Date Archives: October 2021

A new home is like a blank canvas. There are plenty of Sarasota homes for sale, but it's your job to make that house your own, with everything from the colors of the walls to the style and layout of the furniture, and much more. Now, with fall upon us, it's the perfect opportunity to turn your new house into a home with some fun interior design trends. Here are a few you should know about.

• Vintage Pieces
  There's nothing wrong with a home full of basic, functional, and comfortable Ikea furniture. But most homeowners today are looking for something more. They want something with personality. Something that has a story behind it. That's why vintage furniture is becoming popular. It's high quality and built to last, so you can have it in your family for generations. It can also help give your home a cozier, more personal look. Plus, buying vintage furniture instead of new pieces is more sustainable, reducing manufacturing and lowering your carbon footprint.
  
  
• Natural Design
  Not everything can or should be bought secondhand. However, that doesn't mean you need to sacrifice sustainability. Simple choices like lighter, natural wood furniture pieces, rather than ones that have been stained darker, are more environmentally friendly. And when it comes to curtains and upholstery, choose more sustainable textiles, such as recycled cotton and organic hemp. Plus, those natural textures help give your home an upscale but cozy feel. It also helps to incorporate more natural light into the room, rather than relying on bulbs. And you can even add a few potted plants around the house, to complete the look. Being environmentally conscious doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style or decor. A little creativity and your home can be both stylish and sustainable.
  
  
• Layers
  By layering different pieces on top of one another, you can create a look of contrasting or complementary colors. Start with a simple throw on your couch, with a color that pops against the sofa fabric. You can also layer curtains with shades on your windows. You can even layer a small, patterned rug over a larger, solid color one to create a whole new style choice. This applies to bedding, too. Sheets, blankets, pillows, and comforter don't all necessarily have to be the same color and style. Try mixing and matching to build new looks. What's more, you can keep multiple pieces around and switch them out periodically, to keep things fresh.
  
  
• Compartmentalization
  A few years ago, open floor plans were all the rage. The kitchen, living room, and dining room were all one big space, and you could look over almost the whole house from a single vantage point. However, times have changed. Now, most homeowners want separate spaces and a bit of privacy between one room and the next. This is easily accomplished with a few partitions and room dividers. They allow you to define the spaces in your home more clearly. You can also create new spaces, like a home office, a den, or a play area for the kids. The mobility of these partitions also provides flexibility. And the dividers can be decorated in different colors and patterns, to blend seamlessly with the rest of your decor.

If you're looking for Bradenton homes for sale, our real estate agents can help you find the perfect one to meet your needs. Contact us to help you find your dream home, and find the design elements that will really make it yours.

Fall in Florida brings many exciting activities. While people up north are hunkering down for the winter, here, we're enjoying slightly cooler weather and gearing up for the busy season. From now until the summer returns, there's no shortage of things to do. 

This time of year, when they're not busy helping clients find their dream homes, our real estate agents enjoy visiting local craft shows on the weekends. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for something fun to do, we recommend paying a visit to these upcoming events. 

• Sarasota Rocktoberfest: JD Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Dr., Sarasota, FL 34236
  This is so much more than a craft festival! Sarasota Rocktoberfest will feature tons of live music, huge glasses of beer, and plenty of mouthwatering Oktoberfest-themed food, including smoked sausages, sauerkraut, pretzels, roasted meats, and more. The event runs from October 15th to 17th, and admission is free! You'll also have the chance to shop at the marketplace, which features a wide selection of art, crafts, and fine products. 

• Downtown Venice Art Festival: 100 W. Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285
  The town of Venice is vibrant, beautiful, and filled with historic charm. The Downtown Venice Art Festival will feature more than 100 notable artists from across the nation. Here you'll find everything from painting to jewelry, photography, sculpture, glass, ceramics, mixed media, and more. The festival will be held on November 6th and 7th from 10 am to 5 pm, and admission is free. While you're in the area, you'll want to take a drive around so you can get a look at some of the beautiful Venice homes for sale. 

• 32nd Annual St. Armands Art Festival: 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236
  The St. Armand's Art Festival has been named one of the best art festivals in the country. It features over 175 artists and craftsmen displaying their original work. Here you'll find sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, oils, watercolors, pottery, and more. The festival is scheduled for November 13th and 14th from 10 am to 5 pm, and admission is free. Since St. Armands Circle is so close to some of the best Sarasota homes for sale, you'll also want to make sure you leave enough time to take the scenic route home. 

• Siesta Key Crystal Classic: 948 Beach Rd., Sarasota, FL 34242
  A bit of a different way to view art, the Siesta Key Crystal Classic gives you an opportunity to get a close-up view of sand sculptures created by 24 professional artists from around the world. While you're there, you can also enjoy sand sculpting lessons and demonstrations, live bands, and a bar tent. You also won't want to miss the Vendor Village, which will have over 70 retail vendors and 6 food trucks. The event will take place from November 12th through November 15th. 

• Acrylic Painters USA Curated Exhibition: ArtCenter Manatee 209 9th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205
  If you've been exploring Bradenton homes for sale, you'll definitely want to familiarize yourself with ArtCenter Manatee. They host a variety of art shows throughout the year, including the upcoming Acrylic Painters USA curated exhibition. This event will be held from October 26th through November 19th, and admission is free. 

Now is the perfect time to find your dream home in Florida, and the agents at Wagner Realty are here to help! Contact us today to learn more and get started with your homebuying journey.  

Do you feel overwhelmed at the idea of tackling home improvement projects? If you're like most homeowners, you can just walk through your home and see so many tasks awaiting your elbow grease. If you're thinking of listing your home among Sarasota homes for sale, you may want to get a handle on prioritizing projects.

One of the first steps is to decide how you want to categorize your repairs and renovations. You might jot down categories such as these, and then under each one, list projects that fall under that heading:

• Safety
• Damage prevention
• Cosmetic
• Updating to increase home value

Here are some additional tips for organizing your thoughts and knowing which projects to tackle first.

1. List Projects that Affect the Safety of the Home
   Safety should always come first. Maybe there are electrical problems that threaten the safety of the home's occupants. Do you need to install security lighting and cameras outside the home and replace failing door hardware and locks? Is the HVAC on its last leg, and does it need replacement, or will some repairs get it into good working order? In most of these cases, you will likely need to call an expert, so plan your budget accordingly. 
   
   
2. List Projects that Prevent Damage to the Home
   After you worked on projects causing an immediate safety hazard, look for ones that prevent potential damage. Do rain gutters need repair to save the roofline? Are there severe drafts in winter because of structural problems or because the windows need weatherstripping and caulking? Is the plumbing or roof leaking? Do trees need to be cut back, so they don't damage the roof? Once again, some projects you can likely tackle while others will need an expert. 
   
   
3. Consider Cosmetic Changes
   Once you prioritize the must-dos for safety's sake, assess the cosmetic changes you think you'll need to sell your home, or if you're not going anywhere, to make you feel better. Cracks in the wall? Do the bathrooms need new tile? Could some of the rooms use a new coat of paint? Tackle one room at a time. You'll feel encouraged to move to the next project once you complete the first one on your list. If you're able to do it yourself on some of these, so much the better. 
   
   
4. Consider Projects that Increase Value
   Exercise caution when it comes to initiating renovations to increase home value. Some will do just that, and some won't. Some projects that will add value: bathroom remodels; kitchen renovations; replacing old appliances with matching, energy-efficient models; remodeled attic or basement; adding a deck; boosting curb appeal by cleaning, trimming, and planting some color in the front yard; and increasing energy efficiency by air sealing your home, adding insulation, and installing efficient windows. Projects that won't increase value include luxury upgrades, garage conversions, and swimming pools. Before starting one of these projects, consider whether you plan on being in your current home for a long time. 

Do you need advice on prioritizing your home improvement projects before listing your home among the Bradenton homes for sale? Our real estate agents can help. Contact us today.