Rosebury $126,610 BC#003953
Richland $147,210
SOLD 140 Grovebrook Drive $223,990 - Lot Included Brand new 1528 square ft. rambler with three same floor bedrooms, main floor laundry with laundry tub, 11x13 Sunroom, walk-in kitchen pantry and walk-in master closet. Maintenance free seamless steel siding, brick accent, Andersen casement windows, Corner lot, oversized attached 24x24 garage and many upgrades.
108 Pinehurst Drive $174,154 - Lot Included Now under construction! Split entry home with open kitchen/ living room design. Kitchen eat-off center island, two bedrooms finished with room for expansion in lower level for two additional bedrooms, 2nd bath and family room. Double attached garage, Seamless steel siding with brick & shake accent and high quality Andersen casement windows, vaulted ceilings.
305 Grovebrook Court $230,752 - Lot Included 1385 sq. ft. split entry, 3 same floor bedrooms, master bathroom plus an additional bathroom on the main floor. Upgrades include panel doors, upgraded kitchen, eat-off center island, stainless steel appliance package, track ceiling in master bedroom, Andersen Casement windows, Seamless steel siding, brick accented exterior, walk-out basement and located on a cul-de-sac street in Country Club Estate.
100 Bakersfield Court $225,119 - Lot Included
This home has it all and located on a cul-de-sac street! 3 bedrooms on the main level, private master bathroom, walk-in closet, main floor laundry, open kitchen plan, appliance package, triple car garage, brick accented exterior, seamless steel siding and Andersen casement windows.
Danforth $135,510
Riverdale $195,430
Southport $143,850
Bently $153,990
Wyndham $188,800 - 95% high-efďƒžciency Bryant furnace & CA - 200 AMP electrical service - Vaulted Ceilings - Oak Woodwork & Cabinetry - Tyvek Wrapped - Limited Lifetime Certainteed Architectural Shingles - Seamless Steel Siding - Concrete Driveway - Seeded Yard - Knocked Down Ceilings - AndersenÂŽ Casement Windows
Glenwood $207,870
Who watches your house when you’re not home? We do!
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Welcome to the 2013 Spring Tour of Homes The Minnesota River Builders Association is pleased to welcome you to the 2013 Spring Tour of Homes! Eight of our area’s best builders invite you to enjoy their wo rk m a n s h i p and outstanding Ryan Weier architecture. Your $5 ticket is your invitation to enjoy all homes on Tour. If you didn’t pick up a ticket at one of our Tour Sponsors, you can purchase it at any of the homes. We are pleased the MRBA Spring Tour of Homes continues to be enjoyed by the Mankato area community. It’s a great way to choose a new home, select a home builder and to see what’s new in styles, finishes, materials, products and even colors for your own home. Our guidebook will easily lead you to each of the homes, including a full area map and detailed directions with each of the home descriptions. In addition, each home description includes further details on handicap accessibility and whether the home is for sale. New to the Spring Tour this year, we are looking forward to receiving your input as you vote for the 2013 Spring People’s Choice Award. Your ballot is located on the back of your ticket and ballot boxes are in each of the Tour homes. Your ticket will be checked off at each home you attend. After viewing the homes, simply leave your completed ballot at the last home you attend. The MRBA People’s Choice Award is an important honor for our builders and your input is what makes it all possible! And remember, NOW is a great time to purchase a new home. As the Home Building Industry continues its strong recovery, there’s a wide variety of choices for home shoppers and mortgage interest rates remain in a very favorable range, near historic lows. Also, now more than ever, today’s building codes and general practices in new home construction are keenly aware and responding to today’s energy efficiency standards. New products, from insulation to appliances, and the way homes are constructed continue to improve the energy efficiency of your new home. The professional builders and the associate members of the Minnesota River Builders Association are excited to welcome you into their homes for the 2013 Spring Tour of Homes. Enjoy your weekend!
507 243-3660 Find us on Facebook.
www.evensonconcrete.com / Madison Lake, MN
Ryan Weier RW Homes 2013 President, Minnesota River Builders Association
MRBA
Building Our Future Today
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 3
4 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
ANTJE MEISNER C O N C E P T S INTERIOR DESIGN 107 E. Cherry St. | Mankato, MN 56001 ph: 507.380.8570 | antjemeisner.com
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 5
2013 Tour of Homes COMMITTEE Garrick Rudolf, Chair Cherry Creek Cabinetworks Molly Robertson Bridge Realty Cyndi Christenson Cambria
LETS BUILD CUSTOM HOMES
REMOdELS
GUTTErS
Jamie Sorensen Town & Country Interiors GENERAL CONTRACTING • CUSTOM BUILT HOMES FROM START TO FINISH 6 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
MRBA 2013 Spring Tour of Homes People’s Choice Award Your Input is What Makes the People’s Choice Award Possible! • Vote for your favorite home. • Your ballot is located on the back of your ticket. • Fill out the ballot and drop it in the ballot box at the last home you attend. • As you enter the Tour Homes, that home is checked off on the front of your ticket.
Your vote matters! Thanks for participating in the 2013 People’s Choice Award! Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 7
10 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
100 Off 10% Off
$
Exp. 7-31-13
any single invoice purchase of $500 to $999 or service of $85 and up Purchase or Service Exp. 7-31-13
120 North Broad Street • Mankato 507-345-4688 www.meyerandsonstvandappliance.com
120 North Broad Street • Mankato 507-345-4688 www.meyerandsonstvandappliance.com
Coupons cannot be combined and not used with any other discounts or specials. One Coupon per household
Coupons cannot be combined and not used with any other discounts or specials. One Coupon per household
Your job is to make every building great. Our job is to help you do it. With quality materials and a knowledgeable staff you can count on for local expertise. From design ideas to custom millwork to sustainable building education, we’ll get you everything you need. Your work deserves nothing less. We are ProBuild. We believe in the building.
• Cabinets • Engineered Wood • Home Plans • Millwork • Siding & Trim • Windows
PROBuild 58063 209th Street Mankato, MN 56001 507.387.5608
www.probuild.com
©2011 ProBuild. All Rights Reserved.
a single invoice purchase of $ 1,000 or more.
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 11
12 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
JUSTIN GIEFER MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS ID 815771
Go ahead, dream big. Whether it’s your first home, your dream home or home improvements, Community Bank is ready to help. If you have big plans this year, you owe it to yourself to check out our competitive rates and closing costs. Our bankers can explain all the options we offer and design a plan that frames your dreams beautifully. MONEY MATTERS. WORK SMART. LET COMMUNITY BANK HELP YOU BRING THE TWO TOGETHER.
ALYSSA BOWERS MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS IS 815776
MANKATO Saint Andrews Dr. 507.385.4444 & Madison Ave. 507.625.1551 VERNON CENTER 507.549.3679 AMBOY 507.674.3300 NMLS IS 670406
FROM CONTEMPORARY TO TRADITIONAL SERVING THE MANKATO AREA FOR OVER 31 YEARS
TIME PROVEN - TIME HONORED LICENSE #BC003621
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 13
R. HENRY CONSTRUCTION
FINE CRAFTSMANSHIP ▪ ATTENTION TO DETAIL
NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION FULL SERVICE REMODELING 3D RENDERINGS AVAILABLE 507 ▪ 345 ▪ 3007
www.rhenryconstruction.com 14 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
Lic. BC180205
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 15
A panoply of trends underfoot
RESERVE DEVELOPMENT THE
R
esisting the temptation of exotic wood flooring will be extremely difficult this year. We will all be dreaming about African mahogany with its warm, classy tones: sand, terracotta, copper, caramel, and even green and blue. Rustic hickory and dark knotty walnut are also high on the dreamrenovation list. Luckily for us, hardwood flooring is now available in a huge range of different finishes. Your natural wood floor can be hand scraped, brushed, or distressed in order to highlight knots and grains. New colors and contrasting tones are also on offer. Easier to maintain, the new hardwood floors that are factory sealed and oiled have a smoother, glossier finish. Pre-varnished wood now comes with embossed surfaces that create a wave-like effect. Moreover, advances in nanotechnology have enabled the production of a varnish with more effective anti-abrasive qualities. Whether pre-varnished or pre-oiled, the new engineered wood floors, which can be used as floating floor or glued directly to the subfloor, ensure good soundproofing. Another new trend: wood floors with wide planks that create a rustic look. The latest in ceramics is perfect for both floors and walls. New porcelain stoneware tiles create a contemporary look. Ceramic and precision-ground enameled porcelain have now taken on the form of planks that vary in shade and texture to imitate wood. And PVC flooring, which imitates wood and even stone, is also available. Innovations in linoleum production have allowed manufacturers to produce a wide range of textures and colors, including an imitation leather that uses eco-friendly materials. A floorcovering for every room The latest trends will allow you to choose from some interesting innovations, but of course you will need to take into account the demands of each room before settling on a choice. If your main criterion is comfort, for a bedroom or living room for example, carpet is a traditional choice. For the more environmentally minded, hardwood, engineered wood, 16 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
Located in North Mankato off LorRay Drive Pond Lots l Walkouts l City Park l Pavilion l Ravine Lots Architectural Controlled Development West School District Lots starting at $47,500
Jeff cell: 612.701.6315 Jerry cell: 612.803.7340 Chris: 507.382.4945
laminate, or a floating wood floor are also great choices. For rooms with higher humidity levels, such as a bathroom or kitchen, ceramic is an especially suitable type of flooring to consider. You could also opt for vinyl or the new types of laminate, which are water-resistant. For a bathroom, think about limiting the risks of slipping as well as comfort. Natural stone could be an interesting choice here. Engineered hardwood flooring is also a good option for the kitchen, as it is durable and easy to maintain, a perfect combination for this part of your home. Flooring in the dining room must be stain resistant. Choose wood, laminate, vinyl, or a dark-colored carpet. For high traffic areas, such as the entrance hall or the family room, opt for a durable and comfortable floorcovering such as carpeting, hardwood, engineered hardwood, or laminate. For the basement, it is very important that the subfloor be well insulated. Suitable flooring could include carpet, engineered hardwood, laminate, or vinyl. Cork flooring is a great choice for a home cinema room or playroom because of its excellent soundproofing qualities. All types of flooring are available in varying qualities and a wide range of prices. For help in making the right choice, consult an interior decorator who will be able to give you advice on the style, color, texture, and motif of your floorcovering for the specific purpose of the room. Most of these specialists offer a free home consultation, and some are equipped with visual software that will give you a good idea of what the final result will look like.
In rooms with higher humidity levels, such as a bathroom or kitchen, ceramic is a popular floorcovering.
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 17
20 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
Some good reasons to hire a flooring specialist
I
nstalling a new floor is a substantial renovation project, and the skills required to do the job will depend on the flooring material chosen and the type of subfloor. While linoleum squares, vinyl, and stratified and laminated woods are relatively easy to install, ceramic or porcelain tiles and carpets are a little trickier to manage. Even if stone,
linoleum, vinyl sheets, hardwood, and prevarnished wood are easy to lay, finishing work requires significant time and effort. Some projects are best done by a professional because of the complexity of the work. The quality of the installation has a direct influence on the durability and the comfort of the flooring. Poor
• Snow Removal • Lawn Mowing • Irrigation system
Single Family Home with the Benefits of an Association.
Diamond Creek
Previous Winner of The Community Development Recognition award
The Best
DIAMOND CREEK BY GEMSTONE HOMES
507-381-1930
Lic. #BC003621
www.gemstonehomesmn.com david@gemstonehomesmn.com
Alternative to Town Homes.
Patio homes are for anyone who dreams about having the freedom to live without the hassles of home and yard maintenance. The single-family homes in Diamond Creek subdivision south of Mankato East High School are efficiently planned and designed to maximize livability while minimizing upkeep and maintenance. They are planned as private enclaves with extensive landscape plans and cohesive architectural statements.
When designing the interior of the homes, owners have extreme flexibility. They can choose from a number of floor plans, or customize the layout to meet their needs and tastes. These homes are popular with empty nesters, snowbirds, busy executives or anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of homeownership without all the work. Dave Pfeffer of Gemstone Homes ensures that the highest levels of quality are maintained throughout the subdivision. Diamond Creek Homes is a previous winner of the Community Development Recognition Award in the new residential neighborhood category.
Call today to learn more about what Gemstone Homes has to offer for you.
installation can even reduce the life of the product. Laying tile or fitting wall-to-wall carpet requires a certain set of skills. Firstly, the subfloor needs to be carefully prepared and any cracks in wood or concrete surfaces have to be repaired. Every type of carpet has its own particularities, meaning that a carpet with underlay, a glued carpet, or carpet tiles require different installation methods and finishing. Professional tile installers or carpet layers also remove old carpet or flooring and dispose of it in an appropriate manner. Unless the home renovator is very confident in his or her skills, it is also worthwhile to hire a flooring specialist to put in other kinds of flooring as well. The installation of a hardwood floor involves many different steps, including the laying of the wood, sanding, staining, and varnishing. Unfinished wood planks or strips must be sanded and finished in place. Pre-varnished models are factory sanded and varnished, which greatly facilitates the installation. Professionals can also repair or completely refinish wooden floors. Stratified, laminated, or floating floors are easy to install, as the planks have a system of grooves and tongues that do not require any gluing or nailing. However, with the help of a professional your floor will never creak, it will last longer, and it will look beautiful. A specialist will prepare the surface properly and install the subfloor as well as the hardwood flooring. The cutting and assembling will be done with meticulous care in order to obtain a high quality finish. When looking for a flooring specialist, choose a competent professional who is recommended by construction contractors or by acquaintances who have used his or her services in the past. A floor layer will be able to discuss the various flooring products suitable for a renovations job and will be familiar with all the installation techniques the various materials require. Floorers are able to handle every stage of a job, from taking measurements, helping to choose the materials, to the final installation. They usually offer free estimates and guarantee their work.
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 21
making dreams come true
David Thompson
Karen Ahrenstorff
Lake Crystal Mankato NMLS ID#802940 NMLS ID#785657
there for
you
Many have trusted MinnStar Bank’s personal service to help them get into the home of their dreams—and we can do the same for you. REAL ESTATE BANKING Downtown Mankato • 507-625-6816 Lake Crystal • 507-726-2137 Good Thunder • 507-278-3630 Lake Crystal • 507-726-2137 Member FDIC
22 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
www.minnstarbank.com
Hammering out a budget
H
ow do I calculate how much my renovation project will cost? Now there’s a question that requires a great deal of thought! Obviously there are many different answers to this question, depending on what type of project you have in mind and the quality of materials you can budget for. Do you want to demolish everything and start from scratch? Replace the plumbing and the electricity? Or simply change the furniture and the appliances to freshen up some rooms and give them a more up-to-date look? Your budget will also depend on whether you plan to hire a professional to do the work or if you do it yourself—sometimes both options are possible. Hiring manpower will increase the cost, but using a pro can prevent months of lost time and space at home. If you decide to hire someone, ask for recommendations from family, friends, and work colleagues. That is the best way to find a trustworthy person who can do quality work at a reasonable price. You can also obtain invaluable advice from specialists in hardware or renovation stores. The quality and quantity of materials chosen will also have a huge impact on the cost of the project. If money is no object, you could renovate everything in one go. If your budget is more modest, you could go more slowly, at your own pace, one room at a time. Be sure to get all the information you need to make an enlightened decision. Write everything down and compare the different options that have been suggested. Avoid spur of the moment decisions that you could end up regretting later on, and be especially careful about going over budget. The important thing to remember is to take the time to make rational choices, while keeping in mind your tastes and budget.
24 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
Surviving in the renovation zone
D
aily living in a work zone is never easy, but it isn’t always possible to move out while renovations or remodeling are being done. Those obsessed with tidiness and cleanliness feel stressed by the ongoing mess, while others struggle to deal with the lack of privacy as work crews tramp around their home. In either case, the renovation nightmare has to be tolerated somehow. Here are a few tips that can help you deal with the invasion. Firstly and most importantly, ask contractors for their proposed work schedules and organize your timetable in consequence. As renovators are generally more concerned by the quality of their work rather than the dirt and dust it produces, the contents of the rooms to be renovated should be removed, if possible, and other rooms protected from dust by closing their doors. Clothes should be stored carefully and perishable foods sealed to avoid them becoming impregnated with odors and dust. If you have a pet you could try and find it a more comfortable and less traumatizing home for the duration of the renovations. If you have young children living with you, keep them busy with outdoor activities. Every evening throw out any debris, clean up accumulated dust, and secure the worksite to avoid any risk of injury. It is up to you to decide if you want to get involved and supervise the work or give free rein to the contractors.
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 25
MRBA
Building Our Future Today
Vote your Favorite Home. MRBA 2013 Spring Tour of Homes People's Choice Award 26 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
Roll out the green carpet
S
pring is finally here, although it seems like it took at eternity to arrive. Now Mother Nature is unrolling her green carpet and her colors are exploding in trees and gardens and filling us with joy. We all have our own ways to make the most of the return to warmer weather. Some of us start by sorting through our closets, a way to fall into step with this season of renewal and transformation. Stores are bursting with the new spring fashions: rainwear, unlined boots, and trendy outfits seduce us with their lightweight materials. And we sure like to let more vibrant tones take the place of those gloomy winter colors. When spring fever takes hold, it’s so hard to resist!
Quality Overhead 13sq.indd 1
4/26/2013 7:39:29 AM
Owners of convertibles waste little time in folding back the roofs of their cars and savoring their newfound freedom, hair flying in the wind. Others head for car dealerships in search of their dream car for exciting summer driving. But most of us just make the most of the warm weather by enjoying the fresh air as we polish our vehicles to a beautiful gleam. No more winter hibernation! Spring fever also hits the restaurants, as patios open and sidewalk cafés fill up at noon. How great it feels to sip a drink in the great outdoors rather than sitting inside with a cup of coffee and saltstained snow boots. Even menus change to reflect the arrival of spring, as chefs revel in combining fresh herbs and exotic flavors. However you choose to enjoy the spring sunshine, make the most of it by getting outdoors as much as you can. After the long winter, we certainly deserve to tread on Nature’s green carpet!
Every reason is a good one to enjoy the warm spring weather. Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 27
A competitive mortgage to meet your needs Rely on home financing from the nation’s leading residential mortgage lender. Whether you’re purchasing or refinancing, you’ll benefit from: • A wide selection of conventional loan products • FHA and VA loans • Flexible term, and adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) • Builder and renovation mortgages • The attentive service of knowledgeable mortgage professionals
Brad Brozik Office: 507-387-9225 Cell: 507-514-0408 bradley.brozik@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 402019
Kim Weise Office: 507-387-9382 Cell: 507-340-5558 kim.weise@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 400945
Chris Mihm Office: 507-344-3409 Cell: 507-382-2312 chris.mihm@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 422562
Andy Nessler Office: 507-387-9205 Cell: 507-340-9199 andy.nessler@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 453298
Kris Kall Office: 507-387-9236 Cell: 507-382-8142 kristy.a.kall@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 400346
Daniel Sprague Office: 507-387-9386 Cell: 507-380-2718 daniel.j.sprague@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 833080
Jeff Maurer Office: 507-387-9265 Cell: 507-420-9977 jeff.maurer@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 406187
Ryan Greene Office: 507-387-9264 Cell: 507-514-1104 ryan.w.greene2@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 763418
507-387-9243 1-800-720-9243
www.wfhm.com/mn-mankatobranch-mankato
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.© 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801 AS982513 4/13-7/13
Spring Tour of Homes 2013 • 29
30 • Spring Tour of Homes 2013
Building a wine cellar: easy sophistication
B
uilding a wine cellar isn’t as complicated as you might think, whether it’s simply a way to make use of some wasted space under the basement stairs or a remodeling of the children’s old playroom. The first step is to choose a location where you can maintain a steady temperature between 51 and 57°F. To ensure the optimal ageing of your wine, the humidity rate should be kept between 60 and 80 percent. A good wine cellar compressor guarantees low energy consumption and will be able to regulate all these details.
Wine has to be stored in the dark as it is sensitive to light. Consequently, you should plan to use a windowless room with a ceiling light and switch. The most efficient storage method is to use individual bottle racks, where the label for each bottle is visible and where your wine will be easily accessible. Piling the bottles one on top of the other means moving them every time you come to choose a wine, and you will also risk disturbing the contents. Plan to use building materials resistant to humidity, such as waterproof gypsum, which is specially designed to resist mold. To safeguard the delicate flavor of your wine, the raw materials you choose for the racks and wall coverings should be free of odors, which can filter through the corks and into your prize vintages. The floor can be covered in ceramic, marble, or stone, all materials that have proven their worth in humid conditions. If undertaking a wine cellar remodel is a bit beyond your skill and budget, or if you like to keep things simple, another option is to buy an electric wine cellar that will be able to pamper your wine, hassle free.
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34 â&#x20AC;¢ Spring Tour of Homes 2013