century21 Archives - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

Home for the Holidays: Your Favorite Holiday Movie Homes Come to Life

December 22, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Christmas movies are one of the best things about the holiday season. No matter who you are, you have a favorite holiday movie. There’s a movie for every child, every adult, every mood, and every personality. Holiday movies have a way of getting you in the Christmas spirit faster than you can say, “Santa, I know him!”

Whether you’re Home Alone or surrounded by family for The Holiday, these homes will surely make you nostalgic for your favorite movie.

1. This home is reminiscent of the McCallister residence; it’s even located in the same town! We’re sure it comes with its own blueprint plan to ward off intruders, but hopefully you won’t need it. Make sure you have all your belongings (and children) before leaving on any holiday vacations.

2. The Griswolds could live here. With a light show this hefty, make sure you don’t pull a Clark and have the lights fail on you. If you love these over-the-top decorations, then you may need a “Jelly of the Month” club membership to get you through the holidays.

3. It may not be as drafty or as old as the Bailey residence, but this home will surely leave you thinking that It’s a Wonderful Life. There is space to host the best Christmas dinner ever and there’s even a guest room for Clarence. It may be difficult to lasso the moon, but the backyard has enough space to practice.

4. Similar to little Susan’s dream home, this precious house is bound to bring miracles (even if it’s not located on 34th Street). Santa will have no problem finding this home on Christmas night. He made it all possible, after all!

5. Is that a leg lamp we see in the window? No, probably not, but this home looks like it could tell A Christmas Story. It’s not a good idea to stick your tongue to any light posts outside, but throw on your bunny pajamas and try not to shoot your eye out on Christmas morning.

Watching your favorite Christmas movies can get you and your family into the holiday spirit! These homes are a perfect reminder of why you adore curling up by a fire and tuning on these timeless films.

Recommended Reading:

-Let the Games Begin: Which District Should You Live In

-Carrie, Seinfeld, and Friends: NYC Apartments Straight From the Screen

-What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie? 10 Real Houses Where Your Favorite Scary Movie May Have Occurred

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Suite Luxury Tips For Your Bedroom

November 25, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Question: Could you share a few budget-friendly ideas my clients can use to add value and comfort to their master bedrooms? John Spadaro, CENTURY 21 Universal Real Estate, Chicago, Illinois

One of the biggest influences on today’s master bedroom is the boutique hotel suite. I’ve designed many and can tell you that turning your bedroom into a five-star experience is easier than you might think. Here are a few of my favorite tips:

• Unburden walk-in closets with an armoire for “him.” He can place his suits there and keep the two of you from fighting to get dressed every morning.

• Lean a great mirror with a thick frame up against a wall. It can function as a full-length dressing mirror while adding architectural interest to your room. And of course, it visually expands the space as it bounces light from wall to wall.

• Add a beverage station and mini fridge. For a little money, you can get a coffeepot, bottled waters, and even a mini bar. Have that first cup of coffee or last glass of wine in private, away from household commotion.

• Consider replacing worn wall-to-wall carpet with hardwood flooring. It wears better and adds value to your home. Add area rugs for comfort—they’re investments you can take with you, should you sell your home. Remember how wonderful a fuzzy sheepskin or all-natural-fiber shag rug feels on bare toes?

CHRISTOPHER LOWELL, an Emmy Award-winning interior designer and TV host, is known for doable design advice that nets stunning results.

Recommended Reading:

-Ask Our Expert: Budget Friendly Bathroom Updates

-Small Changes, Big Differences: 5 Low-Cost Ways to Give Your Home a New Look

-5 Ways to Take Your Bedroom from Good to Great

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Kitchen Design Inspiration from CENTURY® 21 Homes

May 8, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Your family spends a lot of time in the kitchen, so it’s important that the kitchen is comfortable and functional. We chose a few incredible CENTURY21^®kitchens to inspire your decorating decisions!

This kitchen’s monochromatic color scheme, light colored paint, lack of clutter, and extra lighting makes it seem larger. Build an island with storage and maximize cupboard space to create extra space for cutlery, pots and pans, and appliances. Can you spot the fridge? The clean, streamlined look is maximized because the fridge, dishwasher, and garbage cans are all concealed by matching paneling. The island doubles as a seating area so friends and family members can gather around.

We love a white kitchen! It may seem like white and light gray would feel dreary or sterile, but this kitchen feels bright and airy. The lit up cabinets, track lighting, and large hanging lights make the kitchen seem larger. If you have bay windows, take a cue from this kitchen and make a breakfast nook that your family will love.

This kitchen has an open floor plan, making the kitchen appear to be infinite. The cooking area seamlessly transitions into a larger dining space and seating area. Add a built-in desk so that you can finalize paperwork and projects while you are waiting for your perfect soufflé to be ready. We have a feeling that if you recreate this look, your family will spend most of their time together in the kitchen!

If you take these design suggestions you’ll never say, “There’s too many cooks in the kitchen!”

If you liked this article you may also like some of our other interior design inspiration articles:

-How to Style a Bookshelf

-How to Style a Centerpiece

-How to Style a Coffee Table

-How to Style a Nightstand

-Five Simple Chalkboard Paint Projects for the Home

-Storage Matters

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7 Reasons You’re Secretly Jealous of your Dollhouse Family

April 19, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Did you play with a dollhouse growing up? Were you just a tiny bit jealous of the tiny inhabitants of the teeny tiny houses? It’s okay if you were – no judgment.

Here are a 7 reasons to be jealous of your dollhouse family:

1. Someone bought their home for them and they didn’t pay a cent!

2. They don’t pay mortgages, rent, or bills.

3. Your dollhouse family can move easily without the stress of relocating and hefty moving bills.

4. Their clothes, furniture, and food are free. They don’t even have to use the Sims’ Rosebud !;!;!; cheat for more money.

5. They live forever and never look a day older. It’s like Benjamin Button, but better.

6. They have an interior designer, a maid, a chef, full-time security, and more! Daddy Warbucks would be impressed.

7. They don’t have to make difficult decisions or any decisions at all!

We hope you enjoyed this little walk down nostalgia lane!

For entertainment purposes only.

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We Asked, You Answered: Tips for First Time Homebuyers

April 17, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Buying a home for the first time can be difficult and overwhelming! You have to find a home you can afford and a home that you and your family love. There are so many factors like the price of property taxes, the school district, the crime rate, mortgages, and whether or not the home is a “fixer upper.” We posted a question on our Facebook page asking for your best tips for first-time homeowners. Read advice from CENTURY 21^® Agents and clients.

Here are five tips for buying a home for the first-time:

1. “Be realistic about what you can afford and what the home will look like within your budget. Don’t expect a $150,000.00 home to have all the bells and whistles a $300,000.00 home does.” – Susie F.

2. “Ask your C21^® agent for a reliable & trustworthy lender to get pre-qualified before starting your house hunt.” -Bill C.

3. “Get prequalified. Work with a REALTOR^® to find a great home. Once you find a home you like, visit the neighborhood in the evenings and weekends to see what it is like when more people are around. Check with local police department to find out about crime rates in area. After you have been prequalified, do not do anything that will adversely affect your credit score. Then be prepared to sign and initial a lot of paperwork.” - Audrey M.

4. “Find a GREAT CENTURY 21 Agent, get pre-qualified. Know what you’re looking for, but be ready to give a little if need be on your home expectations list.” -Lisa C.

5. “DON’T buy anything on credit until after you move into your new home.” -Eric G.

For more great tips, check out our Facebook post and buying advice on our site. Buying a home is an exciting milestone in your life. We hope that these tips will help you find your perfect home!

Spring Cleaning Checklist: Bathroom Bacteria Busters

March 14, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Open the windows! Let in the fresh air! Spring has sprung!

It is time for picnics, long walks, froliking outdoors, and spring cleaning. In order to help you organize, we’ve made a series of printable spring cleaning checklists. To save the best for last we are starting with the least dreaded room to clean – the bathroom.

Stay tuned for the next Spring Cleaning Checklist: Closets!

What recommendations do you have for cleaning the bathroom? What room should we make a checklist for next?

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Living in a House of Cards: Studies to Scheme In

February 14, 2014 By CENTURY 21

As the wise Francis Underwood once said, “Power’s a lot like real estate: It’s all about location, location, location. The closer you are to the source, the higher your property value (House of Cards).” Francis knows power best, last we checked, “He’s got power. He’s got a lot to lose. And he’s winning (House of Cards).”

These CENTURY 21® listed studies are perfect for plotting revenge or preparing to be the Vice President even if you don’t believe that “there is but one rule: hunt or be hunted (House of Cards),” or that “democracy is so overrated (House of Cards).”

1. We think that Francis and Claire can be found scheming late at the night in this study. As he says, “I love that woman. I love her more than sharks love blood (House of Cards).” The couple that schemes together, stays together.

2. We can picture Francis and Doug playing chess and plotting here. Check mate.

3. Francis can be found swapping secrets with Zoe in this spacious study.

4. Congressmen always have large offices like this one, but Francis’ is about to get much larger when he goes from the Capital to the West Wing.

Grab your provisions and settle in to watch all 780 minutes of season two.

We want to hear from you! Which study is your favorite?

For entertainment purposes only.

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