Outdoor kitchens are always a highly sought-after addition to homes. From homes with small backyards to those with expansive spaces, outdoor kitchens provide a festive, uplifting spot for social gatherings. Today’s outdoor kitchens have evolved into an extension of the inside of the home. They’ve become a focal point of the landscape and feature many conveniences found within indoor kitchens.

If you love cooking and outdoor entertaining and you’re considering a custom home design, there’s no reason you shouldn’t plan to include the functional, custom-built outdoor kitchen of your dreams. After all, that outdoor kitchen space isn’t just for convenience. It will improve the ambiance, creating an atmosphere of relaxation. It will enhance the outdoor experience of your home. It will even increase the property value of your home.

If you’re looking for outdoor kitchen ideas, there are several things to think about as you start planning. Start with your main feature: the grill. From there, you’re only limited by your imagination. Use the following tips to get inspired.

Plan the Perfect Location

When considering where to put your outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to strategically place it in close proximity to the main house. That proximity will not only make it easy to access the utilities you’ll need outside but if it’s close to the kitchen inside, you can make it fast and easy to move between your indoor and outdoor kitchens.

Next, think about the logistics of your outdoor kitchen. For example, since most people grill during the hot summer months, you’ll want to incorporate some shade into the grilling center to create a comfortable cooking environment. Shade bars, lattice, oversized umbrellas, or trees and greenery can help achieve this. Or, build an entire structure over the full outdoor kitchen. If your outdoor kitchen is something you’ll be using beyond the summer, consider installing heaters or fireplaces to keep warm in the cooler months.

Don’t forget to plan how seating would happen within your outdoor dining area, too, since smoke commonly blows downwind. Plan accordingly so smoke won’t interrupt your guests’ enjoyment. Look at proximity to windows, doors, and balconies for the same reason. While the smell of the grill is delightful when you’re hungry, you may not want to be left with those smells after dinner is over.

And finally, think about whether you’d like a little privacy. Consider screening views of your outdoor kitchen from your neighbors with trees, hedges, shrubbery, or even privacy fencing. That way you’ll feel more comfortable entertaining throughout the year.

Set the Mood

Lighting can play a massive role in your outdoor kitchen and dining experience—especially if you look at how it can transform your property at nighttime.

There are many ways to plan lighting if you’re looking for outdoor kitchen ideas. For example, task lights above the grill or cooktop could keep just enough lighting to cook and prep into the evening while halogen lights can stand up to the heat of a grill or cooktop. Ceiling fans with a lighting fixture can also help deter mosquitoes while brightening the entire area. Lighting under the upper cabinets, countertops, and inside lower cabinets can provide a modern lighting experience for your space.

Consider ways lighting can help set the mood and enhance your surroundings, too. For example, landscape lighting around the dining area, patio, and walkways will keep guests safe while creating a beautiful ambiance for your evening entertainment area.

Create a Space You’ll Love

What do you want in your dream outdoor kitchen? Think about everything from countertops to wet bars to wine chillers to wood fire ovens and roasting pits, then use these outdoor kitchen ideas to make final plans.

Outdoor kitchen areas should be seamless in their design; keep some separation from the dining and lounging areas yet stay close enough to interact with your guests.

Choose materials that will be smart choices for outdoor areas. Your materials should be durable, weatherproof, heat resistant, and easy to clean. For example, if you’re choosing furniture that will last a long time, teak, redwood, and cedar are best suited for the outdoors. Stone and concrete make great outdoor countertops, while stainless steel is the best choice for outdoor appliances. And all-weather, low-maintenance, durable cabinetry that can be easily cleaned will keep you happy from year to year.

Don’t forget to start with a budget. Because costs vary greatly, start with your list of must-haves, then choose whether you want a basic kitchen or are upgrading to the outdoor space of your dreams. All it takes is a little planning.

If you’re thinking about building a custom home, we know you’re already dreaming of those custom home upgrades you can’t wait to make. And why not? One of the advantages of building your dream home is coming up with a list of special items that will make your home uniquely yours.

The great news is many of the features that used to be upgrades in custom homes are now considered standard inclusions for many home builders. In fact, as we plan new designs, we typically start planning using the features our buyers routinely favored, meaning “standard” may already be what you’ve been considering all along. And while some details might vary by region, many options—like hardwood floors, open-concept kitchens, and luxurious bathrooms—are tried-and-true across the boundaries of regions and states.

If you’re wondering what custom home upgrades to consider, we have a few highlights for you to think about as you look beyond builders’ basic offerings.

Create a Bathroom Sanctuary

One of today’s hot custom home upgrades is all about giving yourself an incredible bathroom that’s more of a getaway than anything else. The long-popular trend of separate tubs and showers are just a given today. Most builders are incorporating those distinct spaces into even the most basic floor plans.

For something a little more personal to you and your needs, we see two great trends for you to consider. First of all, if you have time for an oversized tub with more at-home time, deep, freestanding soaking tubs may just give you the spa-like atmosphere you’re looking for. These tubs have the ability to transform a classic design into a statement piece that’s both modern and elegant.

If you don’t think you’ll make time for long soaks you don’t need to sacrifice with a lackluster shower stall. Cave-like grotto showers with seating and intricate stonework can give your bathroom a rustic feel that’s perfect for the aesthetic of a custom lake home.

Make the Kitchen the Heart of the Home

As homeowners continue to look for ways to entertain, you’ll likely be looking for spots where your guests can sit and chat. That’s why large kitchen islands that serve as the centerpiece of the kitchen and extend into living spaces remain at the top of the list of hot custom home upgrades. Once again, islands are largely a must-have with most modern builders and are typically designed into every home.

In fact, today’s modern kitchens are taking on new life through other premium upgrades. For example, stainless cooktops and ranges are perfect for any dream kitchen while under-counter lighting and lighted cabinet interiors create an elegant ambiance.

And while granite countertops were once enviable upgrades, this style, too, is becoming something more standard. However, consider adding granite that features an exotic pattern and contrasting it against the rest of the kitchen’s design to give it more dimension. White granite exists but is hard to find in large slabs, so a great alternative is marble. Or, quartz countertops like Silestone or Caesarstone are not only beautiful, but they are also highly durable, easy to maintain, and non-porous. It’s a difference you’ll notice through the years.

The Rest is in the Details

One of the custom home upgrades to consider as a splurge item may be in your lighting. Fabric shades and intricate glass designs can add a touch a class in normally subtle locations.

Material upgrades will continue to be an opportunity to create a home with distinction. On the outside of the home, upgrading from brick to stone can add an inviting richness to the exterior. And the moment you walk in the door, hardwoods can draw the eye into the great room areas. We’re seeing dark-stained planks in multiple widths growing in popularity for eye-catching design elements.

And finally, mudrooms and smartly planned storage areas just outside of the garage still provide well-designed “drop zones.” Whether it’s a place to stash keys or store mail or an organized spot for backpacks and computer bags, there are countless opportunities to create a spot that’s both parts form and function. While some of these spaces also double as laundry rooms, you may want to customize them with coat lockers and cubbies for simple but smart storage.

“What is my home truly worth?” Chances are, you’ve asked that question—especially if you’re in the midst of a South Carolina real estate search. Knowing a property’s value is essential for both buyers and sellers in order to ensure its worth isn’t under- or overestimated.

If you are in the midst of either buying or selling a home and you’re wondering how agents determine a home’s value, here are a few things to consider as you look for that magic number.

Get an idea by starting online

An easy starting point for finding a home valuation within your South Carolina real estate search is to start with a little Internet research. It’s as easy as entering your address into an online home value estimator. Keep in mind that though they’ll give you a general idea, they’re just ballpark figures. To get the most accurate estimate, the expertise of an actual real estate agent is the more realistic thing to trust.

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How the experts determine home value

Remember that a real estate agent specializes in answering the question, “What is my home worth?” And there’s a reason for that. They have access to information the general public doesn’t.

Agents start by running a comparative market analysis, which begins with finding similar properties, or “comps,” that sold within the past 90 days to get an accurate picture of what buyers have paid. Ideally, there will be a comp close by that’s similar to yours in square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and even lot size if in rural areas. Once your agent finds those comps, the average of those figures is used to determine the baseline of your home.

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What is my home value to a buyer?

There’s a bit of a strategy behind how to list your home to sell, so if you’re selling, think about how home buyers search for properties online.

For example, if your agent suggested your home’s fair market value is $609,000, you may want to think about how you list it. That’s because many people search for homes using increments of $20,000 or $25,000. Listing it at that exact price could prevent it from being seen by buyers searching in the $575,000 to $600,000 range. Instead, consider listing it at $600,000 to generate more traffic, which often leads to a bidding war, pushing that final number to well above your original asking price. Also, unlike retail products, it’s not helpful to end your listing price at an odd dollar figure like $999,000 instead of $1 million. It’s confusing to buyers and doesn’t tend to work in real estate situations.

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Try to remain objective

Personal attachment to a home often makes sellers think their home is worth more than it actually is. Trying to distill years of memories into a number can be hard to stomach. Also hard is the idea a home could be worth less than you paid for it. An agent can help prepare you for those realities.

Also, if you’ve made renovations, keep in mind that renovations typically only see a 64 percent return on investment. It’s not as simple as tacking on the full dollar amount of those renovations.

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It’s important to know how much your house is worth

You need an accurate picture of your home’s worth before you put it on the market and continue your own South Carolina real estate search. Estimate it too high and it could wind up sitting on the market, unsold, which can become stigmatized if it sits too long. If it’s on the market for long periods of time, buyers expect it to have problems, and eventually, the seller will have to reduce its price until it’s below market value.

However, if you drop the number too far below market value, it can also backfire. While this strategy is smart in a hot seller’s market, underpricing your home can lead buyers to the assumption that it’s not worth more.

Your best bet is to be prepared by fully understanding your home’s worth to list it close to its market value. Most importantly, when in doubt, turn to your real estate agent to help.

If you’re looking at Lake Keowee homes for sale, one of the major steps you should think about is how and when to hire a home inspector. Often, when you find the perfect home at the right price, it may appear to be in great condition. That’s because it’s been staged to showcase its best features and minimize any issues that may exist. That’s also why it’s so important to make sure a good home inspector will find what may be wrong with your future home.

Before you close or make an offer, it’s time to get an independent home inspection.

Photo Credit: The Reserve at Lake Keowee

Why get a home inspection?

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) reports that over 90 percent of home sales involve an inspection. Those numbers provide an indication of just how important a home inspection is.

In fact, one of the most important reasons to get a home inspection is because any problems found before the sale becomes the responsibility of the seller to fix. If you wait to have one done until after the sale is final, or if you don’t have one done at all, any issues that arise once the sale is done become your problem.

Some of the most common issues include situations in homes that just aren’t well cared-for. Neglecting things like leaky faucets, the replacement of heating or A/C filters, and poorly functioning furnaces can lead to more severe problems down the road—and something a buyer won’t want to deal with.

If you’re purchasing a foreclosure, in particular, watch for mold from excess moisture or a lack of ventilation if nobody has been living in the home.

Keep in mind that offers can be written with conditions included, too. For example, if your home inspection comes back clean, you can continue with the sale with complete confidence in what you’re purchasing. But if there are any issues brought up in the inspection, you can either reduce your offer, ask for the seller to pay for repairs, or back out of the agreement completely.

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What does a home inspection entail?

It’s good to know what to expect from the home inspection process. South Carolina law requires any person wishing to be a licensed home inspector file with the SC Residential Builders Commission. Therefore, you can trust there’s oversight.

The end result of a home inspection is a detailed report that outlines the following conditions or issues:

• Heating and cooling system
• Electrical system
• Plumbing
• Walls
• Ceilings
• Flooring
• Foundation
• Roof
• Drainage 
• Basement
• Termites
• Chemicals and gasses (such as asbestos or methane gas)
• Lead
• Rodents

Don’t be afraid to ask any questions of your home inspector to get clear answers about what is found. And always discuss the final report with your realtor when looking at Lake Keowee homes for sale.

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What is covered in a home inspection?

First of all, you’ll pay between $300 to $500 for a home inspection, which depends on the person doing the inspection as well as factors like the size and age of the home, and the type of home.

Next, it’s good to know that an inspection really only covers moderate to serious issues. That means small issues like wear and tear will not be covered. A more detailed report may be available; however, you’ll want to discuss that with your inspector. Keep in mind, too, that a request like this may lead to a higher fee.

Finally, you may want to walk through the home with your inspector. This walk-through will help you learn about the process and what to look for, but it will also help you look for those smaller flaws you’ll want to fix further down the road.

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What should I look for in a home inspector?

If an inspection has already been done by the seller, you’ll also want to keep in mind that hiring your own inspector will help ensure there’s agreement in what should be fixed before the purchase. Don’t rely on the seller’s inspection, which may not paint an accurate picture.

Your Realtor will let you know if an inspector is hired as part of his or her process. If your agent doesn’t hire someone on his or her own, you can ask for a referral. They often have connections in the field to make a good recommendation. And remember, South Carolina law requires home inspectors to be fully licensed, which should help ease some stress in knowing who to look for.

Schedule an appointment with our experienced agents when you’re ready to search for Lake Keowee homes for sale.