http://CBStagecoach.com/blog/categoryname_experience-cbdhr/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ The Coldwell Banker® brand has always lived on the cutting edge of luxury, cemented by more than a century of innovation. The pioneering spirit can be traced from San Francisco’s Financial District in 1906, to Manhattan’s prestigious Madison Avenue in 1933. From revolutionizing luxury real estate marketing by capturing fine estates on film, to our worldwide presence today as a trailblazer in video, mobile, social media, and smart home technology, the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® brand is a true global force.The Luxury Property Specialists aligned with the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program are masters at their profession, ranking among the best in the world by exceeding expectations and creating exceptional experiences for their discerning clients every day. In the calendar year 2019 alone, Coldwell Banker® affiliated sales agents represented $144.4 million in sales each day1.As well as having an expansive network, the specialists with our Global Luxury division have a reputation for representing some of the most significant properties of all time. Our renowned expertise has allowed Coldwell Banker® to serve the owners of remarkable landmark homes including the Playboy Mansion, Malibu Castle, The Beverly House, and Steven Spielberg’s iconic Arts & Crafts-inspired Malibu estate.When it comes to who can best help market and sell your luxury real estate, our Global Luxury division is the only one for the job. Exceeding expectations and creating exceptional experiences, our Luxury agents are armed with the tools necessary to strategically connect with an affluent audience. Your luxury is our legacy.1Average daily sales. Data based on closed and recorded buyer and/or seller transaction sides of homes sold for $1 million or more as reported by affiliates in the U.S. Coldwell Banker® franchise system for the calendar year 2019. Total volume calculated by multiplying the number of buyer and/or seller sides by sales prices.Property pictured: 22 Via Aragon, Listed by Miguel Herrera Luxury Lifestyle Group, REALTORS® http://CBStagecoach.com/blog/1141/global-luxury:-prestige-and-expertise/ Wed, 01 Jul 2020 04:42:44 -0600 Not ready for another night of Netflix but don’t feel like going out? Bring the party to you! From one hostess with the most-est to another, there is nothing like making your night in a great night out for your guests. From an informal pot-luck gathering with neighbors to a full-on house party, here are a few ways to tap into your inner party planner.Pick a formatIf you’re in the mood to entertain, there are plenty of options.Potluck parties – Many hands make light work when everyone brings something. Pick a theme and see where people take it. Or ask everyone to bring appetizers, sides and desserts while you supply the mains.  Anything goes when it’s potluck! Cocktail parties – Shaken not stirred as James Bond is fond of saying. When you pare down the focus to drinks, a few nibbles and conversation, your gathering is high on fun and low on clean up.Viewing parties – Pass the popcorn! Getting together with friends to watch a favorite movie, TV show or sporting event creates an atmosphere in which people are connected through a shared interest. Plus, you don’t have to wait until the next day to recap.Game night – Whether it’s poker or Parcheesi, the game is just an excuse to get together for some friendly competition and a lot of laughs.  Dinner party – There are so many fun details when you host a dinner party: place cards, table decor, courses, wine pairings! House party – Just for fun or for a festive occasion, house parties are an opportunity to bring friends from all your circles together. Dress up or dress down but be sure to put on your dancing shoes! Playlists are a must … to really kick things up a notch, consider hiring a DJ.Create the planFrom who to invite, what time to start the party and what to serve, a plan is critical to success. But don’t over plan, because too many guidelines can get in the way of good old-fashioned fun.Get on the guest list – Who you invite depends on the goal of the party. Is it time to reconnect with the neighbors or spend some quality time with co-workers out of the office? Maybe you are celebrating a special event and want to gather close friends and family.Decide on a date – Give your guests at least a few weeks’ notice to ensure they can attend. If there are people you definitely want to see, check their availability in advance.Figure out the food (and drinks!) – Will you cook or cater? Are there specialty foods you will need to make a special trip to buy? Do you have a house wine you like to serve or will you experiment with new recommendations? If little people are coming, do you have kid-friendly options?Set the stage – Imagine the flow from the moment people walk through the door and plan accordingly.  Where will guests put their coats? What will be the focal point for the gathering? Decide where you will place the food and set up a separate location for the bar. Is there ample room for people to move around? Is your powder room accessible?Get the party startedYou did it! The big day is here. Keep in mind that with proper planning, hosting a party should be fun, not stressful. To keep the relaxed vibe going, ask for help. Guests always offer so be sure you can delegate some simple but important tasks like filling the ice buckets, opening wine bottles, showing people where the coats go. That frees you up to greet your guests, make everyone feel welcome, and get the party started right!Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®  can be reached at (210) 483-7581 or pr@cbharper.com and has been an affiliate of the Coldwell Banker franchise system for over 30 years. Visit our Blog and our social media channels [Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn,YouTube] for supportive content and articles.All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as legal advice at any point. Any facts provided on blog.cbharper.com is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and it makes no representations as to completeness, suitability, or validity.  All information is provided to author on an upper management approval basis. Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® and its employees will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Author may keep updating old posts on a regular basis and is not bound to explicitly state all corrections made. The opinions expressed by those providing comments to the posts are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the company or any employee thereof.  http://CBStagecoach.com/blog/72/top-tips-for-homeowners-who-like-to-entertain/ Sun, 03 Nov 2019 11:37:57 -0600 Home design is always a hot topic and Elle Décorrecently reviewed new trends that are replacing old ways. I believe that home design is inspired by what you like and how you live, but I noted a number of trends that tie into sustainability as well as philosophies for living that are influencing home design. Boucle is an interesting and engaging fabric loaded with eye catching texture and a warm and fuzzy feel that has replaced leather as the IN fabricLayered landscapes are gaining popularity. Think furniture of different heights and lamps at different levels. Curved sofas are the talk of the town, mostly because this furniture style creates better opportunities for face to face conversation than linear seating arranged in front of a screen.Natural textiles are replacing industrial materials in home interiors.Homeowners are increasingly bringing the outside in to create a connection between humankind and nature. This can be accomplished by increasing natural light, focusing on organic materials like hardwood floor and stone as well as indoor plants.Updated neutrals in blush, dusty pink and bronze are bringing added warmth that traditional neutrals can’t.Light wood floors, either hardwood or laminate, are growing in popularity over darker woods.Which trends do you like? Which ones are not for you? At the end of the day, making a house a home is what it’s all about. To learn more about buying or selling a home in the San Antonio market, contacta Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper REALTOR associate today. Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®  can be reached at (210) 483-7581 or pr@cbharper.com and has been an affiliate of the Coldwell Banker franchise system for over 30 years. Visit our Blog and our social media channels [Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn,YouTube] for supportive content and articles.All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as legal advice at any point. Any facts provided on blog.cbharper.com is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and it makes no representations as to completeness, suitability, or validity.  All information is provided to author on an upper management approval basis. Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® and its employees will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Author may keep updating old posts on a regular basis and is not bound to explicitly state all corrections made. The opinions expressed by those providing comments to the posts are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the company or any employee thereof.  http://CBStagecoach.com/blog/70/7-new-design-trends:-what’s-hot-and-what’s-not/ Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:29:34 -0600 Hardwood or laminate? Ceramic tile or stone? And what about good old linoleum?When it comes to floors, it seems like the sky’s the limit when it comes to all the choices, so here’s a good grounding in popular floor options.HardwoodHardwood floors have endured in popularity in part because of their durability – you can refinish them up to five times to remove scratches. Initially a pricier option than engineered wood or laminate, the ROI on hard wood is hard to beat. Domestic options like oak or maple are more affordable than exotic varieties.   LaminateLaminate flooring offers a multitude of options because the top layer is actually a photograph laid over layers of plywood or compressed fiber and sealed with a clear plastic coating. This means you can mimic the look of wood or stone for much less money. Laminate is more resistant to scratches and dents and is low maintenance. Ceramic TileSimilar to laminate, ceramic tile can be printed with just about any pattern, providing many choices for discerning homeowners. Some ceramic tile is more durable than others – porcelain tile is perfect for high traffic areas and the fact that it is stain resistant makes it a popular choice. Terra cotta tiles, on the other hand, are less durable and need regular sealing.Vinyl and LinoleumBoth vinyl and linoleum are resilient, flexible and softer to the touch than other options. Lately, linoleum has become more popular because it is made from natural, renewable materials, unlike vinyl. Vinyl is more water-resistant than linoleum, making it a good choice for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.When considering your flooring options keep in mind a few things:Different rooms have different needs Bathrooms and laundry rooms require floors that can withstand moisture. Think porcelain tile rather than hardwood. Variations exist in each category Love the natural feel of hardwood but concerned about denting? Consider more durable laminate options that mimic hardwood.  Flooring doesn’t have to bottom out the bank account. When it comes to flooring, a variety of options and price points exist. For the cost-conscious, DIY-ers can save on installation costs.When it comes down to it, floors ground us in our homes. Understanding your options will help you enjoy your home to the fullest. Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®  can be reached at (210) 483-7581 or pr@cbharper.com and has been an affiliate of the Coldwell Banker franchise system for over 30 years. Visit our Blog and our social media channels [Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn,YouTube] for supportive content and articles.All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as legal advice at any point. Any facts provided on blog.cbharper.com is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and it makes no representations as to completeness, suitability, or validity.  All information is provided to author on an upper management approval basis. Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® and its employees will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Author may keep updating old posts on a regular basis and is not bound to explicitly state all corrections made. The opinions expressed by those providing comments to the posts are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the company or any employee thereof.  http://CBStagecoach.com/blog/71/getting-to-the-bottom-of-flooring-options/ Mon, 07 Oct 2019 11:36:38 -0600 In the race to home ownership, many people speed past the mortgage broker and zero in on what home they think they can afford based on a 20 percent down payment.But did you know that a large percentage of people who are buying a home this year do not put 20% down?It feels like one of the biggest secrets in real estate, but at Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, Realtors® we love shouting this news from the rooftops.Several factors over the last 10 years have dramatically changed how people finance their home: low interest rates, greater availability of mortgage products and a higher rate of mortgage loan approvals.That’s great news if you are in the market to buy your first home. First-time homebuyers account for about a third of all homebuyers according to the National Association of Realtors.Nearly three quarters of first-time homeowners and half of existing homeowners did not put 20 percent down. In fact, the average down payment, according to the National Association of Realtors, was just 6%. Many of them took advantage of low or no money down mortgage products like these.FHA Loan (3.5% down payment)HomeReadyTM Mortgage (3% down payment)Conventional 97 (3% down payment)USDA (No down payment)VA (No down payment)To learn more about how a low or no down payment mortgage can affect your purchasing power, contact one of our trusted mortgage advisors.Source consulted but not included: https://themortgagereports.com/17670/7-mortgage-loans-low-no-zero-downpayment-buyers-2015Zillow press release: http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-12-14-Millennial-Home-Buyers-Most-Likely-to-Put-Less-Than-20-DownColdwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®  can be reached at (210) 483-7581 or pr@cbharper.com and has been an affiliate of the Coldwell Banker franchise system for over 30 years. Visit our Blog and our social media channels [Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn,YouTube] for supportive content and articles.All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as legal advice at any point. Any facts provided on blog.cbharper.com is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and it makes no representations as to completeness, suitability, or validity.  All information is provided to author on an upper management approval basis. Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® and its employees will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Author may keep updating old posts on a regular basis and is not bound to explicitly state all corrections made. The opinions expressed by those providing comments to the posts are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the company or any employee thereof.  http://CBStagecoach.com/blog/73/20-percent-or-bust?-not-so-fast/ Fri, 13 Sep 2019 11:39:56 -0600