of my free time (and phone data) scouring Zillow. Messaging owners and agents directly and sharing our story ultimately led to us closing on a condo that was originally listed for rent. On a national scale, the current status of the housing market has forced a lot of people—buyers and real estate professionals alike—to get more creative.
Lindsey Harn, a residential real estate agent and owner of the Lindsey Harn Group in San Luis Obispo, California, shared her insights about this conundrum. If there’s low inventory, for instance, she’ll often strategize with clients by seeking out properties that aren’t yet on the market.
Below, Harn’s advice for people who want to be proactive while scouting out their dream home.
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“I’ll sit down with the clients to get a really clear understanding of their budget and then which of their favorite neighborhoods and streets are actually going to meet their house profile, their budget profile, and then those lifestyle amenities—whether that’s a specific school district, being able to bike or walk somewhere—to figure out the non-negotiables,” Harn says.
Doing your research and hiring the best professionals will inevitably contribute to your success, too, according to Harn. This involves aligning yourself with a well-connected agent who can understand your goals and priorities. Plus, you have a homework assignment: Investigate the neighborhoods you really love.
“I always say, 50 percent of the time a buyer will know the second they drive past the house,” Harn says. “Make sure you drive around and really explore the neighborhoods you are considering multiple times during the day. Where
A little trim and tuck is all your houseplants need to look their best indoors. While they don’t need as much pruning as the ones in your garden, some shaping and tidying will make them bushier and prettier, instantly uplifting your home’s decor. Lucky for you, we know everything about giving plants haircuts!
Scented ‘Angel’s Trumpet' flowers (top) in Benedict Foley and Daniel Slowik's cottage garden are perfect for a night garden
A couple of the Sunset editors were talking about the Barbie Dreamhouse the other day. And we had a hot take: Although it’s an iconic home (with a slide, pool, and a color palette that childhood dreams were made of), it’s not the most attractive-looking space from an interior design or architecture standpoint. Sure, it has some touches of mid-century modern style and an extremely cohesive color palette, but we think not very many people would want to live there IRL. On top of that, it doesn’t really look homey or comfy. And all of that’s okay, because the house is for a doll and make-believe moments. What’s a human who wants to live out their Barbie fantasies to do?
Extreme heat waves are stressful for almost every type of plant in your garden, from flowers and vegetables to shrubs and trees—but especially for container-grown plants.
Amy Pigliacampo / Interior Designer: Amy Pigliacampo
How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Dill Weed and Seed Anethum graveolens
You can grow wildflowers in a border, a pot and a window box as well as in a meadow.
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All of these varieties are excellent at self-seeding, meaning they drop seeds in your garden before they die. The seeds will germinate on their own the following year, providing beautiful blooms again the same or next year without you having to do much.
How to Grow Marigold Flowers Marigold flowers are easy to grow and bloom nonstop through summer. Learn how to start these bright blooms from seed and keep them growing all season! Why grow marigold flowers in your garden?
Without a doubt, there is one pot of flowers that is the most colorful on my patio right now. The surprising news is we just recently potted it despite the hot summer heat we're experiencing. I’m in steamy Alabama, with record humidity, so it’s a soupy, sticky, kind of hot here outdoors. Daily watering of many of my plants in the summer heat is simply is a must.