Survey Says....Kitchen Storage!

The people have spoken! Well, the people that were polled in the 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study have spoken that is. And what do the people want? They want more kitchen storage.

With families spending so much more time in their homes, finding storage solutions while using the same layout and square footage has become a priority for many of us. The Houzz study found that in addition to refacing and replacing cabinets, nearly half of homeowners that were in the midst of kitchen renovations were also adding to or upgrading their pantry space. 

Though storage was definitely the priority in this year's study, a few other emerging trends were noted as well. 

• Bold Kitchen Island Colors - With shades of blue and gray being the top choices, 41% of remodelers chose to make their kitchen islands standout.
• On-Trend Cabinets - White doors and a simple Shaker style are still the top trend in cabinetry.
• Added Specialty Built-ins - Spice racks, drawer dividers and pull-out racks, OH MY!
• Add the Island - I can't imagine a kitchen without one, but apparently there are!
• Flooring - Tile has knocked wood and wood laminate into second place as the go-to kitchen flooring choice this year. This may be a trend to watch!
• Neutral Walls - Gray, beige and white are still the top kitchen colors, but bold pops of color are here to stay too.
• High Tech Appliances and Faucets - If the budget allows for it, there is a gadget for everyone! 

If planting a For Sale sign in your yard and house hunting for the perfect kitchen isn't an option right now, have no fear, you can still make the kitchen you have work for you! Be creative, do your research and hire an expert when needed! Have fun!

New Year, Even Lower Interest Rates!

The new year is here, but the story on mortgage interest rates is a familiar one! As we pass through the first full week of January, Freddie Mac reported that average 30-year fixed mortgage rates have dipped to a jaw dropping 2.65%, nearly a full percent lower than this time last year. With the shortage of available home inventory, many buyers jumping into the housing market hoping to take advantage of the low rates are finding fewer homes to choose from and prices that aren't dropping.

So what is the future of real estate with so many Gen X and Millennial buyers entering the market? Check out this article shared by FloridaRealtors.org and get the scoop! 

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2021/01/future-real-estate-lots-gen-x-millennial-buyers