Van Dempsey, Realtor

09/19/2026

Have ceiling fans become a design fossil? Not so fast! These models will make your head spin with possibilities.

If you watch any of the TV design shows, the ceiling fans seem to be ignored in makeovers. By omission, you could easily get the impression they have become a design faux pas. The fan industry sees things otherwise and has some sleek designs hitting the market. Fan makeover. Forget the brass trim an...

09/18/2026

Ever notice how your eyes go straight to the kitchen counters when you walk into a home?

In Iredell County, buyers often decide how they feel about a place in those first few minutes. Clear the counters, tuck small appliances away, and wipe everything down so the room feels ready to cook in — not like a catch-all.

You don’t need a remodel. Just a little breathing room on the surfaces can change how the whole house reads on a showing.

09/17/2026

Go green for the planet and your bottom line with an “Energy Efficient Mortgage.” It’s a little-known program for home buyers and those looking to refinance.

If sustainable living is an important part of your lifestyle, you might be a candidate for a “green mortgage” when purchasing your next home or refinancing your current home. A little-known lending product, the green mortgage can save you big money while helping you live a more energy-conscious ...

09/16/2026

What's the first thing buyers do when they walk into the primary bedroom?

They pause. They're measuring whether they can see themselves winding down there after a long day. If the bed is unmade, laundry is on the chair, and the nightstands are buried, that pause turns into a skip.

Before your next showing in Statesville or Iredell County, make the primary feel calm: fresh bedding, clear nightstands, and one soft lamp left on. You don't need a full redesign — just enough breathing room that someone can imagine closing the door and calling it theirs.

09/15/2026

Haul away your household clutter, or hire the job out. Here’s a guide to help you decide.

Whether it’s years of accumulated clutter, old appliances, or household chemicals, it has to go. Is it a DIY job? Or do you need to call in the professionals? Here’s what you need to know. Identify the different types of trash in your home. Your household waste falls into three categories and ea...

09/14/2026

Ever walk into a house and feel like someone left the lights off on purpose?

Buyers decide how a home feels in the first few minutes. If blinds are closed and lamps are off, even a great Statesville house can feel smaller and darker than it is.

Before a showing: open the blinds, turn on every light (yes, even during the day), and clear anything blocking windows. Bright rooms stick with people — and they help the house feel bigger than the square footage suggests.

Small habit. Big difference in how the home lands.

09/13/2026

Stainless steel appliances are gorgeous — until they’re streaked, smudged and full of fingerprints. Want to keep them looking like they did in the showroom? Here’s how.

Stainless steel appliances are gorgeous -- until they’re streaked, smudged and full of fingerprints. Want to keep them looking like they did in the showroom? Here’s how. Warm water with a little dish soap is a great first step. Using a microfiber rag, wipe back and forth with the grain of the br...

09/12/2026

Is a slipcover a design slip-up or a style save? Find out more in this comprehensive guide.

Whether you crave washability, desire a new look for every season, or just want to make the best of a flea market find -- slipcovers have got you covered. With a little research and effort, you’ll find a slipcover to fit your furniture piece, along with your style and budget. When to use a slipcov...

09/11/2026

September 11 is designated as Patriot Day, when we remember the victims of the terror attacks of 2001. When and for what purpose is the similarly named Patriots’ Day observed in the United States?

Since 1775, some of the New England states have marked the third Monday in April as Patriots’ Day in honor of the Battle of Lexington and Concord that marked the beginning of the American War of Independence from Great Britain.The new holiday began immediately following the terrorist attacks on Se...

09/11/2026

Ever notice buyers open every closet and peek in the garage on a showing?

They're not being nosy. They're trying to picture their life in the house — and if those spaces are packed wall to wall, the home can feel smaller than it is.

Before you list in Statesville or around Iredell County, give storage a quick pass: keep a few shelves clear, leave some empty hangers, and clear the floor so doors open easily. A little breathing room in closets and the garage often does more for first impressions than another weekend of furniture rearranging.

Simple prep. Big difference when someone's deciding if this is the one.