Linda Granzow, Licensed Realtor in North and South Carolina

02/01/2025

Staged homes tend to sell faster than those that are not staged. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, staged homes recently sold for about $40,000 above the asking price. Staged homes were reported to sell nine days faster than the average home. We are happy to answer any of your questions!

Before putting your home up for sale, you should know about home staging. You need to put your home in the best possible light to make it appeal to a wide range of potential buyers. Click through for ideas on how you can successfully stage your home with minimal effort.

01/28/2025

Decide on the primary function of your island. Will it be used mainly for meal preparation, dining or entertainment? Or perhaps a combination of these? Have questions? We're happy to help!

Designing the perfect kitchen island involves thoughtful consideration of size, functionality, materials and finishing touches like lighting and seating. Click through to discover how your kitchen island can become the heart of your home.

01/28/2025

Owning a home is not the right choice for everyone. If you like a maintenance-free lifestyle and enjoy the freedom of moving around the country, renting might be the smarter choice. But owning a home comes with financial benefits, especially for those who plan to stay in their home for seven or more years.

Tired of sending rent checks to your landlord each month? You might be ready to make the move to home ownership. Click through to learn about how to make the leap from being a renter to being an owner.

01/25/2025

To successfully mix metals in your bathroom, follow the adage that less is more. Remember that the goal is to design a cohesive, pleasing room with an unexpected flair. Remember, all that glitters is not always gold.

The recent trend of mixed metals in the bathroom allows the homeowner to break away from matchy-matchy uniformity with more sophisticated design options. Click through for some inspiring ideas to create a bathroom of balanced contrasts.

01/20/2025

Few numbers are as significant to mortgage lenders as your FICO credit score. This score measures how well you’ve paid your bills and managed your credit. The higher your FICO score, the more likely lenders will approve you for a new mortgage or refinance. If you have any questions, let us know how we can help!

Want to refinance your current mortgage loan to one with a lower interest rate? This could be a smart financial decision. But what about your credit score? Is it high enough to qualify for a refinance? Click through to find out what lenders are looking for.

01/18/2025

Creating a scaled-down version of the Regency period in your home is possible. What could be more fun than binge-watching episodes of "Bridgerton" while reclining gracefully across your own cushioned divan? Contact us for more ideas on decorating your home in your favorite movie or TV show style.

The popular TV series "Bridgerton" has given viewers an appreciation for the visual style of the Regency era. The Regency-style home was all about opulence and sophistication. Click through to see how Regency-style decor can be achieved with a more modern aesthetic in mind.

01/11/2025

If rooms are aesthetically misplaced in your home's flow, a Murphy door can hide a bathroom or a poorly placed closet, creating something more interesting and functional. Thanks to the trendy Murphy door, creative storage solutions, from bookcases to wine racks to pantries, are no longer a mystery. Contact us for more "out of sight" storage solutions for your home.

If you are looking to find extra storage, the Murphy door may be your best solution. Like its older cousin, the Murphy bed, the Murphy door opens into entirely concealed rooms. Click through for ideas on where you can add some magic and whimsy to your mundane storage problems.

01/06/2025

Traditional living room decor should be functional and family-friendly. The space should be symmetrical and balanced, with side chairs, tables, and lamps appearing in pairs. This is meant to encourage conversation among guests. Update the room by blending antiques and vintage art with contemporary pieces.

While interior design trends will come and go, traditional style is timeless. The goal of traditional style is not to go for the "wow" factor, but rather to provide a comfortable, inviting backdrop for family living. Click through for inspiring ideas to elevate your traditional home from dated to up...

01/04/2025

New Year's resolutions? Wellness is a priority, and designers are seeing greater interest among their clients in features such as steam showers, wet rooms, saunas, and even cold plunges. Here are five top trending ideas for refreshing your bathroom, no matter the room size or your budget.

Whether you are designing a luxury spa-like retreat or upgrading a small powder room, bathrooms are spaces to let your imagination run a little bolder than you do when designing other rooms in your home. Click through for the five top trending design ideas that can fuel your own creativity.

12/28/2024

Mediterranean-style: While sleek, contemporary kitchens continue to be the most popular style among homeowners, Mediterranean-style designs are admired worldwide for their timeless elegance and welcoming appeal. Contact us for more ideas on capturing the traditional beauty of a Mediterranean-inspired "Cucina" in your own kitchen.

Old World appeal is evident in the enduring style of Mediterranean-inspired kitchens. This kitchen style reflects the warmth and tradition of the southern European landscape. Click through to learn more about how to import this style into your own kitchen.

12/24/2024

During this time, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our success possible. In this spirit, we say thank you and send best wishes for the holidays and New Year. Merry Christmas! - Linda Granzow

12/21/2024

What are some of the critical trends in lighting? Here is a sample of what may inspire your following lighting choices! While all the traditional options are still available, why not seek something uniquely expressing your personality and aesthetic? Contact us for more ways to light up your life.

Lighting is often an overlooked design element, yet it is a key ingredient in setting just the right mood and appearance. From pendants to chandeliers to flush mounts to lanterns, there is a wide array to choose from. Click through for information on selecting the right lighting for your home.