12 Ways to Make your Home Look High-End for Less
Andi • May 11, 2018
Make your home look more expensive on the cheap. These small touches, smart decisions and simple DIY projects will help you achieve luxury for a lot less.
- Shop at Thrift and Antique Stores: While this might take a little time and effort, hidden gems can be found. You can even alter them to tailor it how you want, while making it shine as one of a kind.
- Make a Good First Impression as the Front Door: After opening and shutting, welcoming visitors, and keeping out harsh weather for years, your front door is likely showing some wear and tear. You can refresh your front door simply by sanding the door and painting it a bright blue, red, or something to contrast with the rest of your home.
- When you Have to Spend Money, Spend it Wisely: Staple and long-haul items are well worth the investment when you find what works for you. The accessories and decor that can go along-side it is better for budget-friendly or DIY projects. This is a good way to mix and match to create a high-end look that will last.
- Keep it Clean and Think Minimalistic: Minimalism has a way of looking high-end, while also saving you money; by having less, you spend less. An important element to having an attractive looking home is how you want to use the space (and making sure there is some). Staying neat and and clean goes a long way to show off your space.
- Hang Up your Art: Showing off art in your home shows off a part of who you are; it shows your personal touch and style. A gallery wall can be a stunning design centerpiece in a living room, bedroom, staircase or hallway. Or finding cheap or colorful frames you love to mix and match can give off cool vibes.
- Add Classic Wainscoting: If you’re willing to invest a few days in transforming a room and are a fan of a more traditional look, wainscoting is the way to go. The cost varies, but installing these wood panels in a small to midsize room shouldn’t cost more than a few hundred dollars. And the results are hard to ignore: bright white, clean lines and a classic finish.
- Updating Light Fixtures: If that outdated eyesore overhead makes you cringe, ditch it! Swapping out an old light fixture for a new one instantly updates the ambiance of your space. Look into what kind of style fits you, along with what looks timeless; then, make each fixture consistent throughout the home.
- Try Luxe Paint Treatments: Instead of sticking to interior eggshell paints, opt for a special paint treatment in a few key spots in your home. With finishes like metallic stripes, sandstone, random rectangles, textured sand and brushed suede, to name a few, you’ll create a purposeful and elegant look that will draw the eye exactly where you want it to go.
- Keep it Classic: Most high-end homes are filled with neutrals; because they create a calm and classic feel. Bring high style to rooms by choosing neutral hues for anything that’s expensive to update, such as floors, fixtures, and upholstery, and using accessories to introduce bold colors and textures; a neutral base lets hotter hues take center stage.
- Timeless Trimmings: Bright, fresh molding can work wonders for any room. And because it’s a classic, no one will know the difference between installing it today, or 50 years ago!
- Subway Tile: Subway tile is beautiful and timeless. And best of all, it gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Subway tile is an affordable option for kitchens and baths, so you can keep costs low and achieve a stunning look.
- Fake Built-Ins: If you like the look of built-ins but don’t want to splurge on a custom design, use bookcases to create the appearance of floor-to-ceiling built-ins. The IKEA Billy bookcase is one of the store’s most popular items.
Join us and our guest Amy Baker to learn about first-time home buying on Tuesday, August 19th, at Goods Local Brews (2620 Northwest Ave.) at 6 pm. Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, and we’re here to help make the process simple and stress-free! Join us for our First-Time Home Buyer Seminar, where we’ll break down everything you need to know—from understanding mortgages and down payment assistance programs to navigating the home-buying process with confidence. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step, this seminar will provide expert insights and practical advice to help you make informed decisions on your journey to homeownership. Questions? Call/text: 360.734.6479
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I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be representing the Women’s Council of REALTORS® – Northwest Washington Network at this year’s WCR NXT Convention in Houston ! I'm going as the Vice President of Whatcom, Skagit, & Island County. It’s a powerful gathering of real estate leaders from across the country, and I can’t wait to bring back fresh ideas, connections, and inspiration to our local network. Stay tuned for takeaways and behind-the-scenes peeks—this is going to be good. The Women's Council of REALTORS® advances women as professionals and leaders in business, the industry, and the communities we serve, and "When Women Are Present, Everything Changes."
So many possibilities with this 9.9-acre property in a prime location near I-5. The bright and airy rambler features an open floor plan and two primary suites, offering comfort and flexibility. Unique zoning allows for an RV park, and the property currently generates $50,000+ in part-time annual revenue through RV parking, camping, and a 2024 trailer that conveys with the sale and operates as a successful Airbnb rental. The land is beautifully landscaped with gardens, fruit trees, and lush, park-like scenery—creating a private sanctuary that feels far away yet remains close to amenities. Continue to grow the business, expand operations, or simply enjoy the peaceful setting while generating passive income. A rare opportunity!
JOIN THE PACK THIS AUGUST Lace up those sneakers and leash up your sense of adventure— the very first Race for the Underdogs 5K is happening at stunning Lake Padden in Bellingham on Sunday, August 17 at 8:30 AM . This heartwarming event benefits the incredible work of Happy Tails Happy Homes (HTHH) , a Whatcom County nonprofit that gives second chances to the animals who need it most. 🐶 Who You're Racing For HTHH isn’t your typical rescue. We’re a volunteer-powered, foster-based organization with no shelter, no offices, and no paid staff —just a deep love for the underdogs. That means every dollar raised goes straight to the animals, many of whom arrive with medical or behavioral challenges. We believe every tail deserves a happy ending. 🏃♀️ About the Race This scenic 5K trail loop winds counterclockwise around Lake Padden on soft grass and wooded paths. Starting near the picnic shelter at the east entrance, the route is mostly flat with a few rolling hills and one short uphill stretch through the trees on the lake’s southwest side. It’s peaceful, pet-friendly, and just the right mix of nature and challenge. 📍 Getting There From I-5 Northbound (Seattle): Take Exit 246 (N. Lake Samish), head left at the stop sign, drive 2.5 miles to the East Lake Padden entrance, and follow the HTHH signs to the playground. From I-5 Southbound (Bellingham): Take Exit 252 (Samish Way), go left over the freeway, right onto Samish Way, and continue 2.5 miles to the second Lake Padden sign (East entrance). Turn right and follow signs to the playground area.
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Step 1 Many homeowners start the selling process by looking at sites such as Realtor.com, Zillow, or Redfin to see what similar properties have recently sold for in their neighborhood to determine the current value of their home. That’s fine and understandable, but keep in mind: The sites aren’t 100% accurate as listings that were never listed in the NWMLS, or For Sale By Owners, will be missing. The information on the online sites is often out of date or not accurate as NWMLS. Therefore, a property might show that it’s still Active on Zillow, even though it sold 9 months prior. When professional appraisers conduct an appraisal, they only take into account homes that have sold in a particular neighborhood within the last 90 days. It’s not possible to sort the data by date on the online sites so it’s difficult to only look for properties that have sold within the last 90 days. Therefore, Step 1 to buying a home should be to interview REALTORS ® to represent you and ask them to provide you with a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis). Find a Realtor® How do you find a really good REALTOR®? Hopefully, you’ll contact us at 360-734-6479 or andi@andidyer.com so we can see if we would be a good fit. Remember, not all REALTORS® are right for all people. It would be best if you found someone who is not only great at his or her job, but someone you like and trust as you’re putting a big piece of your financial future in their hands. Ask friends and family for referrals. Contact those Realtors® and set up initial phone screenings with them. Notice how quickly each REALTOR® responds to your initial phone call or email. The REALTOR® should get back to you within 24 hours; if not, that’s a bad sign. This business moves fast, and deals can be lost if your REALTOR® doesn’t respond quickly on your behalf to showing requests, offers, inspection negotiations, etc. Initial Phone Screening During the initial phone screening, find out if the REALTOR® knows your neighborhood and if they’ve ever helped a client buy or sell property in your neighborhood. Ask about their experience. If your gut reaction says this person might be a good fit, ask them to do a CMA on your home and set up a time to meet with them in person. Be prepared for the REALTOR® to ask questions about your home, how much you owe on your mortgage and if any repairs are needed as they need this information to do an accurate CMA. Meet In Person and Review the CMA When you meet with the REALTOR® in person, ask them our Interview questions for hiring a REALTOR (see the next article we send). You will go over the CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) together and evaluate your competition. Ask them not only what they think your home is worth, but what the average days on market (i.e. the number of days from when your home goes on the market until you have an accepted contract) are in your area. If the REALTOR® doesn’t know this, move on. Ask them what they charge, how much the closing costs will be, and what approximately you’ll net if you sell your home for X price. Most importantly, be honest with each REALTOR®. If you need to sell your home for a certain amount of money or in a certain time frame, tell them. Only when REALTORS® have a complete picture can they come up with the best strategy to fit your situation. Lastly, trust your gut. Sign the paperwork Once you’ve picked a REALTOR®, expect to sign a Listing Agreement authorizing that REALTOR® to represent you. That starts the ball rolling to get your home on the market. Questions? Contact us at andi@andidyer(dot)com or 360-734-6479.
STEP 3 THE ESCROW PROCESS
