Archive for the ‘Tips’ Category

What does your daily life look like? For many working professionals in the U.S., commuting to work (or should we say battling traffic?) and being away from their families is common. After a long day of being with the world, your home should always allow you to be the person you want to be. Yes, a comfy couch covered in the warmth of mid-day sunlight or an aesthetically pleasing plant parent corner can elevate your living areas, but what about doing something new to the walls?

If you immediately cringed at the idea of smelling paint fumes in your house for weeks, we don’t blame you. However, we’re talking about all things wall art, from canvas paintings, tapestries, and even sculptures, and how adding these pieces can enhance your home’s appeal. Here are six steps from Paran Homes for choosing artwork for your new home.

“For me, art to a room is like punctuation to a sentence; it is that all-important ingredient, and without it, a space lacks the layers and attitude that a significant piece can bring.” – Interior Designer Tara Bernerd

Step 1: Crunch Your Budget Numbers

Before you start frolicking down the aisles of your local art surplus store, don’t forget to crunch your budget numbers. If you have significant funds, browse galleries or contact an artist whose work you admire to see what they have for sale. According to Investopedia, purchasing original artwork can be a wise investment.

Nevertheless, before buying expensive art, one must understand that rare art is valuable art. Do your research on the artist and the specific artwork, then check sites such as artfacts.net or eBay to get a representative sample for pricing. If you want a more cost-effective option, check out online shops like Society6, which features work from a wide selection of artists.

Step 2: Choose Your Favorite Artistic Style

It’s easy and convenient to say you’re “not picky” when it comes to art, but you deserve to have beautiful pieces adorning the walls of your home.

Look over the different sections by Google Arts & Culture and see which styles you are most interested in. Do you gravitate more towards Andy Warhol’s pop art style, or maybe you want to challenge your inner Picasso and hang some cubism pieces? Explore these popular styles and have fun being the art critic for a change!

Step 3: Take the Style of the Room into Account

If you aren’t trying to completely redo a room in your home, consider a simple revamp of the space. Before you purchase the new art, take some time to look at your walls (structure and spacing), furniture (clashing colors and style), and the existing theme or usage of the room.

Make sure the artwork you choose compliments the space or can serve as the room’s focal point. If you and your guests feel like the art detracts from everything else in the room, then the art isn’t serving its intended purpose and should be moved.

Step 4: Look Beyond Photographs and Portraits

Believe us. There is more to the art world than canvas paintings, prints, landscape photographs, and portraits. Your home can be decked out the way you want this year!

A fabric tapestry hung on a large wall might be perfect for your living room. How about including eye-catching macramé pieces for a unique corner in your bedroom? Other homeowners have branched out to include shelved figurines and sculptures, and some even paint detailed murals straight onto the walls! Whatever works for you and your family works for us.

Step 5: Triple-Check Your Measurements

Step five to choosing a piece of wall art is determining what kind of available space you have. To avoid hammering too many holes in the wall, now is the time to grab the tape measure!

We suggest purchasing a level and a beam detector to ensure you get precise measurements and don’t run into issues with what’s behind the walls. If this task seems daunting when in doubt, hire a handyperson or enlist the help of a detailed friend or family member to avoid mistakes!

“Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” – Billy Baldwin

Step 6: Consider the Durability of your Artwork

As much as we’d like it to, art doesn’t last forever. Photographs can fade in the sun, sculptures can become tarnished or chipped, and anything in the kitchen could end up with food stains.

When picking out art for your home, consider how long you want each piece to last, how durable it is, and if it can last for a few years where you’d like to display it. Knowing the best place to display artwork is a significant part of keeping the art’s value.

Oscar Wilde said it best, “Art imitates life.” What better way to celebrate that powerful statement than by living in a new home filled with art you love?

Call Paran Homes today to learn about our available homes with enough space to channel your inner artist! Our limited-time promotion is still active for spring; claim your Fresh Start now!

As we learn more about the impact of our surroundings on our overall health, the concept of home design for wellness has become popular with interior designers and homeowners alike. From incorporating natural elements and nurturing houseplant havens to optimizing open-concept layouts and energy-saving lighting, every aspect of your living environment plays a crucial role in how you feel each day. Let’s explore 3 tips for creating a healthy, eco-friendly home design for your living space.

Open-Concept Layouts for a Peaceful Home Life

The layout of your home affects your daily routines and interactions with the environment. Design your space to welcome guests into your home with inviting open-concept gathering areas, cozy nooks for relaxation, and functional zones for activities like reading, lounging, and playing games. Adding ergonomic furniture, plush textiles, and natural colors to your interior design will evoke warmth and comfort.

Smart Home Technology in the Home

Integrate smart home technology to make daily tasks easier and promote a sustainable lifestyle for your family. Look around your home and decide which area(s) could use more efficiency or safety. Installing a video doorbell allows you to monitor visitors and delivered packages. An automatic shut-off stove in the kitchen prevents fires and other cooking accidents. A voice-activated speaker can also order a takeout delivery on a busy day or call emergency services if you need assistance. You can also purchase an automatic pet feeder or video camera to ensure your furry family members are safe and sound when they’re home alone. Embracing more smart home technology is a step toward establishing a healthy, balanced home life.

Add Personality to Your Favorite Spaces

Enhance your living spaces with meaningful decor, special mementos, and inspiring artwork to create a cozy atmosphere. Weaving in personal touches like family photos, unique souvenirs, and captivating artwork brings more of your unique personality into your home. Plus, these design elements are great conversation starters for family and friends and give your items a place to be displayed instead of sitting in storage. Let your creativity shine with decor that tells your story and transforms your house into a home.

This year, create a home environment that promotes wellness by embracing open-concept design, sustainable materials, and sentimental artifacts, as well as incorporating smart home technology for security and peace of mind. At Paran Homes, we build communities that help new homeowners enhance the quality of their lives, one thoughtful design choice at a time. Contact us today for more information about our available new homes in metro Atlanta and current promotions!

Buying a new home is typically the most expensive purchase people make in their lives. The process can be arduous, but the beautiful hardwood floors, shiny granite countertops, and lush green backyards draw you in and make a lasting impression. However, that excitement can disappear if your chat with an agent about the cost of the home, homeowner’s association fees and property taxes doesn’t go as planned. Make the dream of homeownership from Paran Homes a reality in 2024 by being proactive instead of reactive. Learn why you should get pre-approved for a mortgage now!

‘Get Your Head in the Game’… the Real Estate Game, That is!

Interest rates have dropped in 2024, and now is the time to sign a contract for the home you’ve been eyeing.

“After rising to 7.79% in October—the 2023 high—mortgage rates have cooled markedly in recent weeks…”(Forbes) It is expected that “mortgage rates will continue to ease in 2024 as inflation improves and Fed rate cuts get closer…” (Realtor), dropping down to 6.5% on average this year.

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage now offers insights into various mortgage options and helps you select the most suitable one. You can take the time to compare lenders and the types of loans they offer, such as conventional, government, fixed-rate, and more! With so much information out there, it’s better to get organized early and take advantage of the lower interest rates so you don’t pay more for your home later.

Touring a model home or speaking to a seller with your pre-approval in hand convinces them that you are committed to the process of being a homeowner. Sellers often favor pre-approved buyers, which signifies seriousness and financial readiness to purchase. Don’t waste time window-shopping your new home when you can purchase confidently!

In the United States, having good credit has been a marker of good financial literacy for the last few decades. For many home purchases using a loan, a high credit score is required to get the best interest rate and approval odds. Pre-approval may uncover credit issues or errors that can be addressed before the actual purchase process. Getting your pre-approval completed before touring model homes or speaking with a real estate agent can save time if your credit score is too low and needs improvement.

Buying a new home is a lot like playing a game of chess. An unexpected appraisal amount may cause you to rethink your winning strategy, and a home inspection can cause a blockade and derail your move-in plans. Having mortgage pre-approval strengthens your negotiation power when making an offer on a property. It gives you more knowledge to make the right move and avoid blunders by accepting a less favorable loan. With Marc Chillion and Paran Homes, homeownership is the endgame for 2024!

From your boss requesting overtime at work, your kids needing to be picked up from school, and your dog feigning a long walk, you’re busier than ever this year. Pre-approval streamlines the closing process, reducing the chances of delays. Buying a new house is a lengthy process, but getting pre-approved cuts down on wasted time and unexpected news. Take your time back this year and move into your new home faster and more efficiently.

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Today!

Getting pre-approval for a mortgage now can save you time and money later! Contact Marc Chillion today for pre-approval options and information on new construction communities in Atlanta, GA from Paran Homes!

Now that the holiday season has ended, it’s time to welcome the new year into your home by incorporating more neutral decor! 2024 design trends stipulate that this time of year is about muted shades and soothing patterns. Seasonal scents and plush linens also bring warmth and an inviting ambiance into your home. At Paran Homes, we’re excited to build high-quality, new single-family homes in Georgia and offer our homeowners helpful tips to design their new house into the home they’ve always dreamed of.

Use a Neutral Color Palette for Your Decor

To make your new home stand out this year, incorporate rich colors like terracotta, navy, lavender, or eucalyptus into your decor and lighting. Typical neutral colors like beige, taupe, gray, cream, brown, black, and white complement primary and secondary hues can also be used to create a seamless look. Pops of calming colors give your design style an edge and ensure your home is welcoming for your family and friends.

Incorporate a Variety of Seasonal Scents

There is no better feeling than opening your front door after a long day and smelling the fresh scents brewing in your diffuser and wafting around your home. Distinctive scents like cinnamon, pine, eucalyptus, and bergamot evoke a winter ambiance and bring the natural fragrance of the outdoors into your house. Using a diffuser is also safer than burning candles or incense. It can add a unique visual element with rotating colorful lights and puffs of white vapor and even simulate musical notes or songs versus a typical wall plugin.

Opt for Comfortable Linens and a Cozy Appeal

Snuggling with plush blankets, faux fur throws, and soft cushions is a must-do during the winter season, and integrating these elements into your home invokes warmth and comfort. Take inventory of the rooms in your home where you typically relax and try to add more cozy items. A fuzzy beige or oatmeal-colored rug, chunky knitted throw blanket, and collection of hand-woven brown baskets will make any area a delight to spend time in.

Add Dimension and Light With Mirrors

A thoughtfully placed mirror can make a small room look almost double its size because of the illusion of additional space! Consider adding this popular visual element to your home to wow your guests. Creating perceived space also helps to reflect natural light and bring in a homely, comforting glow.

Flex Your Green Thumb Indoors

It’s true; you can still have a vibrant indoor plant nursery in the year’s cold months. The winter is a great time to be innovative and experimental with your plant displays. Shop for seasonal flowers like pansies, amaryllis, or winter roses to bring natural beauty indoors. Don’t forget to place your other fall plants near the window or under a grow light so they can get as much sun as possible and stay alive through the winter. Slow down on watering and fertilizing, and don’t hesitate to prune the pots for any dead or decaying stems and leaves.

Bonus Tip: Your Pets Want to Snuggle Too!

Your furry friends may tote their natural coats for warmth, but burrowing in warm pillows and making biscuits on fuzzy blankets is their favorite pastime in the winter. Besides integrating neutral linens, consider making their spaces more winter-themed, too! Place a large pet bed in the corner by the fireplace for your dog, drape a blanket on your cat tree stand, and add neutral-colored crocheted toys to your rabbits’ playpen to do the trick!

Make this the year you’re excited to spend more time indoors with winter designs that provide comfort, impress your family and friends, and add extra personality to your home. For more helpful tips and ideas for new homeowners, check out our Instagram! Happy New Year from Paran Homes!

With Christmas less than two weeks away, there’s not much time left to buy the perfect gifts for your loved ones. If your ideal way to spend the holidays isn’t searching disheveled store aisles, combing through ads and promotions to find the best deals, and spending extra time brainstorming ideas, here is a list of five quick and easy stocking stuffers or last-minute gifts for your family and friends.

Compact Multi-tool

An excellent gift for any adult is a compact multi-tool. This versatile gift includes various functions like a screwdriver, bottle opener, steel blade, pliers, and more! With this excellent tool, life’s unexpected mishaps won’t have to disrupt any plans. The multi-tool is small enough to be kept in a car glovebox, purse, or pocket, making it a great gift for anyone on your nice list.

Blue Light Glasses

Blue light glasses are a practical and stylish gift to relieve digital eye strain during extended screen time. Someone with a job that requires them to spend hours per day on a computer or looking at blue light would appreciate this thoughtful gift. Blue light glasses are a unique gift to give to someone who always says they don’t need anything new!

Mason Jar Cookie Mix

Everyone knows someone that’s a self-described “foodie.” What better way to indulge their sweet tooth than gifting them a mason jar filled with layers of cookie mix?! Choose a cookie you think they’d enjoy or share a family recipe to add more sentimentality to the gesture. Add decorative festive ribbons, bows, or stickers for another personal touch. This delicious ready-to-bake treat will be fresh out of the oven in no time. Don’t forget to save a few for Santa!

Assorted Gourmet Coffee or Tea Sampler

Do you have a coffee lover or tea sommelier in your life? An assorted gourmet coffee or tea sampler pack is perfect for those who enjoy indulging in different flavors. If you have enough time, find out which brews would be the best for them to try, or go the extra mile and ask which coffee/tea flavors or brands are their favorite, then buy what’s available.

Smart Bluetooth Key Finder

Give the gift of time this year to a friend or family member who frequently misplaces their keys. A smart Bluetooth key finder to help locate keys or other lost items can significantly improve someone’s daily life and encourage them to be more organized in the new year. As humorous as this gift is, it signifies how much you want to help your loved one have a less stressful year.

Don’t let the crowded stores keep you from finding the perfect gift for the ones you love. With these stocking stuffers and last-minute gifts, you’re on your way to having the best holiday season and Christmas morning! For more helpful seasonal tips and ideas for homeowners, check out our Instagram!

Paran Homes wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Now that “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” don’t let winter prep get you down. This month is the perfect time to get your home ready for the chillier days ahead. From buying winter clothing and gear to insulating your pipes to prevent a burst, Paran Homes has 5 tips you need to get prepared and keep your new home snug and stylish throughout the season.

Stop the Draft!

Along with the cold weather comes the windy season. A cozy evening watching holiday movies with the family can be ruined when cold drafts throughout the house keep the temperature at nearly freezing temps. Preventative measures like investing in attic insulation, adding door socks, and installing window caulk are top ways to winterize your home and will help keep the cold out!

Reverse Ceiling Fans

It might feel counterintuitive to put your fan on during the winter, but hear us out! Set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to help distribute warm air throughout the rooms in your home. Hint: most fans have a small switch on the side of the motor that makes this step easy. Remember to use a sturdy ladder or stool to reach the fan, and consider asking someone to hold it to ensure you don’t fall while you make the switch.

Service Your Chimney

Chestnuts roasting by the open fire can only happen this year if your chimney is clean of soot,  creosote, and debris. Small animals like raccoons, birds, and squirrels can also get trapped inside. If you have a fireplace, have it cleaned and inspected by a professional to ensure it’s safe to use. Consider converting to ventless logs for extra credit!

Protect Pipes from Freezing

A pipe burst can turn a calm day at home with your family into total chaos. Don’t let it happen to you this winter! Insulate pipes in unheated areas of your home to prevent freezing and potential bursts. Make sure you take care of the exterior areas of your home, too, by covering sprinkler spigots and draining garden hoses.

Stock Up on Winter Supplies

Disaster doesn’t have to strike twice this year. When inclement weather descends, ensure you have essentials like rock salt, shovels, and emergency supplies on hand. A case of batteries, flashlights, oil lamps, and a first aid kit should always be in your home in case of an electrical power outage or health crisis.

Bonus: Clean Gutters and Downspouts

One of the worst emergency repairs a homeowner can face is needing a new roof. This can be especially taxing in the winter when cold breezes and freezing temperatures make home maintenance harder to complete. To avoid any potential water leaks and roof damage from clogged gutters, remove leaves and debris to prevent clogs and ensure proper drainage.

With these 5 tips, you’ll be one step closer to keeping your home safe and sound this winter. If you’d rather prepare for the cold season in the new home of your dreams, check out our available new homes! Contact an agent today for more information.