TURNING A BEDROOM INTO A LUX BEDROOM

For most of us, our bedroom is little more than a place to sleep and relax. However, just because it’s always been that way doesn’t mean that we have to settle for drab and dreary.

One trend that’s gaining steam these days is converting your current bedroom into a luxury suite (or something comparable). If you want to live like you’re renting a room at the Ritz, then you want to follow these tips.

Compartmentalize Your Activities

Making your bedroom more functional is going to make it more luxurious. Add a gorgeous desk for working and a TV area for entertainment, and you’ll be living it up in no time.

Make it Chic

Choose a color palette that is both luxurious and classy. Silver and gold can seem tacky, so choose muted shades that compliment each other.

Also, a brilliant and commanding headboard can instantly upgrade the look of your room without any other changes.

Light it Properly

Finally, make sure that you have the right light to show off your designs. If it’s too washed out or yellow, then it will look drab and run down. Switch to brilliant LEDs and see the difference.

Choose Your Accents Wisely

We already mentioned a headboard, but some elegant drapes can also make your room feel more royal. Being strategic with your furniture accessories is going to both keep you under budget and avoid doing too much with the space.

Are you ready to lux your bedroom? You’ll be impressed by the results, and the feeling of decadence will make you more confident in your surroundings.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.  

Rachel Sheller, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First- Principal Broker, Washington First-Managing Broker

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website 

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Refreshing your deck doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive!

Hanging out with your family or hosting friends on your old, dingy deck is not very appealing. Lucky for you, refreshing it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Try your hand at the makeover ideas below!

Restore your decking. Depending on the shape it’s in, sometimes all your deck needs is a little love. If it’s still fairly new, your deck might just need a deep cleaning and a new coat of sealant. There is a multitude of deck finishing and cleaning solutions on the market to choose from to achieve this. However, if it’s more worn down, the rejuvenation process may be a bit longer, including searching for larger repairs, tightening any hardware, giving it a good cleaning, applying a stain, sealant, and paint, and more.

Add lighting. Ambient lighting can completely transform your outside space into a relaxing, cozy oasis. Consider adding solar lights that don’t require a plugin or battery replacement. The lights turn on automatically when the sun sets, making your deck come alive. You can also consider paper lanterns, rope lights, mason jar lamps, or small twinkle lights, depending on the style and mood you’d like to set.

Build a privacy screen. Privacy screens come in all styles, shapes, and sizes. Consider purchasing and installing bamboo fencing or lattice panels for a quick and easy solution. Or, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can build a wooden frame and grow climbing plants or vines or stretch outdoor fabric in between. Whichever route you end up choosing, make sure you get the most out of your efforts by evaluating all lines sight before building.

Home Equity. Getting a home equity line of credit allows you to borrow money against the value of your home. You receive usually up to 80 percent of your home’s value, minus the amount of your loan.

Retirement Funds. Homeowners can consider pulling money from a 401K or IRA account, even though they aren’t specifically meant to cover a home renovation. This option might incur additional penalties or tax payments, but maybe worth it when making improvements that will benefit them financially in the long run.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.  

Rachel Sheller, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First- Principal Broker, Washington First-Managing Broker

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website 

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL!

Thank you so much to the Wong family for this amazing review. It truly was a pleasure getting to work for you and with you on the sale of your home! You were so easy to work with. Clients like you are one of the many reasons I love my job. Once again… CONGRATULATIONS!!

“Working with Rachel to sell my Mom’s house was a WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE from start to finish! At the very beginning she described all the major steps in the home sale process. She gave us excellent advice on things to do to get the house ready for listing. When we got EIGHT SOLID OFFERS she took plenty of time to go over the pros and cons of each one. Once the sale was “pending” she kept us posted as the appraisal, inspection, buyer’s loan, and escrow processes moved along. You hear lots of horror stories from buyers and sellers so I was prepared for things to “go south” but that never happened. There wasn’t a single glitch, hiccup, or surprise. While we don’t know everything that Rachel did for us, I know that when the “front-facing” things go that smoothly, it’s because Rachel was “behind the scenes” anticipating and attending to the ten thousand little details that are part of a sale.”

If you have worked with me recently, please write a review! You can either go online to my website or just email me directly. I would love to hear how my performance was! Thank you so much!!

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.  

Rachel Sheller, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First- Principal Broker, Washington First-Managing Broker

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website 

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

7 Ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

While many people think of St. Patrick’s Day as the holiday of green beer, here are seven family-friendly ways to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint.

1.     Enjoy a local parade. Get the family together to watch marching bands, bagpipes and Irish step dancers in your area.

2.     Turn your food green. Dye your pancakes green, make cupcakes with green frosting or enjoy a mint milkshake as a festive treat.

3.     Eat traditional Irish food. Corned beef and cabbage or Reuben sandwiches are popular restaurant specials, or try making shepherd’s pie or Irish boxty at home.

4.     Enjoy an Irish beverage. Ireland has more to offer than Guinness and Jameson. Warm up with a cup of Barry’s or Lyons tea and top it off with a splash of milk.

5.     Listen to Irish music. Traditional Celtic music is standard fare. Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys are two Irish-American punk bands if you want a change of pace.

6.     Find a green landmark. Iconic sites around the world light up green for St. Patrick’s Day, making for a festive selfie backdrop.

7.     Watch the Chicago River turn green. Since 1962, the city has dyed the river by using an environmentally friendly powder that turns bright green when it hits the water. If you want to witness the transformation, be there on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.  

Rachel Sheller, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First- Principal Broker, Washington First-Managing Broker

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website 

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Spring cleaning checklist

As the weather begins to warm up, now’s the time to let your house breathe and do some spring cleaning. Set aside a day or a weekend to tackle your entire living space so you can freshen up your home without dragging out the process. Use this list to organize your cleaning room by room.

Kitchen:

·         Wipe down cabinets.

·         Clean windows.

·         Deep clean stovetop, oven and microwave.

·         Clean out fridge and pantry. Remove everything from the shelves and wipe down inside. As you return items, throw away any expired food, as well as spices that have been open longer than a year.

·         Remove everything from countertops and thoroughly scrub counters and backsplash.

·         Sweep and mop floors.

Living Room:

·         Clean out fireplace.

·         Dust ceiling fans, furniture and electronics.

·         Wash or vacuum window treatments.

·         Clean windows.

·         Freshen couches and chairs. Vacuum and use upholstery cleaner where needed. Rotate the placement of couch cushions.

·         Wipe down baseboards and crown molding.

·         Vacuum and steam clean carpets.

Bedroom:

·         Remove all bedding and sort into five piles: mattress pads, fitted sheets, flat sheets, blankets, and comforters. Wash in that order so you can make the beds as each load is completed.

·         Wash or vacuum window treatments.

·         Clean mirrors and windows.

·         Dust furniture with microfiber cloths.

·         Wipe down baseboards and crown molding.

·         Vacuum and steam clean carpets.

Bathroom:

·         Spray surfaces of tubs, showers and toilets with a heavy-duty cleaner, then allow to soak while you finish the next three items on the bathroom checklist. Return to rinse surfaces before completing the fifth item.

·         Clean mirrors, windows and sinks.

·         Wipe down walls.

·         Clean baseboards and vacuum or mop floors.

·         Wash towels and throw rugs.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.  

Rachel Sheller, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First- Principal Broker, Washington First-Managing Broker

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website 

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Listing Photos Stir Buyers’ Emotions

Buyers scour the internet looking at listings and hoping for just the right photo to inspire that feeling of home. If you want to attract buyers to your property, here are some suggestions from Realtor.com^®.

Your home’s curbside photo creates that initial spark in a buyer’s mind. Most often the first listing photo buyers view is the front of the house. Be sure your property’s curb appeal includes an inviting front entry and attractive landscaping. The lighting needs to be just right so that the exterior details are not too dark and the sunlight doesn’t wash out the house color.

Some listings lead with a photo of a newly remodeled kitchen or a great room with an impressive fireplace. Interior photos need to be eye-catching, stylish and sparkling clean.

Younger buyers with children and pets may dream of a big backyard with space for outdoor play and entertaining. Highlighting a fire pit or well-maintained garden in the photos may increase a buyer’s interest.

I am a certified staging agent and use a professional photographer to give your house the best opportunity to sell. That way you get the most money in the shortest time possible! Call me today and we can get started on selling your home or buying your dream home!

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

5 Home Design Trends to Be Thankful for This Year

After years of normalizing neutral color palettes, for example, designers are embracing more colorful trends to showcase personality in homes. REALTOR® Magazine’s Styled, staged and sold blog asked designers and stagers what home interior trends they’re most grateful for this year. Here are their top picks.

1. More colorful spaces

Goodbye, white kitchens and gray walls. More color is moving in. Homeowners favor bolder hues inside the home, not just for pops of color but also as a base color for an entire room. Paint companies have chosen variations of blues, pinks, and greens as their picks for 2020 color of the year. These colors also are being splashed on kitchen cabinets, exterior doors, and home accessories.

The paint firm PPG selected Chinese porcelain, a blend of cobalt and muted navy tones, as its 2020 color of the year. Sherwin Williams followed suit with Naval, a deep navy blue.

Behr’s top 2020 pick is a meadow-inspired yellowish green called Back to Nature.

Pinks also are catching on. HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, the company’s offshoot brand, chose a blush hue called Romance, while Benjamin Moore chose a soft, rosy hue called First Light.

2. Luxury vinyl flooring

A design trend that’s stylish but low maintenance, luxury vinyl is enjoying popularity as an alternative to hardwood and ceramic tile flooring. Vinyl is touted as being cheaper, warmer, and softer on your feet; it also requires less upkeep than traditional hardwood or tile.

Today’s luxury vinyl shouldn’t be mistaken for linoleum and other varieties of sheet flooring. Luxury vinyl can be laid out in planks, tiles, and sheets, and it comes in trendy finishes. Luxury vinyl planks can resemble the look of hardwood and are offered in handscraped and wide plank varieties. The planks can be installed diagonally or in a trendy herringbone pattern, and they also can resemble tile and marble.

The lower maintenance of luxury vinyl is appealing to families with young children and pets. It’s a water-resistant material that works easily in kitchens and bathrooms.

3. Voice-controlled smart appliances

Alexa, Google Home, and Siri are ushering in a new and advanced era of smart-home technology. The choices are growing, too: Smart plugs, for example, cost as little as $10 and enable you to say: “Alexa, turn on the lights.” Add smart lightbulbs that can be controlled via voice assistants, as well as other appliances such as the thermostat, door locks, and security cameras. Suddenly, smart homes have become more attainable and cost-effective.

4. Statement ceilings 

Finally, a reason to look up! The homes fifth wall is commanding the spotlight In the roaring ’20s, stamped ceilings, such as those plated in copper or tin decorative sheets, were popular. But the trend faded in favor of smooth ceiling finishes. Now, the statement ceiling is back.

This time, however, paint, wallpaper, or wood moldings are the ceiling accents of choice. A statement ceiling can brighten up a space and make it memorable, says Katie Skoloff, principal designer and founder of In Site Designs, an interior design firm in Greenville, S.C. “We find the interest on a ceiling draws the eye up, and you cannot help but feel the space is there to ‘wow’ you,” she says. Wallpapered ceilings, as well as wood beams and coffered ceilings, are today’s standout options.

5. Contrasting kitchen design

Along with more colorful interiors, the white kitchen is fading in favor of a bigger statement, including tuxedo cabinetry, shiny hardware, and brass-trimmed range hoods.

Polished brass on cabinet hardware, range hoods, and appliance handles shines in otherwise white kitchens, appearing to be like jewelry for the space. Café, a hardware line for the GE Appliance brand, offers customizable options in various metals for refrigerator or oven handles. For example, soft-brushed copper handles can be added to a matted white refrigerator for a more contemporary vibe.

Contrasting kitchen cabinets, such as the tuxedo kitchen, also are gaining popularity. The trend calls for upper and lower cabinets to be painted different colors—perhaps white on top and a gray or dark walnut on the bottom. It’s essentially a way to add more visual interest to an otherwise all-white display.

An alternative—and slightly less bold—version of this trend is also taking root, such as all-white cabinets and a contrasting kitchen island in a deep blue, gray, or walnut color.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

3 Tips For Controlling Meal Portions

One way to cultivate healthier eating habits is to address the issue of meal portions. Research shows that people tend to eat most of what they’re served, which means large portions can contribute to overeating and weight gain, says HealthLine.com.

The U.S. tends to offer larger serving sizes than many other countries around the world. According to a study from the University of Pennsylvania, an average dinner in Paris is 25 percent smaller than an average dinner in Philadelphia.

Here are three ways to control your meal portions and still feel satisfied.

1. Drink a glass of water before your meal. Consuming water before you eat helps your body distinguish between hunger and thirst, effectively helping you to consume fewer calories during your meal.
2. Eat slowly. Taking more time to eat allows your brain to register feeling full and reduces the likelihood that you’ll overeat.
3. Pay attention to what you are eating. Aim to fill half of your plate with vegetables, which are full of fiber and low in calories. This means you can eat more food and consume fewer calories. Include protein with each meal to help you feel full longer, reducing the urge to snack throughout the day.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

8 Hot Home Trends For 2020 And Beyond

With a new decade upon us, it’s an exciting time for home design trendsetters, including architects, developers, builders — and yes, you, the homeowner. Trends in the field reflect green and tech innovations, healthier lifestyles and a focus on shared space. Let’s take a look at eight of the most important directions being taken.

1. Going casual.Homes today reflect a more relaxed lifestyle, with an emphasis on comfort. Formal dining and living rooms are being replaced by open floor plans, a greater inclusion of the outdoors and no-frills home offices.
2. Smarter and better connected.Evolving smart technologies have been incorporated throughout the home. Automated systems, which range from home security to lighting to climate control, are everywhere. Command centers provide a place for wireless charging stations, home deliveries and easy device access for coordinating family schedules.
3. Green sustainability is in fashion.In response to a changing climate and increasing costs, energy efficiency is a must. Homeowners are choosing Energy Star appliances and windows. Smart thermostats and LED lighting save money and energy. New, efficient plumbing fixtures conserve water. Builders are using recycled and other high-tech materials to improve thermal insulation. Rooftop solar panels are more common. The green home marketplace is abuzz with constant improvements.
4. The appeal of the open floor plan.Whether home buyers are looking to maximize the flow of light or space, or to create more familial unity, they’re looking to open floor plans. Most common is the integration of the kitchen with a dining or living room, but also with a patio or home office. These multipurpose spaces are becoming the norm.
5. The heart of the home.The kitchen remains the center of household activity. We not only cook and eat in the kitchen, but its island has expanded into the home’s meeting place. Design-wise, buyers are looking for white-upon-white cabinetry and walls, stainless steel appliances and natural stone counter tops.
6. Redefining the bathroom.In the easygoing 2020’s, the bathroom can be your refuge: a long shower or even longer soak transforms the room from a care space into a spa. Calming shades of white and gray are preferred. Homebuyers are going with the clean look of wall-mounted fixtures. More welcoming walk-in showers with multi-function faucets are a hot feature.
7. At home in the great outdoors.Another exciting trend for the 2020s is a greater usage of the homeowner’s outdoor space. With more informal lifestyles, enjoying one’s yard, deck, patio or pool is now a priority. Designer outdoor furniture and exterior lighting, as well as mobile heaters and outdoor kitchens, are making the outdoors a year-round experience.
8. Tomorrow’s home, today.Builders are recognizing home affordability issues and responding to home buyers’ changing priorities. This is resulting in smaller homes with fewer traditional luxuries, like three-car garages. More affordable prefab modular construction and townhomes are on the rise.

Please feel free to text or call me for more information! I would love to answer any and all of your real estate needs.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Trending Styles For The Master Bath

You may be planning to update the master bath before putting your home on the market or after you’ve purchased a resale home. This is what’s trending among homeowners who renovated their bathrooms within the past 18 months, according to the latest survey conducted by Houzz.com.

·         When remodeling master baths, 90% of homeowners change the style. The most popular option right now is transitional, a unique blend of classic traditional and sleek contemporary design.

·         Soothing, neutral color palettes are typically chosen to complement transitional, contemporary and modern bathroom styles.

·         The largely popular farmhouse style has started to decline.

·         The top three colors for vanities are white (34%), wood (29%) and gray (16%). White is also trending for countertops (46%), followed by multicolored (18%) and gray (12%).

·         Gray is most often selected for the wall color with paint being the top wall surface by far, followed by either ceramic or porcelain tile.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!