Seller Tip - Now Is the Perfect Time for a Coffee Bar in Your Charlotte Home I remember opening up our second office in the Ballantyne area a few years ago and being 100% certain that it has to have a coffee bar! We had a wide variety of coffees,...

I loved it and every customer or client that came through the doors, made mention of it too. Needless to say, the coffee bar was a big hit.  Speaking of bars in your home, I have noticed that since the onslaught of tons of local craft breweries, more and more homeowners, especially those with basements, have installed islands or bars with kegerators. When they are ready to sell their homes and setting up for tours, they leave pilsner glasses out with some peanuts or cheese & crackers, napkins and plates and a note, telling the perspective buyers to enjoy a glass of _____ (whatever the brew on tap is). Every single time the sellers set up their bars for their guests, we get great feedback from the showing agents but, we do always have to warn them that serving alcohol in their homes could lead to potential liability issues. Now with that said, why not add a coffee maker or cappuccino machine to the bar and create a coffee bar?  To me, a home café makes me think of the comfy feeling of my favorite little coffee shop so, I created that same environment in my own home. My assistants love the addition and everyone always partakes during our meetings.  A coffee bar is a great addition to have when friends and family stop by and fall is the perfect time of year to get started. A coffee bar gives your home that warm, welcoming corner café feel, whether it’s for you and your friends or for your perspective buyers touring your home. Here are some tips to get started: PICK A SPOT You know the flow of your home better than anyone - where will a coffee bar be most used? Does other furniture need to be moved to accommodate a corner cabinet to house the bar or a long table to serve the purpose of your very own café? If you’re soon to list your Charlotte home for sale, seek the advice of a home stager. Before you purchase any furniture, mugs colored coffee machines or even napkins or table mat, consult a stager. There’s no sense getting it all set up, only to find out different colors or textures or even location should have been used. I have amazing stagers, if you need their number! A COFFEE FOR EVERYONE Sure, brewing a large pot of coffee at once can save a little time—but then you’re limited to a specific type of coffee instead of serving each guest his or her preferred drink. Investing in a single-serve coffee maker, like the popular Keurig or Nespresso machine, is ideal for achieving a personal touch. A lot of us consider ourselves ‘coffee snobs’ and may prefer not to use pods. If that is your hang-up, invest in reusable filter pods to fill with ground coffee and stock your coffee bar with a selection of different roasts - even flavored coffees - in small jars. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE There is a coffee variety out there for everyone—from light roasts to rich, dark roasts to caramel-flavored roasts. You should also consider keeping decaf options on hand, as well as different types of tea. And if you or someone you know prefers his or her coffee cold, there are so many cold brew coffees available - some that you can purchase pre-made but, there are plenty of recipes available to DIY cold brewed coffee too. THE PRESENTATION My sellers will tell you, I’m all about the presentation! Whether you’re setting up a DIY café for your family & friends or staging your home for buyers, pretty cups/mugs can add personality to your coffee bar. Coffee mugs and any linens used (napkins, table liner) can be chosen by your stager to add the perfect pop of color your room needs. If you prefer to use a variety, it can be especially fun for your guests to pick out their own mug. You can hang the mugs on hooks on the wall, on a rack, utilize a mug tree or simply line them up on the table/bar top. Keep the mugs one color or in the same color scheme if you prefer a more cohesive look or add a little more whimsical with a variety of colors, patterns and/or sizes. THE ICING ON THE COFFEE The word ‘condiments’ is what you call creamers & sugars but, it sounds so bland - so, let’s call them the ‘icing on the coffee!’ No coffee bar is complete without a variety of creamers, sugars and other ‘icing.’ You can leave them on a nice tray in their original cartons or provide cute, labeled bowls or jars. Either works just fine for your guests. Don’t forget to leave cocktail sized linen napkins for your guests as well.  However you create your DIY coffee bar, I suggest making it your own - have fun with it. I love the cozy, warm feeling of a coffee bar in the fall and winter months - it really does put a smile on my face and warms my heart! © Debe Maxwell | The Maxwell House Group | RE/MAX Executive | CharlotteBroker@icloud.com | Seller Tip - Now Is the Perfect Time for a Coffee Bar in Your Charlotte Home - Setting the stage - Staging your Charlotte home for sale with a delightful coffee bar Charlotte NC Homes for Sale (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!) Charlotte NC Real Estate Agents Debe Maxwell, Realtor®/Broker/CRS RE/MAX Executive CharlotteBroker@icloud.comDirect:  (704) 491-3310                       Follow me on Google+ Disclosure of material contained within. Download Charlotte's hottest new app for up-to-the-minute listings and the most accurate neighborhood information available on the web! DOWNLOAD CHARLOTTE PROPERTIES AT THE APP STOREGET THE CHARLOTTE PROPERTIES APP AT GOOGLE PLAY