AHF Products is the leading manufacturer of high-quality, hardwood flooring. They have recently launched a floor Visualizer that assists its customers with bringing their flooring visions to life. Customers can now use this digital tool to view the latest flooring styles before purchasing their new home.

Consumers can take the guesswork out of designing their next new home from the palm of their hand. The Visualizer tool is an online platform that is easy to use on any device such as a tablet, laptop computer, or mobile phone. Options for color, style, and several different room options are available as well as the option to upload images of the actual space for better visualization of the final product. 

The Visualizer tool works with a simple four-step process:

Choose a room: In this stage of the process, consumers will upload a photo of the space in their home they are looking to design or select one of the options available on the website.

Select Flooring: Consumers will take a look at the vast selection of flooring options available and choose the one that fits best with their design preferences. 

Visualize it: At this point, consumers can now view their newly designed space online with the option to zoom in and out or rotate the floor for a better view of the possible end result. 

Save, Share, or Find a Store: Once all of the previous steps are completed, all there is left to do is to save the image, share with others to get their opinions, or find a retailer nearby to make the vision come to life. 

The Visualizer tool by AHF Products is the perfect tool to help consumers speed along their design process with as little stress as possible. This tool even informs them of where they can purchase the options that they selected. The goal here is to first help the customer and to also increase sales and profitability all around for AHF Products and other retailers.   

Our May realtor of the month is Mindy Jones Nevarez, owner and team leader of the Amy Jones Group. Mindy Jones Nevarez provides the monthly real estate market updates for Queen Creek, AZ. 

Mindy is an Arizona native and the daughter of the founder of the Amy Jones Group. She initially started with a career in nonprofit management at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and sales operations and training design at NetApp. In 2013, Mindy obtained her real estate license and joined her parents’ team to further her career in real estate.

Although running the family business can take up much of Mindy’s time, she also enjoys live music, finding new local shops, and discovering local hidden treasures, spending time with her family, and exploring their Southeast Valley neighborhood. Many of those on her team have become some of her best friends which makes it that much easier to spend most of her days committed to her business.

The Amy Jones Group consists of a team of a dozen women that pride themselves in being hard workers, advocates, creative problem solvers, visionaries, and friends. This team of Realtors advocates for their clients and support their every need in both the buying and selling process.

If you are in search of a new home near Phoenix the Amy Jones Group is the perfect start to your journey! Contact Mindy and her team for all of your real estate needs. 

The addition of live greenery in your space is the perfect way to wake up your home’s interior. Like many, you may be afraid to take the leap of becoming a plant parent. Not everyone has a green thumb, but many plants do not require much attention at all and will make a big impact on a room’s overall look. If you have ever felt that you have a black thumb when it comes to caring for plant life, now is the best time to try your hand at it again. Being home while social distancing allows for more time to learn about and tend to the plants that you love. So here are a few suggestions of the best houseplants that don’t require a green thumb. 

Pothos

The pothos also known as the devil’s ivy can help purify the air in your home. It only requires medium to low lighting and can stand drying out now and again. Its leaves are shaped like hearts and come in a wide range of shades such as gold, cream, silver, or white.

Spider Plant

The spider plant is another house plan that doesn’t require much to keep alive. This plant can survive in low to medium natural or artificial lighting. Its roots are thick and store moisture so you won’t have to worry about watering too often. 

Snake Plant

The snake plant is a popular favorite for plant moms and plant dads. Also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant is probably one of the easiest plants to take care of and the easiest to grow. You can sit this plant in indirect sunlight and only water once the soil is completely dried out. Sounds simple right?!

ZZ Plant

This plant holds up pretty well on its own. It only requires you to water it once a week and can be kept in either low lighting or direct sunlight. It will grow much faster when exposed to more light but this plant thrives wherever you decide to place it. Its leaves are thick and rubbery and its roots are thick as well so it's tough enough for even a black thumb. 

Purchasing plants from a distance

We know that plant buying can be a little difficult during this time as this type of shopping would not be considered essential. There are a few online companies like Bloomscape and The Sill that make purchasing plants easy while practicing social distancing. You can sign up for a subscription to receive a plant each month or buy as you feel inspired to do so.th

Find solitude in caring for green life during this time of isolation all while sprucing up the overall look of your home. You may not be able to maintain a full garden, but taking care of a few house plants will have you on your way.

Seek your next new home at Abrio by Pardee Homes located in Beaumont, CA. These spacious one and two-story single-family homes feature three distinct designs that are sure to fit your family’s needs and more.  The floor plans at Abrio offer between 4 to 5 bedrooms, 3 to 4 bathrooms, and span up to 3,155 square feet of living space. Each plan also features a three or four-bay garage to store your vehicles and to ensure that everything you own has its place. 

While residing at Abrio, you will have easy access to plenty of amenities both in and outside of the community. Find lots of shopping and dining options in nearby Palm Springs and enjoy the San Bernardino Mountains. When you explore your new home town of Beaumont you can find pocket parks, elementary schools, Tiga Park Club House, and a swimming pool nearby to cool off on those scorching summer days. Visit the Malki Museum Inc, Banning Center For the Arts, and the Fox Cineplex Theatres for entertainment. 

The Plan 1 floor plan includes a single story open concept living space with a covered patio, and GenSmart Suite®. There is also an option to add a second floor to customize your specific needs. This plan comes with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a 3-bay garage, as well as 2,916 square feet of living space. 

The Plan 2 floor plan is also an open concept with a mudroom to quickly drop off your belongings when you enter your home. The upstairs consists of a loft space that can easily become an office space or reading nook, spacious bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, an owner’s suite, and a convenient upstairs laundry room.  

Abrio’s third-floor plan is the perfect option for larger families that need a little more wiggle room. It consists of 3,155 square feet of space to make your own with 5 bedrooms and up to 4 bathrooms, as well as a 3 bay garage. The wide living space in this plan features a great room, dining room, and kitchen, along with the owner’s suite and a fifth bedroom on the main floor. Three bedrooms and a full bathroom are located on the second level as well as a bonus room and extra storage space. 

The LivingSmart® features included in each home offer sustainability and energy-efficiency you can count on when residing at Abrio.  Make an appointment to customize your new home with the help of Pardee homes’ Design Studio. Work with a designer to choose the interior selections that express your inner self and bring your vision to life! Choose from cabinets, countertops, lighting, tile and flooring, appliances, faucets, and fixtures.

Find your brand new Riverside home with convenience and spacious floorplans in the high $300,000’s here at Abrio. Contact the sales office at Pardee Homes to learn more about how to begin your journey to homeownership.

As there has seen an increase in Millenial home buyers over the past few years, there has also been a shift in the types of homes that catch their young eyes.  This age bracket is looking for new homes that are ready to move in. They are passing up homes on the market that are distressed or run down to be able to walk into a move-in ready home. With today’s daily hustle and bustle, there is not very much time to dedicate to remodeling an entire home. Because of this new trend, homeowners that are looking to sell in this everchanging market are spending more on high-end remodeling before placing their homes on the market in order for them to sell.

Many Millennials are interested in homes that require very little maintenance and stress. The kitchen space is one of the most visited rooms in the home and detail is everything. Spacious, updated kitchens are a must-have. The aesthetic of granite counters with lots of space for preparing meals and stainless steel appliances as well as a kitchen island has been very appealing. Kitchens are not just about cooking anymore but they must flow with the rest of the home and offer a great space to entertain family and friends. 

Homebuyers of today are also looking for smart homes. Anything less than that is a thing of the past. Smart home features have impacted the real estate industry in a major way over the past decade and more new home builders and sellers have made it a priority to include in-home technology for their buyer’s convenience. Millennial buyers are more willing to pay a little more to gain the convenience of connecting to their home from their smartphone with features like a programmable thermostat, home security, and a Ring doorbell as well as streaming their favorite Netflix series.

A large number of Millennial buyers are self-employed or work from home. There has been an influx of self-made entrepreneurs and creatives in this age group that requires a space in their new home to let their creativity flow. A dedicated workspace has been an attractive trend on the list. Sellers have been intentional about showcasing a spare bedroom, loft, or nook in the home that would work well as a home office to make the home more appealing. 

One of the biggest trends that are evident is the need for large open spaces in the home. Today’s home buyers are looking for lots of natural lighting and fewer walls that would leave them feeling closed in or confined in their living space. Older homes from the past tend to be dark and drab with rooms that are closed off. Companies like Nana Wall help sellers to resolve this issue by installing folding glass walls in homes to offer more indoor-outdoor spaces that can open up to kitchens and bathrooms and provide more natural lighting and an open feel in the home.

Every day, home buying trends are changing and evolving in the real estate market and both buyers and sellers have to stay on their toes. Understanding the needs of upcoming home buyers is very essential to the sale of both new and preloved homes. 

Settle into a new three-story townhome home at Solmar at Playa del Sol. This San Diego community of urban condominiums will definitely fit everything on your wish list and then some! There is never a dull moment when you take advantage of the Playa del Sol Recreation Center that includes a brand new fitness hub with a gym, swimming pool, spa, and ample space to host gatherings with friends and family.

Here, you will find floor plans that feature between 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3.5 bathrooms, a 2 bay garage, as well as up to 1,915 square feet of living space. Each plan includes a great room, walk-in pantry in the spacious kitchen, master bedroom with a walk-in closet, and a tankless water heater on the first floor. You can enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather with an outdoor deck.

Solmar is the first of its kind in Playa Del Sol as each floor plan comes complete with smart home technology with its HomeSmart® program. Enjoy the ease of having Amazon Alexa enabled smart home devices that are activated and supported by Amazon. You will have the ability to securely monitor and control who comes and goes all from your smartphone. Your HomeSmart® technology also allows you to save energy at home with lighting and temperature settings while at home or away. WiFi Connectivity is key when ensuring that you stay connected throughout your home whether you connect your smart devices or stream a feel-good movie for family night. 

Enroll your growing scholars in nearby well-performing schools. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will attend Ocean View Hills Elementary School and Vista Del Mar Middle School within the San Ysidro Elementary School District. Those that are of the high school age will attend San Ysidro High School in the Sweetwater Union High School District. 

Well established homebuilder, Pardee Homes has a 98-year history of providing homes and neighborhoods that offer value, contentment, and community. They have received such rewards as the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Corporate Advocate of the Year for their green and sustainable building practices. Pardee Homes has also been a recipient of the Hearthstone Builder Humanitarian Award for their lifetime commitment to philanthropy.

Take a step in the right direction by choosing a home builder that believes in providing smart solutions to homebuyers with great locations, quality construction, community partnerships, and industry-leading green and safe building practices. Explore the possibilities of a luxury lifestyle without the luxury price at Solmar at Playa del Sol starting from the high $300,000’s. You can contact the sales office today to schedule a virtual tour of your new San Diego townhome.

Our April realtor of the month is Pam Bozkurt, owner and broker of Gosselin Realty. Pam Bozkurt provides the monthly real estate market updates for Apopka and Ocoee, FL. Gosselin Realty is located in Winter Garden, Florida and specializes in communities of Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, Apopka, Gotha, and Oakland, as well as some areas of West Orange County Florida.

If you are in search of a new home in Orlando, now is a great time to buy! Gosselin Realty has over nineteen years of experience in the real estate market and will help you whether you are looking to buy, sell, or even lease residential or commercial property. Reach out to Pam and her team at Gosselin Realty for all of your real estate needs. 

With the current pandemic of COVID-19, many have more time on our hands than ever before while being at home. Although eating all of the quarantine snacks and watching every series Netflix has to offer may seem like a great idea, there may be a few other options to keep you occupied while you await further instruction. Tackling your “honey-do list” is a great idea when you’re in search of a project that will occupy your time and also add value to your home. The lines may be a little more bearable at your local hardware store compared to the grocery store right now and you can always order supplies online to be delivered right to your door. Just remember to sanitize anything that gets delivered and handle with care. Here are a few simple home projects to work on while you are practicing social distancing.

Add curb appeal

Start a small garden in your front yard, paint the steps of your porch, or lay down a brick border along your cement sidewalk or driveway. You can also add a coat of paint to your front door along with upgraded hardware to really make your home stand out to the naked eye.

Start a garden

Adding a garden of beautiful flowers is the perfect way to brighten your mood during these uncertain times as well as pass the time away. It’s a project that will always keep you busy with maintaining the life of plants and even some fruit and vegetables not to mention fewer trips to the grocery store. 

Upcycle old furniture

If you have been stashing away those garage sale finds or maybe have a few pieces around your home that need to be updated, now is the time to put in a little elbow grease. The possibilities are simply endless. You could add a coat of paint and new knobs to an old dresser or reupholster an antique accent chair. Revamping just a few pieces in your home can change the entire look of a room or two.

Install new house numbers

Add a little flair to your address numbers on your home by making them unique. Visitors won’t have any issue finding your home with custom house numbers that differ from your neighbors. You can choose to add color or maybe different style font or enlarge them.

Paint a room or add an accent wall

Social distancing in a home full of plain white walls can be a drag. Grab a bucket of paint and make it a family project that even the kids will enjoy. You can paint one wall to serve as an accent wall or an entire room with fun colors that will brighten up your day.

Patch up the drywall around your house

Between the family dog and lots of little ones running through the house, it’s safe to say that most homes have a few digs on the walls that tell a story. Take this time to patch up the drywall throughout the house so there are no more small holes and nicks exposed.

Break up the monotony and write a list of all of the things that need to be done around your home or list all of your dream projects and tackle them while you have a few extra moments of time. This is a great way to bond with your family members at home or to clear your mind and listen to your favorite music alone. Keeping yourself productive during this time is a great way to keep your mind at bay.

Take a peek at Prato, a brand new townhome community located within San Diego County in San Marcos, CA. This spacious and urban yet suburban community is within walking distance to everything you’ll need and want. It is within the distance of the San Marcos Unified School District where you can enroll your children in well-appointed schools for all ages just minutes from home. Spend your days off taking a stroll to the bright sunny beaches of Carlsbad and Encinitas as well as enjoying hiking trails, parks, and community activities. Shopping for life’s pleasures and day to day necessities will never be an issue at Prato. You can find staples such as Albertson’s Grocery, Chase Bank, Hills Family Dentistry, Postal Annex, and Shane’s Pizza and Pints. Within the San Elijo Town Center you will come across your favorite spots like Everbowl, Starbucks, Lourdes Mexican Restaurant, Cycle Bar, Grand Vision Optometry, and Sour Dough and Company all just a few miles from home.

Prato offers 12 spacious three-story townhomes with three-floor plans to choose from. You’ll find 3-4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a two-car garage, and 1,749-1,827 square feet of living space. The home designs at Prato by Hallmark Communities offer stainless steel Jenn-Air appliances, shaker style cabinetry, quartz solid surface countertops, are pre-wired for front entry camera and security system, Schlage Sense Lock-front door smart lock with phone connection, and a great room and deck perfect for entertaining.

Hallmark Communities has had a long-established history of being a trustworthy homebuilder since 1984 building thousands of brand new homes throughout San Diego County. This builder has earned the title of Builder of the Year in 2019 from the Building Industry Association of San Diego. Hallmark Communities is willing to go the extra mile by building with quality materials and using the latest technologies to ensure their customers enjoy their homes for years to come. End your search for a new San Diego home by contacting the sales office at Prado by Hallmark Communities to experience its wonderful amenities and prime location. 

The Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 has many people up in arms across the globe and for good reason with over 13,000 known cases reported in the U. S. alone.  This virus has hit the economy in a major way with an interruption and even a complete halt of supply chain productions. Along with the travel industry and foodservice industry, this is bringing up concerns for the future of the real estate market during these trying times. Not even real estate is immune from the impact of the Coronavirus.

The Pandemic has affected everyone

Due to the urge of having to self-quarantine and the push for school closures across the U. S. for several weeks, many American workers have been forced to stay at home with their children, and many have been left jobless as a result of this. For those companies that do not offer the option or ability for their employees to work from home, many are left wondering how they will be able to pay their bills and feed their families in the coming months. Many small business owners have also seen a vast decline in sales with people remaining isolated.

Emotions are leading most decisions to buy real estate right now

With stats changing daily and many living in a world of uncertainty, it can be easy to question what to do with some of the biggest financial transactions such as buying or even selling a home. Although many people will have less money and less access to funds during this time, the real estate market has not yet been deeply affected as some may think. There is a slight decrease in both buyers and sellers due to the current state of the world right now based mainly on emotion. 

Some seem more optimistic and eager to buy while rates in the housing market are so low. Those willing to enter the housing market with high hopes have the benefit of low rates and are jumping on the opportunity pretty quickly. The housing stock will be more attractive to many than what it is to rent being that some are currently considering buying a new home to take in more family members during the time because of the effects of the pandemic.

There may be opportunities for price discounts for those buyers that choose to stay in the market during this time while others are pulling out allowing their emotions to get the best of them which is truly understandable.

What does the future of the real estate market look like?

There is a possibility that history can have its way of repeating itself. We can look at recent historical events such as the Swine Flu, SARS epidemic, and MERS and other aggressive Flu strains to get an idea of how the COVID-19 will affect the housing market in the coming months. History has shown that the housing market typically can remain stable during disruptions like these with only a slight fall in sales. Although this may be true, the economic impact of the pandemic COVID-19 is greater than the impact of SARS and others like it. It may take a little longer to see a significant rise in sales again when things finally begin to blow over.

As far as a long term outlook on the effects of the Coronavirus to the housing market, home prices may remain flat or creep up slower than they have since 2012. In short term, realtors are already seeing a decline of 10% in home sales due to loss of employment with citizens having to self-quarantine and make use of social distancing to reduce the risk of spreading this virus.

If you are on the fence about what your next steps should be during this very uncertain time, just know that you are not alone. The decision of whether or not to buy or sell during this time is simply situational. Take the time to weigh out the pros and cons and evaluate your current and possible financial situation to make the decision that is best for you and your family. The coronavirus will have a positive impact on the U. S. Real Estate market if the interest rates remain low and if you are willing to take the risk, right now is a good time to get your feet wet and experience more inventory, low-interest rates, and better pricing.