(RE/MAX Blog) - Just as hygge becomes mainstream, a new Scandinavian trend is hitting lifestyle blogs, websites and even the world's largest furniture retailer. Have you heard? 2017 is the year of lagom.

Loosely translated from Swedish, lagom means "not too little, not too much, just right." This applies to finding balance in all aspects of your life, including your dwellings.

Are you looking to achieve a 'just right' home in 2017? Here are three easy steps.

1. The Right Amount of Space

The first step in creating a lagom home is finding the right amount of space. Whether it's a single family home, condo or a home with a much smaller footprint, more American homebuyers are choosing to live in less square feet. In fact, the lagom lifestyle is in line with many of the amenities that millennial home buyers are looking for. Gone is the desire for a formal dining room that may only be used on holidays and large outdoor spaces that take time and money to maintain.

2. The Right Amount of Furniture

Now that you have found your 'just right' space, it's time to furnish it. Take a note from professional home stagers on this one, the size of the furniture is just as important as the amount of furniture in a lagom home. While shopping, look for useful and comfortable pieces that don't overpower your space.

3. The Right Amount of Décor

Millennials seeking out minimalism will gravitate to lagom home décor. The focus is clearing clutter and keeping only items that you need.

(RE/MAX Blog)- You’ve decided you’re ready to buy your own home– now what? Start with these initial steps:

1. Get your financial ducks in a row.
Calculate how much money you have in savings and assets, your total annual income and your expenses. Know how much of it you can allocate toward a down payment and other expenses. Check your credit report and fix any errors. This will help you determine what type of loan you qualify for, and the price range of homes you want to look at.

2. Determine how much house you can afford.
A common rule is that your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 28 percent of your pre-tax income. You can plug your information into an online mortgage calculator to get a starting idea of exactly how much you’ll pay each month with different interest rates and terms.

3. Find a real estate agent.
Interview several agents to find one that specializes in the communities you're interested in and has experience representing buyers with the type of home you’re looking for. 

4. Shop!
It’s important that you keep an open mind and look at a wide range of properties. Go to open houses. Cruise the Internet. Peruse different neighborhoods. Your agent will also help by finding properties that match as many of your "wants" and "needs" as possible. When you fall in love with a house and are ready to make it official, your agent can help you navigate the process from putting in an offer to the closing table.

Buying or selling a home? Contact us for assistance. 

LEONARDTOWN, MD- The number one RE/MAX brokerage in Maryland and Northern Virginia will be celebrating a new office location in Southern Maryland. RE/MAX Realty Group/100 will be hosting a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 for their RE/MAX Realty Group office in Leonardtown. The office is the new facility for the previously recognized RE/MAX Realty Group Mechanicsville and is part of an overhaul of 6 RE/MAX Realty Group offices purchased by Broker Ken Crowley.

The RE/MAX Realty Group location is in the heart of historic Leonardtown and has a unique “steampunk” décor. Please join us for the celebration to meet local professionals in the real estate industry, enjoy light hors d'oeuvres, a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour the facility.

What: Grand Opening Celebration

When: Wednesday, September 6, 2017

4 PM-7 PM

Where: RE/MAX Realty Group- Leonardtown

22845 Washington Street STE E

Leonardtown, MD 20650

Visuals: Ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 PM

For more information, contact Caitlin Gurda at Caitlin.rrg@gmail.com or 301-921-2656.

(RE/MAX Blog) - A yard with a beautiful landscape is one of the few home investments with a value that increases over the years. Buyers love mature plants and trees, so giving your yard some love even if you're not planning on selling for a few years is a smart way to go. What's even smarter? Employing these money-saving tips:

1. Free mulch.
Many municipalities recycle the yard waste they pick up curbside throughout the year into mulch, which is then made available to residents for free or a very low price. Surrounding your shrubs and trees with a layer of the stuff not only makes them stand out visually, it also helps conserve moisture and stave off bugs.

2. Look to the list.
Craigslist's “farm and garden" section can be a treasure trove of outdoor planters, border stones and even “used" trees and shrubs. Check here first before heading to the nursery.

3. Go big with your neighbors.
Bedding plants are often less expensive when you buy them in bulk.

4. Compost.
Instead of buying bags of fertilizer, generate your own black gold for gardens by composting your kitchen waste. It's not as hard – or smelly – as you'd think.

5. Chat with a master.
Master gardeners often hold free Q&A sessions at garden centers or local libraries. Before investing in new plants, seeds or shrubs, check with an expert to find which options will thrive without expensive maintenance.

6. Rein it in.
Trim back any trees, shrubs or vines that hide or overwhelm your windows, porch or patio. Sometimes the most effective landscaping upgrade can come from removing greenery, not adding it.

7. Pull your weeds.
It's the outdoor equivalent of de-cluttering your home, an inexpensive way to boost your yard's visual appeal.

8. Powerwash fences and patios.
It can take years off your fence and patio in just minutes. You'll be amazed at how much brighter they'll look with just a bit of effort that requires little more skill than running a vacuum. Rent a machine at your local home improvement box store for about $30.

Springfield, VA- The recently renovated and revitalized offices of RE/MAX Realty Group in Springfield were celebrated this week with a ribbon cutting by Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, Broker Ken Crowley, Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS Bob Adamson and other dignitaries. 

The renovations, which were completed in May, were part of a new 10 year contract signed recently by Crowley for the office located at 5501 Backlick Road in Springfield.

"The RE/MAX Realty Group office is virtually a local landmark but had started to show its age," said Crowley. "We have completely redone both the space and the infrastructure to make it a state of the art real estate office". New phones, computers, real estate software and client-friendly conference areas are all a part of the new look.

The RE/MAX Realty Group office and its renovation is part of an overhaul of the 6 RE/MAX Realty Group offices purchased by Crowley in 2015. The offices were previously owned by Denver-based RE/MAX, LLC, the international franchisor that sells more homes than any other real estate organization. He also owns two offices in Maryland that operate under the name RE/MAX Realty Group.

"We're really excited about this new office." said Matt Cockerham, the manager of the Springfield location who also participated in the ribbon cutting. "We have some of the best agents in the business, and they now have the best office to work from."

Also taking part in the ceremony were Trish Nicely, RE/MAX Realty Group Vice President, and Char Melvin, Director of Operations for RE/MAX Realty Group and 100, as well as some fifty invited guests.

(RE/MAX Blog)- Summertime is days away. The longer days and warmer weather will make it the perfect time to prepare your home for winter. Here are a few projects to do now to make your life easier when the cold weather arrives.

1. Clean out the garage

It’s far more pleasant to work in the garage in the summer, when you can have the door open without piling on layers of clothes. Carve out a parking space for your car now, and you won’t have to scrape ice off the windshield in December. Plus it’s the perfect time to hold a garage sale for any forgotten “treasures” you discover.

2. Dodge the draft

Have you been enjoying summer’s warm breezes – through cracks in your doors? Weather stripping and caulking are affordable ways to close the gaps and boost the efficiency of your heating system come wintertime.

3. Keep your mind in the gutter

At least for a while. Clogged gutters can wreak havoc on your home when they fill with ice in the winter. While the weather’s warm, grab a ladder, gloves and hose and clear them out. Not ready to trade pool time for gutter work? Hire a local service to do it for you.

4. Find the deals

The middle of the summer is a great time to find discounts on services you’ll need before the snow falls, like chimney sweeping and heating system checks. Shop around for the best deals and you could save a chunk of change.

5. Check your water heater

Yes, this can be done just as easily in the winter as the summer, but while you’re on a roll, why not flush your hot water heater? It takes just a few minutes and costs nothing. Sediment collects over time and reduces the machine’s efficiency. Simply flush the water through the drain valve into a bucket to clear out the particles.

A little work this summer will increase your enjoyment of your home in winter, and also may retain its value.

(RE/MAX Blog)- An attractive outdoor space, even if it’s just big enough to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or evening cocktail, can be a major selling point for potential buyers. Here are a few suggestions for maximizing your outdoor living space.

1. Floor it.
If you have a small outdoor area, it won’t break the bank to invest in higher quality tiles or stones. Snap-in deck tiles are another option for adding a touch of class.

2. Envision clarity.
When it comes to tables, go for glass-topped: It will help create the illusion of a larger space.

4. Watch your back.
Chairs and benches with more open backs don’t interrupt sight lines as much. They’ll keep your space feeling open, and looking larger.

5. Focus.
Creating a focal point in a small space adds visual interest. A simple piece of garden art, a small flowering tree or a tiny water feature in a corner can add style and distract buyers from focusing on square footage.

6. Scale down.
The world’s largest outdoor chaise lounge may be a napper’s dream, but it won’t do much to help your patio or deck. Choose outdoor furniture scaled to set off your space, not smother it. You can even find fire pits in smaller sizes.

7. Get vertical.
Wall gardens help add green without sacrificing space. Wall art made from succulent plants is another low-maintenance option for adding foliage, and drawing attention to the edges of your space, which helps visually enlarge it.

8. Don’t hide the grill.
A clean barbecue can help buyers imagine their own outdoor meals. Unless you have a grill or smoker large enough to hold the entire pig, or if your grill is in disrepair, keep it out.

Looking for a home with a nice backyard where you can gather with family and friends? Start your search today. 

(RE/MAX Blog)- When you hire a real estate agent to help buy or sell a home, they can help free up time you would otherwise spend on sorting through listings, scheduling showings, or trying to figure out paperwork. You might even have time to focus on the fun parts of moving, such as:

1. Building a Pinterest board of décor inspiration

Don't have a particular design style in mind? No problem. Check out the RE/MAX Pinterest page for ideas.

2. Clearing out the clutter with a yard sale

Remember, each thing you sell is one less thing you'll have to pack – and unpack. Here are some top yard sale tips.

3. Planning your housewarming party

You'll want to show off the new place – especially after you've made it Pinterest perfect. Put together a Facebook event and start thinking about party favors to thank friends who helped you move in.

4. Bargain shopping for furniture

There are plenty of options for you to furnish your new nest without breaking the bank. Here are six places to find furniture within your budget.

Looking for a new home? Start your search today.