Clayton & Clayton Real Estate Blog - Home Improvement Tips

How to Get Your House Ready to Sell in 2025

Are you thinking about selling your luxury home in one of New Jersey’s most sought-after coastal communities, like Bay Head, Mantoloking, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, or Point Pleasant? If your goal is to sell in 2025, the best time to start preparing is now. While it may feel like a long way off, getting a jump start on repairs and updates can make all the difference when you’re ready to list.

According to Realtor.com, nearly 47% of homeowners are taking longer than a month to get their house ready to sell. Whether you’re looking to update your kitchen, refresh your paint, or address minor repairs, the sooner you start, the better. Many sellers overlook the importance of preparation, but a little planning now can have a huge impact on your sale price…

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Preparing Your Home for Sale: Start Now for a Smooth 2025

As we approach 2025, many homeowners are considering their options for selling. If you’re among them, now is the perfect time to start preparing your house for the market. While it might feel like there’s plenty of time, taking early action can make a significant difference in your selling experience.

Why Starting Early Is Key

A well-prepared home not only attracts buyers but can also fetch a better price. To ensure your home looks its best, it’s essential to make necessary repairs, declutter, and consider updates that can add value. By starting your prep work now, you can tackle each task at a comfortable pace—whether that means fixing a leaky faucet, refreshing your landscaping, or painting a room.

Waiting until the last minute can…

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10 design must haves to think about when building a new home

The new home for a growing young family introduces a fresh take on traditional East-coast Shingle Style architecture. The open floor plan allows for contemporary living, while seamless integration between the main living spaces of the house and the backyard outdoor living spaces optimizes enjoyment during the warm seasons.

Modern home design is always evolving and when you’re in the process of building a new home, there are certain must-haves that should be taken into consideration. Here are 10 design must-haves to think about when building a new home:

1. Open Floor Plan - An open floor plan allows flexibility for movement and provides a great space for entertaining.

2. Natural Light - Make the most of natural light by incorporating…

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Why Does Marketing Matter in a Seller’s Market?

If you plan to sell your home, put that plan into action now. The U.S. has seldom seen such an astonishing seller's market, fueled by a combination of historically low inventory and historically high demand. This perfect storm of circumstances means that one in four homeowners will consider going up to $100,000 over budget just to snag a desirable residence, in many cases without even viewing that residence first.

With all these jaw-dropping transactions going on, you might ask, "Why do I even need an agent to market my home for me?" As it turns out, seller's markets present their own share of challenges, not just for buyers but also for sellers. Let's look at the importance of marketing your home in a seller's market, along with some of the smart,…

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Make Your 4th of July Unforgettable with These 10 Activities

1. Have a Backyard Barbecue

It wouldn’t be an American holiday without a backyard barbecue, would it? Invite some friends or neighbors over and start up the grill to enjoy an American classic: hot dogs and hamburgers. Don’t forget to grab a speaker to play some music and get grilling!

2. Plan a Patriotic Road Trip

Take advantage of the holiday falling over a weekend this year, and plan a road trip to celebrate! Visit some places you’ve never been to and stop at some of America’s historic landmarks. What could be more fun than a road trip while learning more about American history? A few notable landmarks include the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall in Washington DC, Freedom Trail in Boston, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty in New York…

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The Best Clubs to Join Down the Jersey Shore

Thinking of joining a yacht club? Here are some great options nearby to consider:

Bay Head Yacht Club

The Bay Head Yacht Club, founded in 1888, has been perhaps Bay Head’s finest establishment for quite some time now. From morning bridge groups to regattas, the club offers its members memorable experiences every week. The dining facilities and the food itself are certainly something special...for example, the once-a-week buffet-style lobster night will leave you dying to come back the next night. Other than boating and phenomenal food, the club offers its members tennis, bocce, and countless activity groups to join. The waiting list for membership at the Bay Head Yacht Club is usually a couple of years, but it is surely worth the wait.

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Summertime Bay Head Activities for the Month of June

It's going to be a busy June in Bay Head! Asides from the paramount activity of relaxing under the sun at the beach, there are plenty of activities in Bay Head to take part in this month:

Therapeutic Touch's Johnson Street Beach Yoga

Talk about a great way to start your day! Join others in a peaceful one-hour yoga session on Johnson Street Beach every Thursday to Monday throughout the summer at 8 am. All audiences are welcome, whether you're new to yoga or a die-hard master. All you need is a beach towel. $10 entry fee. To receive more information, contact Therapeutic Touch at (732) 899-0920.

Bay Head Monthly Sunset Paddle at Twilight Lake

Close out your weekend with a relaxing sunset paddle! Join other Bay Head…

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5 Granite Countertop Alternatives

Granite has always been a popular countertop option with homeowners, flippers, and interior designers alike, but that does not mean that it appeals to everyone or suits every home. Increasingly, people have become wary of using granite countertops in their properties due to issues like staining, risk of chipping, and the expense of acquiring them. 

Luckily, there are many high-quality and high-value alternatives out there today that are suitable for every budget, beautiful and offer a good ROI. These are the top 5 granite countertop alternatives that you should consider when redoing your kitchen or renovating a property:

Alternative #1: Marble Countertops

One of the most consistently well-rated options with homeowners is the classic and…

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Home Selling: 5 Upgrades to Give Your House a Luxury Vibe

Staging is a crucial component of selling a home, and putting in some work and effort pays off in the end. When done properly, home staging can increase your home’s value and fetch up to ten percent more. Even with some smaller upgrades, you can still create a home that will make an impact on potential buyers. Here is how you can make your home look luxurious and refined and help it sell faster.

Use a Neutral Color Palette for a Sense of Sophistication

The fastest and easiest way to transform your interiors is to treat your walls to a fresh coat of paint. Home staging is not the right time to be playing around with wild colors such as lime green or alarming red. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should go with white, either.…

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Which Home Siding Is Right For You?

A home's siding affects its maintenance and appearance. Some siding will last for decades or even centuries, other siding must be replaced after only a few decades. Homeowners who are either building a new home or who are installing new siding on an existing home should be aware of the different types of siding to ensure that they pick the best siding for their needs.

Wood Siding

For many years, wood siding was the standard siding product found on homes and other buildings. It is attractive and long-lasting, and it's natural, so many homeowners still turn to wood as their siding of choice. Unfortunately, wood siding requires regular maintenance or it will not last. Many homeowners will paint their wood siding every 10 years or stain their…

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