Living • June 5, 2023

How to Create a Balcony Garden

by Windermere Staff

A young man sprays water on the plants in his balcony garden at his high-rise apartment.

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. For those who don’t have a flourishing backyard with acres of greenery, you’ve got to make do with the space you have to satisfy your inner green thumb. Creating a balcony garden can bring life to your terrace and give you some healthy options to add into your cooking. By plotting out the space, researching which plants will thrive on your balcony, and gathering the right materials, you’ll set yourself up for gardening success.

How to Create a Balcony Garden

First, consider your space. The amount of sunlight your balcony gets will determine what you’re able to grow and how quickly your garden will grow. Crops like tomatoes and strawberries need lots of sun to grow up healthy, while others like peas and herbs can still thrive in less sunlight. If your balcony is sunlight-deprived, you may need to invest in a grow light to give your plants the light they need.

How to Plant an Herb Garden

What are your goals for your balcony garden? Are you looking to build out your collection of natural herbs or do you want to turn your terrace into your own personal exotic oasis? Whether your motives are culinary or aesthetic, planning out your garden will help you maximize space. Hanging and stack planters allow you to create a vertical garden, which helps save space. Climbing plants like honeysuckle, ivy, ferns, and different varieties of vines are perfectly suited for this kind of garden design. Before hanging any planting pots, hooks, trellises, shelves, or any kind of gardening equipment, check your governing Homeowners Association (HOA) policies to make sure your plans are within the rules.

A young woman replants plants on her balcony garden.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: AleksandarNakic

Keep Your Plants Healthy

With any garden, your main concern is keeping your plants healthy. This means giving them plenty of water, treating your soil with care, and keeping up with seasonal demands depending on your local climate. If you’re looking to save money on your balcony gardening project, don’t focus your frugal efforts on soil. Soil is the lifeblood of your garden, so it’s important to give it a fresh, nutrient-rich mixture. Once you’ve selected your plants, research their needs to see which potting mix you need to pick up at your local gardening or hardware store. Depending on the chemical makeup of the potting soil, you may not need to fertilize your plants right away.

With a balcony garden, it’s also important to keep your neighbors happy. Put saucers underneath your pots to prevent excess water from dripping onto the neighbors beneath you. This will also cut down on wasted water, one of the main principles of sustainable gardening. Self-watering pots are helpful, especially if you’re not always around to water your plants. They prevent overwatering by metering the amount of water your plants receive, only feeding them when necessary.

You also need to consider how much weight you’re adding to your balcony. Yes, terra cotta pots have that quintessential Tuscan gardening look, but a dozen ceramic pots filled with water-soaked plants might bear more weight on your terrace than it’s prepared for. Look at more lightweight potting alternatives and different soil mixtures than can lighten the load on your balcony.

For more information on making the most out of your garden, read our blog post on urban farming:

A Quick Guide to Urban Farming

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: ibnjaafar

Selling • June 2, 2023

Selling Your Home: The Final Walkthrough

by Windermere Staff

A White woman real estate agent with short white-grey hair sits at an office table with her two clients, who are blurred in the foreground so you can only see their shoulders. They prepare for the final walkthrough as they sell their home.

Congratulations, you’ve found a buyer! But before you celebrate, there’s an important part of the closing process you need to pass: the final walkthrough. The final walkthrough isn’t a full-fledged home inspection, but if the buyer finds issues during the process it could complicate things. Your seller duties are still in play here, so be sure to communicate with your agent regarding best practices during these final stages. Let’s take a look at the final walkthrough and how to make sure you pass it with flying colors.

8 Tips for First-Time Home Sellers

What happens during the final walkthrough?

As the name suggests, the walkthrough takes place during the closing process. This is not the time for discussing negotiating terms or buyer contingencies, since those details have already been ironed out at this point. The final walkthrough is a chance for the buyer to make sure they’re getting the house they’re paying for. They’ll examine the property with their real estate agent to verify that the terms of the deal are legit. For example, they’ll make sure that you’ve made the negotiated repairs, that you’re handing the property off to them in its agreed-upon condition, and that no new issues have popped up since it was formally inspected. If the buyer finds issues during their walkthrough, it could delay the closing process and/or hurt your net proceeds from the sale. Worst case scenario, complications discovered during the walkthrough could lead to a buyer backing out of the deal.

What Happens When a Buyer Backs Out of a Real Estate Transaction?

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: FG Trade

Final Walkthrough Checklist

The final walkthrough will take place near closing day. You’ll have time to empty the house and make sure everything about its condition aligns with what’s spelled out in the purchase agreement. No matter how careful you try to be during the moving process, sometimes a wall or trim can get scuffed or scratched when trying to get the couch the last few feet out the door. Accidents happen. Just be sure to repair any damage before you’re fully moved out.

Keep a record of the work you’ve done to make sure your house is being sold as described in the real estate contract. Hold on to all paperwork that shows evidence of the repairs you and the buyer agreed on to verify they have been completed. You and your listing agent will iron out the details regarding which items you intend to take with you, but in general, appliances and other items that are fixed in place stay with the home. If there is something specific that you want to take with you to your new home, that will be a point of negotiation.

Make sure everything is clean and working properly before the buyer conducts their walkthrough. Check your appliances, HVAC, and other home systems including the thermostat, the home security system, and any smart home tech products. For a full moving checklist and a timeline of all tasks leading up to your moving day, visit our Step-By-Step Guide to the Moving Process. This list is also available as an interactive web page and downloadable PDF here:

Moving Checklist and Schedule

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: VioletaStoimenova

Design • May 31, 2023

What is Victorian Architecture?

by Windermere Staff

A street-level view of the Painted Ladies Victorian architecture homes at Alamo Square in San Francisco, California.

Like its namesake Queen Victoria, Victorian architecture is home design royalty. With its uniquely detailed decorations, it helped to define the style of homes in its era. These special homes still exist in large numbers today around the world, perhaps none more famous than San Francisco’s “Painted Ladies” near Alamo Square pictured above. Let’s dive into the history of Victorian architecture and some of its defining features.

What is Victorian Architecture?

Bursting onto the scene in the mid-1800s, Victorian architecture spawned several styles, creating multiple branches of the Victorian home design tree. Borrowing elements of other architectural styles of that era such as Gothic, Greek Revival, and Italianate, the highly ornate style reflected the expensive taste among the British people of the time, who were experiencing increased wealth due to the industrial Revolution. Much of the work required for building Victorian homes could be done by machine, and due to the industrial innovations of the time, the parts could be easily shipped across the country by train. Pretty soon, Victorian homes were popping up everywhere.

A street-level view of a pink Victorian architecture home with rounded windows, decorative trim, and ornate crown molding.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: LordRunar

Features of Victorian Architecture

Two to three stories
Steep, pitched roofs
High ceilings
Wood construction with detailed woodwork
Decorative trim and crown molding
Towers and turrets
Spacious porches
Recessed balconies
Iron railings
Bay windows
Stained glass

The interior of a Victorian architecture home with brown and tan antique furniture and accessories, traditional furnishings, and stained-glass windows.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: YinYang

Styles of Victorian Homes

Though there are several styles of Victorian homes, they are all multiple-story structures with steeply pitched roofs. Part dollhouse, part palace, their vintage character remains popular today. The Stick Victorian style resembles a gingerbread house with its decorative cladding and trim. The Queen Anne style is known for its asymmetry and cross-gable rooflines, while the Folk style is more symmetrical, cutting down on excessive ornamentation. As if the architecture itself wasn’t loud and eclectic enough, many Victorian homes were painted in bright colors to further differentiate their style from other homes—especially Queen Anne Victorian homes.

The Carson Mansion, a large Victorian house of American Queen Anne style Victorian architecture in Eureka, California.

The Carson Mansion in California, a classic example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture. Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: LordRunar

To learn more about the various styles of home design, visit our Architectural Styles page:

Windermere – Architectural Styles

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Mlenny

Buying • May 24, 2023

Turnkey vs. Fixer-Upper: Pros and Cons

by Windermere Staff

Turnkey vs. fixer-upper properties. This modern home is a quintessential turnkey property. It has fresh landscaping, pristine blue siding, scuff-free white trim, and new exterior lighting.

The beauty of real estate is that different properties satisfy different needs. Although single-family homes are great for putting down roots, that may not be your motivation for purchasing your next home. If you’re looking to buy a property with the intent of renting it, both turnkey and fixer-upper listings will cross your path during your home search. The main difference between the two is the condition of the property when you buy it. The right one for you depends on your needs as a homeowner and your goals as a landlord.

What is a turnkey property?

Turnkey properties are move-in ready from day one, which means they’re ready for you to rent them out immediately. Whether it’s a new construction home or a recently remodeled listing, these properties are in tip-top shape when they hit the market. Companies that specialize in renovating and selling these properties may also offer property management services, which may appeal to you if you’re looking for a more hands-off approach to managing your investment property.

What does fixer-upper mean in real estate?

Compared to turnkey listings, fixer-uppers are on the opposite end of the investment property spectrum. Buying a fixer-upper means you’re purchasing a home that needs repairs, remodeling, and some major TLC before it’s ready to rent out. These properties are diamonds in the rough; you’re betting on your ability to make high ROI home upgrades that will attract future renters and put money in your pocket.

As an example of turnkey vs. fixer-upper homes, a heterosexual Caucasian couple are remodeling their fixer-upper property. They are re-painting the interior to prepare the property for renters.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: StefaNikolic

Turnkey vs. Fixer-Upper: Pros and Cons

Turnkey Pros

Because they are move-in ready, turnkey listings have the potential to generate cash flow right away. Without any pending renovations in your way, you can open up the property to renters as soon as you take possession. They’re primed and ready to place in the hands of a property management company, which means you’ll get passive income without having to deal with day-to-day operational tasks. You can also ask the listing agent for permission to use their photos, which can help your rental stand out amongst the competition in your area.

Turnkey Cons

So, what’s the catch? These benefits all come at a cost; turnkey properties typically cost more than fixer-uppers. You’ll pay a premium for the pristine condition and the buttoned-up appearance of these properties, so it’s important to have a strategy to save money for your home purchase. Also, handing off property management duties to a third party means you’ll have less control over the renting process. For more information on whether hiring a property management company is right for you, read the following blog post:

Managing Your Investment Property: DIY vs. Hiring a Profession

Fixer-Upper Pros

Searching for homes in less-than-pristine condition can give you a leg up as a buyer. Fixer-upper homes tend to have less competition from buyers than turnkey properties, since not everyone is willing to take on a major remodeling project. Talk to your agent about how to make the best offer. Given their lessened condition, you can oftentimes get a great deal on these homes with the right strategy. And the best part is, your remodeling efforts will increase the home’s value over time. The more effort you put in, the more the property will be worth, which means higher ROI potential.

Fixer-Upper Cons

Here’s the downside with fixer-uppers: tapping into their potential requires pouring money into the property. Exactly how much you can expect to spend on a fixer-upper varies by location, the size of the home, and the scope of repairs and renovations needed. Tackling some remodeling projects DIY can save you money, but if certain projects require more skilled hands, it may be best to hire a professional. And for all your planning, it’s impossible to predict the future. Projects may go over budget, material costs may rise, and the market may look completely different when you’re ready to rent out your property than it did when you bought it. For more information on buying a fixer-upper and the special financing options available to you, read the following blog post:

Buying a Fixer-Upper

Your real estate agent is your greatest asset in helping you determine which property type is right for you. Connect with a local Windermere agent to see which turnkey and fixer-upper properties are available in your area:

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: hikesterson

Market News • May 22, 2023

Would the FHFA Mortgage Fee Changes Have Favored Buyers with Low Credit Scores?

by Windermere Economics

The Federal Housing Finance Authority recently put a hold on raising upfront mortgage fees given pushback that suggested home buyers with good credit were being penalized. Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner looks at Loan Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs) to explain why some headlines were misleading.

This video on the proposed FHFA mortgage fee changes is the latest in our Monday with Matthew series with Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. Each month, he analyzes the most up-to-date U.S. housing data to keep you well-informed about what’s going on in the real estate market.

FHFA Mortgage Fee Changes

Hello there, I’m Windermere Real Estate’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner, and welcome to this month’s episode of Monday with Matthew. As most of you are aware, the Federal Housing Finance Authority announced that they were going to raise the upfront fees for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and that led to significant backlash from some suggesting that borrowers with good credit would now be paying more than borrowers with bad credit.

And as these voices grew louder, Congress stepped in with House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry and Housing and Insurance subcommittee Chair Warren Davidson announcing a plan to repeal these fee increases if they were introduced. Well, this did not go unnoticed, and the FHFA announced on May 10^th that they were putting a hold on a new fee structure in order to engage industry stakeholders and better understand their concerns.

So, for now nothing has changed, but I still think it’s a subject worth discussing because we will see another proposal from the FHFA at some point in the future. So, what’s going on?

Well, periodically the FHFA raises the upfront fees that the Agencies charge borrowers for the purchase and refinance of mortgages that they guarantee, and these fees are called Loan Level Price Adjustments, or LLPAs.

In April of 2022, these fees went up for several types of loans including ones in expensive markets that have a higher conforming loan limit than seen nationally, and they also raised fees on second home mortgages. But to support affordable housing, the lower rates for certain programs including HomeReady, Home Possible, and HFA Advantage weren’t increased. And they didn’t raise fees for loans to first-time home buyers in high-cost areas if they earned at or below the area median income.

And the new round of fee increases that was scheduled to start in May of this year has many believing that it was just another subsidy given to households with lower credit that’s being paid for by households with better credit. But is that really an accurate statement? I don’t necessarily think so.

First off, the FHFA had to increase fees this year simply because they needed the money to cover higher capital requirements that went into effect last year, but that’s a topic for another day. For now, let’s take a look at the changes that would have been made.

Changes to LLPAs

The matrix you see here shows you the difference between the fee that was in place and the one that was proposed. Remember, this is not the actual fee itself, but the spread between the old and new pricing. And, as you can see, on face value it really does look to benefit borrowers with lower credit scores and penalize households with better credit. For example…

Changes to LLPAs: Credit Score 640 – 659

A household with a credit score of between 640 and 659 would see savings across all loan-to-value ranges versus the following:

Changes to LLPAs: Credit Score 740 – 759

A household with a credit rating of 740 to 759 who would be paying the same or more in all bar two scenarios with fees increasing between 0.125% and three quarters of a percent.

But is this really something to be worried about?

There are two things that stand out to me. The first is that a household putting down less than 20% has to buy private mortgage insurance. So, in reality, these households are actually less of a risk to the agencies than those who don’t, so isn’t it right that they should pay less in fees? Secondly, although I can’t disagree with anyone who states that families with lower credit will see fees go down and, generally speaking, they will go up for those with better credit, but people are confusing the CHANGE in the fee with the ACTUAL fee itself.

What I am saying is that low credit borrowers aren’t paying less than high credit borrowers. It’s just the spread in the rates between households with lower credit and those with higher credit has simply gotten smaller.

There is absolutely no scenario where someone with lower credit gets a lower fee. Let me show you.

Loan Level Pricing as of March 1, 2023

This was the new pricing schedule had it actually come into effect. Now let’s say there are two households wanting to buy houses for $500,000 and both looking to borrow 80% of the purchase price.

One buyer has a credit score of 640, so their LLPA would be 2.25% of the loan amount, or $9,000. The other buyer had a credit score of 740 so their fee would be 0.875%. That means the household with higher credit would be paying $5,500 less than the household with lower credit on a $400k loan.

No one is arguing that households with lower credit scores would have paid less in upfront fees, but I actually don’t see a problem with that. Remember, Fannie and Freddie’s mission is, in part, to facilitate access to affordable housing. Moreover, these fees don’t even apply to non-conforming or jumbo loans and they don’t impact FHA or VA loans either.

Although I certainly don’t know where the FHFA will end up regarding fee changes, they will have to do something at some point. I just hope that any modified plan is presented in a way that fully describes the situation and isn’t one that’s able to be interpreted in a manner which allows for headlines that don’t describe the full picture.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject but, in the meantime, stay safe out there and I’ll see you all next month. Bye now.

To see the latest housing data for your area, visit our quarterly Market Updates page.

About Matthew Gardner

As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

More • May 19, 2023

Windermere Foundation Funds Shelter for Low-Income and Homeless Families

by Windermere Staff

A group of agents and staff from Windermere Fort Collins presenting a check for $20,000 to the organization Neighbor to Neighbor onstage at an event.

When the Windermere Foundation was started, the original mission was to provide housing for community members facing homelessness. The mission has expanded since then, but Windermere offices across the Western U.S. continue the cause, donating to organizations that make a difference for homeless and low-income families in our communities. From supporting homeownership to providing shelter and beyond, here are some recent stories of how the Windermere Foundation is helping our neighbors in need.

Windermere Fort Collins Helps Families into Homeownership

Time and time again, the folks at Windermere Fort Collins find a way to make a meaningful and lasting impact in their community. This time around, they directed their giving efforts toward Neighbor to Neighbor, a local organization helping local families in need regain stability through homeownership, providing various support services and education. After collaborating with the organization’s philanthropy coordinator and Executive Director, the Fort Collins office was able to make a $20,000 donation and present a check at a recent industry event (pictured above). This impactful donation will go directly to Larimer County residents who need housing assistance.

A group of agents and staff from Windermere Northern Colorado presenting a check for $15,000 to the organization Stepping Stones of Windsor onstage at a forecast event.

Pictured: Paul Hunter, Natalie Parsons, Jennifer Nethery & Julius Luciano (Stepping Stones of Windsor), Windermere Northern Colorado agents & staff – Photo Credit: Blue Sage Photography

Windermere Northern Colorado Steps in to Prevent Eviction

Staying in Colorado, Windermere Northern Colorado started their year of giving off on the right foot by partnering with Stepping Stones of Windsor. Stepping Stones targets a critical stage of the homelessness cycle by providing funds directly to landlords after eviction or utility shutoff notices. The Northern Colorado Windermere team rallied for their neighbors in need, raising $15,000 to help them stay in their homes and keep the lights on. The team was able to present the check in person on February 1 at the Marriott Fort Collins.

A group of agents and staff from Windermere RE/South Inc. volunteering to build a house with the organization Sound Foundations NW.

Pictured: Julie Phelps, Ayumi Doll, Janel Stoneback, Philip Heier, Caprice Davis, Bruce Bright, Linda Conn, Rich Menti, Kim Steward, Candy Wagner, Kerry Dean, Chantel Akres

Windermere Real Estate/South, Inc. Builds Transitional Housing

Transitional tiny homes help move the needle in the fight to end homelessness by providing shelter for those who need it. Sound Foundations NW is committed to being part of the solution. Their low-cost structures are getting people off the streets left and right, improving the lives they touch. Windermere Real Estate South/Inc. in Burien, WA was deeply inspired by Sound Foundation’s work and got a crew together to build a tiny home for their community members in need. The structure will provide a safe, warm, and dry home for years to come.

To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.

Featured Image Source: Blue Sage Photography

Selling • May 17, 2023

Selling Your Home: 5 Common Myths

by Windermere Staff

A heterosexual Black couple discussing the terms of a real estate transaction in their dining room with their real estate agent as they work together to sell their home. The couple’s child sits next to them doing homework.

Selling your home is a crash course in real estate education. You’ll learn how to work with your real estate agent to find a buyer and sell at the right price. As you prepare to sell, it’s important to remember that that not everything you’ve heard is true. There are several common myths that can lead to costly mistakes in the selling process. Knowing the truth behind them will clarify your selling journey and help you align your expectations.

Selling Your Home: 5 Common Myths

1. Home Value Calculators Are 100% Accurate

Online Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) are a great starting point for understanding how much your home could be worth. However, they are merely a first step in determining home value; to say they are 100% accurate is a myth. When it comes to pricing your home, you need to rely on your real estate agent’s Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which uses vast amounts of historical and current data on real estate listings to arrive at an accurate and competitive figure.

To get an estimate of how much your home is worth, try our Home Worth Calculator here:

2. Selling FSBO Will Save You Money

Selling a home requires an intimate knowledge of the housing industry and how to solve the complex situations that arise throughout a real estate transaction. Despite this, some sellers will go it alone and attempt to sell their property without being represented by an agent.

Selling For Sale by Owner (FSBO) is a risky proposition. It requires the seller to bear added liability, fills their schedule with various marketing and promotional responsibilities, and can leave money on the table by inaccurately pricing the property, causing it to sit on the market for too long. The potential costs of selling a home on your own far outweigh the commission real estate agents earn on a home sale.

3. You Must Remodel to Sell Your Home

The question you’ll face when preparing to sell your home is whether to sell as is or remodel. The answer usually lies somewhere in between, but it depends on your situation and what kinds of home upgrades are driving buyer interest locally. When making improvements to your home, lean toward high ROI remodeling projects to get the best bang for your buck, and avoid trendy projects that can delay listing your home. If you’re considering major upscale renovations, talk to your agent about which projects buyers in your area are looking for.

A Caucasian heterosexual couple are discussing a home remodeling project with a Latin American contractor as they prepare to sell their home. They look over paperwork on a wooden dining room table.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: andresr

4. Never Accept the First Offer

You’ve likely heard tell that the first buyer’s offer is nothing more than a springboard to up your asking price and to never accept it. In this case, “never” should be approached with caution. In reality, the best offer for your home is one that you and your agent have discussed that aligns with your goals. If a matching offer happens to be the first one that comes your way, so be it. The market can shift at any time, so you never know what may happen if you leave an offer on the table. And if the buyer backs out of the deal, you and your agent will find a path forward.

Common Real Estate Contingencies

5. Home Staging Doesn’t Make a Big Difference

Staging your home is so much more than a cosmetic touchup; it has been proven to help sell homes faster and at a higher price than non-staged homes.¹Staging ensures that your home has universal appeal, which attracts the widest possible pool of potential buyers. When buyers are able to easily imagine living in your home, they become more connected to the property. You should stage your home regardless of your local market conditions, but it can be especially helpful in competitive markets with limited inventory where even the slightest edge can make all the difference for sellers.

Now that you know some of the most common myths in the selling process, get to know its truths. Connect with a local Windermere agent to get the process started:

1: National Association of REALTORS® – Why Home Staging Inspires the Best Prices in Any Housing Market

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Renata Angerami

Design • May 15, 2023

How Much Paint Do I Need? Indoor Paint Calculator

by Windermere Staff

A young Caucasian woman with light hair sits on the floor of her living room as she prepares to paint the walls. She is one her phone, looking up how much paint to use.

Whether you’ve just bought a house or you’ve lived in your home sweet home for years, at some point its walls and surfaces will be due for a fresh coat of paint. Repainting can breathe new life into an interior and help you personalize the space, whether you’re working within the latest interior design trends or blazing your own trail. But there’s one fundamental question facing every homeowner as they begin their painting project: How much paint do I need?

How much paint do I need?

Every project has a budget, and with the right planning you can execute the project to its full potential without going over budget. Painting is the ultimate DIY project and can be quite therapeutic, but still requires some calculation to determine how much you should expect to spend. With the right amount of paint, you’ll avoid overspending and getting saddled with the sunk cost of unused paint after you’ve completed your project.

The amount of paint required varies by project, but as a general rule of thumb, one gallon of paint covers about 400 square feet. So, it only takes a few simple measurements to calculate the amount of paint you’ll need for your walls.

How to Calculate How Much Paint You Need:

Start by measuring the length of each wall
Multiply the wall length by the wall height
Total length x total height = total square footage
Total square footage ÷ 400 = number of gallons
Subtract windows and doors square footage

Following this formula will give you the number of gallons you need to purchase for one coat of paint. Depending on your color scheme and the texture of your walls, your painting project may require multiple coats to have it looking just right.

If the walls you’re painting have windows and/or doors, simply perform the same basic calculation to determine their square footage and subtract that number from the total square footage value before calculating how many gallons you’ll need. When painting your ceilings, remember to account for the square footage of any skylights you may have in your home.

Colorful Modern Design Trends for Your Home

A middle-aged Caucasian man with dark hair paints bedroom walls sky blue. He wears painting overalls and uses a long-handled roller to apply the blue paint from the baseboard to the trim bordering the ceiling.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: aydinmutlu

Primer and Trim

It’s often the case that a paint job is only as good as its base coat. A solid layer of primer can really make your painting project shine. But the same query with your topcoat applies to your primer: how much do you need? A gallon of primer will cover up to 300 square feet, so you’ll need more primer than topcoat for your project. Perform the same calculations as above and divide your paintable square footage by 300 to determine how many gallons of primer you’ll need to pick up.

How to Calculate How Much Primer You Need:

Start by measuring the length of each wall
Multiply the wall length by the wall height
Total length x total height = total square footage
Total square footage ÷ 300 = number of gallons
Subtract windows and doors square footage

Calculating square footage for trim isn’t as straightforward as it is for a square or rectangular wall. When preparing to paint your baseboards and crown molding throughout your home, think in quarts rather than gallons. Trim paint may go on smoother depending on the wood finish, and you’ll be using a brush rather than a roller. If you end up with extra trim paint at the completion of your project, it never hurts to keep it around for future touchups.

For more information on DIY projects, home design and more, visit the Design page of our blog:

Windermere Blog – Design

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: svetikd

Buying • May 10, 2023

How to Pay for a House

by Windermere Staff

Buying a home is, for many people, the largest financial undertaking of their lives. So, how do the numbers work? How is the price of a property converted into a transaction? Let’s take a look at how to pay for a house by focusing on some of the major components in a real estate purchase, namely the down payment, earnest money, and the mortgage payments required to successfully buy a home.

How to Pay for a House

If you have enough money available, it is possible to make an all-cash offer on a house. Most home buyers, however, save enough money to make a down payment that works for them and finance the remainder of a home purchase with a mortgage. Saving money to buy a house requires significant planning, but by being proactive, you’ll eventually put yourself in a position of higher buying power. Reducing debt, increasing savings contributions, and finding additional streams of income are all helpful ways of generating some extra cash to pay for a house.

How to Save Money to Buy a House

Making a Down Payment on a Home

The down payment is a lump sum paid upfront by the buyer. The actual down payment amount varies by transaction, but it’s usually somewhere between 3% and 20% of the home’s purchase price. It’s one of the most important home buying costs, given how much planning goes into it. There’s a snowball effect with the down payment; once you figure out how much of a down payment you can afford, that will determine your home loan’s principal amount. The higher the down payment, the less risk for the mortgage lender. When buyers aren’t able to make a down payment of 20% of the purchase price, lenders will require they purchase additional mortgage insurance to protect the investment.

Making a Down Payment on a Home

To get an idea of how different down payment amounts affect the financial structure of a home purchase, use our Home Monthly Payment Calculator by clicking the button below. With current rates based on national averages and customizable mortgage terms, you can experiment with different values to get an estimate of your monthly payment for any listing price.

A closeup of two men’s hands doing paperwork at an office desk as they figure out how to pay for a house. One man points to a calculator while the other takes notes.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Perawit Boonchu

Earnest Money and Escrow

A real estate transaction is not your typical purchase. With so much money being moved around, it requires a little extra protection. This is where escrow comes in. Escrow ensures that your earnest money or “good faith deposit” gets properly disbursed according to plan during the home buying process, and holds property tax and homeowners insurance funds during the life of your home loan.

A Guide to Understanding Escrow

Making Mortgage Payments

Searching for a home loan is similar to searching for a home: there are many options, but based on what’s affordable and what works for your situation, you’ll eventually find the right one. When looking at the different types of home loans, you’ll compare the loans’ terms, interest rates, and conditions for repayment. For example, 15-year and 30-year mortgages are two of the most common home loan products. You’ll have lower monthly payments with a 30-year loan, but you’ll pay more interest over the life of the loan. With a 15-year mortgage, you’ll have higher monthly payments but pay less in total interest. Work with your mortgage broker to find the best home loan for you.

The Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and a Mortgage Broker

For more information on the home buying process, connect with a local Windermere agent:

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Living • May 8, 2023

What Goes Into Owning a Waterfront Home?

by Windermere Staff

A luxury mountain lodge-style waterfront home with stone masonry, an A-frame window in the great room, and a wraparound deck. The backyard slopes down to the beachfront at the lake.

A waterfront home offers surroundings unlike any other. Their prime locale and stunning views virtually guarantee a lifetime of relaxation, waterfront get-togethers, and summer nights under the stars. Waterfront homes have great potential as investment properties as well. But for all the perks waterfront homeownership offers, it comes with its own set of responsibilities, too.

Should I buy a waterfront home?

Beyond the lifestyle benefits, owning a waterfront home also has a significant financial upside. Because waterfront properties are more scarce than landlocked homes and their location is highly desirable, the buyer demand is generally high. As a homeowner of these special properties, you can rest assured that a well-maintained waterfront home will generate significant buyer interest when you’re ready to sell. A property with any combination of water views, boat slips, docks, and water access is a recipe for appreciation over time.

A waterfront property is a popular choice for homeowners who are in the market for a second home, or even as a primary residence for those looking to eventually move into their vacation home when the time is right. They’re also primed for converting into a short-term rental. Due to their location, they have a competitive advantage over many other short-term rentals. Depending on the local laws and any relevant Homeowners Association rules, waterfront homes can be rented out year-round or seasonally. For example, if you decide to rent out your home during the summer, you’re able to capitalize on seasonal demand.

Designing Your Rental to Feel Like Home

The dining room of a waterfront home, decorated with white traditional chairs and dinner table. The wall facing the lake is one large window with a view of the backyard and the lake just beyond it.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: bradwieland

Owning a waterfront property also comes with extra risks you’ll need to keep in mind. Weather conditions can be extra harsh on these homes, given the fact that they’re situated face to face with nature in a way most homes aren’t. Make sure you have proper coverage through your homeowners insurance policy and inquire about the need to purchase additional wind, flood, or hazard coverage. Local climate dictates what a comprehensive coverage plan will look like for your home, but what’s important is that you’re fully covered.

Something else to keep in mind is that beyond the typical tasks associated with owning a home, waterfront structures like retaining walls, boat lifts, and docks require a certain amount of ongoing maintenance. As the seasons change, so will your responsibilities as a homeowner. Properly winterizing a waterfront property requires a few additional steps beyond the typical routine, depending on how low temperatures dip during winter in your area.

For more advice on home maintenance, repairs, remodeling and more, visit the Living section of our blog:

Windermere Blog – Living

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Markanja