Martha Dastous - Realtor

09/21/2026

If you’ve ever wondered what over-the-top Hamptons luxury looks like, this home tour definitely delivers.

Andy Cohen’s Hamptons home is a fun look inside luxury living with plenty of personality. From stylish entertaining spaces to standout design details, the property feels polished without losing character. Even if celebrity real estate isn’t usually your thing, this one is an interesting reminder...

09/18/2026

The most important factor to weigh before splurging is "adherence to the home's price range and location. If you over-improve — say, install a $200,000 kitchen in a $900,000 home in a $1 million neighborhood — you'll never recoup that money.

Upscale improvements can certainly be worth the investment if executed with a sense of balance between design panache, functionality, and market sensibility. The most important factor to weigh before splurging is "adherence to the home's price range and location. If you over-improve — say, install...

09/16/2026

You don't have to renovate to make a strong first impression. A clean, welcoming space often has the biggest impact on buyers.

When a home is ready for showings, the goal is to highlight the space rather than the people who live there. Decluttering, minimizing personal items, improving lighting, and creating a clean, inviting atmosphere can make rooms feel larger and help buyers focus on the home's layout and features. Even...

09/14/2026

The goal before listing isn't to impress buyers with a specific lifestyle. It's to help them picture their own.

A spare room can serve many purposes while you're living in your home, but when it's time to sell, presenting it as a bedroom often makes the strongest impression. Buyers tend to value flexible spaces they can adapt to their own needs, and clearly defined rooms help them better understand a home's l...

09/11/2026

From furniture pieces to plants to paint colors, here are a few staples of the eternally chic.

09/09/2026

Even small changes in mortgage rates can affect monthly payments more than people realize, especially for first-time buyers watching affordability closely.

Mortgage rates are shaped by a mix of inflation, economic conditions, bond markets, and central bank decisions, which is why they can shift so quickly from month to month. This article breaks down some of the biggest factors lenders watch when setting borrowing costs and why buyers often feel the ef...

09/07/2026

Grindr founder and former CEO Joel Simkhai is listing his Hollywood Hills estate for $14.99 million, Gimme Shelter has learned.

Simkhai has an eye for business — and real estate. When he launched the gay hook-up app Grindr in 2009, it was one of the first — if not the first — popular location-based apps. Since then, the LGBTQ+ portal has expanded into politics, a Politico article noted in April.

09/04/2026

If you like seeing how luxury buyers think, the Biebers’ real estate portfolio is a pretty interesting mix of privacy, design, and location.

This Elle Decor piece takes a look at the homes Justin and Hailey Bieber have owned or purchased, including properties in Beverly Hills, La Quinta, Ontario, and New York’s West Village. It’s more celebrity real estate than market news, but it’s still a fun peek at what defines luxury at the ve...

09/02/2026

If you're thinking about selling, your home's layout may influence buyers just as much as its size or finishes.

For years, open-concept floor plans dominated home design, but buyer preferences continue to evolve. Some people love large, connected living spaces, while others are looking for dedicated rooms that offer quiet, privacy, or work-from-home flexibility. This article explores the pros and cons of both...

08/31/2026

Small things like pausing deliveries, checking locks, and testing smart alerts can make a big difference while you’re away.

Summer travel season is here, and this is a useful reminder that protecting your home starts before you leave the driveway. From preventing water damage to making your home look occupied, a few simple steps can reduce stress while you’re away. If you’re leaving town for a weekend or a longer tri...