Nicholas Yount, REALTOR

When temperatures start heating up and the school year comes to an end, there’s nothing better than having a summer residence that the whole family can escape to. Of course, finding the perfect vacation home that meets all of your needs can be a daunting task. To help steer you in the right direction, here are a few tips to keep in mind when in the market for a summer home that matches your lifestyle. Focus on Outdoor Living Spaces Chances are, you want a home where the whole family can spend time outside together. That’s why a luxurious outdoor living space is one of the most important features to look for in a vacation home, but it’s necessary to consider how you’ll use it. For some, it’s all about a resort-like pool and outdoor kitchen, but others may prioritize a spacious backyard for the kids to run around and mature gardens where you can grow your favorite plants. Guest Accommodations While you might be envisioning a place where your immediate family can go for some quiet R&R...

With all the natural beauty and outdoor activities that come with it, it’s hard to beat lakeside living. Perhaps that’s why so many luxury homeowners choose to purchase a lake home for their second property. If this sounds familiar, here are a few features to keep an eye out for when looking for the ideal lakeside retreat. Private Dock If you want to take full advantage of living on the water, then having your own dock is an absolute must. Even if you don’t have a boat, a dock is perfect for all sorts of activities, like swimming, fishing or even creating a small seating area where you can take in the surrounding natural beauty. If you do have a boat, then it probably goes without saying that you’ll appreciate being able to keep it right in your backyard. Outdoor Living Space When you’re not spending time on the water, chances are you’ll still want to be outside. That’s why it’s important for the home to have thoughtfully designed outdoor living spaces that can be enjoyed at all hours ...

These days, it’s all too easy to follow a simple formula when it comes to interior design. If you want your home to stand out from the rest, however, you need to get a little creative. Adding a statement wall is the perfect way to set your living space apart and infuse some personality. Here are several ways that you can do just that. Mural Commissioning an artist to paint a custom mural in your home is a surefire way to make a design statement. You can transform any room with a life-sized work of art that will instantly become the visual centerpiece and make a memorable impression on all of your guests.  Accent Color Of course, simply painting an accent wall is another option for breaking the mold. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can introduce a bright shade to energize the room or try a darker tone for a sleek and moody ambience.  Hand-Painted Wallpaper Whether it’s an elegant Chinoiserie pattern or a traditional landscape, hand-painted wallpaper is an excellent ...

Running the vacuum cleaner around your house seems like a pretty straightforward task, no?  Not according to cleaning experts. To really get a deep clean and an all-around fresher home, make sure you’re vacuuming the right way with the following hacks: Freshen up.  Carpets tend to trap odors, which may be a frequent occurrence if you have pets and/or small children. Let your vacuum do double duty as a deodorizer by first sprinkling the carpet with baking soda, then letting it sit for several hours (keep kids and pets away). This will allow the baking soda to absorb any odors. Then simply vacuum it up! Use aromatherapy.  Dip a cotton ball in your favorite essential oil, then pop it into your vacuum’s canister. This will diffuse the scent throughout your house as you vacuum. Remove dents.  If you want to rearrange your furniture, you’ll be left with dents in the carpet to contend with, left behind by the legs of the table or chair you’re moving. To undo a carpet dent, ...

Light, bright spaces not only appear to be larger than dark spaces, they also seem to make us feel happier. But not all of us live in light, sunny spaces. Designers and decorators recommend six sound tips for adding light, or the illusion of light, to help brighten your rooms and your mood:  Start With White -  Small or dark spaces are not the place to try out a dark color palette. The lighter the walls, the more light they will reflect. Start with white or a pale, neutral grey or beige wall, and if you choose a color other than white, think about painting the ceiling a shade lighter to help light bounce around the room. More Ceiling Tricks -  Blue skies brighten the world. Painting your ceiling the color of the sky can create the illusion of light. Or, paint the ceiling with a high-gloss paint to help reflect light.  Bring in Colors of the Sun -  One proven way to brighten a space is to bring in yellows, reds and oranges—the colors of the sun. You can do this w...

Gardening can serve to boost your home’s curb appeal, prove to be an enjoyable hobby and can naturally lead to gently encouraging healthy eating. Not to mention, creating your own vegetable garden can lead to food savings all season long. Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice your whole backyard to plant a wonderful garden. Evaluate Your Space Whether your home boasts a huge backyard or just a small patio, you can find a way to embrace the space only when you truly evaluate what it has to offer. Asses where in your yard you would like a garden. If your options are limited, this is even more vital. Evaluate how much direct and indirect sunlight your space gets and where. A building or tree located nearby may mean that part or all of your space is not viable for full sun plants. Decide what your space can easily cultivate. Think Outside the Planter Box Traditional garden planter boxes can make having a garden easier, but if your gardening space is limited, don’t be afraid to get creati...

Visitors notice the front door when they come to your house, but exterior doors are responsible for a lot more than just curb appeal. Your front and back doors should provide security, keep rain and drafts out, and limit the amount of noise from outside that enters your home. If an exterior door is failing in any of those regards, it’s time to replace it. The Door is Damaged or Doesn’t Fit the Frame Correctly Over time, an exterior door may become warped or cracked, paint may peel or the door may be damaged by insects. It may have one or more dents caused by objects banging against it as people entered or left.  An old door may be difficult to open and close, and may not fit well in the frame. That can be more than just a hassle. A door that’s damaged or that doesn’t close tightly can make your home vulnerable to air and water leaks, insects and burglars. If you can see light around the edges of a door when it’s shut, that means it isn’t fitting in the frame as it should. Your Util...