WNCHomeowners.com Spring/Summer 2016
ning Green clea me! fo r yo u r h o
C l e a n i n g
Get aFREE cleaning estimate – See inside! LOOK INSIDE FOR
Cabinets • Countertops • Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Landscaping • Pools • Home Furnishings • Home Security …and MORE!
The THREE
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
needed for every successful cabinet project:
Excellent Design Quality Workmanship Expert Installtion www.packardcabinetry.com | 432 N Church Street | Hendersonville, NC | 828.393.3082
Whether you are a buyer, seller, or long term homeowner, WNC Homeowners Resource Guide is the one-stop guide for all things home. The guide offers a comprehensive listing of local WNC service providers ready to help make your home its very best. Connect with local home furnishings and service providers online at www.WNCHomeowners.com
For home improvement tips and more Information, like our Facebook page:
Facebook.com/WNChomeowners
P.O. Box 6751 • Hendersonville, NC 28793
For WNC Homeowners Resource Guide advertising inquiries please contact: Brett Hulsey Publisher
Katie Holbert
Business Development
828.290.7812 Brett@hulseymedia.com
828.808.3659 Katie@hulseymedia.com
Joanie Fischer
Tracy Townshend
828.393.9118 Joanie@hulseymedia.com
828.329.2353 Tracy@hulseymedia.com
Business Development
Business Development
Got Power?
What happens when you don’t?
Generator Sales & Service Electrical Contracting
Let Stuller Power Solutions give you a free quote on a dependable Automatic Standby Generator
StullerPowerSolutions.com (828) 698-9589
Your Lawn Care To-Do List
Every great kitchen starts with great design. Whether you favor clean, contemporary lines or err on the side of traditional, trends today draw inspiration from global sources, incorporating cultural influences from around the world while balancing the practical needs of families. To add worldly flair to your kitchen, start by:
Taking the time to care for your lawn will offer a huge pay off in the long run. Efficient lawn care and lush landscaping helps to increase the overall value of your home. You’ll be glad you did when selling time comes around!
1. Fertilizing Providing nutrients to your lawn is good for strengthening roots and increasing the nutrients stored no matter what time of year. It is a good rule of thumb to apply fertilizer about 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes so plants can start to take up some of the nutrients. While the top growth of grass stops, grass plants are storing nutrients and energy for the next season.
2. Aerating Aerating is the process of removing plugs of soil and thatch from the lawn. It encourages deep rooting, improves water and nutrient penetration, and promotes growth of beneficial soil microorganisms.
3. Mulching If you prefer not to rake or bag grass or leaves, mulching with a mower is an ideal alternative. Be sure to mulch leaves only when they are dry to avoid damp and wet leaves clumping or building up under mower decks.
4. Composting Creating a compost pile allows you to turn organic material into rich soil. Create a compost pile with decaying yard matter, such as vegetables, grass clippings and leaves, which can provide nutrientrich soil for spring planting. For best results, alternate layers of “brown,” or high carbon materials, with grass clippings.
Taking these steps will prepare your lawn for selling season. You’ll have the best curb appeal on the block! This landscaping tip brought to you by:
Greenest Grass
828-367-9003 GreenestGrassInc.com GreenestGrassAVL@gmail.com
P R O U D LY S E R V I N G :
Asheville, Arden, Fairview, Fletcher, Biltmore Forest, Biltmore Park, Skyland, and Henderson County communities.
Understanding Home Warranty Vs. Home Insurance The home buying process can be an overwhelming one. At the end of the day, the right thing to do is to protect what is most likely your biggest investment. This is where home insurance and home warranties come in. These two items accomplish similar goals, but in varied ways.
HOME WARRANTY DEFINED
A home warranty is something that either is or isn’t included in the purchase of your home. Often times, these warranties cover the major systems of the home such as plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. They also cover major appliances like the oven, stove, exhaust fans, garbage disposal, and refrigerator, if one is included. These are all things that aren’t typically covered in a normal home insurance policy, thus the appeal to buyers.
BENEFITS
The warranty, often paid for by the seller, may benefit both seller and buyer. The seller may be able to quicken the sell of a home by offering a “guarantee” of sorts that the major systems in the home will continue to work or will be repaired if they fail. This potentially protects the seller from any legal action that could happen if a system malfunctions, especially within the first few months after purchase. For the buyer, the warranty offers peace of mind, especially if the appliances and major systems of the home are older and no longer covered under manufacturer warranties.
DOWNSIDES TO A WARRANTY
The biggest downfall of a home warranty is that the buyer will be required to use the contractor that the warranty company has hired. This means that the buyer cannot shop around for high quality work or check out reviews. The repair person fixing something as major as the plumbing of the home is someone selected by a company instead of you. There is also a service fee associated with each and every warranty visit.
HOME INSURANCE DEFINED
In times of catastrophe, homeowner’s insurance is the key to getting your home life back on track. Home insurance is often required by mortgage lenders before the home buying process is even completed. Differing from a home warranty, home insurance is a policy, paid for monthly by the buyer, that protects the home and some of the possessions within the home.
WHAT IT COVERS
Insurance protects your investment in a way that a warranty doesn’t: it provides the funds needed to replace and rebuild your entire house and some of the things within it if the need ever arises. Normally items like jewelry or computers aren’t covered; purchase separate insurance for these if need be. Many times a basic insurance package, referred to as an HO-2 policy, includes protection against fire, vandalism, theft, tornadoes, windstorm, hail, damage caused by vehicles or aircrafts, smoke, volcanic eruptions, weight of ice or snow, and freezing pipes. Flood protection does not come included and must be purchased separately, especially in a flood zone. Besides the house itself, fences and storage buildings are also under the coverage, as well as medical expenses in case someone is injured on your property. When it comes to home warranties and home insurance, both are good ideas, but only one is required. Don't let the lack of a home warranty hold you back from a house you love, as long as a good home inspection has been conducted by a trusted inspector. We hope this helps in your basic understanding of the difference between home insurance and home warranties...and may you never need to use either one.
source: insure.com, homeguides.sfgate.com, bankrate.com
want a big hole in your wallet, it’s crucial that you inspect the outdoor unit’s fan belts on a regular basis and replace or re-adjust them as often as necessary.
4. Indoor Ductwork Upkeep
Since your home’s ductwork is located inside the walls and ceiling away from plain view, we highly encourage you to hire a professional instead of tackling indoor duct cleaning all on your own. You can, however, keep the ducts dry by removing registers and wiping whichever part of the duct is visible, and inspect for any water damage. Ductwork should always be kept clean and dry because once moisture accumulates, water damage or mold and fungus growth can occur. If you ever find yourself in that type of predicament, call a professional right way. Do not try to repair the issue on your own!
5. Schedule Seasonal A/C Tune-Up
Before summer is in full swing, we encourage you to get everything checked out by a professional to ensure your A/C is in complete working order. By maintaining, upgrading or repairing your air conditioning system by an expert, you’ll prevent larger issues from developing down the road.
Source: Centralhtg.com; Popular Mechanics
Getting Your A/C Ready for Summer Having an air conditioning unit that’s running at peak efficiency can decrease energy costs by as much as 20 percent. However, if the unit is not properly maintained, your bills and runtimes will likely skyrocket. By taking the proper precautions during the months leading up to summer, you’ll lower your energy bills and turn your house into a more comfortable home environment with healthier surroundings. In preparation for the summer heat, follow these simple steps to ensure the A/C is completely functional and efficient.
1. Change the Filters
At least once a month, be sure to check the air filters in your home and change or clean them as needed. Whether your A/C model comes with a disposable filter or not, it’s very important that you make this cleaning part of your routine on a monthly basis.
2. Check & Clean the Outdoor Unit
Also known as a condenser, your home’s outdoor unit should be wellmaintained and checked for debris regularly. Before cleaning, though, always remember to turn off the thermostat. Then, gently clean the coil from the fins using a brush or clean cloth. Do this with as little force as possible so the fins are not bent. Taking these precautions will prevent plant growth, debris, or grass clippings from clogging and damaging your unit. After everything is said and done, you’ll end up with significantly reduced resistance within the outdoor unit.
3. Maintain Outdoor Unit’s Fan Belts
Within your outdoor air conditioning unit, you’ll find important pieces of hardware that are responsible for ensuring that your A/C runs efficiently - fan belts. These fan belts play a large role in lowering your energy bills, and are easily found at your local home improvement store. Unless you
3 Rooms to Redo This Spring
Spring is the season of new beginnings, so is it any wonder that many Americans think about home improvement and brightening their decor when the weather warms? Simple updates to these three rooms can bring the cheerful perspective from the outside indoors and revive any room in time for warmer weather.
1. Make Your Bathroom Bloom Relaxed modernity is ideal for a bathroom, and a serene palette is a great way to create this calming oasis. Use the beach as your muse; pastels such as light blue and eggshell white will create an oceanfront vibe no matter where you live. To bring the coastal feel to the forefront, you can easily add waves to your walls with pre-cut rippled painter’s tape. Continue the theme of waves on your bathroom walls, accessories or even the shower curtain. The finishing touches tie any room together, and the bathroom is no exception. The right accent rug and towels will transform the look of your bath with minimal effort and deliver maximum style. Updating your decorative accents will complement your new spring color scheme, and leave the space feeling refreshed season after season.
2. Spring-Ready Sleeping Chambers Light hues are a great go-to for spring home decorating; utilize one of the hottest trends with a white-themed bedroom. Not only is white timeless and versatile, but it allows an array of interior design options. Add crisp white curtains to your windows to
brighten the room, and for a chic addition, add a delicate white canopy to soften the atmosphere even more. For a hint of color, add in shades of muted teals on accessories throughout the room. If your spring style calls for more color, add vibrant bursts throughout your bedroom. As the bed is the focal point of the master bedroom, make it the center of your attention as well. Fresh fabrics and linens are essential for spring, so opt for a delicate coverlet in your favorite pattern. Also, incorporate decorative vases filled with fresh flowers throughout the space, allowing the fragrance of spring to accompany your fresh decor.
3. Spring-Spruce the Living Room To kick off spring with color and character, add an assortment of patterned throw pillows to your living room. Mix and match fabrics and patterns – geometrics, florals and stripes pair well together. It will give your living area visual texture and is the perfect way to perk up this room for the season. If you’re not in the mood for a complete room redo, use your existing color palette as inspiration; simply add in complementary shades to create a modern and harmonious look.
Looking to turn heads with a simple spring update? Reposition your furniture. First, determine the main furniture piece in the room, and place it in a position that serves as the focal point. Next, rearrange your other furnishings, photos and artwork for a whole new look without spending a dime. Be sure to keep items from blocking any natural light - a well-lit room is great for any time of year, especially spring. Source: FrogTape.com; RisMedia
y our ne w bath r o o m awai t s …
1027 Spartanburg Highway • Hendersonville, NC
Bold is‌
colorful & confident
Hajoca Hendersonville the region’s premier kitchen, bath & decorative hardware showroom
8 2 8 . 6 9 7 . 8 2 7 9 | w w w. h a j o c a h e n d e r s o n v i l l e . c o m
Better Products • Better Service Better Value
Work with the experts at Blue Waters Pool & Spas for all of your swimming pool & hot tub service and sales needs. Whether its maintenance, repairs, or a totally new system, we provide you with the best solution. Call 828.894.0299 to schedule your appointment!
Hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm Sat: 9am - 2pm Call for After Hours Appointment
www.bluewatersinthecarolinas.com 155 West Mills Street • Unit 111 • Columbus, NC 28722
The Best Spring Flowers for Your Garden
With the spring season right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your garden to showcase the perfect pallet of colorful flowers. To help you through this planning process, here are our top picks for spring flowers to spruce up your home’s yard and increase overall curb appeal.
Choose a Color Scheme Monochromatic Colors
Complementary Colors
The easiest solution would be to create a monochromatic color scheme, which means choosing flowers with all different shades of one color. If one color sounds too boring for your taste, try mixing colors.
Using this color scheme in your garden can add a “pop” to your flowerbed. They are the colors across from each other on the color wheel.
Analogous Colors
Drawing an equilateral triangle creates the color triad, which connects 3 colors in the color wheel.
Color Triad
For a simple color-mixing method, you can use analogous colors. You’ll find them next to each other on the color wheel. These colors tend to blend together very well.
Pick a flower, any flower. The types of flowers that you plant hold just as much importance as the color scheme. Here are our favorite flowers to plant in early spring:
Witch Hazel Add a flair of yellow to your spring garden by using these snazzy shrubs.
Daffodil
Forsythia
Anemone
Scilla
Early springs welcomes all daffodils! This is especially true for small cultivars such as Tete-a-Tete.
This is a beautiful bright yellow shrub that is a great addition to any garden!
Use this blanda species to enhance curb appeal with pale blue and white starry blossoms.
After planting this small bulb, you’ll be wonderfully pleased by its springtime blossoms in blue and purple.
Happy Gardening!!
Source: ProvenWinners.com; Garden.LovetoKnow.com
1. Cool efficiently.
When it comes to home energy bills, heating and cooling accounts for as much as half of the average home’s utility costs, according to energy.gov. Get ready for the hottest days of summer by tuning up your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system so it’s operating efficiently. Change your HVAC filters regularly. In addition, if your cooling system is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with one that has a Seasonal Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 20.00 for better savings.
2. Programmable temperature controls.
A programmable HVAC control can reduce energy consumption by up to 15 percent, when compared to traditional nonprogrammable thermostats. Today’s HVAC control systems now monitor indoor and outdoor temperatures, plus home energy use over time, to help you manage energy and comfort even further.
3. Water conservation.
Remember, water isn’t free. Indoors, lower water bills by installing low-flow water fixtures including toilets, shower heads and faucets. Outdoors, add a water-saving spigot for the garden hose. To avoid water evaporation, water your plants early or late in the day, and when your green lawn starts to grow, don’t mow too low. If you have lawn sprinklers, double check that they are set to water grass and shrubbery instead of the driveway or sidewalk. Rather than hose down your deck to clean it, save water by sweeping instead.
4. Earth-friendly Lighting.
About 10 percent of the energy your home uses goes to lighting costs. By just replacing five of your home’s most frequently used lights with energy efficient ENERGY STAR bulbs, you could save $75 a year in energy costs. Compared with traditional incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescents can yield as much as 75 percent energy savings and last six times longer. Switch to LEDs to save even more energy and wasted heat.
5. Use the Right Appliances.
Did you know that appliances account for about 13 percent of your home’s energy costs? In fact, you’ll find refrigeration, cooking, and laundry at the very top of the list. According to energy.gov, you can easily figure out whether an appliance is energyefficient by looking at the bright yellow and black EnergyGuide label, which the federal government requires most appliances to display. This will show you the annual energy consumption and operating cost for each appliance. That way, you can compare appliances yourself to decide what’s best for your home. By taking these steps, you can help make the world a little greener, keep your home a little greener, and save even more green where it really hits home – in your wallet.
Happy Earth Day! Source: RISMedia; energy.gov
Five Ways to Give Your Home an Earth Day Detox
Spring is the perfect time to think green. For some it’s spurred by the coming of Earth Day, others the renewed greening of our lawns. In addition, many are motivated by the desire to save a little green in their wallets with a fresh new season of home repairs. If you’re one of these people, you can help save some green for the planet, as well as your hard-earned cash, by making energy efficient upgrades throughout your home. The first Earth Day was held March 22, 1970, as declared by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. As a nation, much has been accomplished with the environmental movement, yet there are also easy things you can do at home to “go green” and save money at the same time. Follow these tips to give your home an Earth Day detox!
LAST MINUTE PREPARATIONS FOR TAX DAY Tax Day is closing in, which means there’s no more putting off the inevitable. This year, don’t be like the 20 to 25 percent of Americans who procrastinate with preparing their taxes until only two weeks before the deadline, April 15th. When many people see their tax bills, they will be wondering what they can do to pay less next year or even get a nicely sized return on their taxes. Here are some useful guidelines to follow so you don’t fall behind in your tax preparation this year.
Don’t procrastinate. Waiting until the last minute causes undue stress, and rushing increases the potential for typos and overlooked information. While you can do your taxes in one fell swoop, it’s unnecessary. Online tax programs save as you go, so you can stop and finish at your leisure.
Compare tax products before using them. Read expert and user reviews. Look at the situations and tax forms each includes, as some require you to upgrade for certain forms. If you have to file a state return, compare prices. Using a mobile filing app? Choose one that also provides access to your data on a browser for convenience and peace of mind in case you lose your smartphone or tablet.
Gather all forms and documents. Before starting your return, compile all tax forms and documents, including: Form W-2 from your employer (Received by January 31) Form 1099 if you’re self-employed or a contractor Form 1098-E from your lender if you’ve paid student loan interest (Even if you don’t receive this form, you can still deduct interest paid.) Form 1098-T for tuition paid and scholarships or grants received Statements for retirement savings accounts Receipts for charitable donations
After filing, keep these papers or make electronic copies to save with a copy of your return.
Source: RISMedia; International Business Times
The Psychology Behind Paint Colors
You look around your home and decide you need a refreshing change. Painting any room in the home is a sure fire way to make it feel new and clean! Before you run to the hardware store and grab the first color that tickles your fancy, put some thought into the color - and some emotion, too. As a matter of fact, proponents of what is referred to as “color psychology” believe that the color of a room in the home is more than just a way to tie in the throw pillows. It’s a matter of emotional well-being. So what’s the right hue for you?
Consider the Room’s Purpose The intended function of a room is a heavy deciding factor on which colors to use. Ask yourself, “What mood do we want this color to set?” Rooms such as an industrious kitchen, well-treaded dining room, or a bustling living room could go in a direction of colors that are thought to draw out conversation, appetites, and energy. According What mood do to WebMD.com, the we want this color color red seems to to set? stimulate appetite and may be a good choice for a dining room or kitchen, as is yellow. Also, earth tones such as brown or tan stimulate social gatherings because they are warm and inviting, and a great choice for a living room. Then there’s the flip side of stimulation – relaxation.
Don’t Leave Out Lighting Lighting can have a great effect on how the hue is perceived once it’s on the wall. We see several different types of lighting in a house, ranging from fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen bulbs, to natural sunlight. Depending on the color that the light emits, the paint will either absorb or reflect the light in different ways, thus varying the paint’s shade to the human eye. A color can vary greatly in appearance in two different rooms that receive two different types of light. For this reason, it is suggested to observe the sun’s pattern and take notes before
making a decision. For example, if the sunlight flows from the north, this will be a cooler tone of natural light in a room. On the other hand, if the sunlight flows into a room from the west, you could end up with an overwhelming warm tone if you’ve painted your wall red or orange.
Personal Style Matters If color psychology isn’t your cup of tea, Try to pick a color then stick with what’s that pulls out favorite pleasing to your eye. designs in your rugs Take your current decor or wall decor. into consideration. Try to pick a color that pulls out favorite designs in your rugs or wall decor. If you grew up with fond memories in a home with specific colors, then stick with those same colors in your home. Your experience with a color can also have an effect on your mood, so do what pleases your paint palette. Sponsored by:
Complete Residential & Commercial Painting Company
James Hickman
Owner • Licensed-Insured
(828) 226-5778
rcijhickman@att.net SOURCE: WebMD.com WEBSITE: www.Sherwin-Williams.com
“Choice Of The Professionals”
Licensed landscape & irrigation contractor Consulting • Landscaping • Installation OPEN ALL YEAR! Visit us for Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, and Pottery!
— Family Owned for 23 Years —
13 2 0 K a n u g a R o a d • H e n d e r s o n v i l l e , N C
828.696.8000 . www.raymondsgc.com
Who’s watching your home?
you can’t be home all the time. our security systems will give you peace of mind while you’re away! SYSTEMS FOR: Burglary • Fire • Carbon Monoxide Video Surveillance • Keyless Entry 24 Hr Monitoring (Cellular/Internet) Home Automation Systems
Authorized Security Dealer
ASHEVILLE • HENDERSONVILLE • FRANKLIN
828.253.1235 • 828.693.7136 • 828.524.2268 EMAIL: INFO@SOUTHERNALARM.COM F O R A C O M P L E T E A R R AY O F S E R V I C E S V I S I T :
www.southernalarm.com