Kathy's Real Estate Chat

Nothing makes a house feel more like home than setting up a cozy outdoor living space. Not all patio furniture is created equal, though, which means your choice has to be a careful one. Here are a few tips from our real estate agents on how to choose the perfect outdoor furniture.

Choose the Right Size 
Sizing is important, especially if you have a small patio space. Before you start shopping for furniture, measure the space for your outdoor furniture and sketch out a quick drawing of what the space looks like, along with the measurements. Take a tape measure with you as you shop, too, so that you can measure everything rather than just eyeballing it. Outdoor living spaces are highly popular in Dallas homes for sale, but the sizes of these living spaces can vary widely, so it's important to choose your outdoor furniture specifically for your space.

Keep the Weather in Mind
Anyone shopping for Fort Worth homes for sale knows that weather is hard on outdoor furniture, so it's important to choose patio furniture with the local weather in mind. Cycles of strong sun and precipitation fade fabric, disintegrate stitching, and cause wood to crack and dry out. If your furniture is on a covered patio, shielded from sun exposure and precipitation, you won't have to worry about it as much, but if it's exposed to the weather, look for fade-resistant cushions and sturdy furniture that won't require a lot of upkeep.

Plan for Storage
Speaking of the toll weather takes on your outdoor furniture, you can reduce this by storing your patio furniture during the off-season and putting away the cushions between uses. You can purchase covers to protect your furniture, cushions, and all when you're not using it, but keep in mind that the covers will likely need to be replaced periodically due to the same weather concerns you're protecting your furniture from. Moving the furniture indoors during the off-season is an option too, but requires the storage space to do so. An outdoor storage trunk makes a great solution for storing cushions between uses and keeps everything nearby for when you need it.

Make Your Decisions Based on Comfort
There are two kinds of outdoor furniture available, and they both have their own distinct purposes: those chosen for looks and those chosen for comfort. There's nothing wrong with choosing patio furniture for looks, especially if you're staging your home for sale or setting up an idyllic tableau in your yard. But if you plan to spend a lot of time chilling on your patio, choose that furniture for comfort. Opt for big, sturdy furniture with thick cushions and a design that allows you to kick back and relax.

Balance Quality with Budget
Most of us have a budget to watch when we pick out patio furniture, but it's important not to sacrifice quality when staying within your budget, or you'll find yourself replacing your outdoor furniture much sooner than planned. Opt for heavy-duty, weather-resistant furniture with fade-resistant cushions. If this is out of your budget now, buy a piece at a time, watch for sales, or search for used furniture listed for sale in your area. High-quality furniture will be worth the investment, as it'll last for years to come.

Well-appointed outdoor living spaces are good for more than just your own personal enjoyment: They help to sell your home, too. Contact us today.

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DFW is known for serving up some of the best barbecue in the entire country, and May is the perfect time to explore what local restaurants have to offer. That's because May is National Barbecue Month, a celebration of all things smoked, grilled, or covered in barbecue sauce. So why not sample some brisket, DFW-style, in honor of National Barbecue Month? Our real estate agents have the details on some of the best restaurants for brisket and barbecue.

One90 Smoked Meats – 10240 E. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX 75238
Whether you're in the mood for a quick brisket sandwich near Dallas homes for sale or a full brisket to smoke in your own backyard, the team at One90 Smoked Meats has you covered. If you're spending time away from DFW, One90 Smoked meats will even ship their brisket anywhere in the country.

Heim Barbecue & Catering – 1109 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104
A local favorite near Fort Worth homes for sale known for its smoked meats and bacon burnt ends, Heim Barbecue & Catering offers everything you need to celebrate National Barbecue Month. Stop by the riverfront location in Fort Worth to enjoy some fantastic views of the city while you dine.

Goldee's Barbecue – 4645 Dick Price Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76140
Best known for its brisket and pulled pork, Goldee's Barbecue also serves up some of the best barbecue side dishes in all of DFW. The dessert menu here is also packed with Southern favorites, so be sure to leave room for something sweet after you polish off your plate of barbecue.

Off the Bone Barbeque – 1734 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
As the name suggests, Off the Bone Barbeque serves some truly mouthwatering smoked meats, including brisket that is perfectly smoked over pecan wood. Mix in imaginative takes on some of your favorite classic barbecue sides, and it's easy to see why Off the Bone Barbeque has earned a great reputation around Dallas.

Pecan Lodge – 2702 Main St., Dallas, TX 75226
One of the most famous barbecue spots in Dallas, the Pecan Lodge will not disappoint with its lineup of brisket, ribs, fried chicken, and outstanding sides. The popularity of this restaurant means that there will often be a line when you visit, but the barbecue here is more than worth the wait.

The Slow Bone – 2234 Irving Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207
Why order just one type of meat when you can have two? The Slow Bone is famed for its two-meat plates, which allow you to combine brisket, pulled pork, smoked ribs, and other favorites, along with some distinctive sides. If you're just in the mood for a quicker bite, the open-faced sandwiches here are also tough to beat.

Cattleack Barbeque – 13628 Gamma Rd., Dallas, TX 75244
Unlike other entries on our list, Cattleack Barbeque is only open two days per week – for lunch every Thursday and Friday. But it's well worth setting aside some time at the end of your workweek to enjoy some delicious barbecue here. Order a regular brisket sandwich, or go big with the Toddfather, which combines brisket, sausage, pulled pork, and coleslaw to create a meal that can truly satisfy any appetite.

When you're ready to buy or sell your next home in DFW, our team is here to help with all of your real estate needs. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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Do you love baking but wish your kitchen was more functional for your culinary needs? Or, do you want to create a space that makes it easier for you to bake your favorite dishes?

By making a few simple changes to your kitchen, you can improve the functionality and efficiency of your kitchen. Our real estate agents know that many of these projects will make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

Here are some features and additions that we recommend to make your kitchen more baking-friendly. 

Add Storage Accessories to Your Cabinets for Your Sheet Pans and Baking Equipment
If you have to dig through your cabinets to find a specific piece of baking equipment, outfit your cabinets with pullout shelves or drawers. This makes it easy for you to find the pan or baking sheet you're looking for without having to pull every single item out. Pullout shelves also work well for housing heavy appliances, like your stand mixer or bread machine, when they aren't in use, so you have more counter space.  Integrate Open Shelving into Your Kitchen Design
Open shelving is an excellent way to store and display items that you frequently use when baking, like measuring cups and mixing bowls. If you have any bakeware with a gorgeous design that can also function as decor (like ceramic pieces in a vibrant color or print or items in a seasonal holiday print), open shelves are a terrific option to show them off. Or, perhaps you have cookbooks or family recipes that you utilize during your baking sessions. Open shelves work well for housing cookbooks or even displaying a written family recipe as a decorative piece. Many buyers find open shelving appealing, making this a smart addition before you add your home to the inventory of Fort Worth homes for sale.  Opt for Pull-Out Cabinets to Store Baking Ingredients
If you're willing to consider more dramatic upgrades, pullout cabinets are a versatile addition that enables you to set up a more functional baking station. While pullout cabinets are frequently used for trashcans, another idea is to use them to house baking supplies that you might purchase in large quantities, like different types of flour and sugar. The design of a pullout cabinet is perfect for housing containers to store your baking ingredients. Another benefit of adding pullout cabinets is that they're a buyer-friendly upgrade when you add your home to the list of Dallas homes for sale.  Set Up a Kitchen Island
A kitchen island is an excellent alternative for expanding your counter space so that you have more room for preparing your recipes, decorating cakes and cookies, and sampling your finished product. While you can install a kitchen island that utilizes your current cabinets and counters, this isn't your only option. Many furniture retailers sell rolling kitchen islands that add extra prep space and allow you to move the island according to your culinary needs. 

Want a home with a larger kitchen so that you have additional space for baking? Contact us today to get started!

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