Category: Eric McKenna

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Oynx Countertops

Onyx.  Not the first material one thinks of for countertops.  But this stone is wonderfully beautiful.  Wonderfully rare.  And wonderfully unique.  Onyx makes a statement.  In a way most other materials can’t.   And match onyx up with some tasteful backlighting – and you have a look and an effect you simply can’t match.

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However before you choose Onyx – there are a few things you need to know.

Onyx is fragile.  Onyx countertops typically include a fiberglass backing compound to strengthen the slab and keep it together.  Onyx is not extracted in slabs from the ground like other countertop stone materials.  Onyx slabs are much smaller in size thus…

Onyx is soft.  This can be a ‘wear’ problem.  It scratches easily.  Also another danger is acidic liquid.  Meaning, if you spill vinegar, red wine or lemon juice on onyx you can dull or scratch the surface.

Maintenance is required.  Onyx needs to be sealed properly and then cleaned with a special stone cleaner at frequent intervals to make it less-prone to scratching and staining.

Onyx is expensive.  Actually, onyx is THE most expensive countertop material currently available. kitchen-classic-white-tuscan-italian-kitchen-decor-with-black-granite-countertop-also-white-light-bulb-faux-bronze-chandelier-in-black-onyx-tuscan-italian-kitchen-decor-610x457

So… after all these negatives, you ask why would one bother with onyx.  Well, there is no denying the sheer beauty of the stone. It comes in a variety of colors and the “veining” adds contrasting colors to make these slabs look like works of art.

The light hits it and instantly brightens up the room. For even more appeal, try backlit onyx, which has a wonderful glow that you can’t get any other way.

If you want a standout kitchen or bathroom – onyx countertops will give you exactly that.

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If you are considering new countertops in onyx or any other stone material and would like referrals to excellent contractors or if you have questions as to how upgrading your countertops may increase the value of your home, feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  Or email me at sold@ericmckenna.com

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Bad Design Trends

When preparing your home for sale – it’s important to identify home interior ‘trends’ vs. tried and true home interior styling.  And this is easier said than done.  There are so many popular home improvement TV shows on the air currently that ideas – and not always good ones – can circulate quickly.roomsfullofugly

Of course, buyers want to picture themselves in your home.  Highly personal design touches make that more difficult.  Sure, you may love it! But will your taste in home interior style be appreciated by buyers?  That’s the question.

Realtor.com writer Patricia-Ann Tom pens this great article highlighting some of the more risky home trends that can backfire and potentially turn off prospective home buyers.

She outlines bad trends such as boldly painted walls, bold and/or complex wallpaper patterns, lavish or overly flashy light fixtures, the abuse of gold within a  home’s interior, converted bedrooms, carpet and few others.

Her overall theme is to try to remain neutral where it counts in an effort to appeal to the broadest amount of potential buyers.

You can read her complete article at Realtor.com here

If you have any questions about preparing your home for sale, feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  I can also be reached by email at sold@ericmckenna.com

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Beautiful Fireplaces

Since I was young, I’ve always loved fireplaces.  When I would visit my grandparents, they had this wonderful home with very rich wood decor and an atmosphere of cozy warmth.  In the Fall and Winter months, my grandfather would light a fire in the large fireplace in the living room and my family would gather there to talk and enjoy each others company. I can remember enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and the calming nature of the flames.  I was always amazed how that fireplace could make an already cozy spot even that much better.  B41XT-B-610x340

Today, as I’m showing homes, there is no question that many of my buying clients are looking for fireplaces in their next home.   And while occasionally a buyer will seek a wood burning fireplace, most are seeking the convenience and style of gas fireplaces.

One of the great things about gas fireplaces is that if a home does not  have one, it can be added without a lot of difficulty.

The good folks at Heat & Glow published this article outlining 10 really great reasons to add a gas fireplace to your home.

These reasons include improving the value of the home, providing additional heating and warmth to a room or even a whole floor, the fuel efficiency of the new gas fireplaces, the beauty of modern fireplace design including the ‘art’ of flame articulation and much more.

You can read the entire article at the Heat & Glow website here

If you are considering adding a gas fireplace to your home and need a referral to a professional installer or you just have questions on how a gas fireplace may improve the value of your home, please feel free contact me.  As always, I’m here to help!  Call or text me at 412-613-4466.  I can also be reached by email at sold@ericmckenna.com

Or feel free to simply fill out this short contact form below:

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First Impressions

It goes without saying that it’s very wise for a home seller to give serious thought to what kind of first impression their home gives potential buyers.

As the sayings goes, “you only get one chance to make a first impression.”  With that reoccurring thought in mind, I’m always looking for great articles on the ‘art’ of home selling. Articles on steps homeowners can take to improve the look and feel their homes gives off to prospective buyers.

And often the best advice is straight forward, simple and easy to accomplish.   And that is what we have with Ann Miller’s article at Realtor.com entitled “12 ways to make a fantastic first impression on buyers.”   You can’t get any more straightforward than that!workingyard

Ann touches on ideas such as:

– Lawn care, bush pruning and generally making your yard ‘neat’ and uncluttered.  And of course – well ‘groomed’.

– Professionally clean carpets.  One of the worst impressions for a buyer to get past is a dirty carpet.

– Make sure all light switches work.  Every one.

– Putting new caulk around sinks and tubs.

– Cleaning out your medicine cabinets.

– Replacing old light bulbs and using the brightest bulbs each fixture will take.  Great illumination is a must.

– If you have a pet, make sure you make arrangements for the pet to out of the property during showings.

For additional ideas and further detail, you can read Ann’s entire article on Realtor.com here

If you are considering listing your home for sale and have any questions about preparing your home for a great first impression  or you have questions about any other matter related to effectively selling your home, I’m here to help!  Please feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  In addition, I can be reached quickly via email at sold@ericmckenna.com

You can also reach me via the contact form below:

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Showings and Snow!

What a day!  About 8 degrees, snow blizzard and periods of near white out conditions yet my buyers were awesome!  Such troopers!  Luckily the lock boxes opened up quickly as the wind chill was just brutal!  We had such a good time as we viewed  another group of houses and maybe…just maybe, found this wonderful couple the right home! 10994584_10203579709957891_3531700080565923150_n

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20 Kitchen Countertop Materials

Do you think you know all your kitchen countertop options?  I’d be willing bet you may not!

Since we are on a kitchen theme recently at EricMcKenna.com, how about some different options for kitchen countertop materials?

Lee Wallender at About.com presents this great article outlining 20 different materials that can be cut and used for kitchen countertops. granite-countertops-in-kitchens-pictures-itkb3sed

Of course there are the most thought of materials including granite, slate, quartz, tile and laminate, but Lee outlines other options including concrete, stainless steel, soapstone, recycled glass, paper composite, recycled aluminum, reclaimed wood, zinc and even bamboo.

Lee provides photos of each example as well as some of the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ associated with each.  While not every material is practical for every kind of use or family lifestyle, there certainly are some beautiful finishes available by simply thinking outside of the box.  And if one’s goal is to add a unique touch to a kitchen project, a different countertop material may be just the thing.

You can read Lee’s complete article at About.com right here

If you are considering a complete new kitchen project or a simple kitchen ‘redo’ and you have questions about how this project can improve the value of your home, feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  I can also be reached by email at sold@ericmckenna.com

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About That Kitchen

Depending who you ask, the kitchen is the most important room in the house.  Especially when selling your home.

Opinions.  We all have them.  Yet when it comes to selling your home, many real estate professionals consider your kitchen as the most important room in the house.  Knock the buyer out with a fantastic kitchen and it often means the difference in your home being purchased – or another. kitchen2

In this day and age, the options for kitchen layout, color schemes and themes are quite vast.  And while ‘trends’ come and go, there remains so many viable design directions to consider.  I found this great article by Jaymi Naciri of Realty Times who takes a moment to offer bold suggestions to get your kitchen possibly headed in a whole new direction. Her overall message in this article is to avoid the bland and make your kitchen a standout – if not even a bit festive.

Her ideas include vibrant shades of cabinets as opposed to traditional white, greys and muted tones.

Another idea is to go black.  Described as ‘soothing’ and even ‘sleek and bold’, the use of black can be very modern and striking if designed correctly.

The article also suggests that wallpaper is making a comeback for kitchens with the desire for many to make their kitchen walls more colorful or to add a striking, contrast pattern.

The industrial and rustic trends in home decor continue to be sought after by homeowners and now these trends are making their way into kitchens.

It’s also suggested that something as simple as a lively backsplash can make an impressive change to a kitchen decor.  Patterned backsplashes with texture draw the eye in and create visual interest.  Sometimes just enough to add that needed touch to an already great kitchen.

You can read Jaymi’s complete article here.

If you are thinking of selling your home or have questions as to what kind of kitchen remodeling you could do to better prepare your home for market, please feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466. You may also email me at sold@ericmckenna.com

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Showing Homes

Spent an enjoyable afternoon viewing homes with a great young couple who are on their journey toward purchasing their 1st home. I’m grateful to be part of their experience and flattered to be their agent. 20150103_113211