Tips for Buying Dining Tables for Your Home

Photo by: Annie Gray via Unsplash

In many homes, the dining table is the ideal get-together spot to share a meal, hold gatherings and talk about important topics. However, it’s not only for eating, clinking glasses or having family discussions. It’s one of the focal points of your house and should be carefully considered. If you’re interested in buying a dining table, you’ll probably want to buy it to last, to compliment your home’s decor and only have to buy it once. Here is a guide on how to choose the best dining table material for your home.

Choosing Materials

Sturdy Wood

The ideal dining table is one that can last through years of wear and tear. A traditional dining table made from hardwood will take what you dish out. The best hardwood tables to go for are walnut, oak, mahogany or maple. Make sure that the hardwood is solid and from a reputable manufacturer to ensure its strength and durability. If hardwood isn’t your favorite option but you still want a solid table with a nice, wood finish, try composite wood. These tables are engineered from different, sturdy materials and are very economical.

Glass

Though wood remains at the top of the list, glass dining tables are also a popular choice, especially if you’re looking for a sleek or minimalist design. One of the unique advantages glass has is that it can blend seamlessly with many home decor themes. Additionally, it makes the room appear larger, lighter and brighter.

Marble or Granite

If you’re looking to impress your guests, a marble or granite dining table may be worth looking into. Natural stone has an irresistible and timeless appeal. They’re also incredibly sturdy. However, they still have their downsides such as weight, cost and upkeep. If you decide to go with a natural stone table, remember marble can stain easily and granite requires annual treatment with sealants.

Choosing the shape

One of the advantages of a round table is its ability to fit into any room, be it a small nook, large dining room, or a part of the living room designated as the eating area. They offer flexible seating for conversation; an attribute many other dining tables lack. Likewise, a long, wooden, trestle table allows for guests to sit across from each other for friendly conversation and may still give you that classic, traditional rectangle. Finally, the ever-popular pub table adds ambiance to your space with a modern yet vintage appeal. 

Finding Your Color

Just because your table may be natural hardwood doesn’t mean it can’t have a splash of color. Chalk paint finishes on wooden, farmhouse tables might be just the look to tie your spaces together. You can also stain your wood in a dark finish to give it a dramatic glow. Glass tables come in colored or frosted glass, giving you the option to stick with a clear surface or add a little color to your dining area. Marble and granite range from pale off-whites to deep red or black hues. Whatever your choice may be, be sure to let the colors accentuate your interior decor.

Getting a dining table might seem like a daunting task, but with these tips, you will be able to choose one that serves the exact purpose you envision. If you don’t have space for the table of your dreams, let me know, so I can make a larger dining area one of our priorities during your home search.

Identify Your Home’s Weaknesses

If you intend to add your residence to the real estate market, you should try to differentiate your house’s weaknesses and strengths. That way, you can plan ahead for the home selling journey and make myriad house improvements before you list your residence.

Now, let’s take a look at three tips to help you identify your house’s weaknesses.

1. Analyze Your Home from a Buyer’s Perspective

Oftentimes, it helps to take an objective view of your house and consider why a buyer may choose to purchase your residence over others. At the same time, you may want to think about why a buyer may shy away from your residence too.

By analyzing your house from a buyer’s perspective, you may be better equipped than ever before to identify potential home problems. Then, you can take the necessary steps to address these issues. And as a result, you can boost the likelihood of enjoying a fast, profitable home selling experience.

2. Perform a Home Inspection

A home inspection may be worthwhile for a home seller, and for good reason. Conducting a house inspection enables you to receive in-depth insights into your home’s condition that you may struggle to obtain elsewhere. And with a house inspection report in hand, you can prioritize home improvement projects accordingly.

Of course, if you decide to conduct a house inspection, you should hire a qualified home inspector. Perform a comprehensive search for home inspectors in your area, and you’re sure to find plenty of great options. If you choose a home inspector who possesses lots of industry experience and a sterling reputation, you can conduct a house inspection and gain the insights you need to upgrade your house.

3. Employ a Real Estate Agent

If you are unsure about how to promote your residence to prospective buyers, there is no need to panic. Because if you hire a real estate agent, you can get the help you need to showcase your residence to the right groups of potential buyers.

A real estate agent is a home selling expert who is unafraid to be honest. Thus, he or she can provide unbiased home selling recommendations and suggestions and ensure you can upgrade your residence in no time at all.

Let’s not forget about the assistance that a real estate agent can provide throughout the home selling journey, either. A real estate agent will help you craft an effective home listing, set up home showings and open house events and keep you up to date about any offers to purchase your residence. Plus, if you have concerns or questions as you navigate the home selling journey, a real estate agent is ready to respond to them.

For those who want to achieve the best-possible results during the home selling journey, it helps to identify a house’s weaknesses as quickly as possible. Thanks to the aforementioned tips, you can immediately identify any home weaknesses and address such problems early in the home selling process.

Homebuying help: How to minimize risk

Image text: How to minimize risk during your homebuying journey

Every real estate transaction comes with a certain amount of risk. Whether you’re buying or selling, you leave
yourself open to potential issues at every stage. It can be especially difficult for homebuyers – luckily, there are
some simple ways to mitigate common risk factors and find your dream home.

Set realistic homebuying expectations

How you search for a home may determine whether you are successful or unsuccessful. For example, if you evaluate
houses that fall outside your price range, you may struggle to find a home that you can actually afford. On the
other hand, if you establish realistic homebuying expectations from the get-go, you may be able to streamline your
house search.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is essential to avoiding multiple potential homebuying pitfalls. Pre-approval
lets you enter the housing market with a clear budget and narrow your house search accordingly. It can also give you
an advantage over competing buyers, as it shows the seller you’re financially prepared to follow through on the
sale.

Work with a real estate agent

When you hire a real estate agent to help you buy a home, you have a powerful teammate in your corner. A real
estate agent understands the housing market and can share valuable expertise and guidance on every step of the
journey. An agent will also be your legal representation, helping you navigate all the paperwork and logistics
involved.

Infographic: Avoiding risk during your homebuying journey

For many, buying a home is the biggest financial decision of their lives. As such, it’s not a process to be taken
lightly. The more you can do to avoid common risks associated with homebuying, the more successful and happy you’ll
be in your new home.