Norman Homes July 27

July 27, 2013

L is t in g s o n p a g e 3

see page 2

Saturday, July 27, 2013

NORTHWEST

3801 WARRINGTON

B-2

OPEN SUNDAY 2-4PM

212 PECAN VALLEY

E-3

OPEN SAT& SUN 12-5

3

SOUTHWEST

2510 ACACIA COURT

D-7

OPEN SUN 2-4

(From West Tecumseh Rd & NW 36th, go North to Carrington Lane, West 2 blocks to Warrington Way, go North to property.)

(From Tecumseh Rd. and Porter go south to Highland Village entrance. West to Tara, Right to Marbel, and south to Pecan Valley.)

(Take Lindsey to Berry, Berry to South Magnolia, Turn Right on Acacia Ct. House at the end of the block.)

GREAT FIND IN NW Norman-very open floorplan, 2nd living area would make great study. Formal dining & breakfast area, very versatile floorplan. Ideal built home-energy efficient. Separate utility room with sink. Tandem 3 car garage. Hostess: Sam Britt

QUALITY CONSTRUCTION BY Skyridge Homes. Beautiful 5 bedroom home with lots of extras, including granite, gas cook-top, hardwood floor, built-in shelving, sprinkler system and more. $275,000. Call Mahnaz @ 979-7462. #262128

Kerr Team www.WallyKerr.com 4600 FOUNTAIN VIEW RD. B-3

Don Cies Real Estate, Inc.

GREAT HOUSE FOR A FAMILY OR INVESTOR. Four bedroom/two bath plus half bath. Located on cul-de-sac close to OU. Two living rooms, on could be bonus/game room. Lots of storage, & laminated wood floors. Patio enclosed with windows & air unit, deck in the back. Lot is lanscaped nicely & yard has sprinkler system in front/back.

(Well water). Hostess: Alaina Legendre

321-8326 OPEN SUNDAY 1-4

www.DonCies.com

329-0256

DIllard Group Real Estate 601 NIGHT HAWK DRIVE

(Exit I-35 West on Tecumseh. Proceed West to NW 48th Ave. Turn left. Proceed South to Fountain View Addition on Left. Home on right side of Fountain View Drive.)

CANTERRA SIGNATURE HOMES has created a magnificent 3374 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, bonus room with built ins, and media room that will surely meet all your needs. Formal Dining, Butler’s Pantry, Eat In island, with open living and kitchen are perfect for comfortable every day life or entertaining. Unique granite and custom paint finishes through out. Spray foam insulation, post tension slab, hardwood, tile, carpet, Fisher & Paykel DCS Appliances. This home has it all! $556,000. Host: Zan Waldenville or Lisa Talley 405.626.1884

The Learia Group 4704 FOXBOROUGH

www.leariagroup.com B-4

701-8881 OPEN SUNDAY 2-4

(I-35 and Robinson west to Manor Hill, south then west to Litchfield, south to Foxborough, west to home.)

WONDERFUL BROOKHAVEN HOME on quiet street. Open and split floor plan, ganite counters, stainless steel appliances, 4 living areas (big bonus room upstairs) large patio and lots of privacy. Easy to show and move in ready. $479,000. Call Mark McCurdy @410-7711. #265630

Don Cies Real Estate, Inc. 3000 LOCHINVER

www.DonCies.com 329-0256 E-3 OPEN SAT. & SUN. 12-6

WESTPOINT HOMES’ SHOWCASE HOME IS A MUST SEE! As your walk thru this open design and see the colors you will have a warm, at home feel. This 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath home has special features such as a study with beautiful bookshelves and wood flooring, a mudroom, decorative tile work and so much more.

WESTPOINT HOMES 3001 LOCHINVER

westpoint-homes.com 366-0000 E-3 OPEN JUNE 8-16 1-7PM

(North on Porter Ave, past Rock Creek Road, turn left into Highland Village, then go right onto Lochinver.)

THIS SHOWCASE HOME has the best in quality, detail and value for your new home.

It features 3 beds, study or 4th bed, dining with open chef style kitchen, granite counters, real Oak hard wood floors throughout main Muirfield Homes can do for your family. Host: Scott Williams

Muirfield Homes

swilliams@muirfieldhomes.net

760-1330

(East on HWY 9 to SE 12th, south to Barbary, west to Goshawk, south to Night Hawk, and west to home.)

NORTHEAST

302 SEQUOYAH

F-3

OPEN SUNDAY 2-4

(Robinson and porter north to Rock Creek, right on Rock Creek to Sequoyah, property on the south side.)

NEED SPACE? THIS home has it, 2035 sqft with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. You will love the updates including stainless steal appliances. Must come see this charming home drop in today! $144,900. Hostess: Sarah Neal

Metro Brokers Connect Realty www.connectrealtyok.net 206-2112 1500 FAWN RUN CROSSING G-3 OPEN SUN-MON 1-5, TUES-SAT 11-5 (From Rock Creek Road and 12th Ave NE, go east to Queenston. Turn left - Show home islocate on the SE corner of Queenston and Fawn Run Crossing.)

YOU’LL LOVE THE pond, walking trails and playground with basketball court. Full brick NEW HOMES in NE Norman. Deerfield Addition. Amenities include Energy Star, Whirlpool Appliances, Ceramic Tile, Builder also pays Closing Costs (restrictions apply).

Starting in the $130’s. Hostess: Peggy Darr

DILLARD GROUP 2321 ALEX PLAZA

www.peggydarr.com 642-0549 G-5 OPEN SUNDAY 2-4

(Alameda and 24th ave SE, go North to Alex Plaza, west to property on north)

WONDERFUL OPEN FLOOR plan. Two dining areas, and large kitchen with lots of cabinets and counter space. Wood deck in back with 650 gallon Gulf Coast Spa/Hot tub. Metal Storage Building 7’6” x 8”6” x 7 ft high. Great home, everything clean and ready! $154,900. Hostess: Carol Sasnett

Metro Brokers Connect Realty 1627 VILLAGE DRIVE

www.connectrealtyok.net 826-9766 G-6 OPEN SUNDAY 2-4

(Take Boyd Street East past 12 Ave SE, North on Shiloh, West on Village Drive.)

ONLY 2 MILES East of Campus... this house is cute, cute, cute! Very well cared fro with lots of updates including countertops and backsplash in kitchen and bathrooms, designer colors, and a new roof and gutters in 2011! Great layout and use of space plus a two car garage and a beautiful treed backyard. Don’t miss seeing this adorable move-in ready home! Fridge stays, washer/dryer negotiable. $99,500. Call Jill Halloran@625-3551. #265316

Don Cies Real Estate, Inc.

www.DonCies.com

alainalegendre@gmail.com 655-2501 F-8 OPEN SUN 2-4

329-0256

THIS HOME IS absolutely beautiful, exquisitely maintained, and updated with all the best. Upgraded carpet, tile, and beautiful Anderson wood flooring. Master bath remodeled in 2012 with Jetta whirlpool tub, Delta fixtures, and custom Bali blinds.

50-gallon water heater (2009), cedar-lined cabinets with walk-in closets, updated light fixtures. Super kitchen with Kenmore appliances including a 5-burner gas range with convention oven and warming drawer. Wonderful oak woodwork throughout. Location convenient to I-35 and OU in a quiet neighborhood near the bird sanctuary. This home is well-designed, spacious, and ready for you to move in. Check out the photos at dillardgroupok.com; then come by and take a look for yourself! Host: Kelly Philip

Dillard Group dillardgroupok.com 3924 PRESIDIO DRIVE F-9

818-8409 OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4

(Take Highway 9 east to 12th Ave. SE, turn right on 12th Ave., then turn left on Skyler Way and then take first right off of Skyler Way which is Presidio Drive.)

BEAUTIFUL NEW 1775 square foot home with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Quality built by certified home builder Tony Foust of Da Vinci Homes. Home has beautiful entry and has many custom features including stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, crown molding, walk-in pantry, master bedroom retreat, and security system.

Very energy efficient. A home you must see! Hostess: Claudia

Da Vinci Homes

davincihomesok.com

SOUTHEAST

2909 LINE DRIVE

H-5

OPEN SUNDAY 2-4

(Alameda east past 24th Ave SE to Lochwood to Devonshire, right on Devonshire to Line Drive.)

BETTER THAN NEW home in Royal Oaks right down the street from the park. The master suite offers a large closet, garden tub and double sinks. With a split bedroom plan, new paint and carpet, nice kitchen with pantry and washer/dryer and refrigerator included it is a must see! $152,900. Call Denise Sarabia @ 314-2550. #265597

Don Cies Real Estate, Inc.

www.DonCies.com

Open House listings online @ normantranscript.com

329-0256

4

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Selling your home in a digital era Bby Phoebe Chongchua RealtyTimes.com

A new study says that photos can increase "the perceived value" of your home by about 13 percent. Another statistic shows that approximately 21 percent of buyers view videos of homes for sale on online.

If all of this sounds like the house-hunting process has changed, you're exactly correct.

Homes can be searched for from anywhere in the world. You can share your favorite home photos and videos using social media websites like Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and a variety of cloud-based software and mobile apps.

Buyers no longer have to carry around dozens of flyers, business cards, and brochures. They still can, and do collect them but the digital era is changing how much emphasis sellers place on various marketing strategies.

With this in mind, combining and using new and old techniques will help you gain exposure and

increase foot-traffic to your home.

The open house. An open house can now be a virtual open house with a 360panoramic view captured in a video but that won't replace the traditional open house. As much as I am a fan of using videos to sell homes, you still have to have open houses to allow potential buyers to come in and spend some time in your home. That's when you have some baked cookies with the pleasant aroma wafting throughout the house. Your print flyers and agent's business cards should also be available.

However, you can also have a video of your home tour playing on your flat screen TV. If you have had a professional video shot of your home, let it play in the background on one of your TVs. The way buyers see a home in person and view it on TV, is a completely different experience. Showcasing your video on a large TV, shows you, the homeowner, really placed value on marketing and highlighting your home's best features. Also,

sometimes buyers will miss something.

If they catch a glimpse of the TV with, for instance, a really cool kitchen upgrade being showcased, they'll go back and take an in-person look.

Print materials. Just because we're in a digital era doesn't mean we need to throw out all the old strategies. Some buyers really like to hold a hardcopy of a flyer that's showing the listing for sale. It's akin to some people

still wanting to hold newspapers or books in their hands rather than read the news on an electronic device.

So have your highquality printed materials available at your open house and while the home is open for showings. But make sure they have a few items on them that are relevant to the new digital era.

Make sure they have a QR code. This is a code that looks similar to the ones (con’t. on page 6)

5

normantranscript.com

6

Digital (con’t. from page 5)

you see on products at the grocery store.

These codes can be scanned using a mobile device that has a (free) QR Reader installed. The code can open to a specific website that has more information about your home. Pictures, videos, and more details. Your agent can help you determine the best digital materials to have on the website that it will hyperlink to so that you'll increase interest in your home.

Social media con-

Saturday, July 27, 2013 tact information. In the old days, a name, email, and phone and fax numbers were all that you'd see on flyers and business cards. Today, your agent will have many more icons showing how potential buyers can get in touch. This is a very good thing.

The more connected your agent is, the greater the opportunities. Social media is like word-of-mouth selling but on steroids. It works while you and the agent sleep. Your agent can send out a tweet, post your listing on numerous social networks and that post can be

shared over and over throughout the Internet. Greater exposure equals greater opportunity for potential offers.

Combining the use of old and new marketing strategies to sell your home in a digital era will help make sure buyers onand-off-line, find your house.

C HA CHING normantranscript.com

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Call for home delivery 366-3573

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7

8

Saturday, July 27, 2013

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COUPON$ EVERY DAY (two-hundred fifty dollars worth of savings)

normantranscript.com anytime...anywhere

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Commercial/ Business

Sales Homes

510

FSBO • Blanchard 812 Pine Circle 4bd/2Bth/2living room, 2350sf, cul-de-sac lot. Granite, stainless steel appl’s, New roof 2009. storm shelter. Home Sound System. $219,000. Jenny 405 408-4705 Open house July 2nd, 5-7pm,

New Home in Tuttle, 2 Story, 4Bd/4Bth 3/4 Acres, Builders Custom, 2524sq’,

540

Commercial Bldg. • Noble 2400Sq’ 116 N. 2nd, 2/over head doors w/ big office & kitchen area. Some financing. $123,500. 408-5027

CLOSE TO LAKE THUNDERBIRD Attractive Custom Kitchen with Updates, Granite Counters, Sprinkler Syst, New Roof, 3Bd/2Bth, 5 Acres Inground Pool, 3/Storage Bldgs, Historical Site, Mature Landscape. FSBO 2055 SE 60th • Norman 405 388-4849 $279,900. OBO Check Craigs List!

Savannah Hills, Noble, $285,000 Beautiful 2-story on Very Lg Lot. Approx. 3300 sq. ft. Blt 2010.

4 Bed/3.5 Bath/3 Car/2 Lvng OR 1 Lvng + Office/Study/3 Dining/Lg Utility & Mud Rm, Hardwood Flr / Tile / Carpet, Fireplaces in Lvng & Mstr Bed, Covered Patio w/ Large 10’x12’x7’ Deep Storm Shelter Under Patio, 1/2 mi. S. of Noble on Hwy 77. Margaret Womack Real Estate Services LLC, Owner/Agent 405-417-7041

Manufactured Homes

515

FSBO: Like New 2012 18x80 Singlewide Manufactured Home, 3Bd/2Bth, Need Own Financing, No Down. $40,000 • 918 208-6125

Land / Acreage

530

2 Acres, 200’x 430’, paved roads, huge concrete pad for tennis or basketball, 2 mi from Markham’s Nursery in Goldsy. 820-2955

Homes

610

Norman’s Rental Website

Homes

610

3Bd/1.5Bth/2Liv/2Car w/remote, Lg Fenced Yd, Culdasac, Close to Eisenhauer Elm. 3 miles to OU. 1622 Wind Hill Norman, $1000/mo + dep. 249-5949

2Bd/1Bth, Quiet duplex in Noble.

1 year Contract Required $600/mo + $500/dep Call 623-2931

• 2b/1bth Noble $475/400 • 1932 E Lindsey 1b/1bth W/D $425/350 • 2b/2bth W/D $650/500

SPM Realty Inc 405-360-0526 NEW Brick Home • 512 Laws 3Bd/2Bth/2Car Granite Counter Tops, Range, FP, 1800SF $1600/Mo +1000/Dep • 410-9773

Call

3 & 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Homes for Rent East of Noble CH/A, Single Car Garage in 4 Bed, $700 800/mo. + $400/dep. 329-9697

3Bd/2Bth/1Car, Completely Remodeled, Apl’s, W/D hookups, 1512 E. Boyd • Close to OU $900/mo + Dep. 918 423-1120 516 Oak Ridge • Blanchard Excel Cond. 3Bd/2Bth, Great Location, Near Schools, Nice wooded lot. $1500/mo + Dep. (405) 756-7163 709 East Oliver - 2 Bed/1 Bath, Close to Norman Regional,Carport, Fenced Back Yard, 1 yr lease $550/mo.+$400 dep. 329-9697 Moore, 3BD/2BA 1720 sqft Home With Storm Shelter ...

Granite countertops, wood floors, extended patio, large open kitchen and dining, and a privacy fence!

For Sale by Owner $188,000. Call (405) 823-5406 1710 Pamela Cir • Nice 3Bd/1Bth 1Car, Fenc • Srv Pet Only!• $695/Mo • 321-3078 Action Property Management OLDER NORMAN HOUSE Just South of West Main.

3BD/3Bth/2 Living areas, 2 stoves, Large enclosed backyard.

406-587-2855. • 1200/month.

364-4114 or Get all the info at dmgrealestate.com

1 2 3 4

Bedroom Bedrooms Bedrooms Bedrooms

$375 $425 $750 $900

- $500 - $850 - $1500 - $2000

View all of our lisitings at:

www.gorentking.com 801-2293 1828 Parkridge Avl July. 3Bd/2Bth/2Car $1050/Mo + $900/Dep. Service Pets Only!

A-1 Property Mgmt 360-2587 AUGUST 1ST! CLOSE TO OU! 3116/3118 Ridgecrest Ct. 2Bd/1.5/2.5Bth/1Car Gar, CH/A, FP $700-795/mo. • 580-772-7665 4Bd/1.5Bth Ch&A, Ceiling Fans, Kitchen Appl. 2 Car Garage, Pets OK. $935/Mo + $700/dep 321-4261

Apartments

630

Apartments

630

1 Bed/1Bath Apt. Near Campus • Apl’s $440/mo + Dep. 535-5519 or bluechannelmedia.com/Apt/

NormanRentalsOnline.com

1844 Burnt Oak LEASE 3 Bed/1.5 Bath, Newly Remodeled, Fenced Yard, $800/mo + Dep. Avl Now 321-1756 or 202-4681

S.E. NORMAN

610

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Rentals

$282,000.

30 minutes to Norman, River Ridge Estates.

(405) 326-9405

Homes

9

631 Welston Cir 2/1.5..........$665 2200 Classen #11-124 2/2...$800 1206 W Brooks 3/2/1............$960

Lease Takeover - 1st Mth Free 1 Mile From Campus, 1st Floor, 2Bd/2Bth 900sq’, Remodeled, Apt’s, Pet Friendly, Wd Flrs, FP, Washer/Dryer in Unit, All bills pd ex/elect, 2/Pools, $829/mo @ Post Oak. 863-9518

1913 Rising Hill 3/2/2.........$1080

Rebecca Lane Apt. Homes

601 Coopershawk 3/2/2.....$1100 2725 Northern Hills 3/2/2...$1295 508 Gyrfalcon 3/2/2............$1600

LEASING NOW FOR SUMMER & FALL! 364-9414

366-RENT

LEASE NOW!!!

CHANCE TO WIN!!!

32” TV & X-Box 360 Android Tablet

www.bpmok.com

1 & 2 Bd Apt Home Appliances Included Large Walk In Closets & upgraded interiors

RJH Realty • 364-4801

LARGE SELECTION! APARTMENTS 401 12th AVE SE #232...1/1...$450 901 S Main #1 (Noble)....1/1...$475 1901 E Lindsey #23B • 1/1.....$495 309 Falcon Ct #1 • 2/1............$575 1904 Dover D......• 2/1............$575

DUPLEXES 2337 Heatherfield...2/1...........$575 1106 N 5th (Noble)...2/1.5......$595 1009 Acacia (Noble)....2/1......$595 1332 Glen Oaks Ct...2/1.5......$550

HOUSES 2924 Misty Ridge..3 w/ office 2/3 . .$1,395 2821 East Lake......3/2/2.....$1,150 1009Classen.............4/2.....$1,700

Thunderbird Lodge, LLC 1430 24th Ave SW • 329-6990 (Off W. Lindsey behind McAllister’s)

364-9414 M-F 8:30-5:30, Sat. 10-3

Free Wi Fi • 60 TV Channel Furn/1Bd/Kit/UpStrs/1Person

GREAT RATES!!!!

Weekly Rates Available

2Bed/1.5Bath Townhomes, Optional Utility Package,

Halray Townhomes, 900 Halray Dr Just 6 Blks East of OU • Start @ $550/Mo • 360-6298 Country Living in Purcell. Large 1 & 2 Bds, Basic Cable & water included. Pool, Laundry.

$350-400/Mo (405) 527-2008

Westside Townhouse 2Bd/1.5Bth • $550/mo + $400/dep 405-364-7500 www.rentalsun.com

ALL BILLS PAID WAREHOUSES 1207 Robinson • 30X30 + util.$425 For Additional Properties, Visit

www.Rjh-realty.com Owner/Broker • Section 8 OK

✰ NO LEASES ✰ ✰ ALL BILLS PAID ✰

Incl: Phone, Cable/HBO, No Deposit, No Lease. Furn, Onsite Laundry, Rooms, Eff,1 & 2 Bdrm Apt. Mon Rates, Payments Avail on Mon Rates

OU MOTEL & APARTMENTS 2420 S. Classen Blvd.

321-4670

NOW LEASING 1-2-3 BDRMS. CALL ABOUT MOVE-IN SPECIALS

364-0350 $180 Move-In Special Best Norman Location • Modern Renovated Apts • Close to 1-35 Friendly Patio Apts • 366-1155

2Bd/1Bth • 1Bd/1Bth All Bills Pd Except Electric $495 $575/Mo Irving/Kennedy Schls

By Shopping, Sec 8 OK! 364-8439

10

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Best backyard bets for your buck (BPT) - From entertainment systems and fully functional kitchens to luxurious furnishings and decor, it’s easy to drop a bundle on improving your outdoor living spaces.

The choices seem to be unlimited. But no matter how much you love your deck or patio - and most Americans do - you probably don’t have an unlimited budget for equipping your outdoor space.

Beyond table ware and seating, what are the best creature comforts to invest in?

Which products and amenities will ultimately-provide the most enjoyment and bang for the buck when it comes to outdoor upgrades? Narrowing the options to those with the greatest benefits and versatility is a smart approach.

Here are some outdoor accessories that will prove to not only enhance your summer entertaining, but will create pleasure throughout the year.

Music/entertainment Electronics are an easy place to start.

Tech-savvy or novice, most people have a smart device to stream or play downloaded music.-Creating

Apartments

630

DO YOUR LAUNDRY AT HOME This spacious 2 bdrm comes w/ full size Washer & Dryer! • Clean!

Lots of storage! • $575/mo

Townhomes /Condos

660

4 bed 4 bath units at the Edge All bills paid $425 per bedroom SPM Realty Inc 405-360-0526

Call 321-7236 Personalized Care at an Affordable Price. Call today for information!

Heartland-Plaza.com (405) 799-9919

Commercial/ Business

635

WEST SIDE • Ex Lg 2 & 3 Bd 2 Car w/Opener, Gas Heat, Hot Water, Fireplace, Yards Maintained, Swimming Pool Starting $895/Mo & Up ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ 360-4445 ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

SAVE CASH with coupons

ambiance with music is a great touch for outdoor living and entertaining. Projecting the sound outdoors takes a powerful speaker system.-Starting at $100,-improved quality wireless speakers offer a simple way-to pump out the tunes.-Not only are these speakers lightweight and easy to use, they can serve for a myriad of events or functions outside the backyard realm.

Wireless speakers are perfect-to use in other parts of the home such as the garage-and to take-along on family outings such as picnics or camping trips.

Cooling options On hot summer days, who doesn’t enjoy a cool breeze?Air conditioning is impractical outdoors,

(con’t. on page 11)

704 E. Main • Moore 200sq’ office for out of state contractors. CH/A Included. $500/mo • First/Last. 618-5800

GREAT LOCATIONS Spaces starting at $250. Quick access to I-35 & Hwy 9. I-35 Expo Utilities Paid & Janitorial Service.

Sooner Traditions Realty, LLC

WAYS

329-7143 800 W Rock Creek Rd 1250 SF Office/Whse Combo 3 Offices + Reception EZ to I-35 • $850/Mo • 364-3935

1.

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE Bldg. in Noble 333 Etowah, 1100sq’, Newly Redecorated $975/mo Bills Pd. 850-5274 Warehouse & Storage Yard 1500sq’ with 12’ overhead door.

Located @ 409 S. Front St. Noble $440/MO . 321-3078

Manufactured Homes

normantranscript.com

645

NOBLE AREA 1/1, 2/2 & 3/2 Pet Dep. $500.

Mobile Homes • $500/Dep $350-$550/Mo/1yr ls, Call 659-9256

2.

4BR/2BA $650/mo. Rent to Own with $1500/Down Payment.

Reg. Rental $750/mo + $750/Security Dept.

3BR/2BA $550/mo.

Incl Water/Sewer Rent/RTO 405-872-1818, x1

Rooms

655

LOOKING FOR ROOM TO RENT End of July to End of September.

Preferably near OU Campus.

Please call 918-407-2059.

366. 3573

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Outdoor (con’t. from page 10)

so investing in a backyard cooling product could be a necessity as much as an amenity.

Choose a powerful yet quiet portable evaporative cooler. Evaporative coolers, like those offered by Port-A-Cool, are a better option than misters that drench or oscillating fans that simply blow hot air around. The coolers lower temperatures by as much as 30 F, and are powerful enough to COOL an entire deck. The PortA-Cool Cyclone 3000 and 2000, for example, cool 700 and 500 square feet, respectively.

Not only are they great in the backyard, these portable coolers are easily wheeled anywhere throughout the yard. They work great for spot-cooling in the garage or even

on the go while camping or tailgating.-To learn more about portable evaporative coolers, visit www.port-a-cool.com.

Lighting Outdoor lighting options have come a long way in recent years. Solar options

have made lighting simple and versatile.

Styles range from traditional lanterns and landscape stake options to more decorative variations.

When upgrading your solar lighting,-consider the light styles that will give you mileage beyond the summer.

For example, solar string lights commonly used for sun umbrellas are an excellent choice for reusing in the fall around Halloween decorations, around trees and as part of holiday decor.

Get even more creative by packing these lights for nighttime

family excursions such as fireworks shows or at the community center’s movie showing on the lawn.

Beyond grilling Installing an outdoor kitchen is a significant investment, but it’s useful all year long.

Research the bells and whistles that enhance

11 your cooking habits and family lifestyle.

Consider adding a pizza oven, rotisserie, refrigerator and warming drawers. Once your dream kitchen is built, you’ll want to maximize it. It sounds trite, but don’t forget you have it. Keep the house smelling like a bed of roses during a Lobster boil or crawfish feast by preparing it outside. When it’s time for dad to make his famous chili, it can simmer for hours on one of the outdoor burners.-Get the kids involved in making their favorite grilled cheese, pizza or even dessert. The key is using this area for more than grilling burgers or hosting a couple of parties.

Incorporate it into your daily life.

At the end of the day, buy what brings enjoyment. The added benefit is the versatility.