stevenkleiman4

by Steven Kleiman

contributing writer for modernhouston.net

Developing An Eye For Modern Homes
By: Steven Kleiman

I’ve got a secret.

I’m willing to share but you’ve got to keep what I tell you under wraps.
Otherwise, I could be considered a traitor to my fellow real estate
brokers. Okay, here goes: Some people consider homes products.
And guess what else. Those trying to sell homes use advertising tactics—
just like those used to get you to buy one brand of a product instead
of another—to get you to look at properties!
My secret’s safe with you, right?

In most cases, home sellers advertise homes as “modern” because they
know that the phrase will attract those who want a newly built home, a
home with new appliances and décor accents, and those who want a
modern style home. Sneaky little buggers aren’t they? I know. But that’s
why I’m here and why today’s column is a quick crash course on what
you should look for when buying a modern style home, regardless of
whether it’s a new home with new amenities or not.

Research!
The Internet puts nearly limitless information at your fingertips. Use it to
see what modern style homes look like. Some great resources are
HoustonMod.org, LiveModern.com and, of course, ModernHouston.net.
Look at the architecture of the home structure, the use of the land
surrounding the home, and the interior layout of the home. This will give
you a hint at what to look for when you’re home shopping with your real
estate agent. Keep in mind though that modern style homes are about
creativity, not uniformity. Therefore, do not expect to find a home
identical to what you may see.

Know!
Once you have an idea of what a modern style home may look like, you
need to know where to find them. For those of you who like the easy,
low-stress road, find a real estate agent who’s knowledgeable about
modern home architecture and builders. They will be able to point you
directly to local communities built by modern style homebuilders or areas
where homeowners have been remodeling homes with modern style;
do-it-yourselfers can begin finding homes by following links and leads
available on the sites I listed above.

Think!
Many homebuyers get caught up in the notion of owning a modern
home because it’s the “in” thing to do today. While I love to help clients
locate modern style homes, I prefer to help them find a home that fits
their needs and lifestyle. With that said, a modern style home is not for
everyone. Therefore, you need to think about how you will live in the
space to determine if a modern home with rooms flowing into one
another or a more traditional home with rooms sectioned off somewhat
is more appropriate for your needs.

Good luck! And as always, if you have any questions about modern
real estate here in Houston, don’t hesitate to ask. Until next time…

Biography:
Steven Kleiman is a licensed real estate broker and the owner of Houston, Texas-based
Oakington Realty. The firm provides agent services to buyers, sellers and investors
interested in real estate inside the I-610 Loop. To learn more about modern real estate
in metro-Houston, contact Steven at: realestate@modernhouston.net