Thinking Of Remodeling The Laundry Room See The Most Popular In 2014

The laundry room is one of those spaces that, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is always in use. If you have a large family, your laundry machines are likely running every day — sometimes even every night. With so much time being spent in these hardworking spaces, it’s worth taking the time to make them as functional and efficient as possible. Pullout drying racks, expansive folding counters and plenty of storage are sure to help you get the job done, but don’t overlook pet-washing stations or wine refrigerators. As you prepare for your laundry room remodel or new build in 2015, consider these most popular laundry rooms on Houzz in 2014 for inspiration and design tips.

Busby Cabinets The stone counters and flooring and the double sets of washers and dryers make this 9-foot by 11-foot room a dream space for most people. Cats, on the other hand, would love to have the fun cutout door leading to their litter boxes.Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer Pets Welcome

Taking up the largest chunk of the most popular photos had to be those concerning pets. Pet beds, pet washing, pet wallpaper — it didn’t matter. If it had to do with pets, people were all ears.

Besides, who can blame users for loving this photo? Just look at those Goldendoodles’ faces. The dream of having a large dog-washing area in a mudroom–laundry room is something any pet owner can get behind. Here a raised platform and a faucet get the job done.Emerald Coast Real Estate Photography This extra-long pet-washing station is roomy enough for one large Great Dane or, like, a dozen Chihuahuas.

Appliances: LGKeystone Millworks Inc This raised pet-washing station would be perfect for small dogs or cats. 

Cabinet paint: Gray Clouds; wall paint: Foggy Day, both by Sherwin-WilliamsJohn Hannah Architectural Design & Rendering It’s hard to say which is more appealing here — the clever custom cutouts for the appliances or the cozy, warm spot for the cat.mdt design One look at these dogs’ faces and it’s clear that this laundry room is a hit. Plus, the dog-patterned wallpaper by Thibaut is a nice touch.Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC Pet-washing stations come up a lot in the most popular laundry rooms, and for good reason. After all, who really wants to bathe their dog in the same area where they bathe themselves and their kids? Here a 30-inch by 30-inch washing station coupled with a dog-bed niche makes this a truly pet-friendly laundry room.

Meanwhile, many Houzz users couldn’t get over the colorful rug (Brighton Collection by Loloi), which dials up the energy. And the Samsung appliances, stacked in a28½ -inch-wide, 33-inch-deep, 77-inch-high niche, make efficient use of the room’s 7-foot by8 ½-foot dimensions.

See more of this laundry room

Cabinet paint: Ellie Gray, Sherwin-WilliamsRabaut Design Associates, Inc. Drying Racks

If these top photos are any indication, 2015 will continue to be the era of the drying rack.

This 10-foot by 18-foot galley-style laundry room, byRabaut Design Associates, was one of the most popular laundry room photos in 2014. What did users love about it? Well, almost everything, from the five custom-designed drying racks — two of which have beadboard backing — to the apron sink andRainwashedpaint color on the walls.

Wall paint: Rainwashed; millwork paint:Snowbound semigloss; ceiling paint: Spare White, all by Sherwin-Williams; sink: Gilford Apron-Front, KohlerLindsay Construction Services It’s all about the abundant drying rack space in this Canadian laundry room.

Racks: Richelieu; washer: Duet, WhirlpoolJane Lockhart Interior Design This laundry room has a lot to like: plenty of storage and folding space, lots of natural light and soothing finishes.Abruzzo Kitchen & Bath Rich Colors 

Many homeowners seem to be embracing dark, moody colors in their laundry spaces. The rich, slate-colored custom cabinets and 1-inch-square mosaic tiles seen here might give a clue as to why: They give this laundry room sophisticated appeal. Meanwhile, the double-stacked 27-inch-wide washer and dryer units could make any family envious.

Washer: WFV645OUC, Bosch; cabinets: Wood-Mode Fine Custom CabinetryLake Country Builders It’s the combination of colors and tones that makes this space a success. With the rich wood cabinets and stone flooring, the modern red appliances almost disappear.

Cabinet stain: Valspar Dark walnut wiping stain with Hirshfield’s dull varnish; wall paint: Toasty, Sherwin-Williams; floor tile: copper/rust broken random 53 #655837 natural sanded stone, The Tile ShopM. Wright Design Dark ebony stained doors richly frame a marble countertop and Hermès wallpaper to help make the most of this68-inch by 28-inch closet.

Appliances: MieleSteele Canvas Basket Corp Natural Light

While rich colors did triumph, sunny spots also swayed homeowners. What’s not to love about this light-filled room? Warm gray walls, wood countertops and canvas laundry baskets create a relaxed, welcoming vibe, while plenty of function lurks below the surface. For example, a pullout ironing board is in a drawer beside the washer and dryer. And the drawers above the laundry baskets are actually drying racks, making the 9-foot by 14-foot space work hard for the family of six.

Wall paint: Classic Gray, Benjamin Moore; sink, countertops: Ikea; pendant light: Ikea (spray painted gold and mint green); flooring: DuChateau Floors; laundry baskets: Steele Canvas BasketBrooks and Falotico Associates, Inc.The fresh finishes and paint colors in this 8-foot by 10-foot space have people volunteering to do laundry for the busy mother of three.

Wall paint: Revere Pewter; cabinet paint: Simply White, both by Benjamin Moore; wall tile: 4-inch by 4-inch with a 3-inch by 3-inch inset, in Celadon,Fine Art Tileworks; floor tiles: 6½-inch by 8-inchcement tile in Primula pattern, Greenwich Tile & Marble; appliances: Miele; countertop: quartz composite in Milky White; sink: Whitehaus CollectionDesign First Appliances Fresh and clean are two things everyone wants with their laundry room. Natural light, all-white appliances and cabinets, and an icy backsplash deliver on that desire here.Jessica Risko Smith Interior Design Cubbies

“A place for everything” is something we can all aspire to in our laundry rooms, and cubbies are a quick and easy way to get there.

This Santa Barbara, California, laundry room delivers. From a small drop-down drying rack to a countertop ironing board and cubbies for supplies, this room is all about efficiency.Electrolux US You can never have too much storage space around your washer and dryer. Never.

Appliances: ElectroluxHarrison Design Extra-large cubbies, a spot for a pup and a sunny disposition make doing laundry bearable in this space.

Ceiling paint: Goldfield, Benjamin Moore; baskets: Pier 1; dog-bed fabric: indoor-outdoor, PerennialsConnie Young Design, a division of ce de ce inc. Pullout Drawersand More

If it doesn’t pull out, don’t bother. That seemed to be a mantra many homeowners were shouting.

After all, laundry rooms typically are hectic spaces, so anything that can reduce visual and physical noises is always en vogue. Here cabinet panes were affixed to the appliance doors to create a smooth wall of cabinets when closed. Meanwhile, a folding table and ironing board can be stored neatly away as well.

Appliances, folding table, ironing board: AskoOld World Kitchens & Custom CabinetsFoldaway doors reveal a compact yet superefficient laundry space, with a pullout ironing board, a sink and folding space.K.G.Bell ConstructionThe pivot sliding doors and storage drawers make this closet a superfunctional laundry room.Louis L'artisan It’s hard to overlook the durable imported tile flooring from Turkey here. The high ceilings and custom drying rack closet don’t hurt, either.

Wall paint: Heaven on Earth, Benjamin Moore; appliances: MieleClean Design Statement Backsplashes

An eye-catching backsplash is an affordable way to make a big statement in a small space. That’s why you’re seeing them pop up in laundry rooms more and more.

Here a stainless steel brick-patterned mosaic backsplash takes this closet from boring to bodacious.Architectural Tile & Stone It’s hard to see past the stunning blue cabinets in this laundry room, but the clay-body tile backsplash sure does fight for attention.Wow Great Place Bonus Features

Sure, laundry rooms are about washing clothes, but they don’t have to be just for that. Special amenities can add a multiuse dimension to the room.

This laundry room nails all the desired elements — folding table, hanging rod, plenty of storage. But what pushes it above and beyond is the vertical wine refrigerator. Just drink responsibly — especially around those whites.

See more of this laundry roomREFINED LLC The open space and granite countertops make this space easy to like. But the gift-wrapping peninsula turns it into it a room anyone can fall in love with.Morning Star Builders LTD This gift-wrapping station has a clever pullout supply closet.Sater Design Collection, Inc. Forget a drying rack. How about a drying closet? Though discontinued in the U.S. by Whirlpool, this one is still available on the European market.Richard Cole Architecture The crisp and modern vibe in this Australian laundry room is surely enticing. But it’s that clever floor drain in front of the washing machine that really takes it up a notch.

More:Where to Put the Laundry Room

Cromford Report Market Update

 

Here is a market update from Michael Orr of the Cromford Report and the WP Carey School at ASU:

Market Summary for the Beginning of 2015

The average person will assume that November was a fairly normal month and that December was full of holidays. Not true. Instead there were only 17 working days in November and 22 in December. That is a 29% increase in the number of days in which title companies could close sales and county recorders could file deeds. As a result November's numbers looked terrible at first sight while December's looked amazingly good. But the primary reason sales were up 29% in December over November is that days to record sales were up 29%.

When we adjust for the differently sized months we still find there was some real improvement in the market for sellers. December's sales were slightly stronger than expected, as we forecast in last month's summary. But by far the biggest factor that changed was that supply fell much faster than normal during the month.

Whatever the cause, sellers have a few sound reasons to feel hopeful as we head towards the spring selling season which, like the warm weather, starts very early in Phoenix.

Here are the basic ARMLS numbers for January 1, 2015 relative to January 1, 2014 for all areas & types:

• Active Listings (excluding UCB): 22,604 versus 23,091 last year - down 2.1% - and down 8.1% from 24,593 last month 
• Active Listings (including UCB): 24,918 versus 25,319 last year - down 1.6% - and down 9.1% compared with 27,427 last month
  

• Pending Listings: 4,410 versus 4,667 last year - down 5.5% - and down 19.8% from 5,497 last month
  

• Under Contract Listings (including Pending & UCB): 6,724 versus 6,895 last year - down 2.5% - and down 19.3% from 8,331 last month
  

• Monthly Sales: 6,496 versus 5,837 last year - up 11.3% - and up 29.9% from 5,000 last month
  

• Monthly Average Sales Price per Sq. Ft.: $131.62 versus $123.48 last year - up 3.2% - and up 1.8% from $129.30 last month
  

• Monthly Median Sales Price: $197,000 versus $185,500 last year - up 6.2% - and up 2.6% from $192,000 last month

Pricing was surprisingly strong in December with the median up over 6% from the prior year and $/SF up over 3%. However these gains are very small compared with the previous 2 years. Much of the advance is due to continuing improvements in the mix in favor of higher priced homes. We must also remember that seller concessions do not get reflected in the prices recorded.

There was little to dislike in the December numbers and that fact that sales volume exceeded December 2013 by more than 11% is definitely encouraging. 2014 was a lackluster year with low supply and even lower demand and it looks like demand is starting to show a few mild signs of life. Even so, we are starting the year with a very low number of homes under contract by normal standards. The big question is what will happen to supply. If it arrives in bulk over the next 3 months then buyers will retain the advantage they enjoyed during 2014. If, as seems more likely based on what we saw in the last 4 weeks, supply grows relatively slowly, then sellers will regain their advantage and prices could start to see some upward pressure building again.

On the second day of the month it is too early to make the call on supply, but by the middle of January we should have some real data to indicate how the year is likely to develop.

Supply is already well below normal and if demand returned quickly to normal we could see a replay similar to conditions in 2012, except that ordinary owner-occupiers would be dominant instead of investors.

Solar The New Norm For Some Homebuilders

5 Bedroom 5 Bath Mesa Home Lease Purchase Lease Option Or Lease

Located in the gated community of Crossroads Estates in the heart of the citrus corridor. Open floor plan with formal living & dining off entry with views of the rear grounds, great room with large kitchen, inviting family room with fireplace and spacious eating area. Expansive master suite with sitting area, spacious bathroom with dual sinks, separate tub & shower and an extra deep walk-in closet. Upstairs you will find a large bonus/game room plus a bedroom and bathroom. Two bedrooms on lower level with jack & jill bath plus and additional en-suite bedroom. Handsome office with bathroom or could be 6th bedroom. Great rear grounds covered patio, sparkling pool, built-in bbq and a large irrigated grassy area. 4-car extended length garage. Offered for sale at $749,000

Should I Have My Home Inspected Before I Put It On The Market

SHOULD I HAVE MY HOME INSPECTED BEFORE I PUT IT ON THE MARKET

Full Disclosure: How Pre-listing Home Inspections Even the Score for Sellers When we were kids, we stuffed our closets full of our toys in lieu of putting them neatly away, hoping that our parents would never find the mess we made. ...Read More > }http://rismedia.com/2014-12-17/full-disclosure-how-pre-listing-home-inspections-even-the-score-for-sellers/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eNews 

Mid Month Pricing Update And Forecast As Reported By The Cromford Report

MID MONTH PRICING UPDATE AND FORECAST AS REPORTED BY THE CROMFORD REPORT

Each month about this time we look back at the previous month, analyze how pricing has behaved and report on how well our forecasting techniques performed. We also give a forecast for how pricing will move over the next 30 days.

For the monthly period ending December 15, we are currently recording a sales $/SF of $131.05 averaged for all areas and types across the ARMLS database. This is 1.3% above the $129.31 we now measure for November 15 and represents another advance in average pricing, though not quite back to the peak levels of mid April. Our forecast range was $127.57 to $132.77 with a mid-point of $130.17. Last month's forecast proved reasonable and the actual result was in the top half of our predicted range.

On December 15, REO sales across Greater Phoenix (all types) averaged $86.89 per sq. ft. (down 2.3%). Pre-foreclosures and short sales averaged $105.73 (up 11.4%) while normal sales averaged $133.77 (up 0.4%). The market share of normal sales edged up from 89.7% to 90.8% over the last 30 days. REOs lost market share from 6.3% to 5.2%. Short sales and pre-foreclosures were flat at 4.0%. The increase in short sale pricing had the largest impact on the overall $/SF.

On December 15 the pending listings for all areas & types showed an average list $/SF of $129.55, 1.0% below the reading for November 15. Among those pending listings we have 80.9% normal, 7.9% in REOs and 11.3% in short sales and pre-foreclosures. The average pricing for pending listings within GreaterPhoenix on December 15 in each category was: $137.50 for normal, $95.59 for short sales & pre-foreclosures and $86.57 for REOs. The figure for REO sales is a little higher than last month, as is that for short sales & pre-foreclosures while that for normal sales is lower.

Our mid-point forecast for the average monthly sales $/SF on January 15 is $129.69, which is 1.0% lower than the December 15 reading. We have a 90% confidence that it will fall within ± 2% of this mid point, i.e. in the range $127.10 to $132.28. Our forecast this month is for a fairly small decrease in sales pricing over the next month. This follows a pattern which is common in most years where a weaker January follows a strong December.

Just as in November, there are several factors helping the average $/SF for closed sales to stay high

1. A continuing fall in the share of homes sold among the lower price ranges below $200,000.
2. Continuing relative strength for very high end luxury homes.
3. More sellers agreeing to pay buyers' closing costs and other concessions, a significant invisible discount that does not show up in the recorded sales price.

Until demand shows more significant signs of strengthening, we still expect the natural price range to remain stuck between $125 and $135 per sq. ft. over the next few months.

We wait to see if the introduction of 3% down payments for conventional home loans will stimulate more home buyers to apply. At the moment it is too early to tell what the effect might be.

Christmas Performances Around Town

http://events.azfamily.com/default.aspx?ct=r&q=christmas

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