Posts Categorized: Home Decor

Front Porch Decor & Ideas

By Rosie Rourke, posted Nov 06, 2024
front porch decor ideas fairwood

 

✨8 Simple Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal... and Attract BUYERS!✨

First impressions matter—so why not make sure your front door is as welcoming as possible? The vibe of your home is set with it's curb appeal, and buyers are looking for a home that speaks to them. Here are 8 easy ways to make your front door POP while you are listing your home:

🚪Swap Your Door – Sometimes, a new door is all you need! Choose a modern reclaimed wood look or something with stained glass to give your home an instant facelift.

🎨Paint It – A fresh coat of paint can completely change the vibe! Think bold navy, classic black, or even fun pops of color like coral or turquoise.

🔨Update Your Hardware – Add a vintage door knocker or opt for matte black or antique brass hardware for a chic, modern touch.

🪴Bring in Some Greenery – Container plants at different heights, topiaries, or even faux plants if you're not great with a green thumb.

🎄Hang a Wreath – Wreaths aren't just for the holidays! Keep it seasonal with flowers, greenery, or even eucalyptus.

🏡Add a Doormat – A cute doormat can bring color, texture, and personality to your entryway (monogrammed ones are always a win!).

💡Illuminate the Way – Install sconces or a bold light fixture to brighten up your entry. Bonus points for a sensor that lights up as you approach!

🛋️Create a Cozy Seating Area – Got some extra space? Add a bench or porch swing for a relaxed, welcoming vibe.

The front door is the first thing buyers see when they visit your home—make it a space that reflects your style and makes them feel at home! 

Thinking of selling your home? Let's start the planning process! Reach out below: 

Renton Home Show 2022!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Mar 20, 2022
renton home show

 

The Renton Home Show is back!!! Join us April 3rd from 11-2pm for this FREE community event at the Fairwood Golf and Country Club! Meet local contactors, handymen, painters, flooring installers, interior designers and more!

This event is FREE to everyone in the community and is powered by The Rosie Rourke Team! If you are thinking of remodeling, updating or just want to meet some licensed, vetted and local contractors for a future job then this is the place to be!

Please get your free tickets through Eventbrite here: https://bit.ly/rentonhomeshow and we will see you on April 3rd!

PS. If you are local contactor looking for some exposure, please contact [email protected] ASAP!

Concierge Corner – New Video!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jan 26, 2022
 
Check out this transformation! We don't just put a sign in the ground, we lean in and take over the entire process from start to finish! Between listing agent Karen, our home seller's concierge Jo, our trusted vendors and the entire Rosie Rourke Team behind the scenes, we did all the heavy lifting and created a stress-free listing experience for this client!
 
We were just named the top team for Keller Williams Mountains to Sound in 2021 and helped over 210 families turn their real estate dreams into reality... what can we do for you in 2022? It all starts with a conversation, learn more at www.rosierourke.com/homevalue
 
You can also call/text our listing team directly at 206.719.5870 or fill out the form below! 

Staging… Yes or No?

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jun 14, 2021
home staging ideas

 

Why we recommend home staging even in a hot market!

We get this question A LOT, especially right now. If the market is so hot, do I really need to stage my home? The answer is yes, but it depends.

A vacant home needs to be staged, period. A 2020 report from RESA found that 85% of staged homes sold for 5-23% more than a non-staged home. For a little investment it can yield a HUGE return! We work with some of the best stagers in the area, and buyers have commented that our listings show the best because of it!

Staged homes also sell faster and they are easier to market to the masses via social media... no one wants to see vacant room on their newsfeed, lol! According to Forbes a staged home will sell 87% faster than a non-staged home. Why does this matter? A faster home sale will put more money in your pocket. If a home doesn't sell after the first week in this market, a price reduction will be recommended to keep the house from getting lost online. Any money invested in staging is well worth it!

But what if you live there, should you still stage it? It really depends, but in most cases a bit of re-staging and styling will do the trick! Joanne on our team has a background in design and loves helping our clients declutter and use existing pieces you already have to re-stage the home. We can also bring in smaller accent pieces, pillows, place settings, etc to spruce the place up before listing!

Putting your home's best foot forward involves a lot of work from our team, but in the end it is worth it for our clients! More money, a faster closing date, and a stress-free listing experience... and staging is just one part of our secret sauce! Learn more about our top 1% team and what selling your home can look like here: www.rosierourke.com/selling

Home Office/Homeschooling Spaces

By Rosie Rourke, posted Sep 15, 2020
homeschooling workspace ideas

Need a Home Office/School Space?

Ideas for Work From Home Spaces, Homeschooling Areas & Maybe It's Time For More Space!

One trend we are seeing right now in real estate is clients wanting a home office or homeschooling space. Like it or not, working from home and distance learning for the kids are both here to stay. After months of being at home, do you still love your house? Does it suit you current family needs? Here are some cool ideas for converting areas of your home into homeschooling spaces or a home office for those ZOOM calls!

https://www.pinterest.com/rosierourke/

Many of our clients are also finding out that being home for so long has shown them some of the limitations of their space. Remember when you bought your house and you said,

“What do I need that extra bedroom for? Why do I need a home office, I work in a building downtown? That bonus room is a waste of space?”

Open concept homes are great until you need a quite space for a ZOOM call or an area for the kids to set up their “classrooms.” You have options, maybe it’s time to upsize? Odds are you have some great equity in your home!

“But Rosie, if I sell my house how can I afford a larger home, home prices are up all over?”

This is where the low interest rates come in. Lower rates mean more buying power for you. So yes, home prices are up, but with your equity in your current home + low rates, it might be more obtainable than you think! All it takes is a simple phone call, text or email to our team and we can give you a better idea of what your home is worth and what is available in the market for you. Just reach out, let’s chat!

It is a great time to sell, buyers are circling and looking for a home like yours, trust us! Everyone is climbing the real estate ladder right now. Renters are buying condos, condos are upsizing to starter homes, starter homes are upsizing to forever homes, forever homes are downsizing to ramblers, and everything in-between! Our team has helped over 100+ clients already this year go from one end to the other, we have this dialed in.

“But Rosie, the thought of packing up and moving is scary and overwhelming, where do I start?”

RELAX, this is what we do! We don’t just throw a sign in the ground and leave you to do it all, we take care of everything! The moment you decide to let us guide you on your home sales journey we lean in to make sure you have a stress free experience! From scheduling contractors, movers, people to help you de-clutter, we’ll even be the ones to meet with the vendors for you so you don’t have to miss work! We are full service!

“Ok, but what about selling then trying to buy something, I don’t want to be displaced!”

Another great question, we have solutions for that as well! Using the equity in your home to buy a new one all while trying to sell it is both an art and a science. We work with some of the top lenders in the area who specialize in just that. We have several outside the box options to ensure you get top dollar for your current home and find you your new home. We can make it a seamless process, but you need to reach out to us to discuss these options because every situation is unique. There is also a possibility of an off market solution! Being the top team in the area we are connected to active buyers as well as other agents. In some cases selling your home without listing it is a great way to help you achieve your real estate goal without the anxiety of putting your home on the market. Once again, contact us and let’s chat about your options!

In closing I just want to say… HANG IN THERE, YOU CAN DO THIS! We hope this post was helpful and let us know if we can do anything for you! – The Rosie Rourke Team

The Renton Home Show

By Rosie Rourke, posted Mar 14, 2019

Looking for New Smart Homes for Sale? I Have BETTER Than New Ready NOW!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Aug 27, 2018

There are a lot of new home developments popping up everywhere! If you are looking for new homes for sale in Covington or Maple Valley you have probably drove down Kent-Kangley Road and seen the signs for New Lennar Homes for Sale in Covington. Or you can search New homes for sale in Covington with Lennar Homes’s Maple Hills development. Well guess what? I have a better than NEW home for sale in Addison Park right across the street listed for less than a new Lennar Smart Home in Maple Hills!

large homes for sale in covington

My listing is over 4400+ square feet, has 5 bedrooms, 3 different living spaces, open concept living, a low maintenance yard, a view off of 2 different decks, 800+ square feet of additional storage in addition to a 3 car garage, and it’s a SMART HOME with Alexa enabled features!

home for sale in covington

My seller of the home for sale in Covington is motivated and ready for an offer! And you have to see this better than new home for sale near Maple Valley. Tall ceilings, upscale touches throughout and all the lights outside are on a timer too!


Learn more and schedule a private showing here: http://rosierourke.idxbroker.com/idx/details/listing/a045/1323243/20010-SE-260th-Place

 

Featured Fairwood Business – Handyman Services!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jan 31, 2017

With this post, I am happy to be continuing my “Fairwood Featured Business” series with installment #10.

My ongoing passion as the top real estate agent in the Renton & Fairwood area is to highlight and celebrate the Fairwood neighborhood I live in, raise my kids in and work in.  I believe that a big part of what enhances our quality of life is when we enjoy our surroundings.  So I’m taking an opportunity to focus on our neighborhood specifically and to appreciate all that we have here, so close to home.

Previously on this blog, I have featured Plaza Cleaners, Fairwood Thai Cuisine, and Cosmo Nail Parlor, Fairwood Golf & Country Club, Fire District #40, Station 17, Shakey’s, There Ya Go Espresso,  Salon Tii Gavo and The Wine Alley!

For January I am excited to be featuring…

Fairwood Handyman Services!

The owner and handyman Craig Wadsworth is the best kept secret in Fairwood! He has been an expert handyman for the Fairwood area since 2002. Being a local resident, Craig not only is an incredible resource for Fairwood homeowners, he truly cares about the community we live in. He donates his time and money back to his kid’s schools and helps out when he can! “Customers just love me”, says Craig.

Entry before…

AFTER!

Have a Honey-Do List?

Craig is a licensed contractor in the State of Washington and really is a jack of all trades. No job is too big or too small. “What annoys you? It’s the honey-do list items that I specialize in”, says Craig. And think about that, you work hard, the last thing you want to do on your weekend is patch a wall or fix a leaky pipe, right? And with Craig’s hourly rate being amazingly reasonable, you can’t put a price on your personal sanity!

“Excellent work at an honest price. Craig’s attention to detail is great and he’s a pretty funny guy, too.” – Bob W. via Facebook Review

Raised to be a Handyman…

Some people are born with a green thumb… Craig was born with a hammer in his hand! “I learned a lot from my dad, he was a handy guy, I guess it just rubbed off on me”, Craig said with a smile. He has a passion for problem solving and working with his hands. I’ve personally recommended a lot of my clients to Craig and I’ve never heard a negative thing… and that’s saying something in today’s crazy world we live in, right?

Deck Before…

Deck After!

Getting a Hold of Craig

Craig is available via phone, just call or text 206-713-4904. You can also interact with him and his customers via his Facebook page, click here to check it out!