In my last blog I talked about what's in for 2007, based on a recent article from Realty Times. Today I'll summarize the most interesting points about what's out in 2007. Again, if you're thinking about any remodeling plans for 2007 this information may be useful.

Bedrooms not large enough for a bed - During the hot sellers market there were a lot of people creating tiny bedrooms in order to increase the selling price of the house. "It's not a three bedroom! It's a four bedroom! And, now I'd like an extra $50K for my home!" Of course if the only thing small enough to sleep in there is your dog it's not much use! Bedroom sizes are starting to look more normal again.

Loads of glass upper kitchen cabinet doors - While it looks beautiful in the models, the reality is that most of us aren't organized enough to keep it always looking great. And, it turns out that people who hate washing windows aren't that fond of washing an additional bunch of them in a room that tends to produce a fair amount of grease and grime!

Bowl-shaped above-counter bathroom sinks - These turn out to be very messy and a pain to keep clean and neat. Nice to look at but not practical seems to be the verdict on these.

Any shiny metal finish - Brushed nickels and pewters are in and antiqued and polished brass is out.

Stainless steel refrigerators and dishwashers - They look cold and they're high maintenance.

Spiral staircases - Baby boomers knees don't like stairs in general and definitely don't like these. They're unfriendly to kids and pets.

Also heading for the "out" list:

Bamboo floors - They are eco-friendly. However they turn out to not be very durable. They are easily dented and scratched and prone to warping from humidity.

Laminate floors - They don't handle multiple sandings well.

I hope this is helpful as you plan for the year ahead. If you're thinking about selling your home in the next year, visit my web page at http://www.JulieEmery.com for more information on getting ready!  Or give me a call at 540-270-2742 and let me help you plan ahead!

What remodeling plans are on your list for 2007?