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Home Design/Improvements • October 21, 2025

Kitchen Design Trends: Create a Welcoming, Functional Space

by Connie McGregor
The latest in kitchen design incorporates organic shapes, sustainable materials, bold colors, smart features and retro elements.
As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home – where meals are made and memories are shared. It’s also a space where even small improvements can make a big impact. Whether you’re planning a complete overhaul or a few strategic updates, today’s trends offer many exciting possibilities.

Curved and Organic Shapes

Inspired by Italian design, this style moves away from rigid, angular lines to create a more fluid and harmonious vibe. Curved countertops and rounded cabinetry bring a welcoming, sculptural quality to the room. If you’d like an easier fix, you could incorporate subtle trim detail, spherically shaped light fixtures or a dining table that has soft edges and upholstered seats.

Sustainable and Natural Materials

Eco-conscious choices remain at the forefront of modern décor and can be integrated into most any home. Terracotta, recycled glass and sustainably sourced wood are not only environmentally friendly, but they also enhance the ambience with rich textures and earthy shades, whether in flooring, cabinetry or countertops.

Bold Color Schemes

Neutral tones are now taking a backseat to bold hues. Deep greens, navy blues and even dark gray and black add drama and originality, especially when complemented by contrasting backsplashes and vibrant accent pieces. Smaller changes such as colorful dishware or patterned window treatments can significantly spice up your kitchen’s look and feel.

Multifunctional Islands

Kitchen islands are evolving into multifunctional hubs. Incorporating built-in sinks, wine coolers, extra seating and more, these pieces serve as prep areas, dining spots and storage solutions, maximizing both space and utility. Non-traditionally shaped islands are coming on the scene as well, garnering visual interest with oblong or rounded surfaces – a possible solution for awkward floor plans.

Paneled Cabinetry

If you’re wishing to inject some depth and character, paneled cabinetry could be the answer. This design introduces texture in a subtle way, offering a sophisticated alternative to flat-front or Shaker styles. Clear or frosted glass panels can make smaller kitchens feel less crowded and would be ideal for showcasing decorative items and dishware.

Statement Backsplashes

Backsplashes are increasingly becoming focal points, with homeowners opting for cutting-edge patterns and vivid colors to infuse personality and visual interest into their kitchens. If you want to heighten the impact, consider running the tile all the way up to the ceiling. Just be sure that your backsplash complements rather than competes with your cabinetry.

Smart Features

The future is here with the integration of smart technology like voice-activated faucets, app-controlled appliances and intelligent lighting systems. These features streamline tasks and boost energy efficiency, making daily routines easier and more convenient.

Vintage and Retro Touches

Nostalgic elements are yet another way to fashion a unique space that is both welcoming and memorable. Retro color palettes, vintage-inspired appliances and classic fixtures add charm and character to most any design. You could also have fun with some eye-catching wallpaper – a perfect way to brighten up any dark corners.

If you’re thinking about giving your kitchen a refresh, today’s trends offer innovation and sustainability with plenty of opportunity for personal expression. They may not improve your cooking, but they can inspire you to create a gathering place that is both functional and stylish.

 

Carma Stahnke
Home Buying • October 21, 2025

A Buyer’s Checklist: Tour Homes Like a Pro

by Connie McGregor
After reviewing online listings and narrowing down options with your real estate agent, you’re ready for the exciting part – touring a property!
Michel Smith

Use this checklist to get the most out of touring a home and ensure that no detail gets overlooked during this critical step.

Pre-Visit: Do Your Homework

Before scheduling a visit, be clear about your budget and goals. In today’s competitive market, you’ll also want a preapproval letter from your lender. Next, research factors like property taxes and important area insights. It’s also helpful to review the online listing again and note any questions that are best addressed in person.

Be Prepared With a Toolkit

Use a notebook and your smartphone to record your impressions. It’s easy to forget details after you leave, especially if you’re touring a few homes. And don’t forget a flashlight, which comes in handy for inspecting dimly lit places like crawl spaces and attics.

First Impressions: Assessing the Exterior

Your tour starts the moment you arrive – as you take in the home’s curb appeal. The state of the yard and entryway can signal how well-maintained the house is overall. Are the roof and exterior in good condition? Are there cracks in the driveway? If so, consider if you have the budget for bigger ticket repairs like a new roof.

Inside the Home: Room by Room

You’re finally inside! It’s easy to get caught up in cosmetic elements and paint colors, but a thorough walk-through focuses on features that would be expensive to alter or repair:

Kitchen and Bathrooms: Check major appliances and fixtures. Turn on faucets to assess water pressure and drainage. Look for signs of heavy wear or leaks.

Bedrooms and Closets: Are the rooms large enough to accommodate your furnishings? Check the size of closets to see if they’ll meet your storage needs. Take note of flooring: Do you prefer carpet or hard flooring in bedrooms?

Basement and Attic: These spaces require extra attention during a tour since they may reveal water damage or structural issues.

Floors and Walls: Scan for cracks, stains or uneven surfaces, which could indicate foundation problems.

Beyond Basics: Use Your Senses

This is your chance to fully experience the place you may call home. Pay attention to small details to identify any red flags and determine if the home is truly a good fit.

Sight: Look for cosmetic repairs that may hide bigger problems like damaged walls or ceilings.

Sound: Take notice of noise from traffic or the neighborhood.

Smell: Check for musty odors, which could be a sign of mold, or overpowering air fresheners that might mask problems like pet odors.

Touch: Test windows, doors and light switches to be sure they’re functional.

Post-Visit: Consider Future Needs

Take stock of the pros and cons. If the property is a serious contender, plan to visit the neighborhood at different times of day to gauge traffic patterns. How move-in ready is the home? Does the layout work as is or would it require major renovations? Consider if the outdoor space meets your needs.

Keep your future plans in mind. If you’re expanding your family, are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms? Will you need a dedicated office space or first-floor bedroom? Planning ahead saves you from outgrowing a home too quickly. Finally, discuss your impressions with your agent, who can offer further insight and help you size up the property against others in the area.

Home tours are an essential step in the buying journey. Being prepared is key to ensuring you focus on the most critical aspects and get the most out of your tour.

Home Buying • October 21, 2025

Ready to Buy? See How Much Home You Can Afford in 7 Steps

by Connie McGregor
To find out how much home you can afford, determine your budget, check your DTI, explore your loan options and work with a trusted real estate agent.
Carma Stahnke

Buying a home is exciting, emotional and yes – a little intimidating, especially when you start thinking about finances. If you’re concerned about how much house you can actually afford, you’re not alone. The good news is that by taking the right steps now, you can start your search with confidence and clarity – and an eye on the future.

Step 1: Know Your Budget

As you get ready to start swiping through listings, you should first figure out what fits comfortably in your monthly spending plan. A common rule of thumb? Keep your total housing costs — mortgage, property taxes, insurance and HOA fees — under 28% of your gross monthly income. For example, if you make $7,000 a month before taxes, you’ll want to keep your monthly housing expenses to $1,960 or less.

Step 2: Check Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)

Your DTI is very important to lenders, telling them how much debt you’re currently juggling and how the purchase of a home will increase your expenses. A lower DTI not only makes you a more attractive buyer – it can also unlock better loan terms and lower interest rates. Ideally, your total monthly obligations (car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc.) should stay below 36% of your income.

Step 3: Plan Your Down Payment

The more you put down, the less you have to borrow, which means lower monthly payments and possibly not having to get private mortgage insurance (PMI). A 20% down payment is great if you can manage it, but many buyers go with 3-10%, especially with FHA or first-time buyer programs. And don’t forget closing costs – usually around 2-5% of the purchase price.

Step 4: Explore Your Loan Options

All mortgages are not created equal. From 30-year fixed to adjustable-rate loans, the type you choose plays a big role in how much property you can take on (and how much you’ll pay over time). Before you talk with your lender, do some research, come prepared and ask plenty of questions. You’ll want to learn if you’re eligible for any governmental programs, if your monthly requirement could change and/or what will happen if you ever have unexpected financial difficulties.

Step 5: Think Beyond the Numbers

The bank might say you can afford that dream home – but whether or not you should actually purchase it is another question. Be honest about what matters most to you in terms of lifestyle. Do you want to travel, save more or splurge on concert tickets? Then you should leave room in your budget for these activities. Also remember that once you move in, you’ll most likely want to buy furniture and other household items as well as upgrade with new paint or cabinetry. The cost of personalizing your new residence can quickly add up.

Step 6: Use a Mortgage Calculator

Before you start seriously house shopping, try experimenting with an online mortgage calculator. It will show you how changes in interest rates, home prices and loan terms impact your monthly payment. Zillow and realtor.com® offer easy-to-use tools that take a lot of the guesswork out of the budgeting process, allowing you to see results in a matter of seconds.

Step 7: Talk to the Pros

Every day, real estate professionals and mortgage lenders navigate their clients through their buying journey – so lean on their expertise. A good agent will tailor the search to your recommended price range and refer you to a lender who will explain your options and help you make the best decisions for your unique circumstances. You should also chat with friends and family who have recently bought a home and can give you some valuable firsthand advice.

Determining how much home you can afford isn’t just about cold hard numbers. It’s about finding a place where you can live well and sleep easy. With a clear plan, a trusted team and a little prep, you’ll be well on your way to finding a property you love without breaking the bank.

Luxury Market • Luxury Trends • July 30, 2025

10 Luxury Market Trends to Watch Now

by Connie McGregor
By Alyson Pitarre/Jul 2 2025

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The headlines say it’s a buyer’s market. That conditions are cooling. That navigating real estate right now feels challenging at best. But step into the world of luxury real estate, and you’ll find a more nuanced reality.

The high-end property market has always been a category apart — shaped by different motivations, different fundamentals, and sophisticated buyers and sellers who think long-term about their wealth preservation and investments. The Mid-Year Report from the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program offers a closer look at how the luxury sector is performing now, and what’s likely ahead for 2025 and beyond. Backed by fresh data from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and insights from a survey of over 200 Luxury Property Specialists, it paints a clearer picture of this exclusive segment.

Consider this your insider’s guide to the latest luxury real estate trends:

 1. Sellers Are Getting Their Prices (If Their Homes Check the Right Boxes)

Despite all the chatter about a cooling market, overall luxury prices aren’t budging so far. Single-family median sold prices notched up 1.8% year-over-year and 8.0% over 2023 according to data compiled by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (the “Institute”) for the report. Meanwhile, attached median sold prices rose 8.4% year-over-year and 16.5% compared to 2023, mostly driven by demand for premium condos in trophy markets like NYC and LA. “We are still seeing bidding wars for competitively priced homes,” says Dr. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). For sellers, here’s the takeaway: if your home is competitively priced, turnkey with sought-after amenities, and located in a proven trophy market, you’re still well-positioned to command a premium and get your price.

 2. Inventory Hits a Sweet Spot

Buyers, rejoice! Finally—there are more properties to choose from. Luxury home inventory reached a two-year high in May. Inventory for single-family homes is up 40.4% and 42.6% for attached properties since 2023, per the Institute. This is giving buyers more breathing room and negotiating power, but there’s a catch: the most desirable listings are still selling quickly — and often at premium prices.

 3. Single-Family Homes Lead the Pack

If you’re planning to list a single-family home this year, you might have an edge. These properties remain the standout performers in the luxury space right now — with sales up 1.7% year-over-year and 9% over 2023, as the Institute data shows. Demand is holding steady even as inventory grows. Meanwhile, attached homes have experienced modest softening, as buyers in this segment are more rate-sensitive and new supply has been slower to come online.

4. The Market Balances Out

Is it a buyer’s market? The answer: it’s complicated. In some areas, buyers may have a bit more leverage now; in others, sellers still hold the advantage. But overall — when the Institute tracked data across 120 U.S. luxury markets — the numbers from the Institute tell this narrative: the market is healthier and more balanced than it’s been in years. Through May 2025, Days on Market averaged 31 days for single-family homes and 28 days for attached properties. Sale-to-list ratios held firm above 98%. While sales ratios have dipped slightly, they signal slightly more negotiating room for buyers, but not necessarily market distress.

5. Real Estate Stays a Safe Bet

High-net-worth buyers still see luxury property as a reliable anchor for long-term wealth. Over 68% of surveyed Luxury Property Specialists say their clients are holding or increasing their real estate investments this year. As Lautz told us for the report: “The stock market can be highly reactionary, and many affluent buyers are looking to diversify their portfolios,” noted Lautz. “Anecdotally, we’re hearing from Realtors that their clients are reallocating funds from stocks into tangible real estate assets.” Added Winston Chesterfield, founder of U.K.-based Barton Consulting: “Real estate can be a place to park money, and when the world feels uncertain, we often see an interest in home and real estate purchases.”

 6. ‘Smart Luxury’ Is Making Moves

Goodbye, conspicuous consumption and hello conscientious luxury 2.0! Today’s buyers and sellers are navigating a market where practical considerations like affordability, tax strategy, estate planning, property utility, and long-term investment potential are starting to take precedence over purely lifestyle-driven purchases like aesthetics, flashy amenities, or location cachet. As inventory levels continue to rise and prices remain stable, some savvy buyers could be increasingly willing to trade location or tackle renovations if the numbers make sense. “We could see a new era of ‘smart luxury’ being ushered in,” says Michael Altneu, Vice President of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury. “It’s a mindset shift where decisions are guided by discernment and strategy rather than indulgence alone.” ‘Smart luxury’ stands in contrast to another continuing force in the market: the increasingly selective, no-compromise buyer.

7. The ‘No-Compromise’ Buyer Still Rules the Market

Today’s luxury buyer wants it all — and they’re willing to wait for it. Most Luxury Property Specialists identified this “no compromise, no urgency” mindset as one of the top trends defining the high-end market today.

“Although my buyer clients might be somewhat cautious, they continue to expect property upgrades that support their luxury lifestyle,” says Rhonda Harmon of Coldwell Banker High Country Realty in South Carolina. Judy Oriel of Coldwell Banker Realty in Greater Boston agrees: “Unless the property is spectacular and a true ‘dream house,’ there is no urgency.”

So what sells? Turnkey everything — fully furnished, designer-curated homes in pristine condition. “Often, saving time and avoiding everyday hassles are the real luxuries,” says Andrea Saturno-Sanjana of Coldwell Banker Warburg.

For sellers, this means one thing: quality, presentation, and move-in-ready appeal are still your best leverage in today’s patient, high-bar market.

8. Cash Is King Again

It grabs headlines for good reason: all-cash deals are powering the luxury market as borrowing costs climb. With interest rates no longer at historic lows, affluent buyers are more motivated than ever to pay cash in full and avoid expensive financing altogether. This trend shows up clearly in the Mid-Year Report: 96% of surveyed Luxury Property Specialists say they’re seeing steady or rising all-cash purchases. It also aligns with NAR’s data: “Currently, 31% of repeat buyers are purchasing with all cash — up from 19% pre-pandemic,” notes Lautz. Affluent buyers’ willingness to pay in cash underscores how strongly they view real estate as a stable hedge when the stock market feels unpredictable.

9. Everyday Millionaires Become First-Time Luxury Buyers

Soaring home equity has pushed more move-up buyers than ever into the luxury tier. In the last five years alone, according to NAR, U.S. home prices have surged 47%, creating trillions in new equity and expanding the pool of buyers who now find themselves shopping in the high-end market for the first time. It’s a trend UBS has dubbed the “Everyday Millionaire.” Per the UBS 2025 Global Wealth Report, there were nearly 52 million “everyday” millionaires worldwide in 2024 — four times as many as in 2000 and still 2.5 times higher even after adjusting for inflation.

“Home prices continue to increase, which means homeowners are accumulating a large amount of housing equity,” says Lautz. “Move-up buyers may have once thought they weren’t luxury buyers, but now find themselves in that market.”

As economic uncertainty tempers speculative, purely lifestyle-driven purchases, this equity-rich move-up buyer may well become the most influential force in luxury real estate through the next cycle.

10. A Wave of Younger Buyers Is Redefining Luxury

While Baby Boomers still account for a large share of luxury buyers, a younger generation is starting to change the real estate game. Nearly $124 trillion in assets is expected to pass to the next generation by 2048 (per Cerulli Associates), fueling a new wave of Millennial and Gen Z buyers in the luxury market.

The Mid-Year Report confirms this shift: 43% of surveyed Luxury Property Specialists have seen more Millennial and Gen Z clients, and another 29% report steady activity among Gen X buyers. Together, these next-gen buyers are raising the bar for what qualifies as luxury today. They expect turnkey layouts, smart technology, sustainable features, and flexible spaces that fit modern lifestyles and multi-generational living arrangements.

Where Luxury Stands Now — and What’s Next

The headlines may say one thing, but luxury real estate has always moved to its own rhythm. While not entirely immune to economic shifts or market cycles, it remains more insulated than the broader housing market, with affluent buyers and sellers rarely feeling pressured to act on anyone else’s timeline.

As the Mid-Year Report 2025 shows, the high-end property market is recalibrating from the frenzy of the pandemic boom to a steadier, healthier balance. New players are stepping in too: smart buyers, equity-rich everyday millionaires, and a younger generation reshaping what luxury means now and in the years ahead.

Amid these shifts, the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program keeps Luxury Property Specialists informed and ahead of the curve, ready to guide clients with the insight and assurance they deserve.

For the complete picture, read the Mid-Year Report here.

 

 

 

Home Owners • August 22, 2024

6 Reasons to List Your Home During the Holidays

by Connie McGregor

Sellers, take note and embrace the holiday joy! If you’re planning to list your home this season, early fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for the market. You’ll face less competition and buyers will be highly motivated to settle into new digs in time to ring in the new year.

1. Less Competition

During spring and summer, there are historically more homes on the market. During the holidays, there are typically fewer listings, making it easier for your home to really stand out and shine to potential buyers.

2. More Serious Buyers

Amid the hubbub, people are extra busy gift shopping and attending celebrations. Consequently, you’re not likely to get many just-looking buyers. Anyone home shopping during the holidays will be more focused and more likely to make a strong initial offer.

3. End-of-Year Financial Advantages

Finalizing a home sale before the end of the year can provide potential financial benefits, such as deductions on property taxes, mortgage interest and other home-related costs.

 4. Job Relocation Season

Since January is a common window for job relocations, buyers may need to settle into a city and home by the end of the holiday season. Your home may be the answer to their relocation prayers!

5. Faster Closings

Since everyone is busy decking the halls, buyers and sellers will both be interested in moving things along expeditiously. And because all the professionals involved for a sale will have fewer closings on their plate, your transaction will get even more attention.

6. Cozy Vibes

While winter weather can be daunting, nothing beats coming in from the cold to a warm, cozy home adorned for the season. Just turn up the heat, have a yummy treat in the oven and be sure to keep your sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Along with your festive outdoor lights, you’ll appeal to buyers’ sentimentality with all the decorative touches.

Listing your home during the most festive time of the year can lead to more serious and qualified buyers – and a fresh start for the new year. Contact your local Coldwell Banker® agent to get a jump start on listing your home in time for the holidays.

 

By: MICHEL SMITH | 

Coldwell Banker | Realty

7975 North Hayden Road

D - 105

Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 

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