Joe Scattergood's Blog Posts

Open Shelving vs. Cabinets: What Works Best for Your Kitchen Style?Trying to decide between open shelving and traditional cabinets? You're not alone! Both options offer their own set of perks&mdash

Timeless Kitchen Color Ideas That Always WorkTrends come and go, but some color palettes stand the test of time, especially in the heart of the home: the kitchen. Whether you're remodeling or just

How Many Big Macs Does It Take To Buy a Home?Anyone looking to buy a home has likely noticed how steep prices have become. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, the median sales

Outdoor Spaces That Add Enjoyment, Not Extra WorkIt is easy to imagine an outdoor space that looks perfect but feels like a lot to maintain. Large patios, elaborate landscaping or high-maintenance

Why Small Renovations Often Have the Biggest Impact When homeowners think about renovations, they often picture major projects that take months to complete. In reality, some of the most

Dive Into a Plunge Pool Up until recently, when it came to installing a swimming pool, homeowners were limited to either an in-ground or an above-ground pool. The size of either pool requires a

Renting vs. Buying a Home: Which Is Right for You?One of the biggest financial decisions you'll make is whether to rent or buy a home. While homeownership has long been considered part of the

New Ways of Thinking About Patios If you are building a patio from the ground up, you will want to think about the pros and cons of each available material. Since a new patio is an expensive

Big Ideas for Small Kitchen Islands Even in cramped spaces, a small functional kitchen island can be a welcome addition. An island is the focal point of any kitchen, and even a compact model

Is an Induction Cooktop or Range Right for Your Kitchen? American home chefs are discovering an eco-friendlier way to cook. Induction cooking has long been favored by Europeans, and it is

Mixing Metals: How To Get It Right Mixing metals in your home, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, is a great way to add depth, personality and style. Gone are the days of every finish

The Costs Of Owning A Home According to the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, the median monthly ownership costs for U.S. homeowners with mortgages stood at $2,035 in 2024.

How Taxes Can Affect Your Home Sale You buy a home, the market booms and suddenly your property is worth a lot more than you paid for it. If you sell within a year, though, the IRS classifies

"House burping," or the German tradition of lüften, involves opening all windows and doors for 5–10 minutes daily to rapidly replace stale, humid indoor air with fresh air. This practice

Fiber Cement Siding Solutions for Your Home Fiber cement siding has been around since the 1980s, when it was developed as a replacement for asbestos cement siding products. Fiber cement siding

How To Keep Homeowners Insurance Premiums Low The Consumer Federation of America, in April 2025, published a report showing that U.S. homeowners saw their homeowners insurance premiums rise by

Team Scattergood Elevates Listings with Zillow showcaseYour home deserves to stand out, and a Zillow Showcase Listing helps make that happen. With Showcase, your property receives premium placement

An Accessible Bathroom for All Ages...Creating a bathroom that is accessible and functional for all ages is not just a practical decision, it's also an investment in comfort, safety and peace of.

Sign Up For Terry & Joe Scattergood's Newsletter for more blog articles like this one.https://join.homeactions.net/signup/TeamScattergoodNew Window Treatment Styles and Ideas Windows play a

Sign Up For Terry & Joe Scattergood's Newsletter for more blog articles like this one.https://join.homeactions.net/signup/TeamScattergoodLiving With Fido: Pet-Friendly Homes With 71% of U.

Sign Up For Terry & Joe Scattergood's Newsletter for more blog articles like this one.https://join.homeactions.net/signup/TeamScattergoodDramatic Lighting Fixture IdeasLighting plays a crucial

Sign Up For Terry & Joe Scattergood's Newsletter for more blog articles like this one.https://join.homeactions.net/signup/TeamScattergoodUnusual Flooring Ideas: Bold Options From Mosaics to

Trends in Bathroom Tile The bathroom is one of the most-used rooms in the house. How you style the room is based on personal taste, but one important element in the room is tile. Tiles are

Pet-Friendly Kitchen Designs For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home. For pet owners, it's essential to make sure it's functional and safe for our furry friends. Here are four

Creative Home Office Setups In today's hybrid work culture, a home office is more than just a necessity—it's a space where productivity, creativity, and personal style intersect.

In Flooring, It's About Blonds vs. Brunettes It may be time to take a walk on the dark side with nature-inspired shades of brown flooring. From creamy mocha to dark chocolate, brown tones are

The Other Costs of Buying a Home When purchasing a home, you'll need to assemble the down payment amount, which can range anywhere from 3% to 20% of the home's purchase price. But what other

Assessed Value vs. Market Value Your home's assessed value is determined by a local governmental body. This governmental body uses this value to determine how much you will pay in

Modern Kitchens: Blending Old and New In recent years, the modern rustic kitchen has become a favorite for homeowners who want to enjoy the best of both worlds — combining the warmth and

** READ MY STORY ** of an actual attemp to do this BELOWProperty Fraud Alert is an online subscription service offered to the public that allows them to have their name monitored within the Recorder

Beyond the Picket Fence: Trends in Residential Fencing While the primary function of fencing is to provide safety and privacy for your home, that doesn't mean it can't be done with style and

Understanding Bathroom Math in Real Estate ListingsWhen browsing home listings, you’ll quickly notice that bathrooms—like bedrooms—are a major selling point. But counting bathrooms

Are Mortgage Escrow Accounts Mandatory? When your lender originates your mortgage loan, it will usually ask you to also set up an escrow account. Each time you make a mortgage payment, you'll

Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Styles and Trends Choosing the right kitchen cabinets is key to creating a stylish and functional space. With so many designs and trends to consider, here's a

Understanding Tariffs in Home Construction: What You Need to Know Before Buying🧱 What Are Tariffs?A tariff is a tax or duty imposed by a government on imported goods. The goal is usually to

Where the Wild Things Are: Creating a Meadow Garden A meadow garden is loosely defined as an area consisting of plants, primarily regional natives, that are brought together to give the

The Future of Living: Can Sustainable Homes Achieve Net-Zero Energy Goals?Who wouldn’t enjoy saving money instead of spending hundreds of dollars every month to fuel their home? According to

Accessory Dwelling Units Are Making a Comeback In case you aren't familiar with ADUs, they are a second, small living area on the same property as your main, single-family home. They are not a

Design Your Bathroom for Aging in Place According to the AARP, almost 90% of adults aged 65 or older want to stay in their homes as they age. But to do this, it’s critical to have a safe

Terry and I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our past clients, referring friends, family, and out-of-state agents for your trust and support in 2024. We are incredibly

Home on the Range: What's Trending in Range Hoods If you are remodeling a kitchen or building a new one, you will not want to overlook the importance of adding a statement range hood to your

How To Bring More Natural Light Into Your Home It's no surprise that potential home and apartment buyers often cite "lots of natural light" as something they are looking for in their new

Leverage What You Already Have For Decorating Instead of buying new things for your home, consider saving money and the environment by reusing what you already have. Oftentimes unused furniture

Island Dreams: Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island The kitchen island is more than just a functional component of kitchen design; it's a central hub for cooking, socializing and —

Outta-Sight Style With Hippie Chic Decor Hippie chic décor is an unapologetically joyful eclectic blending of several other styles, including Boho, Maximalism and Biophilic interior

Sharing Is Caring: Ideas for Decorating a Shared Kids' Bedroom Most people think of a shared bedroom with a layout having either side-by-side twin beds or a set of bunk beds. While both options

Assuming a Seller's Mortgage Mortgage interest rates are higher today than they were three years ago. If you are buying a home and applying for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage today, you can

What Realtor you hire REALLY matters!Believe it or not, the agent on the other side of a transaction can make a big difference. This may surprise you, but it’s the honest truth: there are

Going Heavy Metal: Mixed-Metal Bathrooms What was once considered to be a decorating faux pas is now right on point. Gone are the days when the homeowner had to limit their choice to only one

Property Fraud Alert is an online subscription service offered to the public that allows them to have their name monitored within the Recorder's office in order to track possible fraudulent

Everything Is Illuminated: What's Trending in Home Lighting The overall trend in décor is toward the use of sustainable and natural materials. This is also the case for interior.

Choosing the Right Bathroom Flooring Selecting the perfect flooring for your bathroom is not just about enhancing aesthetics — it's also about choosing a surface that can withstand the

The Top 5 Reasons People Need to Sell Their House QuicklyWhen a homeowner is eager to sell, it can raise eyebrows among potential buyers. They might question if there’s an issue with the

What You Should Know About Fireplaces No other type of heating appliance is as romantic or as relaxing as a fireplace. Depending on the type you select, fireplaces provide a heating solution, a

By keeping an open mind to all the possibilities, you can unlock the door to extra space just waiting to be discovered. The first thing to consider is how you will use the space. Here are some ideas

Imagine what it would be like having an area of your kitchen specifically designed to meet your every cold-beverage preference. Dedicated beverage centers are now trending in a big way. According to

After years of streamlined, minimalistic style, the flashy style of the 1980s is making a comeback. One vintage furniture dealer says that '80s-era furniture is resonating with his clients, and he

A recent issue of the well-respected trade publication/platform Remodeling reported on the top 23 major home remodeling projects. In fact, five of these renos offered more than 100%

Bathroom: Start from Scratch A bathroom remodel is the stuff of homeowners' dreams. After all, you use your home's bathroom every day. And most of the fixtures are built in, so it's totally

Decorating with Architectural Millwork Unlike many other elements in a home, millwork is not just meant to be functional. Instead, it is an aesthetic feature that makes a room feel secure, cozy

At Home in a Barn: Barndominium Barndos are either refurbished or newly built barns made suitable for living. Constructed of wood and or metal, these homes feature a large, customizable open

Your home's primary bedroom is a sanctuary made just for you. Often combined with a bathroom for an en suite experience, the primary bedroom should be just as functional and beautiful as the rest of

Installing a Kitchen Backsplash In order to make an informed decision, there are several things to consider before choosing a backsplash to install. You can enhance the visual appeal of your

Elevate Your Outdoor Spaces: 5 Luxe Landscaping Trends for 2024In the ever-evolving world of luxury landscaping, staying ahead of the curve means embracing innovation while preserving timelessness.

Lighting Matters: Choosing the Right Fixtures for Every Room Lighting is a crucial aspect of interior design, and choosing the right fixtures for each room can significantly impact the overall

The open kitchen concept has its fan base among those who love the idea of seamlessly integrating their kitchens with their living and dining rooms. In this configuration, the cook is not isolated

What could be more relaxing than spending summer days lazing by the pool and enjoying the company of family and friends? Those enjoyable summer months are the result of hard work and expense to

Taking It Outside: Inspiring Trends for Outdoor Living Homeowners seeking a greater connection with the outdoors need look no farther than their own backyards. Here is a roundup of some of the

11 Home Improvement Projects That Don't Add ValueSome improvements have limited appeal to home buyers, and may even affect your sale price when you go to sell.One of the best things about owning a

Kitchen Islands: Sailing Back into Popularity Kitchen islands are a wonderful way to add much-needed storage, counter space, meal prep areas or seating to your kitchen. Islands are available in

Modern vs. Contemporary vs. Mid-Century Modern DesignWhat does it mean for a design to be considered modern, contemporary, or mid-century modern? Learn about the differences between these popular

What's New in Bathroom Tubs Relaxing in a bathtub of warm soothing water is truly one of life's small pleasures. As the largest element in the room, the bathtub is also a key player in creating

Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes To Avoid Embarking on a kitchen remodeling project is an exciting adventure. It can transform the heart of your home into a functional and stylish space.However,

Downsizing to a smaller home — typically when you reach your sunset years — comes with several benefits. The big one? Owning a smaller home can provide financial relief.Your new, smaller

What Happens When You Sell or Buy a Home with Solar PanelsSolar is an important investment you make in your home and offers long term benefits like significantly lower electricity bills, reduced

A rainfall shower features a generous size head that gently streams water and is meant to imitate the experience of being in the rain in your own bathroom. Installing a rain shower head depends on

In the fast pace of day-to-day living, a well-organized kitchen is a necessity. However, finding the time to design an efficient kitchen is another thing all together. Where to begin? The kitchen

The first thing you may ask is, what is a wet room? A wet room is a bathroom in which a free-standing bathtub sits in the same area as a walk-in shower. Current shower trends show a preference for

Even though we live in the age of technology, with our faces frequently in front of screens, there are still some among us who enjoy the feeling of holding a physical book in their hands. However,

1. Meet with Terry & Joe "Team Scattergood" We will discuss your goals; this will help us create an action plan including an estimate of your net proceeds and more.2. Plan your next moveDue to a

Approximately 70% of U.S. households have a pet. About 45% of Americans share their homes with dogs and almost 30% are cat owners. While pet ownership is a rewarding experience, we do have to

Open Kitchen Shelf Design: Time For A Switch Open shelving is as popular as ever given, its versatility and ability to adapt, to any kitchen style. Open shelving offers easy access to

The wisdom of the past informs design in the present. For more than 6,000 years, the Chinese have been practicing the principles of feng shui, a tradition that seeks to bring together opposing

Please spread the word about us, Terry & Joe Scattergood "Team Scattergood" REALTORS - If anyone you know is considering buying or selling real estate or has any property-related questions,

As the name suggests, flood insurance is a type of insurance policy that will pay out if your home is damaged by flood waters.If you are taking out a mortgage to buy a home in a federally designated

Floor plans serve as an additional resource that Team Scattergood employs to enhance the presentation of our listings, benefiting both buyers and sellers. Real estate listings are inherently visual,

Refrigerators are often breeding grounds for unintended science experiments and forgotten food. But it doesn't have to be that way. Getting into a routine with better refrigerator organization can

Expensive Mistakes To Avoid in Your Bathroom Remodel Are you thinking about remodeling your bathroom? Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire someone to complete the work for you, it can be

The NH July housing market reportThe median price for New Hampshire single family residential homes was $480,000 in July, a record for the month and a 7 percent increase from a year ago

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Kitchen appliances make your space function, but what happens if you need to replace them? How do you choose the best appliances for your kitchen? Here is a closer look at the major appliance

Lobster is delicious in many ways, but forget about white table linens, fancy crab-stuffed lobster tails or rich lobster Newburg – here’s where to go for a good old-fashioned lobster you

A sunroom is a wonderful space to enjoy the beauty of nature while still being protected from the elements. Maximizing this extra living space will be necessary for your comfort and enjoyment. Here

When selecting a gas grill, start with the configuration: Do you want a built-in grill or one that's free-standing? Natural gas or propane? Both fuels cook similarly, so your decision should come

Whether you're selling your home or want to create an inviting space in your entryway, choosing the right front porch decor is an important decision. Items on your porch should be mixed use and work

Have you ever struggled because of your kitchen lighting? Is it hard to read recipes or do homework at the counter? If so, it might be time to update the lighting in your kitchen space. But what are

Do you have old, worn, or dated tile in your bathroom? You may want to take a sledgehammer to the wall and tear it all out, but may be a  better idea to consider all your options before you do

Having guests over is a great way to celebrate milestones or have fun with friends and family, but you need a place to entertain. How is your outdoor entertainment area? Here are a few things you

Art Deco was a popular design choice among style-conscious Americans in the 1920s and 1930s. Geometric design, stylized forms and manufactured materials characterized this style. Some of the country

Avoid These Common Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes Plenty of homeowners have made mistakes when remodeling. It's worth learning from those challenges to avoid making them yourself. Let's take a

Bringing flowers and plants inside can give your home a much-needed pop of color and vibrancy. Flowers in the spring represent new growth and life and can make a dark, late-winter home feel more

Add Open ShelvingIf you’re always lamenting about a lack of storage space but have open walls in your kitchen, installing simple shelves can solve this problem for you. Use your shelves to

Buying a New Lawnmower: Gas vs. ElectricFor most people, it's not yet lawn mowing season! All the more reason to think about mowers now, before the grass is suddenly knee-high. How do you compare

When the trees start budding again, and flowers begin to dot the yard with their bright colors, it's the perfect time to spring clean. While we might dread spring cleaning, it helps us refresh our

A kitchen can quickly become cluttered, especially if you don't have adequate storage space. But space can be hard to come across in a kitchen, even if you have a large kitchen.So, in what ways can

Turning Your Deck Into a Sunroom Outdoor spaces are especially wonderful when you live in an area where you can use them all year long. But there are alternatives you should consider if you

Have you thought much about the fixtures in your kitchen? Appliances, sinks, faucets and light fixtures all come in countless styles and colors. Click through for ideas on what finishes could look

Typically positioned as gateways to the house, mudrooms and entryways are two examples of transitional rooms that bridge the outside world and the privacy of your home. More specifically, mudrooms

What will the new year bring for homebuyers, homeowners and home sellers? Lower or higher home prices? Higher or lower mortgage interest rates? Or a continuation of the overheated pandemic-inspired

Coco, Early & Associates has Joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty! Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty is excited to announce that Coco, Early & Associates has

Breakfast nooks have been a popular feature in kitchens for decades. This small and cozy style of space is meant to seat a couple of people who are looking to enjoy tea or sip on coffee and to start

When you retire, your needs change. That's why many people decide to move to a new city at that point. Perhaps you want to move somewhere you've always loved but never lived because there were no