CENTURY 21 Photography Tips Tutorial

November 28, 2017 By Casey Danton

As an agent, it’s vital that you make a big splash with your listing. In most cases, great photography is your only chance of enticing prospective buyers into coming by to take a look. First impressions are everything. Follow these tips to showcase your listing in the best possible light.

Step One: Use a Tripod

Whether you’re using a smartphone to take your pictures or a nice digital camera, a tripod makes the picture taking a lot easier. An uneven or blurry photo will immediately turn off potential customers, so it’s essential to get this step right. Low light is also one of the main reasons tripods are important. Why? To cut down on blurry pictures. Tripods make taking a steady and stable shot possible. If you’re taking a panoramic photo, a tripod allows you to pan seamlessly through a room. This is a great tip for capturing wide rooms, entranceways, and exterior shots. And yes, you can use a tripod with a smartphone if that’s your camera of choice.

Step Two: Take Advantage of Natural Light

Any photographer will tell you that nothing’s better than natural light. Flashes can saturate an image, and they don’t always illuminate what you want to showcase. Try to take your pictures on a sunny day, and take advantage of the early mornings and afternoons. This varies depending on which direction the house is facing and where the room you’re shooting is. But be mindful of bright light and use it to your advantage. Don’t forget to open those curtains to allow natural light into the frame.

Step Three: Adjust Camera Settings

If you’re using a digital camera, there are many settings to choose from. The different options at your disposal can seem endless, but it’s important to try and follow a few fundamentals as you get started until you become comfortable.

In the beginning, follow these simple steps:

Set your camera to manual. Default settings can only get you so far.
Select the lowest ISO setting. ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. The lower the number, the less sensitive the sensor is to light. A lower ISO will capture more detail, which is ideal when you’re trying to bring a listing to life.
Adjust shutter speed for good exposure. A slower shutter speed allows more light into the camera sensor. Use this setting for low-light photos. A faster shutter speed helps freeze motion. Use this setting if you’re trying to capture movement.
Adjust aperture to allow a low amount of light to reach the image sensor. Aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera.

If you’re using a smartphone, test out its various modes in different conditions like direct sun and low light. Android phones and iPhones are both well-equipped with features, from fast processors to high resolution displays. When using a smartphone, select a high resolution. The higher the resolution is, the better quality image you’ll get. This is perfect for showcasing key features inside a home.

Step Four: Adjust shot to highlight features

Every home has unique features, so show them off! Keep in mind that this is an advertisement for the home you’re trying to sell. Try to exclude obstructions and unsightly dumpsters, trash cans, or electrical wires.

When photographing inside, remember that interior rooms almost always look better if they’re being shot from the doorway looking into the room. If you want to make a room look big, use a wide-angle lens. Exterior shots benefit from shooting at low angles. This technique allows viewers to see the depth and scale of the listing.

Step Five: Edit your photos

Always take more photos than you think you’ll need. The more images you have to work with, the easier the editing process will be. Smartphones and most digital cameras have editing functions built right into them.

There are two basic principles to editing photos—adjusting color and light. No matter which tool you’re using to take your pictures, follow these steps for best results:

Color:

Temperature: affects the yellow and blues of a photo. If you want a warmer photo, add yellows. If you are creating a cooler photo, add blues. Ideally you’ll end up with a balanced photo.
Tint: adjusts greens and magentas. Making these adjustments will alter the tone of the photo as well.

Light:

Exposure: evenly distributes brightness throughout the photo.
Brightness: adjusts midtones in the photo.
Highlights and shadows: if the photo is overexposed or underexposed, use this feature to even out the detail in the photo. For example if an area is very bright, you can lower the lights to bring out detail in the highlights of a photo. Shadows will only alter dark parts of the photo.
Contrast: makes shadows darker and highlights brighter. Contrast adjusts the separation between the darkest and brightest areas of the image.

Feel free to go a step further and use editing software for more dynamic edits. In the end, remember to be selective and only post what best represents your listing. Let your pictures do the talking. After all, we live in a scrolling world, so make sure your listing doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

Watch the CENTURY 21 Photography Tips tutorial below to see these tips in action.

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Cheryl Bare of CENTURY 21® New Millennium

March 24, 2017 By Casey Danton

This month, we caught up with Century 21 Real Estate sales associate, Cheryl Bare to learn about what it’s like to be one of our top female agents. From balancing two careers to expanding her network, Cheryl shared her experience and many pieces of valuable advice for any agent. Read on to see what she had to say.

CENTURY 21: Did you dream of becoming a real estate agent? If not, what led you to where you are today?

Cheryl: I did not dream of becoming a real estate sales associate. I dreamed of becoming a teacher. When I was a teacher, I wanted to earn some additional income so I became a real estate agent. I took the class and for 12 years was dual-careered as a teacher and real estate agent. After those 12 years, I decided to take the “risk” and take on real estate full time. It was one of the best decisions of my life.

CENTURY 21: Tell us about your work-life balance in the real estate industry.

Cheryl: In the beginning, balancing life and work was difficult. I would teach during the week and spend weekends on real estate appointments. I would miss my kid’s extracurricular activities. My husband would take them to and from activities. When my kids got older and were headed to college, it was much easier. As an agent, my schedule is never the same. Having the flexibility of making my own schedule made it easier to balance my life with work. I believe in living a healthy lifestyle, and having a routine. With each day being so different and changing so often (you do have to work around your clients), it’s nice to have set goals. It’s also important to find time for yourself. I owe much of my success to the fact that I love what I do, it doesn’t feel like “work.” I have a passion for it.

CENTURY 21: In your opinion, what are the advantages for a woman who chooses to become a Century 21 Real Estate agent?

Cheryl: Becoming a Century 21 Real Estate agent has been both professionally and personally fulfilling. CENTURY 21 is such a well-known and respected brand. I feel proud to introduce myself as part of such a successful company. One of the main advantages is that the Century 21 Real Estate name itself is highly respected.

CENTURY 21: How has the CENTURY 21 Brand supported you and helped you achieve your goals?

Cheryl: I have been with the CENTURY 21 Brand for almost 20 years. Century 21 Real Estate has allowed me to focus more on my clients by providing the necessary tools in lieu of me having to create tools. I can spend more hands-on time with my clients. It allows me to step into that leadership role and focus on guiding each client through important decisions during the process of buying or selling their home. I love working with buyers and sellers—from first time homebuyers to someone who is upsizing or downsizing, or just investing in real estate. Knowing they need my knowledge and services is satisfying in itself.

CENTURY 21: What women do you look up to in business and life?

Cheryl: Professionally, I can’t say I look up to one certain person. When I was making the decision to transition to real estate full time, I looked up to the top producing agents. I used what I learned from them to help shape the successful business I have today and to become the top agent I am today. To me, it was important to succeed in everything I tried. That leads me to who I look up to in my personal life…my mom. She has always let me dream. No matter what I aspired to be, she would support me. It could have been a crazy idea like owning my own McDonald’s or becoming a fashion model—she would always tell me she would support my passions. When I transitioned to real estate, it was no different.

CENTURY 21: What advice do you have for aspiring female Century 21 sales associate?

Cheryl: Starting off in real estate, it’s important to make sure you join a company that is willing and able to support you. At the CENTURY 21 Brand, you get both a supportive “family” and the tools to succeed. Websites are user friendly, training and classes keep you up to date on the latest trends (from technology to social media and everything in between). No matter how many transactions you do, without great support from your company, it’ll be impossible to grow.

Always do a great job with every client. The deals may be few and far between starting off, but building your business starts with the clients. If you have satisfied clients, they will continue to use you for their future needs and refer you to friends/family. Over 85% of my business is repeat business or someone who has been referred by a past client of mine.

I may be biased, but as women, we have somewhat of an advantage. In my opinion, being a woman makes it easier to build lifelong professional relationships with your clients. Use that to your advantage. At the end of a deal, they won’t remember that you were sitting there at the settlement table as much as they will that you were “there” during the entire process. Communicate, be a leader, encourage and empower them. Be knowledgeable and confident. That relationship is what they’ll remember when they are buying/selling again.

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Jona Gamboa of CENTURY 21 Everest Realty Group

February 15, 2017 By Casey Danton

For Century 21 Real Estate agent Jona Gamboa, work is about more than buying and selling homes—it’s about embracing his heritage. For the past three years, Jona has been nominated as one of NAHREP’s Top 250 Latino Agents. This prestigious list recognizes “agents whose hard work and dedication has led them to close an outstanding number of transactions in an effort to increase the rate of sustainable Hispanic homeownership.”

We recently sat down with Jona to learn more about what it’s like to receive such an honor and how it has contributed to his success. Read on to see what he had to say.

CENTURY 21: What did it feel like to be named one of NAHREP’s Top 250 Latino Agents in 2016?

Jona: It has been an honor to be nominated in the top 250 for the last three years. It feels great to be recognized for the work I have done throughout the years, and it has helped me to keep pushing myself to reach new heights and keep serving the community.

CENTURY 21: How has the CENTURY 21 Brand helped you reach this achievement?

Jona: The branding of Century 21 Real Estate has helped me achieve my success. The Hispanic community has a really good perception of the CENTURY 21 Brand as a leader in the Industry and as a global company since it is in Mexico and most South American countries.

CENTURY 21: The NAHREP Top 250 honors agents from many different companies, what do you think sets the CENTURY 21 Brand apart from the others?

Jona: The branding, I believe there is no other real estate company that is better perceived and trusted by the Hispanic Community.

CENTURY 21: How has this honor impacted your career over the past year?

Jona: This has impacted my career considerably, besides helping me to use it as a marketing tool, it has helped to meet great professionals from the top 250 in the industry who have helped me to grow my thinking and my vision. It has also helped me to grow personally along with my business and team.

CENTURY 21: How do you ingrain the NAHREP Mission into your day-to-day business?

Jona: We, the Gamboa team, have the fortune to empower a lot of Hispanic families through sustainable home ownership in our daily lives. It is amazing to see the difference we can make in the families that are the first or second generation of immigrants in the U.S. by helping them acquire their first home and how big of a difference we can make in their lives, and their future. I like to say that our job is to empower families through home ownership so they can build wealth and shift their mindset from surviving mode to striving mode.

CENTURY 21: What advice do you have for fellow Century 21 sales associates who would like to achieve an honor such as this one?

Jona: First, they always need to keep their job in mind: helping and empowering people through real estate. If they keep this in mind, people can feel it and as a result, they will recommend you and your business will grow. People remember you, not for what you say or what you did for them, instead they will remember you for HOW you make them feel!

Second, Invest in yourself. Get a coach, go to seminars, read books, listen to audio books—basically work harder on yourself than you do in your job. You will get paid for the value you provide to the community and marketplace. People will want to do business with you because they know you provide a great amount of value.

Third, Surround yourself with people that are succeeding at the level you want to succeed or higher.

Stay tuned for another agent spotlight coming next month!

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Christa Lowry of CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty

January 27, 2017 By Casey Danton

When it comes to quality and knowledge, Century 21^® affiliated agents can’t be topped. In our new spotlight series, get to know Century 21 agents as they share their experiences with the CENTURY 21 System and some of their best advice for reaching the top of the real estate market.

This month, we sat down with Christa Lowry of CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty to learn more about what it’s like to be one of the top agents on California’s Central Coast. Read on for Christa’s story and the great advice she had to share.

Why CENTURY 21?

CENTURY 21: What made you want to be a real estate agent?

Christa: I always wanted to sell real estate because I am a natural sales person. I love business and the home buying and selling process always intrigued me as a buyer. I love to help people and what better way to help people than to assist them in making their real estate dreams come true?! I already had a career, but knew that someday I would transition into real estate.

CENTURY 21: Did you always want to be a real estate agent? If not, what were you doing before?

Christa: I went to college as a business student with a minor in interior design, but I also had an eye for fashion and a desire to own a salon, so after college I received my cosmetology license and had a salon for 23 years. I got my real estate license in 2009 and did both for a while until 2012 when I decided to retire from the beauty business and sell my salon, allowing me to do real estate full time.

CENTURY 21: What attracted you to Century 21 Real Estate?

Christa: I bought a house in 2003 with a Century 21 Agent as my buyer’s agent and a problem arose with a pest company. My agent’s broker, Amy Gallagher, came to my agent’s rescue and faced the problem head on. She impressed me so much that I remember that day telling myself that if I ever did become an agent I would possibly want to work with her because of how she went to bat for her agent. When I got my license, I interviewed every good real estate company on the central coast and decided on a CENTURY 21 Company, not only because I loved Amy, but also because I felt that a CENTURY 21 Company was going to give me the training and support I needed as a new agent. I knew the market was going to get better and I only had a short period of time to get educated before the market picked up and I wanted to be ready. The CENTURY 21 Company was the company to help me do that and it did!!

Client Relationships

CENTURY 21: What was it like to sell your first home?

Christa: I’ll never forget the feeling of selling my first home. I sold it to a family my son went to school with and they never thought they could afford to buy a home. I encouraged them to talk to a lender I knew and it worked out!! We found the perfect home for them in the first week and they couldn’t believe how easy it was. What a great feeling to see their dream of owning a home become a reality.

CENTURY 21: Can you describe what it felt like when you handed over your first set of keys to your client(s) on your first sale?

Christa: The morning we closed on the house I made a large basket full of things that I knew they would love (in colors I had noticed they would be decorating in) and also their favorite wine, of course. We met at the property and as I handed them the key they both started crying and their kids were all hugging them. It was an incredible moment and one I will never forget. It was at that moment that I was hooked.

CENTURY 21: Do you still feel this way when you close a sale?

Christa: All my closings have been so different. My clients are all so unique. I still do great closing gifts that are personalized, but not everybody is as emotional about receiving keys to their new home. I would say it is half and half but I still get very excited the morning I wake up and realize that it is the day I get to close another property. I still make a 100% effort to make it as special as possible for my clients.

CENTURY 21: Are you close with any of the families you’ve sold homes to?

Christa: It’s funny, but I would say that my clients are now all of my friends! A lot of the time they are the ones I talk to the most, socialize with, work out with, and meet with for wine or lunch. I get invited to their events and every year I do a client appreciation party at a winery or fun venue. Once someone closes a deal with me or refers me, they are part of the Christa Lowry Real Estate family and get an invite every year so a lot of them have gotten to know each other and look forward to seeing each other every year, which is fun. I am trying to create a community of people that all know each other and remember me when they see each other.

CENTURY 21: Have you had any clients return to you or recommend you?

Christa: I am seeing a huge change in my business in the last year with referrals. I am also starting to work with clients for the second or even third time as the years go by. It’s very exciting when they come back to me. I reward referrals. They get put into a drawing at the end of the year and I give away gifts to those who have referred me, including a weekend getaway at a 5-star resort in our area. Clients eat that up and I think I have gotten some referrals because of that and also the great service I give them and the friendships I retain along the way. Staying in contact is the best way!

Central California Real Estate

CENTURY 21: What is the market like in Central California?

Christa: The market is hot in California. If your home is priced right it will sell within a few days to 2 weeks. I have several homes I have sold in 1-2 days for over asking price this last year.

CENTURY 21: Can you describe the different types of clients you encounter in Central California?

Christa: Clients in California—if you are working in the higher end market such as myself—can be pretty demanding and high maintenance. I treat all of my clients the same whether they are buying a mobile home or a million dollar home. They all get top notch service but I have to say that the higher end can be very needy. I am lucky because I worked with a lot of clients like that in the salon business so I know how to work with those types and meet their needs. I also work with normal middle class families just trying to work hard and make a decent life for their families. I find these to be the most rewarding to be honest although I can’t deny I appreciate the commissions of the higher end market.

CENTURY 21: What’s important to your clients and what are they looking for in Central California?

Christa: Clients here in Central California are looking for a relaxed way of life. They are all trying to get away from the rat race and most people who live here love views and want to be close to outdoor activities such a hiking trails, beaches and natural beauty. They want a good value in a home, but they also know that people who live here get a lot less home for a lot more money and are willing to pay it because of our way of life here and our community and small town feel.

CENTURY 21: What are the challenges you and your clients face in your area?

Christa: One challenge we face here would be the lending process. It can be difficult. I am very blessed that through trial and error I have a team of lenders I work very well with that can make it happen for my clients. We also deal with high prices for smaller homes so sometimes it is hard for middle class families with kids to make it here. Most of the time both parents have to work and that can be hard with small children but most find it worth it because of the low crime and it’s a great place to raise a family.

CENTURY 21 Support

CENTURY 21: What are the benefits of working with Century 21 Real Estate vs. other real estate agencies?

Christa: Systems, support, awards, great brokers, local, national, and global recognition, integrity and awesome conventions with top agent retreats make this company the best!!!

CENTURY 21: How has Century 21 Real Estate helped you establish yourself?

Christa: The brand name has helped because it is a name people trust. Also, on the central coast, the CENTURY 21 Company does twice as much business as the next leading competitor so the brand is very well known and is also known for having the best trained agents in the business and agents who have integrity which is very important to me. They have included me in local commercials and they’ve had great training sessions and seminars to set me up in all aspects of my business and brand.

CENTURY 21: What are the biggest challenges you face as an agent and how has Century 21 Real Estate helped you overcome them?

Christa: I think my biggest challenge right now is a low inventory. It is so frustrating but it has encouraged me to door knock and to be creative by looking at expired listings and thinking outside the box to find the right home for my clients and also to get more listings. Brett Noel, our trainer, is always teaching us ways to work with expired listings, door knocking and really encouraging us to go out and get the business.

CENTURY 21: What is your favorite tool to use as an agent that’s provided by Century 21 Real Estate?

Christa: My favorite tool is probably Toolkit CMA™. I use it all the time. Between the property tour presentations and the marketing and Toolkit CMA presentations that look so professional, I think that is my favorite. THE GOLDEN RULER^®is great too and I love CENTURY 21 Business Builder^®because it is so easy to send new listings to my whole sphere of influence and also monthly newsletters to keep in touch.

CENTURY 21: You’ve received some impressive awards! How does it feel to be recognized in your field and by Century 21 Real Estate?

Christa: I am so honored and excited to have been able to reach my goals with Century 21 Real Estate and having received these awards and all this recognition has helped not only my confidence, but I use it in my business to help brand myself. I am striving to continue to reach even higher levels every year and have exceeded my financial goals every year since I went full time which is so exciting. I think that working for a company that recognizes your hard work pushes you to work harder and achieve even higher awards. I am sold out for Century 21 Real Estate. I have companies calling me almost weekly asking me to work for them who promise me that I would make so much more money and pay way less of my commission to keep for myself, but Century 21 is my family and you can’t put a price on that. I feel that Century 21 Real Estate has the systems in place to help me achieve my goals and that means the world to me. Working for a company that celebrates your achievements with you and gives you the tools and support to succeed is hard to find and Century 21 Real Estate has it ALL!

CENTURY 21: What would you say to an agent who is considering making the move to Century 21 Real Estate?

Christa: I would say to agents who work for another company to really ask themselves if the company they are working for is making them a better person and agent or if they are just taking from them and using them for the bottom dollar. Century 21 Real Estate is a family and we are all here to help each other and support each other backed up by great leaders and that there is no better place to thrive as a person and as an agent. The tools and support you get as an agent with Century 21 Real Estate are impossible to find anywhere else.

Tips & Advice

CENTURY 21: How do you stay on top of new trends and new technology in your field?

Christa: I work closely with social networks to make sure that I am staying on top of what is new and current in social media. I comb through successful agents’ profiles to see what they are doing and I also watch daily or weekly Tom Ferry posts. I love the updates that Rick Davidson does and I read all the real estate magazines that come in the mail and Google agents from San Francisco and LA to see what they are doing. I was a part of Rising Professionals Network and I can say that single handedly helped me take my business to the next level and I increased my sales that year 3x. Awesome program.

CENTURY 21: What apps do you use to help your business?

Christa: I use the CENTURY 21 app, the Open House App, Ripple app for social marketing graphics, Kings Mortgage app, SkySlope app—all social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

CENTURY 21: What are the qualities that make a successful agent in your opinion?

Christa: The qualities a great agent has to possess are integrity and honesty. Looking out for your client is #1. Treating people with dignity and looking out for their best interests no matter what is key. I also think you need to be outgoing, love people, want to help others, be able to think outside the box, be self-motivated, be able to push through when things get difficult, be a great negotiator, and you have to LISTEN TO YOUR CLIENTS!!! I believe that a great agent has to learn from every mistake and be able to understand that nobody is perfect and that making mistakes is part of learning and growing. I also believe that if you want to be a great agent you have to be balanced so you don’t burn out. Being balanced with your health, your mind, and your spirit is something you need to nurture every day. Making goals, time blocking, and making family a top priority are all must haves if you want to be successful long-term.

Stay tuned for another agent spotlight coming next month!

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Get the Most Out of Social Media as a Real Estate Agent

January 5, 2017 By Casey Danton

Be a better real estate agent by learning the benefits of key social media platforms. Remember, each platform provides a different function, and each platform has its inherent pros and cons. What may succeed on one platform may not on another. Whether you’re tweeting about an open house, or posting a new listing on Facebook, this infographic will help you determine how to use your voice as effectively as possible.

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The ToolkitCMA™ Features You Need to Know

May 20, 2016 By Casey Danton

C21_CMAToolkit_Blog-Home As part of our promise to be smarter, bolder, faster, the CENTURY 21® System now provides its agents with the ToolkitCMA™ at no additional cost. The product, which is used by over 100,000 agents across the country and priced at around $200, is just one of the many resources that CENTURY 21 offers in order to support its members at the local level.

Among its features that you can view on the right, the ToolkitCMA offers the following:

98% Market Coverage
Mobile & Tablet Branded Presentations
MLS Interface
Marketing Flyers

C21_CMAToolkit_Blog-Flyers What does this mean for you as an agent? Professional quality marketing, along with easy-to-read content from virtually any MLS in North America. Here, we’ve provided small sample of the various styles and formats in which you can create flyers, but you’ll find even more options one you’ve signed in under your account.

Of course, the ToolkitCMA allows for customization, as seen in the preferences tab of the program below. This way, agents can tailor the product to their individual work.

C21_CMAToolkit_Blog-Preferences Remember, as part of the CENTURY 21 ® System, you’ll receive all of this at no additional cost. This is just one way that our brand gives you the edge you need to succeed in real estate.

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Lessons from Mom That Help You Be a Better Agent

May 3, 2016 By Casey Danton

This Mother’s Day, CENTURY 21 ® wants to showcase the values that the women in our lives have taught us to uphold, since they align with the ones that make our brand what it is today. These life lessons from Mom, Grandma, or even your Aunt, not only guide you through your personal life, but may also help you be a better agent.

Do Your Best

While you may have first heard this saying in school, laboring over a late night project or term paper, this phrase fully applies to the real estate world. As an agent, you should always present your best work, whether it’s in the form of fully researched market analyses and listing presentations or well-staged open houses to elicit offers from potential home buyers. While only you can put in the effort, CENTURY 21 offers the support and resources you’ll need to make Mom proud.

Learn from Others

Opportunities for growth aren’t just limited to the classroom, and Mom emphasized this at your young age when talking about your friends, coaches, and relatives. Now, take this lesson to heart when networking. Everyone you meet, from clients to fellow agents to industry leaders, has something to offer. It’s your job to discover what that may be with genuine conversation and active listening. Attend networking events, join social media groups, and chat up potential home buyers during open houses.

Embrace Change

Moving to college may have been daunting when you were younger, but Mom was right there supporting you. Use this tactic with your clients who might be making an especially big or stressful move. Focus on the positives of the experience and instill confidence by showing them a new home sweet home that’s a perfect fit for their future life.

Put Family First

Mom didn’t even have to mention this since she practiced it each and every day of your childhood. Today, make sure your clients know how important family is to you, by fully understanding and accommodating their family needs. For example, if you’re working with a couple who expects kids in the future, focus on neighborhoods with nearby schools, parks, and family friendly recreational facilities. You can even ask them which structural features are important to them when raising kids, such as the master bedroom placed close to the other bedrooms, or a finished basement that provides extra room for activities.

A strong career in real estate may be as simple as going back to the basics with these four core lessons. CENTURY 21 thanks all the women who have helped shaped our agents with their wisdom. Happy Mother’s Day!

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How to Choose Roofing – 6 Types to Consider

February 25, 2016 By Casey Danton

Whether you’re replacing an existing roof or researching options for a new home, deciding between roofing styles, materials and costs can be complicated. To help you determine the correct roofing materials for your home, here are the pros and cons of the six most popular roofing types.

#1 Asphalt Shingle
The most common roofing material, asphalt shingles, are affordable and simple to install. Asphalt shingles are produced when a fiberglass shingle is mixed with asphalt and finished with a textured surface. Asphalt shingles come in two basic configurations: single-thickness and laminate.
Pros: Asphalt shingles are available in an assortment of colors and are the most economical material available.
Cons: Asphalt shingles have a shorter life span and don’t offer the same level of insulation as other roofing alternatives.

#2 Wood Shake
For centuries wood was a common material used in residential roofing. But, due to its flammability, modern day use is less common.
Pros: Wood offers a natural, rustic look.
Cons: Wood shingles are flammable and can potentially suffer from mold or rot. The life span of wood roofing is also limited (similar to asphalt shingles).

#3 Metal (various types)
Aluminum, steel, copper, copper-asphalt and lead are the most popular metal roofing alternatives. Metal roofs are extremely durable but costly to install in both material and installation time.
Pros: Metal is strong and offers high solar reflectance, allowing for efficient cooling and heating of homes.
Cons: Metal is typically the most expensive roofing alternative.

#4 Ceramic and Cement Tile
Rounded tile roofing products are common with Spanish Colonial and Mission-style homes. Homeowners considering tile for their roof should be aware of the cost — anywhere between $400 and $800 on average per tile.
Pros: Tiles are durable and energy efficient.
Cons: The weight of tile roofing is heavy and may require additional framing for support.

#5 Slate Roofing
Slate is extremely durable and known for its many variations in origin, thickness and color.
Pros: Slate is dependable and considered to be a sustainable, recyclable roofing material.
Cons: Slate is expensive and requires additional roofing support to supplement its weight.

#6 Synthetic Roofing
Synthetic roofing products (rubber, plastic and polymer roofing) have been developed to provide the color, look and texture of other roofing materials (without the high cost).
Pros: Synthetic roofing is durable and affordable.
Cons: Due to their recent development, some synthetic materials have been known to absorb moisture.

Conclusion
When considering a roofing material for your home, consult with a local roofing specialist to ensure that you choose the appropriate material for your home’s aesthetic (and budget).

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5 Sneaky Storage Tips for Small Spaces

September 23, 2015 By Casey Danton

Shh…we’re sharing some sneaky storage tips. According to Psychology Today’s Sherrie Bourg Carter, messy homes make people feel overwhelmed, anxious, and helpless. As she says, mess leads to stress. Your home should feel like a sanctuary, not a penitentiary. These storage tips may make your home feel cleaner and more organized.

Fold Everything Down:

We’re not talking about folding your clothes (which will also save you space), but instead, we mean thinking about installing a desk or a kitchen table that can be folded when it’s not in use. Bring the furniture back out when it’s time for Thanksgiving or poker night.

Use Multi-Purpose Pieces:

One clever way to make more space in a small room is to implement items that serve two purposes: like a hollow ottoman or a trunk. They will be there taking up space either way, so why not fill it them up to tackle two problems at once?

Set Up Built-In Shelving:

You may be able to save space with built-in shelving. These shelves usually don’t take up as much space as bookshelves, and you can use them to line an entire wall from floor to ceiling! Use them to store books, collections, toiletries, and other things that are taking up space in your home.

Hang Out in Your Kitchen:

One of the trickiest storage problems in small kitchens is finding space for all of the pots and pans. They take up too much space in a cupboard, so hang them from the ceiling instead. It will add to the decor of the room, and it might be easier to find what you’re looking for when you’re in the middle of a brilliant cooking concoction. Similarly, you can hang cups and mugs from under-shelf hangers, which may free up more space in the cupboards for plates, bowls, platters, and other things that stack.

Set up a Creative Corner:

Anyone in a small space may tell you that creatively filling every single space can be difficult. For a small room that is already full (but still needs more storage) look into corner shelves. Don’t cut corners—use them!

Filling your home with hidden storage may be a great way to tuck all of your items away and keep your home organized. Take everything out of the closet or junk drawer and start using these stealth storage solutions.

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5 Affordable Ways to Upgrade Your Bathroom

September 14, 2015 By Casey Danton

When you’re planning a remodel, the bathroom is not always the first area you think of. However, if your bathroom is causing you strife, you may be able to make some simple, fast, and affordable changes to upgrade it. You don’t need to do anything drastic like replacing the whole shower. Your bathroom may look like it appeared right off of your Pinterest board with just a few changes.

Draw Attention to the Mirror

The mirror is one of the key focal points of a bathroom. If your bathroom mirror isn’t that exciting, there’s a simple fix. Look for an interesting frame that will cause the mirror to pop. This may draw attention away from the less interesting parts of the room.

Coordinate Your Accents

If you choose one metal for all of your accents, you may be able to maintain a consistent aesthetic. Pick silver, gold, bronze, or platinum for drawer handles, towel racks, light fixtures, faucets, and even toothbrush holders. Little changes may tie everything together nicely.

Try Accent Tiling

Tiles can be expensive, especially if you want something fancy. If you choose to use pricey tiles, stick to just one area of the bathroom like the floor, the countertop, or the inside of the shower. Arrange the fancy tiles that you love in an interesting pattern around the plainer ones.

Re-grout

The simplest step is often forgotten. If your bathroom is feeling dingy, it might be because you haven’t updated your caulk or grout. Clean, white lines around the tub and sink may make a huge difference, and it’s a quick and inexpensive fix.

Refinish the Tub

If your bathtub is causing you stress, you don’t necessarily need to replace it. Instead, look into a cheaper option: refinishing it. You may be able to do the entire thing by yourself. It could take some time and effort, but it may also save you money.

These five tips may help you makeover your bathroom…without breaking the bank.

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