The artist who bought a house in the Pittsburgh, PA, suburbs thought the place was boring. So he made some bold changes.
And he ended up with the Mirror House, which hit the market in April for $899,000. The reflective residence has already found a buyer and is listed as contingent.
The home’s radical transformation was a personal art project.
“It was an exceptionally ugly house, so it allowed us to take some chances and jazz it up,” says owner Martin Prekop, who has lived in the home since the early 1990s. The residence was built in 1969.
Mirror House
(Realtor.com)
Mirrored dining room
(Realtor.com)
The result is thousands of 2-by-8-inch, mirrored tiles on the home’s exterior. Prekop cut them all by hand—from 12-inch, square, mirror tiles. He used double-sided tape and a bit of adhesive to affix them to the house.
“I press it on, and it tends to stay there,” he says. “Some of them have been up there for 28 years. In the spring, I have to replace some of them, because they pop off, but it’s not a big chore.”
Prekop was inspired to cover his house in mirrors, because he wanted to see a view of the nearby woods out of a bathroom window, but there was a wall in the way.
“So I put a group of mirrors up there to see what that would look like, and about 10 years later, I had covered the whole house in mirrors,” he says. “The more I put up, the better I liked it.”
Understandably, Prekop has experienced mixed reactions to having encased his 4,291-square-foot house in small mirrors.
“It depends on the neighbor,” he says, acknowledging, “This house definitely sticks out.”
Art studio
(Realtor.com)
Kitchen
(Realtor.com)
Bedroom
(Realtor.com)
Creating art is nothing new for Prekop, who is the former dean of the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University. He is an acclaimed photographer, painter, and sculptor.
Prekop retired from the university in 2018. Now, he and wife Jesha are moving on from the installation-art-style house.
Inside the home, there are custom stair railings and 25 skylights, which usher in abundant natural light.
Prekop created many of the unusual elements in the three-bedroom, 3.5-bath home, including some of the furniture and cabinetry.
Bathroom
(Realtor.com)
Custom stair railings
(Realtor.com)
Exterior
(Realtor.com)
The kitchen is more of a commercial-style space; and the house, set on 1.5 acres, includes a home theater and music rooms. The dining area has mirrored walls and ceilings, and a large art studio opens via a garage-style door that offers plenty of light.
Studio
(Realtor.com)
Living room
(Realtor.com)
‘A living sculpture’
Prekop insists upkeep is pretty minimal on the exterior mirrors.
“It’s amazing how well they hold up, and they look clean and nice,” he says. “The rain just rinses them off, and overall, it looks sparkly and fresh.”
He says he and Jesha are moving closer to family and the timing is right.
“I feel like this project is finished,” Prekop explains. “I’m ready to do something else. I think of the house as a living sculpture.”
But he does have some opinions regarding what might happen next with the house.
“I don’t expect it to stay exactly the same; but the parts of it like the mirrored components inside the house, I’m hoping they’ll keep that,” he admits.
The listing agent is Linda Dibucci, with Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
The advent of fall serves as a good reminder that you may need to correct course and keep your financial responsibilities in mind. On the first day of fall, the autumnal equinox, the lengths of day and night are roughly equal, and the daylight grows shorter from there. Use the diminishing sunlit hours to get you and your money back on course after a summer of sun and fun.
Start over
Every year at back-to-school time, there are ads for notebooks, fancy pens and backpacks. Even if you don’t have children, the fall season brings to mind stacks of blank paper, waiting for you to write your story….or re-write it! Are you financially off-track and your money goals are nowhere in sight? Start with a clean slate and get back to basics. Create fresh goals. Redo your monthly budget. Commit anew.
Become a night owl
We turn our clocks back on November 1. Use that hour to reflect on your day, unwind and set action items for tomorrow that will keep you on the right financial path.
Spring cleaning isn’t just for spring
If you live in a cold climate, now is the time you are pulling winter gear out of storage. Purge ill-fitting or never-worn garments and gear and have a fall yard sale. You’ll clear space in your life and earn a bit of money you can put towards your saving goals.
Give your bills a checkup
Scrutinize your bills. Are you paying the right amount for utilities, cable or broadband, phone, and other recurring monthly expenses? Are there any hidden fees? This is a good time to get organized, adjust your data plan or cut some channels out of your satellite TV package to save a few more bucks.
Pay attention to open enrollment
Many employees benefit plans run open enrollment — the period when you can make changes or sign up for new benefits — at this time of year. Instead of ignoring those flyers or emails, open them! Make sure you are taking advantage of vision, dental, and health insurance, and contributing to your employer’s retirement plan. Look at how much you spent this year on healthcare costs and see if a healthcare savings account may benefit your family. Keep in mind that Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment for 2016 is from November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016.
Stock up for next year
Now is the time to purchase used summer gear like patio furniture, pool toys and bikes. When others are deciding what doesn’t get to stay in the garage for another year, you can snag a great bargain on something you’ve wanted to add to your warm-weather activities. Grab it now and look forward to using it next year.
Resist the pumpkin spice latte
You can’t open your eyes in September without seeing an ad for a pumpkin spice something. It can be tempting to embrace the fall flavor, but did you know that a pumpkin spice latte can be as much as $5.25? I don’t know about you, but every year I succumb to the advertising pressure and long for the tasty warm treat. It’s a good reminder to skip the coffee stop and make your latte at home and save a fiver. Or at least custom order yours, which could save you half the cost!
Watch the calendar
The countdown to Christmas is alive in social media feeds. Whatever winter holiday you celebrate, plan accordingly. They happen at the same time every year, so now’s the time to make your plan — don’t let them sneak up on you and force you into overspending on food, travel, or gifts at the last minute.
Snuggle and save
When it gets cold outside, we tend to stay in, watch movies or invite friends over. While this routine may get old by March, at least you’re not out somewhere spending money! Silver lining, right?
Kim Tracy Prince is a Los Angeles-based writer. If she didn’t have a husband and 2 young boys who love sports, she’d save money by staying in and reading all the books that she never has time for.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
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My New Financial Reality in the “Real World”
Inside: Learn why appreciation matters and how to express it in a more meaningful way. Also, find ways and gifs to say I appreciate you. We appreciate you.
Have you ever been told how much or many things someone has done for you, but it just felt like the person was trying to get something from you?
I know I have.
In a perfect world, we would all be appreciative of what others do for us and those who care about us in our lives. We should never forget that there are people out there doing the best they can with their time and energy (not always easy) because they love us unconditionally.
When you say thank you, it means the world.
People are quick to forget how important people in our lives really are and don’t appreciate them enough. But all that changes when we show appreciation for others; not only do they feel appreciated, but their lives start to revolve around us even more!
In fact, giving thanks and showing appreciation will make you happier (source).
So, how exactly do you say I appreciate you and truly mean it.
What is appreciation?
Appreciation is a feeling of gratefulness for what has been received.
It can be directed towards people, things, or events. When we feel appreciated, it fills us with warmth and happiness. We may find that our attitude and outlook on life become more positive as a result.
The meaning behind the words is powerful.
Why is appreciation important?
There are many reasons why appreciation matters.
For one, it makes the person who is being appreciated feel special and valued. It also helps to build closer relationships between people. When we’re appreciated for our efforts, we’re more likely to try harder next time and to be motivated to do our best.
Furthermore, appreciation can help to smooth over any misunderstandings or hurt feelings that may have arisen previously.
We need to let people know when we do things wrong and apologize for it–and we also need to express our gratitude for the good things they do.
Most importantly, appreciating others makes the world a better place!
There are many reasons why appreciation matters, including the following:
It makes people feel good about themselves and appreciated.
It strengthens relationships.
It motivates people to do more.
It helps people feel more secure in their jobs.
It increases loyalty and commitment to the organization.
It encourages people to go above and beyond the call of duty.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
What are some ways to show appreciation?
There are many ways to show appreciation, and you can choose what type of appreciation best suits the person.
Expressing gratitude is important because it lets someone know how much they mean to you.
A thank you note is the most common form of appreciation. Other popular examples of ways to show appreciation include hugs, small gifts, or flowers.
Any act of service is also a good way to show appreciation.
How can appreciation improve our relationships?
When we appreciate someone, it makes them feel good. It shows that we care about them and that we value their presence in our lives. When we take the time to express our gratitude in a thoughtful way, it can really brighten someone’s day and make them feel special.
There are many ways to show appreciation, but some of our favorite methods include sending small gifts, expressing interest in what the other person is saying or doing, and simply asking the recipient what they would like most.
No matter how you choose to do it, being appreciative is a great way to improve any relationship!
A small gesture can go a long way.
In fact, expressing gratitude will improve your relationship.
Ways to Say I Appreciate You
There are many ways to show appreciation for someone, and it often depends on your relationship with that person.
Tell them you appreciate something they did or said.
Here are ways you can verbally say I appreciate you:
“Thank you.”
“Thank you so much.”
“You really came through for me and helped me out.”
“I am so grateful for you.”
“You don’t know what this means to me.”
“I appreciate you taking the time for me.”
“You are so generous.”
“You are so thoughtful.”
“You are amazing.”
“Wow, I am speechless.”
There are thousands of ways to say “I appreciate you.” The key is in your delivery of the message. Non-verbal communication is more important than the words that come out of your mouth.
Here are some other popular ideas to show you appreciate someone:
Write a heartfelt letter (or email) expressing your gratitude.
Thank people in person.
Give them a pat on the back or high five.
Bear hugs are always loved!
Make a donation in their name to a charity they support.
Organize and participate in an activity they love, such as a picnic or game night.
Create or contribute to an online tribute or memory book.
Put together a photo album of cherished memories.
Invite them to lunch and listen closely to what they say.
Give them an unexpected gift, such as a book, a favorite candy bar, or flowers.
Give them their favorite food as a treat.
If someone does something extra for you, thank them and show appreciation.
Saying “thank you” is a small gesture that can have a big impact. It costs nothing but it conveys a lot of appreciation and respect.
How can we show appreciation to our family and friends?
Showing appreciation to our loved ones is one of the most important things we can do as humans. Fortunately, there are many ways to show gratitude, both big and small.
Here are a few examples:
Say thank you! A simple “thank you” goes a long way.
Write a thank you card. This is a more personal way of showing your appreciation. Use this list of reasons I love you.
Bring flowers. Flowers brighten up any space and bring a sense of hope and peace.
Cook or clean for someone who needs it. This act of service often leads to a positive response from the recipient, making both parties happy in the end.
Run errands. Additionally, small gestures like helping someone out with errands can also relieve some stress.
Take care of children/elderly parents. This is an easy way to help someone out and say thanks.
Encourage them FI. Many people are confused about financial freedom. Show them how to FI.
Share appreciation quotes on social media or in conversation. There are lots of great quotes out there about being grateful, so find ones that resonate with you and share them with your friends and family.
Talk about a time when someone showed you appreciation in a meaningful way. When we take the time to reflect on moments where we felt appreciated, it makes those moments even more powerful.
Our community is our friends and family. These are the people that will be with you through thick and thin. So, make sure to show appreciation to them the most and the most often!
How can we show appreciation at work?
There are many ways to show appreciation at work with your co-workers. Some people might prefer words of gratitude, while others may appreciate a gesture or gift.
No matter what someone’s preference is, there are plenty of ways to show appreciation in the workplace.
One way to express gratitude is through different actions that include words, gestures, and gifts. Here are some work-specific examples:
Say “thank you.” Words are powerful
Write a thank-you note or email. Simple and great way to show your appreciation.
Bring up the appreciation during a meeting. Another way to acknowledge someone’s hard work is by simply acknowledging it–for example, if a co-worker does something for you, say “thank you.”
Send a Gem Award. Many companies offer small bonuses to recognize other employees for a job well done. Nominate them.
Motivate with Quotes. Take one of the millionaire quotes to show appreciation and keep everyone motivated.
These small acts help increase team velocity and morale, making the workplace more pleasant for everyone involved.
How can we show appreciation to our employees?
Showing appreciation for employees is a great way to build a positive work environment and express your gratitude. It also helps keep morale high and lets employees know that they are valued members of the team.
However, it’s important not to take your employees for granted–be there when they need you and do something special every once in a while to show how much you care!
Make it clear that you value their contributions.
Give them a shout-out in front of the group.
Tell them you appreciate their hard work and dedication.
Find ways to give employees more responsibility and autonomy at work.
When you have a meeting, ask people to say one thing they like about other employees.
Show them the importance of becoming financially independent.
Thank people for doing a good job on a project or task by giving them more challenging opportunities to grow in the future.
Tell them how their work has made a difference in your life.
If you have to criticize, do it privately and only if necessary.
Make sure they know you are there to support them.
In the workplace, giving gifts can be misconstrued so make sure you focus on being a supportive leader and boss. Also, you can always bring in lunch or breakfast for the whole team.
By showing appreciation to your employees, you will cut down on those good excuses to miss work.
I appreciate you in Spanish
As I’ve mentioned before, each language has different ways of showing gratitude. In Spanish, there are a few phrases that are commonly used to say “thank you.” Some of these common phrases include “gracias,” or “muchas gracias;” which mean “thank you” or “thank you very much.”
It is important to use the right phrase depending on the situation and who you are speaking to.
To say I appreciate you in Spanish, you would say:
te aprecio
If you wanted to really express your gratitude even more and say, “I appreciate you very much.”
te aprecio muchísimo
Learning another language is a great skill. In fact, many people have had great success with Rosetta Stone.
How to Respond to I Appreciate You or We Appreciate you
Acknowledge the person when they do something nice for you–even if it’s just picking up some milk from the store on their way home from work. Touching base regularly allows both parties to feel appreciated and strengthens the relationship over time.
It is important to give a thank you back when someone does something nice. It is also important to acknowledge their work and show that it’s appreciated. When receiving gestures such as this, it’s important to show appreciation by saying “I appreciate you” in return.
Does I appreciate you mean I love you?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the meaning of “I appreciate you” can vary depending on the context.
However, in general, saying “I appreciate you” usually means that you are grateful for that person and what they have done for you. It can also be seen as a sign of appreciation and respect.
Saying “I appreciate you” can be a difficult thing for some people. It might feel like they are saying “I love you” and that can be a scary prospect for some.
However, appreciation is an incredibly important emotion and it should not be withheld.
There are many ways to show appreciation, including, but not limited to, verbal compliments, thoughtful gifts, and kind deeds.
For those in a close relationship, “I appreciate you” could also mean “I love you.”
I Appreciate You Gifts
Many people turn to gifts to say I appreciate you.
It is the easiest way to say thank you.
The whole world wants to tell their recipient that they appreciate them.
These I appreciate you gifts are perfect for any person in your life!
Here are the best gifts to show a recipient you appreciate them:
These are for the husbands, boyfriends, and significant others – specifically written for the guys in mind.
Perfect gifts to say I appreciate you to all of the women in your life!
I Appreciate you GIF
Okay, I will be honest with you! Personally, I love using GIFs! Like. all. the. time.
I find them some of my favorite ways to express what I truly mean. We live in a digital world, so you might as well explore my top 10 favorites I appreciate you gifs.
Also, this is where you can find them when sending a text message to others.
I Appreciate You Quotes
Being grateful is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves and for those around us. It helps us to stay positive, build strong relationships, and feel happier overall.
Here are a few of the most popular I appreciate you quotes:
“What would I do without you in my life.”
“Your thoughtfulness will always be remembered.”
“Words cannot express my feelings, nor my thanks for all your help.”
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – JFK
“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.” – Anonymous
“Thank you for staying by my side even though I tried to push you away.”
“Thank you for accepting me as I am, with my virtues and defects.” – Jenni Rivera
“When I count my blessing, I count you twice.”
“There’s no possible way, I could ever repay, How I wish, there were more I could do, But, I thank you my friend, my friend to the end.” – Jim Thistle
Write handwritten notes expressing your gratitude by starting off with one of these I appreciate you quotes. This is the best way to show someone how much you appreciate them!
We appreciate you in our everyday lives
Showing appreciation is a key way to maintain healthy relationships with the people around us. It can be difficult to know how to show appreciation, especially if we don’t feel comfortable putting our feelings into words.
However, there are many ways to show appreciation, and it’s important to find what works best for both the giver and the recipient.
Some gestures that show appreciation are small, such as sending a thank-you card or mentioning that you appreciate something the person has done for you. Other actions can be more personal, such as touching farewell letters to colleagues who are leaving your company or those who have passed away.
And finally, there are everyday expressions of gratitude that we can all do in our lives.
Humans have an innate need to feel appreciated, and when someone hears a few words of kindness, they get an energy burst that makes them feel good.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Your broker might not have your best interest in mind when they make recommendations to you.
In fact, brokers can legally put their interests ahead of yours.
Did you catch that?
Translated that means that your broker can get a speeding ticket for going 75 mph on the interstate, but won’t get punished for selling you a crap investment that makes them a bunch of money.
This is because most brokers operate under what’s called the suitability standard, which simply means the securities they recommend must be appropriate for you given your financial profile; however, many of the securities that can be considered suitable may be far from the best investment options available at a particular time.
How do you like them apples?
You may be surprised to learn that brokers working under the suitability standard are not legally obligated to find the best prices or the best investment options available at a particular time. As a result, your broker may offer you securities that provide lower returns and carry more significant risks than other alternatives as this may be more profitable for the broker. The suitability standard can apply to brokers that sell insurance, stocks, annuities, or other investment types.
1. Brokers Make Money Even if You Don’t.
This is because of the commissions-based compensation model presently used by many brokerage firms. Let’s say your broker convinces you to buy into XYZ stock at $50 per share. If the price subsequently increases to $60, than your broker may call you and advise you to buy more of the same security because of the 20% appreciation in price. This transaction would then generate a commission for your broker.
On the other hand, let’s say that the same investment in XYZ stock instead dropped to $40 per share. In this case the same broker might call you and still tell you to buy more of the same security because it is now less expensive than it once was and should therefore be considered a bargain. This transaction would also generate a commission for your broker.
Great for them. Not so much for you.
As you can see your broker’s success can have little relation to your own. This represents a misalignment of interests that may cause your broker to benefit at your expense.
2. High commissions are a good thing right?
Brokers may choose to offer you only those investments which pay the highest commissions. To illustrate this point let’s consider another example. Let’s say that investment 1 is the best investment for you, but it offers no commissions to your broker.
On the other hand investment 2 is a worse investment, which pays 5% commission. Under the suitability standard your broker is not obligated to offer you investment 1 and may instead sell you investment 2 in order to collect the commission on the transaction. This conflict of interest is currently permitted under the suitability standard, which is applicable to many brokerage firms.
Isn’t that special?
3. Looks good on paper.
Your broker may sell you an investments that is illiquid or highly risky. This is due to the fact that brokers are often associated with particular issuers of securities or certain investment companies.
As a result they may be limited to offering only the proprietary products sold by their affiliates even though other more attractive investment options may be available in the market. They may also be restricted to particular list of securities and may be compensated to offer one investment over another at any time.
One of the worst examples that I witnessed this was with a portfolio of a friends mom. Her broker had sold her what he called a “safe investment” which was a limited partnership. While some limited partnerships could be considered good investments, this particular one was Medical Capital Holdings.
What’s the big deal about that? Well, this particular limited partnership ended up being a fraud and most investors lost everything that they invested into it. What makes the story even worse, is that this particular broker thought it was “suitable” to put over 1/3 of her portfolio into it.
4. Their commissions can eat away your returns.
If you’re paying commissions on a per-trade basis, you may be spending more than you might expect.
For example, if you’re charged 2% per trade, then making just three trades per year could result in you paying 6% of your overall portfolio in commissions annually.
5. Alphabet jumbo soup.
Brokers may be using deceptive titles to give you the wrong impression about their compensation model and qualifications. Currently, the shear abundance of professional designations being used within the financial services industry is confusing even to the most experienced investors. However, understanding the differences between these titles could have a dramatic effect on your long-term investment results and overall satisfaction.
As an example, the term financial advisor is one of the most used terms in the industry; however, many of the individuals using this title are sales people looking to meet quotas by selling financial products. They may in some cases sell non-marketable securities, which include long-term commitments, excessive fees, and a high level of risk.
Titles with the word “senior” — Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Certified Senior Consultant (CSC), for instance — have come under a great deal of scrutiny. I get offers in the mail all the time to buy designations. Don’t let the alphabet soup impress you. The only one that should in the financial planning profession is the CFP® designation. Other notables are the CFA and CPA designation.
6. I have a sales quota.
I love when I get a statement from a competitor that is sponsored by a mutual fund or insurance company. The broker claims to them that they have their clients best interest at heart and can utilize all types of investment choices, except that they only investments I see are from that companies proprietary products.
Hmmm……now whose best interest is first? I assure you not the client.
7. My records clean….kind of
Your broker is not obligated to tell you if there’s anything on his or her record. And why they should they? It’s reported that 70% of prospective clients do not do a background check on the broker before hiring them.
Want to make sure that your broker doesn’t have a record like Bernie Madoff? Head over to FINRA BrokerCheck to see what’s on your brokers record.
8. It could be better somewhere else.
With a broker you’re dealing with a sales person who may or may not have your best interest in mind. On the other hand, registered investment advisors, also known as RIAs are firms which operate under the fiduciary standard, which means that they are legally obligated to put their client’s interests first at all times.
As an independent registered investment advisor, Alliance Wealth Management, LLC was founded as a welcome alternative to the traditional brokerage model so many investors have become accustom to. We are compensated only by management fees paid directly by our clients.
How do you pay you broker? If you don’t know, maybe it’s time to find out.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
While you can’t stop winter’s imminent arrival, there are preventative steps you can take to avoid an unexpected freeze to your cash flow. Mint sought out the experts for tips on how to protect your budget this winter.
Your Home
If you’re a homeowner, prevention is key to keeping maintenance costs low throughout the year—but especially in the winter. The best part is, you don’t have to have a knack for home improvement in order to stay vigilant about keeping home repair costs to a minimum.
Check your roof. If you are weary about climbing a ladder, you can get a feel for your roof’s condition from the ground with a pair of binoculars. Alyssa Hall of GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, recommends visually scanning your roof for any signs of sagging or uneven areas, which can indicate roof damage beneath the shingles. On the shingles, look for curling edges, those that are missing entirely, and any signs of damage caused by animals. If you have asphalt shingles or a slate roof, look for black areas, which indicate that a shingle is cracked or missing. If you spot problem areas, call a roofer to assess the situation before snowfall strikes. If problems are left to worsen, you could have a sagging or caving roof, water leaks, and water damage on your hands.
Clean gutter systems. Hall also advises clearing gutters of any leaves, branches and roots, so that melting snow and ice has a way to get off the roof. Water or snow left standing on the roof increases the odds of leaks and ice dams—which can quickly lead to major repair costs.
Seal windows. Richard Apfel, president of Skyline Windows says, “the average home uses 10 to 15 percent of its energy costs through improperly sealed windows.” Check for leaks by placing piece of paper in the window frame and then closing the window. If you can pull the piece of paper out without tearing it, you’ve got an air leak. You can try to seal the leak yourself with silicon-based caulking materials (available at your hardware store). If you still feel a draft after caulking, buy a clear plastic window film kit (also sold at hardware stores). They’re inexpensive, easy to install with the help of a hair dryer, and can save you major bucks on your heating bills. Apfel also says, “the plastic creates an insulating air pocket that can cut heat loss by 25 to 40 percent.”
Maintain water pipes. Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service‘s Larry Rothman advises homeowners to disconnect outside water hoses and repair dripping outside faucets before temperatures drop to freezing.
If you have interior shut-off valves that lead to outside faucets, drain the water from the pipes and close them for winter. Wrap heat tape (available at hardware stores) around pipes that are in unheated areas to minimize the potential for frozen pipes. If you leave for the winter months, set the furnace to no lower than 55 degrees.
Your Car
Maintenance and safety. Experts at PEAK Automotive Performance advise replacing wiper blades, and filling wiper and brake fluid, motor oil, and antifreeze before the winter. Check tire pressure regularly as temperatures get lower; you’ll lose a pound of pressure for every ten degrees that drops. (Your driver side doorjamb will tell you the advised pressure—also called “pounds per square inch” (PSI). Check your battery life, too—they can lose up to one-third of their starting power in the cold. (PEAK experts say that many auto service shops will check this for little to no cost).
If you live in an area that gets snow and ice, keep a bag of sand in your trunk. If you get stuck, spread the sand underneath your wheels to gain traction.
Your Safety
Fire prevention. Heating is a leading cause of residential fires during the winter. When compared to central heating, using space heaters increases the risk of fire by three to four times, according to Brett Brenner, President of the Electric Safety Foundation International (EFSI). Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet and allow at least three feet of space between the heater and anything that can catch fire. Never place the heater on cabinets, tables, or furniture.
If you use a space heater in a bathroom, make sure that it is specifically designed for use in a damp area. When you leave a room or go to sleep, unplug the space heater.
Insurance. Review your homeowner’s, renter’s, and auto insurance policies to confirm that you have adequate levels of coverage before an accident happens. If you carry minimal amounts of coverage with a high deductible to save money on premiums, make sure that you have enough savings readily available to cover the deductible amount. Otherwise, you won’t be able to tap into your insurance coverage when you need it most. This is particularly true in the case of auto insurance. Remember that liability-only policies will help pay for damage you cause to other drivers—but won’t cover your auto repair costs.
Your Pets
Pets also face potential dangers in winter months and veterinary care can quickly erode your budget. Dr. Jules Benson of Petplan Pet Insurance reminds pet owners to remove snow, ice and salt from paws and the coat as soon as pets return indoors to prevent potential cuts and abrasions. (According to 2010 Petplan claims data, the average cost to tend to an injured paw is $200!)
Older pets and those with medical conditions can also experience exacerbated symptoms and joint pain in the winter months, so pay close attention to temperament changes. When applying rock salt to sidewalks and driveways, try to use a pet-friendly version and make sure animals do not ingest it. Besides the stress of a poisoned pet, Petplan data shows the average cost to treat it is around $500.
Stephanie Taylor Christensen is a former financial services marketer based in Columbus, OH. The founder of Wellness On Less, she also writes on small business, consumer interest, wellness, career and personal finance topics.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
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Sorry, I Can’t Help: 5 Types of Consumer Complaints Even…
Note: This post is part of our Home Sellers’ Journey series, where we walk you through every step of selling a home during peak season. For the first post on how to get started once you’ve decided to sell, please go to Six Steps to Take Now to Get Your Home Ready to Sell.
For those of you returning from our last post, you already know to get started on repairs to the home and contact Homie so that your home can be listed, 1) without a real estate agent, and 2) without paying thousands of dollars in real estate agent fees. Once you enter your information, you’ll be contacted about all of the details before the listing is live. Booyah. You’re already saving money.
Before making your listing live, one of the first things we will do is send a professional photographer to take pictures of your home at no extra cost. We told you. We’ve got your back. But there is a step you are in charge of.
You prep the house visually, a process called staging.
Staging is arranging your home to show it off best, both during photo-shoots and during walk-throughs by potential buyers.
They say that in sales, appearance is everything. Yes, buyers know that your belongings will leave the home after the sale is final, but that doesn’t mean they’re capable of envisioning the house without your things. Clean lines, plenty of light, a lack of clutter—attention to details like this can affect your home’s sale price and how quickly it sells. Do yourself a favor and spend the effort to stage.
De-clutter and de-personalize
Model homes don’t have piles of only-kind-of-broken power tools or an elk-themed calendar with penned-in appointments for the month. Guess what? Neither should your home.
Now, before you get offended, let me state right off that I get it. You own your belongings for a reason—you like them. Well, calm down, because you still get to own them. You’re just moving them so they won’t be a distraction from the item you want getting all of the focus: the home you are selling.
Put your home on a pedestal so buyers can’t miss it!
Clear away items, stashing them in semi-permanent storage at a neighbor’s house or inside boxes in a non-conspicuous area. While you’re at it, empty out some closet space. That way, when you have a home showing, you can tuck away last-minute clutter items like Jill’s homework and Avery’s jar of pet ladybugs. You’ll likely need these items soon—though you may not want them—and having them in a closet is more handy than having to search through boxes.
Next, take down all decorations that you believe an interior designer would nix. That means that a good portion of your posters, refrigerator magnets, and mantle-top pieces need to go. Actually, who are we kidding? Take down all of the refrigerator magnets. Remove religious items and family photos. You want the house to view like a template, on which potential new owners can envision how their personal stamp would look.
Trim, but don’t clear, furniture
Buyers often have a parent, friend, or agent with them during a home tour, not to mention every member of their family; and they often stick together. This means a lot of bodies inside each room. Take a minute and inspect a bedroom inside your house. Can eight people gather inside it? If visitors don’t fit comfortably during the majority of the excursion, your home will be remembered as cramped and small. Give people space to walk around by getting rid of furniture. Professional home-stagers may remove up to half of the furniture in a house to improve its feel. If you think you’ll need it at your new place, consider getting a storage unit to house your things until your home is sold.
Trim, yes, but don’t get rid of everything. Empty homes feel small—sometimes as small as cluttered homes.
The trick is to allow enough room for visitors to roam and feel like they’ve explored the home, while giving a sense of how furniture fits in each space. Think of it like laying a maze with broad walkways. Leaving a bed inside a room is like inviting interested buyers to walk around and explore the other side of it. Once the area has been explored, the brain perceives the space as more “known.” Visitors have an intuitive awareness of how many strides were required to cover each section of the house—many more strides for a furnished home than an unfurnished one. If you have already moved out, you may consider renting a few staple pieces to place throughout the home.
Focus on your bathroom
Bathrooms have a stinky reputation. The last thing you want is a potential buyer wondering how long your moldy-smelling towels have been in there. Buy white towels, white rugs, some fancy soap and a new, plain shower curtain. Add a hint of color with a simple vase or other decoration. You might love these new additions to your arsenal of bathroom décor anyway!
Kitchens sell homes
You’ve already de-cluttered. Now go to your kitchen and give it an even more critical eye. Is there any item on the counter besides a decorative coffee maker or attractive toaster? If there is, remove it. Consider painting the backsplash or even upgrading to tile. Wipe down the outside of the cabinets. Wash and dry the sink so it’s free of water stains. Refrigerators should be blank on the outside. Leave out a plate of cookies for extra points!
Bust out, buy or borrow key items
Mirrors. They make space look bigger and show off how the buyers will literally look inside the home should they purchase it.
Lamps. Lighting is your friend. The more lighting options in a room, the merrier.
Landscape or abstract art with bold colors. One or two pieces per room are plenty.
Don’t forget curb-appeal
The front of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see. Sweep, mow the lawn, and plant flowers if the season is right. Spray the house free of dirt and fix anything that’s broken. De-clutter the yard. Often, our homes have bikes, garbage cans, and scooters piled around them. Move everything besides decorations to the back of the home.
Last minute to-do’s
You’ve done the hard part and now your home is ready to show. Great job! Now, try not to stress. No house will be perfect. You’ve come a long way in showing your home well and buyers will sense and appreciate that. Here are the last few to-do items. Get to what you can and pat yourself on the back.
De-clutter
Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature
Turn on all lights to make the home look bigger and more inviting
Clean the mirrors and most conspicuous windows
Set the table with nice plates and silverware for that extra wow reaction
Bake cookies or light fragrant candles
Walk the path of your visitors, from the curb to the front room and beyond, making minor fixes as you go
I keep talking about not stressing, but seriously? Don’t forget to clean the toilets. Deal. Breaker.
Check back here on the Homie Blog for the next installment of the Home-Sellers Journey. Coming soon: Got a Home for Sale? Don’t Call it Cozy. To get started selling your home, contact Homie today.
The average home in Utah sells for about $250,000 right now. Let’s just say the homes that made this list are slightly above average–in many ways. I scoured the web to find the highest priced homes for sale in Utah. I found quite a few properties in the over $10M price range. Of course, if you’re spending over $10 million on a house, you kind of expect it to be something special. $10 mil. was too cheap to make this list, though, with number 10 making the cut at a cool, $14.45 million asking price.
So, without further ado, here’s the list of the top 10 most expensive homes currently for sale in Utah (February 2016):
1. 8272 E Left Hand Fork Hobble Creek, Springville – $39,000,000
Home size: 49,568 sqft; 6 bedrooms, 12 baths
Lot size: 185 acres
What to like: Indoor swimming pool with slides, waterfall, lazy river and hot tub, movie theater, bowling alley, indoor shooting area, indoor basketball court and meeting area, elevator, heated drive, and outdoor lighting. Oh, and did I mention it’s on 185 acres in Hobble Creek Canyon? Nice!
2. 9806 N Summit View Dr, Deer Valley – $21,900,000
Home size: 13,536 sqft, 6 bedrooms, 10 baths
Lot size: .64 acres
What to like: Direct ski access on Deer Valley’s Mountaineer ski run, heated outdoor pool w/ waterfall, elevator, golf simulator, steam room, sauna, theater and 4,500 sq. ft. of heated decks. Buy this place fully furnished. Turn key luxury (at a price).
3. 1886 S Geneva Rd, Orem – $19,500,000
Home size: 21,998 sqft, 9 bedrooms, 20 baths
Lot size: 18.77 acres
What to like: An engineered pond with trophy-sized fish, a boat house and pool, a garage and hotel-style guest house, a motocross course and state-of-the-art motorcycle maintenance shop, a large outdoor gathering area in the pines surrounding a huge fire pit, a storybook tree house, a little red schoolhouse. Large mature trees, including the largest private grove of Sequoia trees in the state of Utah.
4. 174 White Pine Canyon Dr. #174, Park City – $18,700,000
Home size: 15,743 sqft, 9 bedrooms, 14 baths
Lot size: 5.31 acres
What to like: Ski-in/ski-out home off the Dreamcatcher, lift right smack dab in the middle of the newly expanded Park City Resort. Gated community.
5. 2425 E. 6200 S, Holladay – $18,400,000
Home size: 28,740 sqft, 7 bedrooms, 15 baths
Lot size: 3.99 acres
What to like: Lush and wooded stream-front property in the heart of the Cottonwoods. The grounds and heated patios are filled with all the amenities of a world class resort: pathways, decks, patio, pool, tennis court, and water features.
6. 72 White Pine Canyon Rd., Park City – $15,900,000
Home size: 17,422 sqft, 9 bedrooms, 15 baths
Lot size: 4.63 acres
What to like: Ski-in/ski-out property offers arguably some of the best skiing in the country right out your back door. Guest accommodations galore, including a separate caretaker’s house.
7. 7 Roamer Ct, Park City – $15,500,000
Home size: 14,100 sqft, 7 bedrooms, 10 baths
Lot size: 1.57 acres
What to like: Sits at the top of Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Village area in the very private gated Bald Eagle Club. Spectacular views for many miles down the valley, across the ski resorts and to the city lights. Has a billiard room, game room, multiple living areas, resort like ski room, indoor pool and spa and sauna and caretakers quarters.
8. 1401 W Two Creeks Cir., Park City – $15,500,000
Home size: 8,503 sqft, 6 bedrooms, 9 baths
Lot size: 7.34 acres
What to like: The mostly single level living home frames panoramic ski resort views through floor-to-ceiling windows from its seven flat acres, complete with a new pool, barn, and guesthouse right in the heart of town. Glass bridge over water, hand crafted ski lockers, custom stone, and Venetian plaster complement luxuries such as a wine cellar, theatre room, and ski prep.
9. 1559 E Tomahawk Dr., Salt Lake City – $14,500,000
Home size: 12,201 sqft, 5 bedrooms, 8 baths
Lot size: 25.6 acres
What to like: Distinctive, classically modern design honors its sense of place on over 25 acres amid open space on the Salt Lake City’s Federal Heights bench. Mountainside waterfall, balconies, swimming pool with a cascading edge, planter-edged patios, and an exquisitely complete outdoor kitchen. A bar, recreation room, library, theater, exercise room with spa, and game room complete the home’s livable luxury.
10. 184 White Pine Canyon Rd #184, Park City – $14,450,000
Home size: 20,309 sqft, 8 bedrooms, 14 baths
Lot size: 6.8 acres
What to like: Perfectly positioned near the base of the Flat Iron lift. This modern home in The Colony, offers three levels of luxurious living. Designed by architect Michael Upwall. Multiple outdoor areas were thoughtfully created for enjoying sunny winter afternoons and cool summer evenings. Balances modern simplicity and clean lines with the livable warmth of natural materials.
So there you have it. The 10 most expensive homes for sale in Utah right now. If you’re in the market for a new home, whether in the $15M and up price range, or a more modest budget like the rest of us, give our Buy Any Home a try.
On April 1st, I got an unpleasant surprise, and it wasn’t an April Fools joke or gag. I found out that one of our renters didn’t have enough money to pay all of his rent.
Since nothing like this has ever happened before, I was definitely caught off guard. Still, it wasn’t the end of the world. Since I pay all of our mortgages ahead of schedule, waiting a few weeks for payment wasn’t going to affect my bottom line. And after talking with my tenant, I agreed to accept partial rent on the 1st and the rest of the money on the 17th of April.
I usually wouldn’t make such a big exception. However, this particular tenant is a responsible man who treats our property with incredible respect and care, even going as far as fertilizing and edging the lawn. Since he and his wife have lived in my property for four years and never paid late, I was more than willing to break the rules just this once without giving them any grief. No big deal.
But once our tenant left, my usually frugal husband, Greg, had an idea that shocked me. “We should just let him mow our grass this summer and forget about the $400 he owes.” Our renter did work in landscaping, after all, and he had expressed interest in mowing our yard in the past. However, I wasn’t fully sold on the idea.
We aren’t saving extremists by any means, but we’ve always been the kind of people who do everything ourselves. We clean our own house, do our own yard work, and manage our own rental properties. Greg does our taxes and accounting and I even color my own hair. We rarely farm out any of our responsibilities, and we have saved a lot of money by choosing to be self-sufficient. In fact, that is basically how we dug ourselves out of debt. Some of our first steps toward a healthier financial situation included cutting out unnecessary services and becoming more self-reliant. Since adopting a frugal lifestyle is what got us where we are today, I was extremely hesitant to hire out any of our responsibilities. It seemed like a giant failure on our part and I felt like we were taking a step in the wrong direction.
An unsustainable future
Still, trying to do everything ourselves can sometimes take its toll. A few weeks ago, Kristin Wong wrote a post about being a workaholic, and I could definitely relate. Greg and I both work full-time and have various side hustles and freelance writing gigs. We also have two small children that require a lot of energy and care. For the past year, we have easily worked 55-65 hours or more per week, in addition to doing all of our household chores and being parents. It’s been great for our pocketbook, but it has been extremely hard to maintain a high level of productivity at work and keep everything else running smoothly.
Occasionally, something has had to give. And to the likely disdain of our neighbors, that something has usually been our yard. Last year, we were unable to find time to mow on several occasions, and the result was that our home stuck out terribly on our quiet street of beautifully manicured lawns. Whenever that happened, we were stressed out and overwhelmed until we finally found time to get the job done.
Is a reasonable amount of lifestyle inflation okay?
Considering the circumstances, paying someone to mow our grass started to sound amazing. But, would that really be a responsible decision? Or would we just be giving in to the chief sin of frugality: lifestyle inflation? My husband assured me that this arrangement would work out great for everyone involved. Our tenant wouldn’t owe us the rest of his rent for the month, and in turn, we would have an entire warm season free from yard work. He reasoned that we just cannot keep working so hard without burning out. And, as usual, he had a point.
“It’s time to stop trying to do everything ourselves. We need to find a way to have more free time or we will eventually go crazy.”
He spoke the truth. Aside from vacation, we haven’t had much free time in the past few years. We had been working so hard, had paid off all of our debts, and were able to secure various streams of income. However, we were running short on time to get anything else done. And while working hard wasn’t a problem in itself, the hours we were putting in meant that our other responsibilities were often neglected. Nevertheless, I didn’t want to get carried away by our new penchant for lifestyle inflation. It was important to determine what we really wanted to hire someone to do, and what we would continue to do ourselves.
My husband made another thoughtful suggestion, “let’s just do the math and see if it really makes sense.” So we did. Our tenant currently owed us $400, and we figured that we probably mowed our grass fifteen times last year. That works out to about $25 per mow. And since it typically takes either of us about two hours to get our yard mowed, we would only be paying $12.50 per hour to buy our time back. Looking at the numbers from that perspective made me feel completely different. Was it worth it to pay someone $12.50 an hour to complete a task that we could rarely find time to do? Without a doubt.
We decided to call our tenant and see if he would agree to our suggested arrangement. He was thrilled to have the opportunity, and I was relieved that we would have summer free of yard work after all. And even though my husband suggested that we also hire someone to clean our house, I’m still mulling that suggestion over. I’m just not willing to make several changes at once, and I don’t want to end up paying someone to do everything.
A healthy dose of lifestyle inflation
Even though I was feeling like a failure for not being able to do everything, I am learning to accept that fact that it may make sense to occasionally hire help. And the truth is, I used to clean houses in my early twenties, and the people I cleaned for weren’t lazy at all. They were busy. They knew that their time had become worth more than what they were paying me to clean their home, and I now realize that they were wise to delegate those responsibilities.
In the end, we decided to do what felt right. And since we are finally debt free and starting to earn more, it was time to start reevaluating the way we have been living. Time is our most precious asset, and we needed to spend more time living instead of always cramming in as much productivity as possible. It’s become against my nature to pay for services, but I’m coming around, slowly but surely. And this summer, when my kids are playing in the dirt and I’m enjoying the last hours of the evening, I’ll probably wonder if the money was worth it. I can only hope that the answer is yes.
Do you do everything yourself? Or do you hire out certain responsibilities? What factors do you take into consideration when making those decisions?
This is the 2nd installment from my buddy Eric Moorman, who I consider to be a real estate investing genius. Be sure to check out his first post “How I make $250,000 a year investing in real estate“, in case you missed it.Also, if you want to learn more about real estate investing, be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter below.
It is no surprise; there are a LOT of Foreclosures in the Real Estate market right now.
It is also no surprise these houses can be bought at steep discounts.
In fact, Foreclosures, in my opinion, are the hottest thing going in Real Estate investing.
The market is full of them, and the banks are holding thousands back, so as not to flood the market even more. As most of you know, banks are not in the business of Real Estate. They are in the business of loaning money.
When a bank gets a Foreclosure, it is a toxic asset on the banks books. Now, more than any other time in history, banks are dumping these toxic assets for pennies on the dollar.
Before you quit your day job and decide you are going to get rich buying and selling Foreclosures, know this:
The word Foreclosure means several different things and has several different stages. Depending on what stage of Foreclosure a house is in will depend on the amount of risk you will take on. Let’s look at the different stages of Foreclosure and the positives and negatives to buying in each stage.
Before you read further, understand that each state handles Foreclosures differently. The timelines and examples I give below will not necessarily be the standard for where you live.
The Pre-Foreclosure
The first stage of the Foreclosure process is known as Pre-Foreclosure. This means the individual who owns the mortgage is behind on their payments. Depending on the bank, the payments could be between 3-12 months behind. Yes, some banks do not start the Pre-Foreclosure period for 12 months!
At this stage, the owner is still living in the house. Interest and penalties are accruing on their loan, but the only thing that is really happening is their credit score is going down (rapidly) and they are getting a lot of letters in the mail from the bank. The bank has not decided to go full blown foreclosure yet, as they are attempting to work something out with the home owner and save themselves the very high cost of the foreclosure process.
The positive to buying at this stage of the foreclosure process is you obviously have a motivated seller. Depending on their situation, they may be willing to sell their house very cheap, in order to avoid foreclosure and save what they can of their credit.
The negative is they may not have a lot of equity in the house, and therefore their motivation may not be a factor. It does not do an investor any good to buy a house when it is worth what the seller owes on it (or as is the case with many properties in this market, the house is not worth what the seller owes).
You look for motivation but you make purchases on equity.
Without getting too deep into investment strategy, know that in some cases it may be worthwhile to make up delinquent payments and purchase the house with creative financing. We will not discuss that in this post, but know it is a viable option and one we will discuss in future posts.
The Short Sale
The next stage in the Foreclosure process is when you can buy the house on a Short Sale. A Short Sale is when the bank is willing to take less for the house than what is currently owed on the property. There is no set time period for when a house goes from Pre-Foreclosure status to the bank being willing to do a short sale on it.
When the bank has decided it will take a Short Sale, it has basically come to the conclusion the current homeowner is not going to be able to make up their back payments and continue with the mortgage. The only reason a bank will accept a short sale is to forego the long process and high cost to Foreclose on the delinquent mortgage.
There are a few positives and a LOT of negatives to buying in this stage of Foreclosure. Some investors love to buy at this stage, but as you will see it is a lot of work, takes an extremely large amount of time and rarely produces a deal.
The positive to buying a house as a short sale is this, you can get a very steep discount…. That is about it!
The negatives are the following: The current homeowner has to apply for a Short Sale, sending in a lot of financial information basically convincing the bank they are no longer in a position to pay their mortgage.
This takes forever!
Once the house has been approved for a Short Sale, the current owner must agree to your price and then send it to the bank for approval. This process also takes forever (several months). A short sale can easily take 6-9 months to go through, and I have seen cases in which it took over one year.
Here is the scary reality of short sales, it may be to the very end and you think the deal you have been working on for months is about to go through and BOOM, the bank rejects it. There is money to be made in Short Sales, but it is definitely not a method to base your investment business around.
Going to the Auction
The third stage of the Foreclosure process is when the property is being auctioned at the courthouse steps. This is the most dangerous time to buy, and only seasoned investors should attempt to buy at the courthouse auction!
At this stage, the bank has gone through the legalities of the Foreclosure process and the house is going up for auction. The bank will send a representative to bid at least what is owed on the property, and anyone who is willing to pay above that can buy the house.
The positives of this are, if there is a ton of equity in the house, you may have a shot at getting a good deal. Here are the negatives. The individual often times may still be in the house at this stage! Even if you buy it, they may trash it as they are leaving. Hence, you have no way to calculate what your repairs will be on the house.
Also, at this stage, the bank does NOT necessarily remove all liens from the property. You may buy the house and discover there is a mechanics lien, a lien from the city or various other liens that YOU have now inherited.
Also, every state has a period of redemption for the previous homeowner to catch up the mortgage and all of the fees, after the auction sale.
Granted, this is VERY unlikely, but it is something to consider. Also, at the courthouse steps, the buyer is required to put a large sum of money down as a deposit, with a very small window to come up with the remaining balance.
If you are not a cash buyer, you will have a very hard time buying these properties. Once again, there is money to be made by purchasing homes at the courthouse auction but it is very dangerous, and there are several things you may discover once you purchase the property that completely change the financial outlook of the deal.
If the phrase “Buyer beware” was ever appropriate, it is when buying at the courthouse steps!
REO…Speedwagon? Not quite
The final stage of the Foreclosure process is my favorite. This is the point where the house becomes an “REO.” Once an auction on the courthouse steps takes place and no one bids more than the bank’s bid, the property goes back to the bank and becomes an REO or “Real Estate Owned” property.
At this point, the bank has been dealing with this toxic asset for quite a while, with no money coming in and only money going out! You must understand the bank’s costs, to understand why they are extremely motivated to sell these properties.
As previously stated, the bank has had this non-performing asset on their books for a long time. They have spent money on attorney’s fees, property preservation, insurance etc. Most big banks have thousands of these non-performing assets and they need them off the books badly.
The positives to buying at this stage are many. First, once the property is an REO, when the bank sells the property, they are required to deliver a clean title and remove all liens. Hence, you will not have any surprises once you have bought the house.
Also, no one will be living in the house at this point. The bank has seen that the previous owners have vacated the property, with no chance of redeeming their loan. The negatives to buying at this stage are, the previous owners often leave the house in poor condition. Depending on how you look at it, this may not be a negative at all. The worse condition a property is in, the better the discount. When you become good at estimating repairs, this is simply a factor that will go into your offer.
This may surprise you, but as investors, the house matters very little when it comes to getting a check.
I am not saying the condition of the property plays no role when deciding to pursue an investment, but the condition of the house is not the main factor.
My point is, do not stray away from houses that smell like cat pee or are in bad shape, there is money there! Many of the current houses on the market will not be financeable through a bank, due to their condition. This only serves as a bonus for you, the investor!
As of this writing, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA (Federal Housing Administration) alone hold nearly 250,000 REO homes. As an investor, the foreclosure market is definitely something you should be paying attention too.
While there are various stages of foreclosure and each stage carries a different amount of risk, each stage also allows the opportunity to create a huge amount of wealth. While there are several avenues to focus on when trying to make money in Real Estate, in this market, few come close to the power of harnessing equity out of bank distressed REO’s.
Focus on your education and learn the foreclosure process, and then go make some money!
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The quiet luxury trend is clapping back on the pandemic era’s boom of maximalist interiors. While many of us still gravitate toward dopamine-inducing colors and squiggly shapes, a new iteration of minimalism is setting in. Inspired by cultural moments like Sofia Richie Grainge’s South of France wedding, the widespread popularity of Succession, and not many are calling it out, but the uniforms of many of the biggest tech giants—yes, Elizabeth Holmes’ black turtleneck counts—quiet luxury is anything but silent in our design-obsessed world. And though these examples may evoke an emotive understanding, the specifics of the aesthetic are a bit harder to trace.
For answers and insights, we looked to some of the biggest designers in the game. Below, our three experts share the ins and outs of the quiet luxury trend. From tracing its rise to popularity to essential pieces to styling tips for bringing the trend home, consider this your comprehensive guide to all things quiet luxury.
Featured image courtesy of Kate Marker.
1 of 9Image by Jenn Verrier. Styling by Purple Cherry Architects and W Design Collective.
The Design Experts
Kate Marker of Kate Marker Interiors and Kate Marker Home. Kate is the founder and owner of Kate Marker Interiors, a residential interior design firm, and Kate Marker Home, which offers a hand-picked selection of furniture, home decor, rugs, & lighting
Caitlin Kah of Caitlin Kah Interiors. Caitlin Kah is a Palm Beach-based interior designer whose fresh and livable interiors range from traditional to contemporary. She has worked with diverse clientele on an eclectic mix of residential and commercial projects across the U.S. and abroad.
Alexandra Epstein, Lead Interior Designer at Purple Cherry Architects. A graduate of The Art Institute—where Alexandra deepened her innately instilled appreciation for beautiful things, art, and composition—she has gone on to create a diverse portfolio of projects. Whether contemporary or traditional in style, Alexandra’s ability to create well-curated spaces to be lived in and enjoyed is evident.
2 of 9Image courtesy of Kate Marker
What is quiet luxury? How would you describe the aesthetic and what words define it?
“Quiet luxury is more of a state of mind,” according to Epstein. Standing as an aesthetic that bridges fashion and home décor, she describes quiet luxury as a “refined elegance.” To capture the entirety of the trend, designers stray from anything extravagant, garish, or gaudy. Luxury is only half of the moniker—curating an understated color scheme featuring “a neutral palette filled with luxurious textures” is the easiest way to allow the aesthetic to come through.
Marker’s definition builds on this, emphasizing a “restrained sense of warmth and elegance.” Essentially, the easiest way to create quiet luxury is to allow pieces to speak for themselves. Kah adds that luxury comes forth in paying attention to the tactile quality of your space: “layered textiles, soft ambient lighting, luxuriously comfortable upholstery, fluffy bedding, and soft rugs underfoot” are all key components to keep in mind when curating quiet luxury in your home.
3 of 9Image by Jenn Verrier. Styling by Purple Cherry Architects and W Design Collective.
Quiet luxury has swiftly taken the design world by storm. What accounts for its influence and what is driving the trend?
Kah is quick to cite our collective need to come home to a relaxing, calming space. “By limiting pattern and color, we can recharge in a more restful way,” says the designer.
If we zoom out, however, we can see how the cultural zeitgeist gets communicated in this understated aesthetic. According to Epstein, “quiet luxury has always had a presence.” Everything from Succession to Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski accident court case has brought the trend into the mainstream. But perhaps even more compelling is how the appeal is communicated across social media. “Fashion and home influencers have presented it as very streamlined and easily accessible,” she notes. And the most widespread representation of quiet luxury? The ubiquitous capsule wardrobe, where creams, blacks, navy, and whites reign supreme.
Quiet luxury also raises the question of design longevity. “Investing in pieces that stand the test of time requires careful consideration,” says Marker. The residual benefit of adopting quiet luxury, whether in your wardrobe or home, is that it opens up your budget for pieces you’ll love for a lifetime.
4 of 9Image courtesy of Kate Marker
What would you consider essential quiet luxury pieces?
There are a few key pieces that instantly communicate quiet luxury. In fashion, Epstein loves a classic ballet flat, structured black bag, “sweaters in a variety of neutral tones,” and a gold bangle. (Essentially describing every outfit we’ve wanted to copy in every Nancy Meyers movie ever.) Translating the aesthetic to the home, she suggests investing in the following:
a wool throw
a leather-bound accessory (i.e., a box, desk blotter, tray, etc.)
a gold framed wall or floor mirror
wooden picture frames
Marker’s quiet luxury favorites span larger pieces and adept details. “A well-upholstered sofa, linen or high thread count bedding, custom window treatments, a plush wool rug, and a distinguished vintage piece that tells a story.”
5 of 9Image by Jenn Verrier. Styling by Purple Cherry Architects and W Design Collective.
What styling tips can you share to bring the trend home?
Epstein’s tips emphasize the restraint inherent in quiet luxury. “Stick to a neutral palette, use textures to tell a story, keep with classic lines, and mix in found antiques.” While quiet luxury communicates minimalism, it’s important to be intentional about everything you bring into your home. She underscores the importance of bringing an old-world feel to the space, making it feel “clean but curated, lived in but refined.”
Quiet luxury is clean but curated, lived in but refined.
Marker agrees with the appreciation for older pieces, weaving in new accents here and there to create interest. She adds that materials and textures play a key role in creating quiet luxury and encourages opting for antique brass finishes “that provide a glow to add warmth to a space.”
I love Kah’s approach: she starts with a luxurious throw and curates a quiet luxury landscape from there. She’s all about emphasizing the simplicity of the aesthetic, encouraging homeowners to opt for crisp towels in the bathroom and beautiful candles. Whether translating quiet luxury to your home or wardrobe, think: easy elegance, always.