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Budget Design Tips for Vacation Rental Owners



This blog post on budget design tips was written by a special guest contributor. Kristina Dorville and her family recently purchased The Quarterdeck. They gave this lake access chalet a complete makeover with stunning results. She offered some great budget design tips for making updates that are easy on your wallet.

Budget Design Tips

Kristina’s Tips

If I could start over in my professional career, I’d like to decorate homes. But not the normal way. Anyone can go to a store, spend a ton of money and have a good looking house. MY favorite part of decorating… finding the ‘treasure’ – you know, that one chair, pillow, or rug that fits with your design idea but doesn’t break the bank. I love a treasure hunt. I love a good sale. But best of all, I love making my house feel like a well-decorated, stylish home for as little money as possible!

If you’re looking for a refresh of your space, there are some easy ways to find the treasures that work for you without the hefty price tag.

Shop Around & Wait for Sales

First and foremost, you must be patient. Don’t buy the first thing you see that you like. Look around and shop around. Wait for sales, if you know they are coming (around the holidays is a great time). I got some great, after Christmas deals on things that had nothing to do with the holiday. Swing through the same store multiple times and also go to the nearby, same stores. Every store – even the same ones in various locations around town – have different stuff and different prices. Continue reading “Budget Design Tips for Vacation Rental Owners”

May 2018 Real Estate Update



Real estate activity at Deep Creek Lake is heating up with the warmer spring temperatures. We are seeing positive signs of a seller’s market in the making! 

May 2018 Real Estate Update

Out of the 200 active lake area homes, 17 of them sold in the last month. And better news, the average sales price to average list price was only a 5% difference.  In other words, the offer price is getting closer to the listing price. Historically, that number has been around 8-12%. The average days on market for these homes was about three months. As we get into the summer months, I will take a guess that timeframe will get shorter.

Real Estate Update

Location, presentation and price are still the key factors in any real estate transaction. You have location nailed. Deep Creek Lake is the place to be.  Continue reading “May 2018 Real Estate Update”

Top 5 Tips to Increase Your Home Value



You can increase your home value no matter what your budget. If you are thinking of selling, little upgrades can mean a lot to buyers. You should focus your efforts (and your dollars) on tasks that pack the biggest punch.

Our real estate team put together a list of some proven ways to increase your home value. To be sure you spend appropriately for your target market, it is always recommended that you speak with an agent before getting started.

Increase Your Home Value

Kitchens Count

Buyers have always been focused on kitchens, and most are looking for something that is modern/updated. You don’t necessarily need a total overhaul. Even small investments can increase your home value.

Go for a fresh, coordinated look with new suite of appliances and a new countertop and flooring. Paint walls or cabinets and update hardware too. “Stainless steel” isn’t new but still indicates “modern” in the mind of the buyer. Also, quartz countertops are becoming increasingly popular due to their resiliency.

Focus on Floorplans

Adding to the living space in your home can definitely boost value. Many buyers are looking for either an open layout or flexible spaces that can suit a variety of purposes. Continue reading “Top 5 Tips to Increase Your Home Value”