Interested in updating your home to entertain guests but also want a high ROI? Realtor Magazine has some tips on where these upgrades can make the most difference. 

"In the backyard, a fire pit with a bench or couch ranks as the number one backyard entertainment feature. Nearly 77% of real estate pros surveyed cited this as a top upgrade among home buyers in their market. More than half of real estate pros also cited ambiance with a warm glow from lighting as a top backyard entertainment upgrade. This could include the use of spotlights, string lights, and more.
​
The following were considered the top backyard upgrades by real estate pros:

• Firepit and bench/couch area: 76.8%
• Lighting (spotlights, string lights, lanterns, or recessed lighting): 54.4%
• Built-in grill: 53.9%
• Outdoor living room: 52.4%
• Space for yard games: 43.2%
• Elevated deck/lower patio combination for multiple outdoor spaces: 35.9%
• Television set: 35.6%

The basement is also getting more attention among homeowners for a way to upgrade their entertainment spaces in their home. Nearly 59% of real estate pros cited the basement guest suite as a top upgrade among home buyers in their market. The following is a breakdown of the top basement updates, according to real estate pros surveyed by HomeLight:

• Separate bed and bath for guests: 58.8%
• Rec room setup for ping-pong or pool: 55%
• Fresh carpet or flooring: 49.2%
• Separate playroom for the kids: 44.6%
• Wet bar: 38.6%
• Separate workspace: 37.1%
• Separate storage space to preserve finished side: 33.9%
• Upgraded lighting: 33.3%

The kitchen is often the center for entertaining at home. Kitchen islands remain a spotlight, along with stools to accommodate extra seating. The following were the kitchen entertainment features that real estate pros say they’re finding most important to their clients:

• Bar seating: 65.8%
• Island or peninsula with a raised countertop for gathering: 62.3%
• Combination family room/kitchen on the main floor: 56.8%
• Large pantry with counter/ability to hide food prep mess: 55.7%
• Wine fridge: 41.2%
• High-end, quiet dishwasher: 37.5%
• Showcase lighting to highlight backsplash, upscale drinkware: 31.9%
• Luxury range such as Viking or Wolf: 30.8%
• Luxury refrigerator such as a Sub-Zero: 30.5%"

Source: Realtor Magazine, Top Upgrades for 3 Entertainment Areas in the Home, April 28 2021.

Interested in more ways to transform your outdoor space? Click here.​

Like the rest of the world, the real estate industry has had to make significant adjustments due to COVID-19, to keep sales associates, buyers, and sellers safe. The process for selling your home may look different these days, but buyers and sellers are still motivated to close the deal virtually while navigating the new normal. Learn how to navigate this new market with our guide to selling your home in a virtual world.

• Why Your Online Listing Is More Important Than Ever
  Online listings have been a vital element of the real estate marketing mix for years. In the past, buyers would rely on online listings to form first impressions and decide which homes to visit in person. Your online listing plays an even more critical role in selling your home today because buyers in many markets don't have the opportunity to see homes in person.
  
  Now, they need to be able to learn as much as possible about the home--and hopefully fall in love with the property--without visiting it first-hand. Professional-quality photography for your listing is the perfect place to start when selling your home. You'll also want to describe the property in as much detail as possible so that buyers searching for properties like yours can find it easily. Once your listing generates interest from buyers, you can use the other marketing tools on our list to close the deal.
• Virtual Tours Help Buyers Visit Homes from Anywhere
  While professional photography is a great start, buyers will often require a more immersive experience to fall in love with your home from a distance. That's where virtual tours come in, and it's no surprise that the popularity of virtual tours has increased dramatically due to COVID-19 precautions. Virtual tours allow buyers to travel through the home as if they were there, examining features, dreaming of what they would do with each room, and deciding whether the property fits their needs. A virtual tour makes selling your home easier because buyers can tour the home no matter where they're located, at any time that's convenient for them.
• How a Virtual Open House Can Help Sell Your Home
  A virtual open house led by your sales associate takes the idea of a virtual tour to the next level, allowing them to provide crucial context, answer questions, and highlight features of the home. You can even use virtual staging to help buyers imagine what their lives would be like in the home!
  
  For a buyer who has already done extensive research on the home, a virtual open house provides a chance to solidify their impressions and convince them to prepare an offer. For someone who is seeing the home for the first time, a virtual open house may be your first and best opportunity to help them fall in love with the home.
• Find a Sales Associate Who Knows Digital Marketing
  Finding the right sales associate is always a key factor in selling your home, and it's even more important today. When you're scouting sales associates, make sure that whoever you choose has an understanding of modern marketing tactics and all of the digital tools required for selling your home in this most unusual market.

Unusual challenges often require unusual solutions, and selling your home in today's market means embracing change. The good news is that a blueprint for success is already in place, with virtual sales tools and outside-the-box marketing ideas leading the way.

Call Carl today to find out more about his safety protocols while selling during the pandemic - (919) - 880 - 0904.

​






​Whether you're looking for a gift for someone or a treat for yourself, these stores offer a little bit of everything from unique art to handcrafted jewelry to international apparel. See below for a few of Carl's local faves:

​
Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel | 1000 W Main St, Durham NC 27701
Fifi's prides itself on being a "unique one-stop excursion for consignors and shoppers alike". Each item has been carefully examined for the highest quality, ensuring that it is in like-new condition. Shop their collection of name-brand and designer labels including handbags, clothing, accessories, and jewelry.
fifisconsignmentboutique.com

Flowers by Gary | 4914 N Roxboro St, Durham NC 27704
Flowers by Gary is committed to making sure that your custom arrangements are the best that they can be. They locally source as much of their product as they can, and even offer same day delivery to Durham and the surrounding areas. 
flowersbygaryofdurham.com

Details @ Once & Again Consignment Store | 3738 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham NC 27707
Details is set to open a pop-up shop in Once & Again on April 1st, 2021. Be on the lookout for a lovingly curated new and vintage selection of unique pieces including jewelry, home decor, and handbags.
Details - NC Facebook
onceandagaindurham.com

Exotique Boutique & Art Gallery | 319 W Main St, Durham NC 27701
This eclectic store seeks to bring color into your life. Their authentic items are internationally and locally sources and include handcrafted gifts and paintings. Additionally, they offer colorful textiles and clothing for all ages. 
theexotique.com

Hamilton Hill Jewelry | 905 W Main Street Brightleaf Courtyard, Durham NC 27701
Meet your one stop shop for all of your jewelry needs. Hamilton Hill prides themselves in advocating for your best interests and ensuring that the piece that you have selected is really for you. They offer a variety of beautiful pieces in a multitude of designs, styles, and price points. They also provide additional service likes custom jewelry design, makeover and style consultations, and repairs. 
hamiltonhilljewelry.com

​Regulator Bookshop | 720 9th St, Durham NC 27705
If you're a book lover, this one is for you. Locally owned and independent, this bookshop offers every genre from mysteries to cookbooks to poetry. Interested in magazines and notecards? They have those too.
regulatorbookshop.com

Smitten Boutique | 2702 Hillsborough Rd, Durham NC 27705
Say hello to this local boutique for women of all ages with a diverse selection of apparel, footwear, jewelry and accessories. Find unique pieces that are suitable for a variety of occasions.
thesmittenboutique.com

Sanders Florist | 1100 Broad St, Durham NC 27705 
A full-service flower shop with a wide arrangement selection and fresh seasonal arrangements. Offering same day flower delivery in Durham and the surrounding areas, each floral designer is committed to making each arrangement as unique and beautiful as possible.
sandersflorist.com

Upchurch Drugs & Gift Shoppe | 5108 N Roxboro St, Durham NC 27704
There's a gift for every occasion in the Gift Shoppe located inside of Upchurch Drugs. You'll find something for everyone - babies, parents, co-workers, and even yourself. They also have a large selection of greeting cards.
​upchurchdrugsandgifts.com