2 Real Estate
04 6 16
3 Real Estate
04 6 16
4 Real Estate
04 6 16
Smart tips to go green Going “green” has increasingly moved from a trend to a global initiative. But the best place for individuals to start minimizing their impact on the environment is in spaces where they spend the most time. Here are some ways people are reducing their carbon footprints at home and work. Flooring For homeowners, there are many different types of green or eco-friendly flooring options today. For example engineered wood floors have a wood veneer, which uses far less material than solid hardwood floors. They’re also more dimensionally stable. Today’s modern laminate floor options are made from recycled wood fiber. There are many more ecofriendly options -- ranging from bamboo and cork to natural linoleum, sisal fiber area rugs, seagrass and coir mats (made from coconut husks) -- along with stones and tiles, carpeting and natural wood. These modern trends are offered by brands like Floor Coverings International, a mobile flooring franchise, which also offers greener options in traditional hardwoods. Their “Epic” option uses 50 percent less newly harvested wood than conventional flooring and is sourced from domestic forests. Epic (shorthand for Environmentally preferred, Peak performance, Installation advantages, Complete product offering) is certified at Cradle-to-Cradle Silver, eligible for LEED credits and meets GREENGUARD indoor air quality requirements.
More information can be found at www.FloorCoveringsInternational.com and www.Flooring-Franchise.com. Lighting The lighting industry is going green. GE recently announced that it will stop selling traditional lightbulbs by the end of 2016.
Residential LEDs -- especially ENERGY STAR rated products -- use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Widespread use of LED lighting has the greatest potential impact on energy savings in the United States. By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save us more than $30 billion at today's electricity prices. Luckily, pioneering companies like LED Source are actively retrofitting major chains and other businesses with LED lighting. As North America’s first franchisor of LED lighting, they are helping businesses go green and save money in the commercial, entertainment, and residential markets. More information can be found at www.ledsource.com. Shop Green A new green retail revolution is giving homeowners more earth-friendly choices. At the forefront of this movement are brands like SuperGreen Solutions, a franchised chain that offers a one-stop-shop for a range of energy efficient solutions for commercial and residential customers, as well as expert advice and guidance through in-home consultations on the best products for each customer. They also offer rebate advice, tax credit guidance, sales, installation and after-sales service. More information can be found at SuperGreenSolutionsFranchise.com. -StatePoint
Prepare your home for climate change 5 Climate change may have unintended consequences for your home. Certain natural disasters are becoming a more regular occurrence; and shifts in weather patterns could result in increased energy use. While you can’t singlehandedly stop global climate change, you can do your part to improve energy efficiency at home and prepare for natural disaster. Natural Disaster Tips • Remove unnecessary debris. Dispose of branches, dead trees or anything around the house that can be hazardous in high winds. • Board windows. Keep these supplies on hand. • Immediately following a disaster, it is smart to turn off all your utilities. Gas leaks and electrical fires are easily avoided if the power is shut off. • Have a home inspector or someone check the foundation of your home if you live in an ar-
ea prone to earthquakes. • Have an emergency plan. An emergency kit should contain a three day supply of bottled water, flashlight, first aid supplies, spare keys, cash, a change of clothing, sleeping bag and copies of important documents, as well as a form of ID. • Keep gutters clean so they can do their job of directing rainwater away from your home’s foundation and basement. • Raise electrical components such as sockets, wiring and circuits above anticipated flood levels to prevent damage to your electrical system and avoid potential short circuit fires. • The process of recovery from property damage can be complex. Consider streamlining the hassle by hiring one contractor who specializes in disaster recovery. For example, Paul Davis Restoration is one example of a one-stop-shop for disaster damage and restoration, with a team certified in emergency restoration, reconstruction and re-
modeling. More information can be found at www.PaulDavis.com. Energy Tips • Your thermostat accounts for almost half of a home’s energy bill. A programmable thermostat can help optimize heating and cooling. • Change air filters regularly. • Air seal and insulate your home. Reduce air leaks and stop drafts by using sealant, weather stripping, and insulation. • Check ductwork to ensure proper sealing. • Have heating and cooling equipment maintained annually by a licensed contractor. Home Inspection As the climate changes, more homes are experiencing negative wear and tear. This hastens the need for a home inspection at least every five to 10 years. “Home inspections are not just for people buying and selling homes,” says Dan Steward, president of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, a franchised compa-
Real Estate
04 6 16
ny. “Periodic inspections ensure everything is operating efficiently and there are no major structural weaknesses.” A home inspection by Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, for example, can save homeowners up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs and significantly enhance homes’ comfort with
comprehensive sealing and insulating measures. More information can be found at www.pillartopost.com. The effects of climate change are a reality homeowners will increasingly face in the coming years. Take steps to prepare your home and family. -StatePoint
6 Real Estate
04 6 16
Spring cleaning: Eliminate kitchen counter clutter Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and the everdaunting spring cleaning checklist is looming. As you take on tasks this year, make the kitchen a top priority. In addition to a little extra deep cleaning, it could be time to rethink its organization. With a few inspired solutions, counters can be freed from clutter, allowing more space for food preparation and cooking. Cast Off and Get Creative The easiest way to make room in the kitchen is to clean out excess. Go through dishes, pots, pans, appliances and utensils. Consider giving away anything you haven’t touched in the past year or simply don’t like. Find creative ways to clear the counter. Use a Lazy Susan to store supplies in hard-to-reach corners. Reimagine a cake stand as a shelf to elevate favorite spices, salt, pepper and olive oil, while leaving an area around the base for additional storage. Rethink nooks and crannies,
such as the top of the fridge, which could house a decorative display of cookbooks, bowls or baking canisters. Tops of kitchen cabinets can hold stainless steel or copper pots and pans, allowing for easy access when needed. Arrange by Use When choosing appliances to occupy prime countertop real estate, think about how often they are used. Everyday multitasking tools deserve a spot on the counter. Save space with versatile appliances like the Vitamix S55, a personal blender with four convenient pre-programmed settings that can prepare everything from smoothies and whole-food juices to soups, sauces, vinaigrettes, frozen desserts and more. Plus, because of its compact size, it leaves plenty of room for other kitchen tasks. You can also arrange serving ware according to how often it reaches the table. Store items such as holiday dishes and platters in the back of cabinets or
open shelving. Place everyday items like bowls and salad plates in easy-to-reach cabinets and drawers. Cooking utensils should be housed in a holder close to the stove. Work With Your Walls The usual kitchen organization employs drawers, cabinets, shelves and countertops. However, you can also work with your walls to make your kitchen more efficient. Apply hooks to
hang pot holders and aprons, ensuring they are a safe distance from the stove. Install a pot rack, which will make room in cabinets for appliances that are not used often -- just make sure your walls or ceiling are strong enough to support the extra weight. To squeeze extra space out of your kitchen, hang magnetic strips for items like knives and kitchen scissors, freeing up
drawers and removing the knife block from the counter. Spices can also be hung on the strips with the use of magnetic canisters. If you simply minimize what’s kept on countertops and reimagine everyday items, you can optimize the functionality of your kitchen, making it a more user- and guest-friendly destination. -StatePoint
Add your personal style to your home 7 You may feel locked into the style you inherited when you purchased your house. But you have more power than you think to transform your reality home into your dream home. To make a big style impact, consider these upgrades and projects: Stunning Curb Appeal Don’t settle for a drab or standard home exterior, particularly when it comes to your roof. A beautiful, colorful update will enhance your home’s exterior design and boost curb appeal. For long-term durability, consider a polymer slate or shake roofing product, like those from DaVinci Roofscapes, which are offered in 50 standard colors and a variety of striking color blends. However, picking the right exterior color scheme and style can be daunting without guidance, say experts. “Many homeowners are afraid to shake things up with color because they don’t want to make a mistake,” says Kate Smith, a color trend forecaster with Sensational Color. Luckily, free resources can provide guidance and tips on understanding your home’s exterior features and how to play off them with color accents. For example, Smith has written a free 36-page guide, “FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior.” The guide explores color options for seven different home styles and eases the process of choosing color palettes to complement your home exterior. To download the free guide, visit davinciroofscapes.com.
An Interior Oasis An ancient tub, a leaky toilet -- these are bathroom features to bid farewell to forever. Your bathroom should be more than just a functional space; it should be an oasis from busy, stressful days. Whether you are looking for customary bathroom el-
ements or a spa-like whirlpool system, seek out a collection, rather than a la carte replacements, to achieve a coordinated look. For example, the Affordable Style Designer Series suites from Mansfield Plumbing, come in a variety of unified traditional and modern designs. If you want a bit more from your bathroom, consider new products, such as the MicroDerm Therapeutic Bath, which silently infuses millions of oxygen-rich microbubbles into bathwater to relax, clean and exfoliate skin. A Touch of Elegance Give your interior spaces privacy and elegance by rethinking windows. In key rooms, consider replacing standard windows with privacy windows. Decorative glass windows add character to a space because they become the view. They serve as their own artwork for the room with the added benefit of providing privacy in the home. Those from Hy-Lite include square, geometric and oval shaped windows in both fixed and operable styles and in various sizes, so they can be used as a focal point in a room or to create a striking accent wall of windows. Create an eye-catching space in the kitchen with acrylic block windows, or complement your home’s architectural style with one of the fashionable silk-screened windows featured in their Home Designer Collection. If you’re unsatisfied with your house, consider making key upgrades and replacements that will add elegance, beauty and a touch of your own personality. -StatePoint
Real Estate
04 6 16
8 Real Estate
04 6 16
Pet owners: Tips to keep floors in tip-top shape Whether you share your home with dogs, cats, birds, turtles or anything in between, you are probably aware of the challenges of protecting and cleaning your floors. To make this chore as easy for you as it is for your non-pet parent peers, consider the following tips: Pets in Boots Outfitting pets with boots before going outside will protect their paws from pollutants, hot and cold surfaces, and potentially sharp items on the ground. It will also keep their feet and your floors cleaner. There are many brands and styles available, so shop around for a design that your pets will enjoy wearing. Post-Walk Clean-Up After walks or other trips outdoors, check your pet’s fur and feet. Keep a cloth by the door for a quick clean-up before animals settle in and get cozy on carpets. This will make maintaining floors easier as you go.
Prevent Accidents Prevent pooch accidents by getting your dog on a regular walk schedule. The knowledge that the next trip outdoors is on the horizon will make pets less likely to use the living room carpet as a toilet. If need be, you may want to consider employing a day-time dog walker to make trips outdoors a more regular occurrence. If you have litter box is-
sues, keep the box clean to encourage dedicated use. Regular visits to the veterinarian can help ensure there are no health issues at play. Choose Flooring Wisely Until now, even the best prevention of stains and accidents has offered no guarantees. And shedding of fur, feathers and dander is hard to avoid. However, innovations in flooring are making it easier on those who
love their pets but are not interested in forfeiting a clean, stainfree and odor-free home. Give yourself an advantage with a pet proof carpet, such as Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet, which is designed to resist the challenges pets present. Compared to nylon carpet which absorbs up to five percent of its weight in liquid, this alternative has zero percent moisture absorption to resist stains and
eliminate any residue that can be left in the fiber which can lead to a musty, dingy odor. (These features will also benefit those with kids.) It also offers a permanent spill and soil shield that makes cleanup of hair, soil and dander three times easier than with conventional carpeting. Protect Floors Financially Consider a pet-specific warranty for carpeting to better protect your investment. For example, Mohawk offers an All Pet Protection and Warranty on its SmartStrand Forever Clean carpeting, which is the only warranty of its kind that covers all pets and all accidents. More information can be found at mohawkflooring.com. Pet owners need not forgo a clean and great-smelling home. There are many smart ways to limit stains, prevent accidents and make clean-up easier when incidents occur. -StatePoint
9 Real Estate
04 6 16
10 Real Estate
04 6 16
What to know before renovating or building a home
11 Real Estate
04 6 16
Building a home or making upgrades? One of the most important factors to consider is the material used. While “all-natural” may be an appealing quality on your plate, in construction, man-made products often provide more options and value. Seek out materials offering durability, energy-efficiency and resistance to threats like fire and wicked weather. Many such high-quality products are domestic, so you can support US manufacturing while making key choices. Boost home beauty, strength and efficiency with these projects: Solid Foundation Start a new home with a solid pre-cast concrete foundation. Those from Superior Walls are customized for individual homes and installed in one day -- far faster than alternatives like poured concrete. Rigid foam insulation in these concrete panels wards off heat loss and creates a barrier against sidewall water pen-
etration. These features make the basement dampfree and a more comfortable area for extended living space in the home. Plucky Plumbing Perhaps your toilet rattles and leaks; maybe your tub and sink look dingy no matter how much you clean them. If it's time to replace bathroom elements, use newer materials offering water efficiency, style and safety benefits. Look for a toilet marked with the WaterSense label, which indicates it’s been certified to be at least 20 percent more efficient without sacrificing performance. The free Water Savings Calculator at the Mansfield Plumbing website can help you determine your return-on-investment. For a coordinated look, consider a suite of products that work together, like the Affordable Style Designer series from Mansfield Plumbing. You get a toilet, tub and sink, all in the same style.
Switching to an easy-access SmartHeight toilet can be another smart move. Options in the bathroom like grab bars, walk-in tubs and pedestal sinks, all provide enhanced safety and comfort. Gorgeous Windows Over time, windows can look old and become difficult to operate. Make wise replacement choices that add beauty and privacy to key areas of your home without compromising light entry. Whether it's an acrylic block window over a bathtub or a set of decorative glass windows in the kitchen, privacy windows are a great accent for any room. Those from Hy-Lite are offered in a variety of styles, sizes and enhancements. Operable awning, casement, slide and single hung units can easily be opened to encourage airflow. Their Home Designer Collection features nods to architectural styles like Metro, Mission, Prairie and Baroque to complement any home.
The Roof Your roof is your protective layer, between the elements and you. Ideally it should be impact- and fire-resistant, as well as beautiful. Natural slate and shake roofing materials evoke traditional charm; however they tend to degrade over time. Look for the manmade alternative. Polymer slate and shake roofing tiles capture the authentic look of natural materials but are more resistant to chipping, flaking and splintering. For example, DaVinci Roofscapes offers an impressive array of more than 50 colors and blends for an enhanced look, plus they resist fire and severe weather. Their roofs also come with a lifetime limited warranty, saving you big on repairs, inspection and maintenance down the line. To be a savvy homeowner, don’t leave it to chance. Select durable, high-quality man-made products. -StatePoint
12 Real Estate
04 6 16