Which President would you trust with your home?

In honor of Presidents Day, we ask the age-old question: If you could ask any U.S. President to assist with your home renovation, who would it be?

CHIC (Pearl)

For me, it’s an easy decision. I would go with John F. Kennedy, but not for him, for his wife. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was an icon of style and my favorite First Lady of all time. She made the White House into her own by leaning into color and pattern, breathing new life into an old, stodgy building. I would love to have her help when I redesign my dream home!

GEEK (Kevin)

There’s only one answer here, and it’s Teddy Roosevelt. T.R. liked to speak softly and carry a big stick, and that’s exactly the kind of person you need in charge of any major home project. With costs soaring and workflows in flux, it’s absolutely critical to have someone at the helm looking out for your bottom line and making sure things get done on time!

Treating Yourself to a Home Spa

These days, with the stress of pandemics and wildfires and uncertain markets bearing down, we could all use an escape from the world outside to focus on self care. A home spa is one way to bring more peace and tranquility to your life, and we have some tips for doing it right.

CHIC (Pearl)

First thing’s first: You need the right tub — something you can crawl into for a deep soak at the end of a long day. While you’re in there, light up some eucalyptus-scented essential oil candles to put you in the mood to chill. And be sure to have a stack of fluffy Turkish white bath towels handy. As for decorations, keep it clean and keep it simple, adding plants or fresh flowers for pops of color.

GEEK (Kevin)

If shutting out the world is your thing, I recommend ceiling lights with dimmers and “blackout” blinds for the windows. When I’m relaxing, I don’t want to know if it’s day or night. Working from the ground up on design, I’m a big fan of heated tiles and a wraparound steam shower. And because I’m usually exhausted by the time I hop into the shower, a wooden sitting chair is a must.

Whose side are you on?

When it comes to first impressions, siding is one of the most important elements of your home. And these days, you have plenty of options to choose from, so don’t get stuck on just brick and wood. Try something fun — and functional — to freshen up your frontage.

CHIC (Pearl)

We recently saw a home with a new face of fiber cement. This material has the log-lasting durability you need in the Bay Area, where we get all kinds of weather — even sleet and snow. When you add a sleek aesthetic and resistance to persistent wildfires, this is one investment that will pay you back whether you’re staying or selling.

GEEK (Kevin)

Taking things down to the studs? Use this opportunity to install steel siding. It won’t melt in the sun or crack in the cold, and it’s resistant to moisture that can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot. And unlike traditional siding, it doesn’t need recaulking or repainting down the road. All this will save you big bucks on maintenance!

Dreaming of Home

We frequently work with buyers who need to compromise between the dream home they want to buy and the home they can afford within their budget, especially with their first purchase. Let's be realistic. That first home doesn't need to be perfect. It’s just a step on your path.

Kevin and I don’t live in our dream home – yet. We don’t know where or when it will become a reality, but we’ve talked enough to know that the dream home we share will be a compromise between our respective dreams and desires…

CHIC (Pearl)

I dream of a brightly lit home with high ceilings and high-performance windows in an open layout, allowing natural light to cascade throughout every room. Most of all, I dream of a beautifully landscaped backyard you can step into from your bedroom, kitchen, or living room.

GEEK (Kevin)

My dream home will be built of 90% steel and concrete. Designed to last 1,000 years, no earthquake, hurricane, flood, or other disaster could destroy it. My goal is to reach the highest level of efficiency and resiliency, with the even more attractive bonus of low maintenance!

Resolutions

We all have them, even if we don’t want to tell anyone else because we might jinx ourselves, like wishing on your birthday candles. But for reals, what are your resolutions for 2023?

CHIC (Pearl)

I’m resolving to get outside! After three years mostly cooped up by COVID, it’s time to enjoy all the food and parks and wonders that Silicon Valley has to offer. In fact, I started a list of all the new spots that have opened up since everything shut down, and I can’t wait to start checking them off. But don’t worry, I’ll still bring my mask along and make sure my vaccinations are up to date. Better safe than sorry, especially when you’re having fun!

GEEK (Kevin)

My new year’s resolution is to spend more time on fun projects around our house and our clients’ homes. One of the joys of our real estate work is helping sellers prep their properties to get the highest value and guiding buyers through the maze of inspections, repairs, and upgrades that come with making their new homes feel like they’ve lived there for years. I’m looking forward to dryer months ahead!