Dreaming of Home

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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!

Chic vs. Geek: Keeping Clutter Off Your Countertop

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It seems like every time we need something in the kitchen, we can’t find it because of all the appliances, trays, bowls, and other stuff taking up our countertops. So how do we cope?

CHIC (PEARL)

Anyone who tells you kitchens are supposed to be messy never had to clean up after family dinner! Personally, I need some motivation to keep my surfaces clear. So I try to add some style to kitchen organizing, like fancy jars for non-perishable ingredients, dividers for frequently-used utensils, and elegant hanging racks for pots and pans.

GEEK (KEVIN)

There is no reason you can’t solve your kitchen clutter issues with some very simple storage strategy. Figure out where and when you need this pot or that spatula, and find a drawer or cabinet to store them when they’re not in use while keeping them readily accessible when you’re in the heat of your culinary artistry. It will save you time and stress!

Chic vs. Geek: Buying or Building?

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We often meet buyers who are debating between buying an existing home and building a new one. Some buyers start out looking for a fixer-upper and end up building their dream home because they couldn’t find the right fit with their budget. What are the pros of each approach?

CHIC (PEARL)

Buying an existing home has obvious advantages like a short turnaround from closing to move in. It also gives you a chance to settle into a new home and a new lifestyle if you don’t want to make remodel decisions right away – or if you don’t have the money for renovations right now. You also have the chance to walk through the actual home instead of picturing it from blueprints, and you’re generally moving to an existing neighborhood with established services and local schools.

GEEK (KEVIN)

It may be faster to move in and get settled in a resale home, but if you truly want to live in your dream home, there’s nothing better than designing your own living space from scratch. You can personalize each and every nook and cranny and take advantage of all the latest features to maximize energy efficiency and save money over the life of the house. And plus, you get that “new car” smell and the satisfaction of knowing that you won’t need to replace any major appliances for a long, long time.

Coming soon in Sunnyvale!

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The Chic ‘n’ the Geek are hard at work on a property in Sunnyvale. We’ve upgraded the kitchen with fresh paint, new appliances, and stylish light fixtures.

The home features crown and window molding and 8-foot doors, with an open living, dining, and kitchen concept — great for entertaining. There’s also a separate family room off the kitchen with a gas fireplace.