Real Estate Guide January 2020

EMPORIA

R E A L E S TAT E

ED R U T A FE OPERTY H PR HE MONT OF T e4 See

Pag

2265 U Rd, Strong City, KS

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JANUARY 2020

CREATE A MORE FUNCTIONAL LAUNDRY ROOM Family Features

A laundry room may be one of the spaces that you use the most, but cramped quarters and clutter can hinder your productivity.

Eliminate the excuses and get your laundry room under control with these tips to add function to your washing routine.

Use space wisely. Your laundry room may not have a big footprint, but you probably have more usable space than you realize. Install shelves or storage units on the walls and consider the ceiling as a spot to hang a floating drying rack. Don’t overlook the back of the door, where you can mount a storage system or use an over-the-door alternative.

Maximize storage. Many laundry rooms suffer from a lack of storage, which hinders space to fold and manage laundry while making the room less pleasant overall. A durable, attractive organization system like Dimensions by ClosetMaid can add instant organization and style to your laundry room. The system provides numerous design options, convenient accessories and configurations of cabinets and drawers, accommodating virtually any space.

Resist wrinkles. Prevent unsightly wrinkles by hanging garments straight out of the dryer. A hanging rod is easy to install and lets you take advantage of vertical space in smaller rooms. Be sure to also stock up on hangers of various styles so you always have an ample supply ready when the buzzer sounds that another load is ready for your attention.

Promote ventilation. Another common issue in laundry rooms is limited ventilation, which can promote mold, affect air quality and hinder air drying for special garments.

A clever way to enhance ventilation while increasing your storage space is ventilated shelving that helps keep air flow moving. For example, ClosetMaid’s Premium Wood Kits feature sturdy slatted shelves to stash your laundry essentials and can include accessories like hanging rods.

Create a folding station. One of the biggest laundry pitfalls is folding and putting away clean clothes. A clear, clean space in the laundry room can help nudge you toward completing the task more efficiently. If you have frontloading machines, it may be as simple as adding a counter or sturdy shelf above them. If you use top-loaders, you may need to get more creative. If there’s room, a laundry sorter with a flat top is a good solution. Or if floor space is at a premium, you might consider a shelf that mounts to the wall and folds down when you need it.

Get inspired with more ideas to make your laundry room work for you at ClosetMaid.com.

JANUARY 2020

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Local

Agents, Local

Knowledge Katie Mathews Real Estate Agent

620.344.2943 katie.mathews@ coldwellbankerrealestate.com

Emporia Real Estate 608 Commercial Street Emporia, KS 66801

Marc Glades

Residential • Commercial Industrial • Pier Hole Digging Aerial Reach “HONESTY WITH INTEGRITY IS OUR POLICY. ELECTRICITY IS OUR BUSINESS”

Real Estate Agent

620.364.5500 marc.glades@ coldwellbankerrealestate.com

Emporia Real Estate 608 Commercial Street Emporia, KS 66801

Wendy Watters Real Estate Agent

620.218.8243 wendy.whitten@ coldwellbankerrealestate.com

Emporia Real Estate 608 Commercial Street Emporia, KS 66801

Put your home in our hands.

Jase Hubert 620.481.7303 jase.hubert@ coldwellbankerrealestate.com

Emporia Real Estate 608 Commercial Street Emporia, KS 66801

Judy Turner Real Estate Agent

620.344.6165 mturner@sbcglobal.net

Real Estate 2171 US HYW-50 Emporia, KS 66801

Place Your Ad Here Contact The Emporia Gazette at

620.342.4800

Tell your realtor or lender to choose the very best in title insurance and closing services. You do have a choice.

620.343.1490 • 423 Commercial, Emporia 328 Broadway, Cottonwood Falls • 620.273.6611

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JANUARY 2020

MASTERING THE MASTER BEDROOM

2265 U Rd, Strong City, KS

By Karina Henderson HLC Interior Solutions

Have you ever picked up this paper and thought, “I would really love more information on a local level about real estate and design?”

Well, great news!

I, Karina with HLC Interior Solutions, and The Gazette have partnered up to answer your questions with local information and trends that impact the Emporia area.

These articles will be done in a "Dear Abby" style. That means we want to hear from YOU. We would love for you to email us questions about floor plans, design, remodeling, lending or anything regarding real estate in the Emporia area. Then I will research and talk to the experts in our area and post your answers in this article.

This month we will be answering the following question: Q. “Other than the kitchen and bathrooms, what else in the home can I focus on to sell my home faster?”

A. It’s common knowledge that kitchens and baths sell homes. But trends are telling us another valuable area in your home is as well.

People are so busy and are craving a space to retreat within their homes after crazy long days. That’s where the master bedroom comes into play.

While living in the master, we often have all the things we love close by to enjoy. But now we want this space to appeal to a potential buyer.

Where do we begin?

Keep in mind as I go thru this list of things to do, you're not getting rid of anything, unless you want to, you're just storing them for your new home.

First, it's time to down-size and pack up. Start with your seasonal clothing. Go through drawers and closets and put all off-season cloth-

ing and shoes in totes and store in the garage, basement or storage unit.

Second, pack up all those family pictures, knick knacks and books.

Get to the ‘piles’ you’ve been wanting to go through. Once that's done, can you remove some furniture, like bookshelves and bulky dressers?

Third, invest in some neutral bedding. This not only makes the room look bigger, but a clean, welcoming feel as well. Ideally, the master bedroom would only have the bed, nightstands and one dresser with a mirror, TV or artwork above it.

Lastly, do you now have the space to create a sitting area? Add a couple of chairs or a small loveseat and good lighting to create that inviting retreat feel.

If you get overwhelmed with the process or just don’t have the time, keep in mind HLC specializes in taking what you already own, staging it and creating a space that buyers want to own.

We want to hear and answer your questions! Email me, Karina, at HLC@ emporia.com I will take one or two of your questions, do the research, and answer them here every month.

Remember, there is ALWAYS A SOLUTION!

• • • • •

2 Bedrooms 2 baths 1,340 Sq. Ft. Custom built in 2017 Plenty of windows to let in natural light.

• Safe room that doubles as extra storage • Country living close to town • Placed perfectly on top of a hill so you can see the beautiful scenery

$230,000

Heather Foster • Ek Real Estate

620-340-5432 • heatherekhomes@gmail.com

JANUARY 2020

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STARTING A HOME REMODELING PROJECT elers you're considering to make sure they're current. Most states also require contractors to carry worker's compensation, property damage and personal liability insurance for their crews. Contact your state or local licensing agencies to ensure the contractor meets the minimum requirements.

Family Features

Outside of the home itself, remodeling is typically one of the largest investments you can make as a homeowner. While some projects can be tempting to tackle yourself, many larger-scale projects may require hiring a qualified professional.

Because remodeling your home is a big undertaking, it's important to take steps to ensure the professional you hire to perform the work is qualified to complete it to the highest standards of quality and integrity.

Consider these tips from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry to help you make an informed decision when hiring a remodeling contractor.

GET RECOMMENDATIONS One of the best ways to find qualified, professional help is through wordof-mouth referrals. Ask your relatives, friends, neighbors or co-workers - particularly if they've recently renovated their own homes - if they have any previous experience with companies they would recommend. Also consider searching online for reviews of companies in your area.

high-quality work, which allows their businesses to thrive and remain in the community. Local professionals are also likely to know permit requirements and building codes in your city or county, which can change from year to year.

FOLLOW YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC Whether your home features a midcentury modern, contemporary or farmhouse design style, it's critical to choose a remodeler who is knowledgeable in the construction and design of the style of your home. Additionally, a company that specializes in remodeling kitchens may not be suited for a bathroom or bedroom project.

CHECK REFERENCES Once you've narrowed your list of potential contractors, ask for a list of references you can contact and a portfolio of work. A typical reference list includes 10 or more jobs with dates as well as the customer's name, address and phone number, and a portfolio should also contain at least 10 projects with photos of the space before work began, during the project and after completion. If possible, also consider visiting a current job site to see firsthand how the contractor operates.

SEARCH FOR VIOLATIONS OR COMPLAINTS Because you can't always rely on a portfolio or references, it's important to also check with your local consumer affairs office or the Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no complaints on record for the contractors you're considering, which may help further narrow your list.

COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES While a number of different factors goes into every remodeling project, be sure all contractors you solicit bids from are using the same scope and quality of work requirements. Discuss any significant variations in price or timelines and be wary of any substantially lower estimates.

Find more tips for selecting a contractor at remodelingdoneright.com.

Rentals in Emporia

ASK FOR LICENSES AND INSURANCE STAY LOCAL Many states, but not all, require It's often best to consider established contractors to be licensed, bonded and local remodeling companies first, as they insured. Ask for copies of licenses and are typically more compelled to perform insurance certificates for any remod-

One is 4 bedroom 1 bath 1068 Sq. Ft. $800 a month.

1419 Center St. PET-FRIENDLY.

1 bedroom 1 bath 570 Sq. Ft. Duplex with washer and dryer hook up $550 a month.

NOT pet-friendly.

1315 N. Merchant

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JANUARY 2020

PUT SAFETY FIRST Family Features

From quick DIY repairs around the house to contractors on the jobsite, power tools can make nearly any job faster and easier. However, having the know-how to put power tools to use is only half the challenge.

Take a safety-first approach to projects big and small with these tips from the Power Tool Institute, the leading organization for power tool safety resources, information and education.

Start with a safe workspace.

Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres or near flammable liquids, gases or dust.

Power tools sometimes create sparks, which can ignite flammable materials. Also keep bystanders, children and visitors away when using power tools, as dis-

tractions can affect your control.

Be careful with battery power.

Lithium-ion batteries have become more popular due to their higher efficiency, larger energy storage capacities, convenience and durability. These attributes make them ideal for cordless power tools but also pose additional safety risks when misused.

Do not subject them to physical abuse or allow ingress of liquids.

Always choose batteries from the original power tool manufacturer, which are engineered to work optimally with corresponding power tools. Aftermarket or thirdparty batteries may not include all the safety design features and are not always tested to the same safety standards, making them potentially more dangerous and increasing the risk for fire, property damage or personal injury.

Safe transportation and disposal of lithium-ion batteries is also crucial; avoid contact

with metal objects, such as keys, coins, screws or nails. To safely dispose of used lithiumion batteries, take them to a local recycling center or place in a receptacle specially designed for recycling batteries. Do not

place batteries in curbside trash or recycling bins. If the battery is damaged, contact the manufacturer for further instructions.

Honor safe practices from start to finish. Use the right tool for your job, and only use acces-

sories specifically recommended by the tool manufacturer. Accessories that are incorrectly sized or incompatible cannot be properly guarded or controlled, and accessories running faster than their rated speed can break and fly apart. Always make sure the accessory has come to a complete stop before putting the tool down and remove the battery from the tool before changing or adjusting the accessory or when cleaning the tool.

Properly store when not in use. To avoid accidental activation, unplug the cord and remove batteries when a tool is not being used. Also be sure to keep tools away from children and people unfamiliar with operating them.

Find more information on safe battery use at TakeChargeOfYourBattery.com, and visit PowerToolInstitute.com for additional power tool safety and operation tips.

Home Inspections Home Inspectionsof of Kansas Kansas Home or Nightmare?

DreamDream Home or Nightmare?

What is that smell?

What is that smell? be mold?

CouldCould it beitmold? and Mold Inspection Radon Radon and Mold Inspection

Know what you Know what you are buying, have are buying, have it inspected by by it inspected an experienced an experienced inspector. inspector.

620-342-5841 Jerry Marshall620-342-5841 Jerry Marshall Cell: 620-481-5501

Owner/Inspector

Owner/Inspector

Cell: 620-481-5501

Serving All Surrounding Counties Eric, Janice, Brian Office: 342-1917 421 Commercial, Emporia 620-342-1917 Fax: 620-342-6888 www.moontitle.com

JANUARY 2020

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JANUARY 2020

Buying Real Estate?

AMERICAN Real Estate Business Broker. Kansas State Teachers College double major graduate in Business Management and Economics. If you are looking to buy or sell a business, call me today for a confidential interview.

Let us help!

Large Double lot Partially Fenced Fresh Paint and New Carpet HVAC New in 2017 Refrigerator new in 2018 Roof less than 10 Years Old Extra Parking Space This is a nice home in a great neighborhood. It has been well taken care of and is a wonderful place to raise a family.

2902 Prairie St., Emporia, Kansas Square Feet: 2150 Bedrooms: 3 Plus 2 Bathrooms: 3

Rented for $700 Out of town owner. Looking for offer Square Feet: 2,000 plus Bedroom: 4 Bathroom: 2

• 15-, 20- & 30-Year Fixed Rates • Excellent In-house Financing • Low Secondary Market Rates

All brick home, 20 unit motel Out of State owner Will sell for Cash $ $60,000

301 7th St, Strong City Bedroom: 3

$425,000

1509 West Park Place

4 Bedroom 3.5 Bath 3800 Sq. Ft.

AMERICAN Real Estate

Let KB Thomas Jr.’s 54 years of experience work for you.

Member MLS 4% Real Estate Commission

KB Thomas Jr. - Broker 620-757-8469 • kbthomas.point2agent.com 815 Graham Street •Emporia • 620-342-9500

Judy Blaufuss Assistant VP

Eric Guenther Executive VP

620-341-7400 620-341-7420 www.mybankcnb.com

Carla Barnett President

Like us on 701 Merchant 1440 Industrial