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Realtor Revealed Donna Westfall Broker, GRI, ABR Westfall Realty, Inc. 632-8293 donnawestfall@aol.com, www.westfallrealtyinc.com Where did you grow up? We moved to Lubbock when I was 6. My dad had been in the Air Force and moved here for a job. He later became a mail carrier for the US postal service. I always remembered that their motto was “Neither, Rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail, shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds.” I decided that slogan fit Realtors too! I have shown in all of the above because that is what we have to do; we work around our clients’ schedules. Growing up in Lubbock, I remember the dust storms being much worse than they are now, except for a few weeks ago! I was even showing some that day! Why do you live in the Lubbock area? What do you like most about it? I live in Lubbock because Lubbock is HOME. I cannot imagine living any place else. Lubbock is the land of opportunity and friendly people. How long have you worked in real estate? I have been in real estate for 18 years. I know with the hours that real estate has consumed I would never have made it without my husband
of 36 years! For those of you trying to figure out my age, I was 5 when I got married! Ha! Ha! My husband holds a real estate license and has been my rock! Real estate has been good to me and I hope to continue in real estate for many more years. I went to work for Century 21 in 1993. The first year I was not doing well and my husband said, “Hang in there through the summer.” Just before we went on vacation, I knew that something was going to have to change but I did not know what. I remember praying that God would guide me to what I should be doing. If I was not to be selling real estate then I was going to need another line of work. Two weeks after we got back from vacation, I put over $1 million into contract and closed on them that next month. I knew then that God gave me my answer and I have been selling since. Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? I would like to be your Realtor. I offer one-on-one personal service and some of the most aggressive advertising. With 18 years of experience and as a full-time Realtor, I will put your interests and
What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold? One of the funniest properties that I have ever sold was not the most expensive, but was one of the most unusual situations. Two officers went into contract on my listing (my listing and my sale). After being in contract but not closed yet, one of them ended up doing a stake-out on the very house. I believe they were looking for someone who was staying at the house or something like that. Before it closed FHA, we had to replace almost every door in the whole place because it ended up having holes in them. Not actual bullet holes but hands being put through doors or violence of some kind. I was a little surprised that they went through with the sale of it. The owner did not live at the home. Both officers were great to work with and have since sold that home.
Donna Westfall, Westfall Realty, Inc.
goals first. My goal is that I will be the best Realtor that you have ever worked with! We strive for satisfied repeat customers and clients. What is your specialty? My specialty is residential sales. From first-time homes,
Photo by Misty Setzler
investment property homes, duplexes, homes on acreage, student homes, garden homes, condos, town houses, and acreage. My favorites are first-time home buyers! I love watching first-time home buyers when they get their first keys to their new home.
What do you see in the future for real estate sales? I think they may remain nationwide a little flat this year, but I see the prices increasing in the upcoming years. Lubbock will remain fairly constant with the help of Texas Tech and our wonderful medical facilities. Real estate is the best investment one can make in my opinion. You just need a good Realtor to help you with that.
SCAN ME!
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Tips for a secure home and peace of mind (ARA) – Homeowners often worry about keeping their homes safe and secure for their families. And it’s no wonder: nearly 70 percent of home break-ins are in the form of kick-ins to a door, according to the U. S. Department of Justice. You have many easy and affordable options for ensuring a safer home, and ultimately, greater peace of mind. Here’s a home security checklist to get you started. Assess the perimeter. Walk around your yard at different times of the day to judge lighting and shadows. Think about how family
members enter and exit the home from different doorways. Do you have sufficient exterior lighting to ensure that they can enter your home, can see and can be seen? Install better lighting near every entrance. Take a look at your landscaping from an intruder’s point of view. Plant some thorny or prickly shrubbery below the windows and next to entrances so there’s no place for someone to hide in waiting. Add an alarmed lock. Most alarm systems trigger after a door has already been opened. However, if you don’t have an alarm
system, an alarmed lock is a great alternative, and will allow you to instantly hear what’s happening at your door. For example, Schlage offers a first-of-its-kind Keyed Entry With Built-In Alarm. It’s an alarmed lock with the added safeguard of a sensor alarm that lets you know when it is being tampered with. It has three alarm modes, which can be set to alert you to different types of activity at the door – when it’s been open and closed, when it’s been tampered with, and when there’s been a forced entry. “An alarmed lock provides an added layer of security
Dress up a home with an interior door remodel With minimum remodeling savvy and a modest budget, it’s possible to change some items in the home to be more in tune with personal style. Although many homeowners gravitate toward new paint colors or furnishings to revamp the look of different rooms in the home, replacing tired-looking doors is another affordable option. The switching out of doors can be a high-impact project for little cost. Think about the room in the house where the door(s) add little appeal. Perhaps a bathroom door has been marred with holes from a former towel rack. A bedroom with simple, flat doors may lack panache. Some doors have been warped by moisture or have been damaged. These eyesores can be replaced. A trip to the hardware or home improvement store can yield a number of options in new doors. Hollow core doors are typically more affordable than solid wood doors. If cost is a factor, select among the various styles in hollow designs. Switching out a door can be a challenging endeavor and is often easiest as a two-person job. Some people simply use the old door as a template for the new door. Remember, not all doors are the same size (width and height) as the existing door opening. Therefore, some cutting and fitting will be necessary. Here are some steps to follow. 1. Measure the width and height of the old door. Many doors are a standard width of 13/8 inches, though older doors may be different in width. 2. Doors are sold as prehung doors or door blanks. Pre-hung ones are surrounded by a jamb. When using these doors, measure accordingly taking the jamb under consideration. Blanks
Hanging a new door can add significant aesthetic appeal with minimal investment. are simply the door with no holes for hinges or locksets already included. 3. Remove the old door by taking out the hinge pins, starting from the bottom and working up. You may need a screwdriver and a hammer to tap out stubborn pins. Keep the pins in a safe spot. 4. Lay the old door on top of the new door and trace the dimensions for cutting. Be sure to line up the lockset edge so things will line up. There should be 1/8 inch clearance on the sides of the door and 5/8 inch clearance on the bottom. 5. Use a circular saw to cut the door accurately. If only a little needs to be removed from the door, consider using a hand plane instead. If you need to remove more than 1 inch, take half off the bottom and top of the door so it will be even.
6. Place the old door back on top of the new. Mark the location of the hinge mortices (the recessed area and holes where the hinges will fit) with a utility knife and straight edge. 7. Lightly chisel out the hinge mortices so that they are the right thickness to house the hinge hardware. Test the hinge in the mortice. 8. Test the door’s fit within the opening to ensure all cuts are accurate. Plane areas if there is anything that is off or if the door rubs. 9. Mark and drill the space for the lockset and doorknob. Test the fit. 10. Attach the new door and interlace the hinges. Have a helper put in the hinge pins. 11. Put in the knob and be sure the entire set up works correctly. 12. Enjoy the new door.
that many homeowners’ are looking for and can put their minds at ease,” says Chris DeSchamp, Schlage portfolio leader, electronic security. The battery-operated units, which can be seen at www.alarm.schlage.com, costs around $99 and are easy to install and are available at select The Home Depot stores, homedepot.com, lowes.com, amazon.com and build.com. Safeguard the windows. Make sure your windows are also set up for security. Install quality window locks that keep windows in a closed position, to
avoid giving criminals an open invitation to enter. Manufacturers offer a variety of options to safeguard different types of windows including double-hung and casement windows. Enhance security of glass and wooden doors. Make sure all your sliding glass and patio doors have at least one of the following to prevent them from being opened: a track lock, a hinged door bar, an insertion pin lock or a metal or wood dowel inserted into the track that allows it to be opened only when you wish. It’s also a good idea to equip each wooden door
with a wide-angle eye viewer so you can identify who may be at the door before opening it. Monitor home security while you’re away. With today’s technologies, it’s easier and more affordable than ever to monitor and control your home’s security even if you’re not home. For example, the Schlage LiNK System lets you use any computer connected to the Internet or Web-enabled cell phone to turn lights on and off, check the status of the door, grant entry into the home, open and close blinds, and many more functions.
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Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors
A taxing time for homeowners
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BY Debora Perez Ruiz, President Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
Your home has a great value to you, but one time when you want your home to be worth less is when it’s time to pay your property taxes. Each year, local taxing entities collect these taxes for local governments to use to pay Perez Ruiz for public services such as schools, roads and emergency response services. The amount you pay is based on how much the appraisal district determines your home is worth. How Do You Figure? Your taxes are calculated using two main components: the tax rate and the assessed value of your home. Each local taxing
authority – like the school district, the city, and the county – has its own tax rate. The appraisal district is responsible for assessing your home’s value and using this amount to determine how much you owe. For example, when a taxing authority collects a rate of $0.50 cents per $100 of assessed value, that means a home valued at $150,000 would yield $750 for that taxing authority, unless the home qualifies for certain exemptions. Are You Exempt? The assessed value of your home may be reduced by certain amounts for each taxing authority, if you applied and qualify for exemptions. Most property owners qualify for a homestead exemption on their primary residence. Other exemptions are available for homeowners who are 65 and older and those who are disabled veterans. Check with the Lubbock Central Appraisal District at 762-5000 to find out what exemptions you may qualify for.
Disputing Your Property Tax Appraisal So what do you do if you believe your home has been assessed higher than its actual value? You have recourse. Your Lubbock Realtor can be a valuable resource if you need help, as she is an expert in the local market and can walk you through the process. If you believe your property is appraised too high, you can protest it, but you need to respond quickly. You have until May 31 or by the 30th day after the notice of the appraised value is delivered, whichever is later, to file your protest with the Appraisal Review Board. This board hears evidence from property owners and the county’s chief appraiser before making a decision on the protest. Look for an appeal form to be included with your appraisal along with instructions about the process. The protest process typically includes an opportunity to settle informally with the appraisal district first. Discussing your situation directly with the appraisal
district can sometimes yield results. For example, if you bought your house close to the beginning of the year and the tax assessment is higher than your purchase price, you probably can get your appraisal lowered to your purchase price. Even if you plan to contact the appraisal district directly, you should still file your notice of protest in case you don’t come to a resolution. It’s important for you to collect as much evidence as possible to support your claim. It’s up to you to do the due diligence to find the evidence. Here are a few examples of evidence that can be effective during an Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing: • Proof that the appraisal district’s description or measurements of your property are incorrect • Evidence of defects in your property or other conditions that diminish its value • Proof that similar properties in your area are valued lower than yours
Comparing Values An important element in your property tax appraisal is comparable properties or “comps.” These are properties near yours that have similar features or are in a similar situation. Most appraisal districts post property records on their public websites, which can make researching appraisals on other properties just a matter of searching online. Your Lubbock Realtor can help you find comps in your area and help you prepare to dispute your appraisal based on these similar properties. If you discover that your home is appraised significantly higher than comparable homes, you may want to appeal. Visit the Texas Comptroller’s website at www.window.state. tx.us/taxinfo/proptax for detailed information about property taxes. For consumer-friendly information about homeownership in Texas, I encourage you to visit TexasRealEstate.com and LubbockRealtors.com.
Increases in volume, price indicate momentum for Texas real estate AUSTIN – The Texas real estate market gained positive momentum in the first quarter of 2012, according to the 2012-Q1 edition of the Texas Quarterly Housing Report issued May 1 by the Texas Association of REALTORS®. The volume of single-family home sales in Texas was 12 percent higher than the same quarter of 2011 and the median price increased by almost 3 percent over the same time frame. “The watchword for Texas real estate in 2011 was ‘consistency,’ in both sales volume and price. That allowed us to emerge from last year with stable sales volumes and strong property values,” said Joe Stewart, chairman of the Texas Association of REALTORS®. “Now, in 2012’s first-quarter results, we see a strong increase in sales volume and a meaningful increase in the median price. That indicates positive momentum for the year ahead.” For the period of January through March 2012, the volume of single-family home sales in Texas was 45,502, 12 percent more than the same quarter in 2011. The median price
Texas Association of REALTORS® releases 2012-Q1 Texas Quarterly Housing Report for Texas homes during the quarter was $147,100, 2.7 percent more than 2011-Q1. Jim Gaines, Ph.D., an economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, expanded on the report: “We believe several factors are driving the strong performance of the first quarter, including continued job growth in Texas and some increased access to credit for homebuyers. Most of all, we’re starting to see a shift in Texans’ attitudes toward real estate. Essentially, buyers and sellers have higher expectations for the market, so they’re beginning to take action and we’re starting to see the impacts.” Looking ahead, the “months inventory” calculation can provide insight into future demand for homes and that figure decreased from 7.6 months in 2011-Q1 to 6.0 months in
the first quarter of this year. “Months inventory” is an indicator of the balance between demand for homes and supply in the market and the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University cites 6.5 months of inventory as a balanced market. Gaines continued, “In Texas, our inventory of homes for sale has been decreasing for about six months now. That’s due in part to the fact that some homeowners who don’t have to sell have chosen to wait for prices to improve before selling their homes. In addition, the slower processing of foreclosures and fewer distressed properties may reduce the number of listings. However, a decrease of more than 20 percent in the inventory of homes compared to the same quarter last year is significant and may be an indication
of price increases in the future.” Chairman Stewart concluded, “If all the indicators play out as we expect, the Texas real estate market is in for a busy spring and summer.” About the Texas Housing Report The Texas Quarterly Housing Report is issued four times per year by the Texas Association of REALTORS® with multiple listing service data compiled and analyzed by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. Statistics are compiled from 47 multiple listing services in Texas markets. Texas Association of REALTORS® With approximately 80,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® represents all aspects of real estate in Texas, advocating on behalf of Texas REALTORS® and property owners to keep homeownership affordable, protect private-property rights, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.
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Featured Floorplan – David Rogers Homes
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6316 76th St. – Bacon Crest T
oday’s Featured Home is sponsored by the West Texas Home Builders Association in cooperation with the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. Located at 6316 76th Street, this Featured Home is currently the David Rogers Homes model home. Located in southwest Lubbock, this week’s Featured Home is in the Bacon Crest neighborhood and is in the highly acclaimed Frenship school district. This lovely 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage home by David Rogers Homes has approximately 2,643 square feet of living space. One of the highlights of this rear entry floor plan is its exquisite curb appeal. Featuring a stone, brick, and stucco exterior, complete with an arched entryway and large gables, this home stands apart from its neighbors. As you enter through the front door you will notice the openness of this custom floor plan. The family room features 10’ ceilings, crown molding, and recessed can lighting. Also featured is the corner stone fireplace. As you move into the kitchen and breakfast nook areas, you’ll notice custom maple cabinetry, granite countertops, tile flooring, tumbled marble backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. The kitchen also features a large island with granite tops and room for barstools. You will love the formal dining room that features a large, arched top window. This home has an isolated master bedroom complete with a 10’ ceiling. The master bath is equipped with custom cabinetry, his and her marble vanities, a large tiled shower, and corner garden tub. The master bath also features his and hers walk-in closets. The three guest bedrooms have ample space and share a tiled bathroom, also with custom cabinetry, tub and shower combination and a marble vanity. This home features a beautifully landscaped yard, and automatic sprinkler system. If you love outdoor living, you are sure to love the outdoor kitchen and cedar pergola. Also included are the quality components and craftsmanship and the same attention to detail found in all David Rogers Homes. Located at 6316 76th Street, this Featured Home can be built for approximately $299,000. To view this home, please visit the David Rogers Homes model home located at 6316 76th Street. They are open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. David Rogers Homes also offers available homes of different sizes and price ranges and an assortment of floor plans that you can choose from that would suit the needs of your family.
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‘Techorating’ trend marries technology and interior design (ARA) – Some interior design trends are hard to understand. That jagged piece of cement that is supposedly a chair or headache-inducing paint color may look great in the glossy pages of a design magazine, but would average people really want it in their own living room? Fortunately, there is a growing trend in interior design that is easy to understand, relatable and applicable in almost every home – this trend is called “techorating.” “Techorating is the blending of technology into the overall design of a room to create functional, stylish and unique environments that work well and look great,” says Janna Robinson, technology and design expert. “This design trend grows from the integral role technology now plays in our lives and the majority of American homes.” Robinson offers some helpful tips for incorporating the techorating trend into your home: Techorating with TV “Televisions can now serve many functions in our homes, from making a design statement with a sleek flat screen to providing a focal point for gatherings of family and friends to even serving as a hub of information thanks to Smart TV platforms and increased connectivity,”
Robinson says. “Techorating principles take into account the central role a TV plays in the living room, family room or bedroom.” Start by considering the aesthetics of the TV itself. Flat screens are popular not only for the superior viewing experience they provide, but also for their visual appeal. Manufacturers have taken TV aesthetics to the next level, offering ultraslim models. LG has gone even further with its Cinema Screen design, which is a nearly frameless TV that provides a streamlined, modern look. Next, because more Americans are entertaining at home, it is important to maximize the viewing experience for the maximum number of viewers. For some TVs, viewing angle can be an issue. Robinson recommends arranging seating so that everyone has a good view of the screen, while still allowing traffic to flow freely around seats. Sectionals and modular sectionals provide flexible seating configurations. For smaller spaces, bean bags, decorative poufs and floor pillows can provide extra seating without overpowering the space. Look for TVs that are designed to maximize viewing angles. Next-generation 3D TVs like the Cinema 3D models from LG provide a wide range of viewing angles in
Techorating is the blending of technology into the design of a room to create functional, stylish and unique environments that work well and look great 2D and 3D, so, content display remains crisp and accurate, even for off-angle viewing. Creating the perfect background Techorating techniques use color and design to create a comfortable, functional background for technology. For example, painting the wall behind your TV a darker color (like chocolate brown) not only helps with distracting glares, but it also gives the illusion of depth to the space. Similarly, dressing up bare walls, floors and wooden furniture with varying texture and fabrics such as area rugs and curtains can help absorb sound and improve the listening quality in a room. Don’t overdo it, though; too much carpet-
ing and heavy curtains can make sound seem muffled. Instead, add some bookshelves or even hung art to create reflective surfaces that will help break up sound waves. A mixture of surfaces and materials will provide the best sound quality. Keep in mind, Robinson says, that you don’t have to completely redecorate your room to achieve techorating harmony. “I’m a big fan of repurposing and melding old with new,” she says. “If your couch has a solid frame, update it by reupholstering it, or try a new decorative pillow cover. If you have existing furniture that needs a little sprucing up, paint or stain it for a fresh new look.” For more information on techorating visit lgmakeover.com.
Flying ‘Old Glory’ at home this summer? How to do it right
Used in conjunction with air conditioning in hot weather, ceiling fans combine old and new technology to keep your family comfortable.
For added comfort year-round, install ceiling fans at home During both summer and winter, ceiling fans can help make your home more comfortable. Using about the same electricity as a 100-watt light bulb you can run one for just pennies a day. By themselves in mild weather, ceiling fans offer a low-cost alternative to air conditioning. Used in conjunction with air conditioning in hot weather, ceiling fans combine old and new technology to keep your family comfortable. That’s why those twirling paddles that date from pre-air conditioning days are experiencing new popularity in today’s homes. How They Work When it’s warm, the blades of a turning ceiling fan normally push air downward, causing cool air near the floor to travel outward and mix with air at the edges of the room. The process makes for more even cooling, and just the air movement in the room alone can make it feel cooler by four degrees or more! That means if you’re using air conditioning along with your fan, you can set the thermostat at a higher than normal setting to save on energy. If you use ceiling fans in the summer, however, keep in mind that it does little good to run them when you’re not around. The fan really isn’t cooling the room. Like a breeze on a hot summer day, it’s the blowing air moving across your body that makes you feel cooler. The same cooling effect caused by blowing air currents keeps many people from using their ceiling fans in winter. But most fans have a switch on the motor housing that changes the direction in which the blades turn. Instead of forcing air downward, the blades will push air up toward the ceiling, where hot air normally rises, and drive it back down around the edges of the room. That can result in more even heating. Ceiling Fan Installation and Usage Tips
Ceiling fan performance and energy savings rely heavily on the proper installation and use of the ceiling fan. Here are a few tips to ensure quality and product performance: • Choosing the Appropriate UL-Rated Electrical Box – Make sure that you use the appropriate UL-listed metal
box, marked “For Use With Ceiling Fans.” This outlet box is mounted above the ceiling and also is the point where the fan is attached. This box houses all wiring needed to operate and connect the ceiling fan. If you are replacing a ceiling fixture, most likely you will need to replace the electrical box. • Mounting the Ceiling Fan – If possible, the ceiling fan should be anchored to a ceiling joist. In the case that the joist is not located in the center of the room, a special ceiling fan mounting bracket with spiked ends should be installed between joists. Keep in mind that ceiling fans can weigh as much as 50 pounds! • Balancing a Wobbly Fan – All fan blades should be balanced prior to shipment; however, if the fan is wobbly after installation, there are ways to fix it. First, make sure that all connections are properly aligned and tightly fastened. Check the alignment of the blades by holding a yardstick vertically along the edges; you may be able to gently bend a misaligned blade holder back into proper place. If all blades are aligned, a balancing kit can then be used to pinpoint the culprit. These kits are either provided within product packaging (e.g., balancing clips and blade weights) or can be sent by the manufacturer free of charge. View a video with tips on fixing a wobbly fan. • Turn Off When not in the Room – Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. If the room is unoccupied, turn off the ceiling fan to save energy. Using the Ceiling Fan Year-round
In the summer, use the ceiling fan in the counterclockwise direction. While standing directly under the ceiling fan you should feel a cool breeze. In the winter, reverse the motor and operate the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan — additional energy and dollar savings could be realized with this simple step!
(ARA) – Summer isn’t just the season of baseball, barbecues, vacation and fresh produce. It’s also flag season. Three of the country’s most important patriotic holidays – Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day – arrive with summer, and across the nation proud Americans will show their patriotism by displaying the American Flag. But will they do it properly? “Fewer symbols inspire more patriotism and pride than the American Flag, and displaying it is a wonderful way to show respect not only for our country, but for all those in uniform who have defended it throughout our history,” says Larry Singleton, decor manager for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which displays an American Flag beside the fireplace in every restaurant. “Honoring our nation’s Flag Code guidelines can make the display of the flag an even more poignant and patriotic gesture.” The federal law known as the “Flag Code” establishes a guide for handling and displaying Old Glory. If you’ll be showing your American pride this year by displaying the flag or decorating with bunting, here’s a thumbnail review of the code’s guidelines so you can be confident in all you do: • It’s OK to display the flag ‘round the clock, but you should illuminate it during nighttime hours. If you’re not able to light the flag at night, the code recommends displaying only between sunrise and sunset. • Hoist it briskly and lower it slowly and ceremoniously. • Be sure to bring your flag in out of rain or snow – unless it’s made of an all-weather material, in which case it’s OK to leave it out in inclement weather. • If you would like to display a flag on your car or truck, affix it to the chassis or clamp it to the right front fender. • Many Americans are also proud of their ethnic origins and may choose to display the flag of their heritage along with the American Flag. That’s fine; just be sure that the U.S. flag is displayed higher up, or if the flags are on the same level, the other flag should be placed to the left of the American Flag, never to the right. • The blue and white stars field – known as “the union” – should always be up: at the top of the flag if it’s on a staff or pole, up-
permost and to the observer’s left if the flag is being displayed horizontally or vertically against a wall. Displaying the flag with the union down is a signal of dire distress and reserved for instances of extreme danger to life or property. • The flag should be kept from touching the ground, floor, water or anything beneath it. • Flag-themed decor can add a welcome patriotic touch to your home, but it’s best not to get carried away and use the American Flag as bedding or drapery. • Bunting is an acceptable patriotic display; arrange it with the blue portion at the top, the white in the middle and the red at the bottom. • When a flag becomes worn and is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way. One way to do that is to give the flag to a local VFW for proper disposal. “Americans show their patriotism and American pride in a number of ways,” Singleton says. “Displaying the American Flag in a respectful manner is one more way Americans can honor their country this summer and all year long.”
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Local Real Estate News – West Texas Home Builders Association
Maintenance tips for new homeowners BY Trey Strong, President West Texas Home Builders Association
As a new home owner, you are excited about getting your house in order — setting up furnishings, rearranging and decorating. But once you have place for everything and everything in its place, it’s time to get a handle on the routine maintenance you’ll need to perform to help ensure that you and your family live comfortably in your STRONG new home for years to come. Maintaining a clean home is one way to ensure its longevity. Here are some tips for properly maintaining some of the systems in your new home: Heating and Cooling Systems • Late summer or early fall are the ideal times to do an annual inspection and cleaning of these systems. • Change or wash the filters every three months. • If you have a gas furnace, keep your pilot light burning during the summer to help keep the furnace dry and prevent corrosion. • Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired temperature in your home. Keep registers closed in rooms you don’t use to save on cooling/heating costs. Plumbing • Every member of your family should know where the intake valves are located. Label each one. • If any of your appliances develop a leak, inspect your drain trap. A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these techniques don’t work. • A worn washer, a loose part in a
faucet or steam in a hot water pipe are generally the causes of a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise — vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks. Gutters and Downspouts • Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and downspouts. • Turn the downspouts away from your home’s foundation. • Every four to six years, paint gutters that are not made of aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust. Remember to read the instruction manual for every appliance in your new home. The manuals provide recommended cleaning and maintenance schedules. Also familiarize yourself with any warranties you have on both the house and its systems. Some warranties may be voided if problems arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance.
SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
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nahb survey: kitchens, bathrooms remain top remodeling jobs A new survey released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows common remodeling projects have increased, compared to a similar survey from 2010. The survey, released today in conjunction with National Home Remodeling Month, describes the changes the remodeling market has undergone in recent years. Remodelers report that kitchen and bathroom projects remain the most popular remodeling jobs with home owners increasingly upgrading both rooms and making major repairs as they decide to stay in their current homes longer. Nearly 50 percent of remodelers report seeing an increase in the number of home owners who undertake remodels to avoid moving compared to the 2010 findings. Both kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects were up 17 percent from two years ago, with bathroom remodels cited as a common job by 78 percent of remodelers and kitchen remodels at 69 percent. Since 2009, bathrooms and kitchens have switched places in popularity, with bathroom remodels moving into the top spot as the most common type of remodeling project.
“As the priorities of homeowners shift, remodelers have to adjust to the needs of their clients,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman George “Geep” Moore Jr. “And while the motivation behind a homeowner’s decision to remodel may have changed, their desire for quality, professional results have not. Professional remodelers remain committed to the highest industry standards.” Repairs and replacements of old components and the desire for upgraded amenities were cited as the top reasons for customers to hire a remodeler. More than 60 percent of remodelers reported increased demand for repairs and replacements of old components in the past two years, while more than half of remodelers said that the desire for upgraded amenities increased. In contrast, more than 20 percent of remodelers said there was a decrease in customers remodeling to increase home values as an investment. In addition to kitchens and baths, other popular remodeling categories included window/door replacements (44 percent), whole house remodels (35 percent), room additions (33 percent) and handyman services (31 percent).
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SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
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