Norman Homes 12/07

T h e To t a l H o m e E x p e r i e n c e A product off The Norrman Transcrip pt • 12 2.07.201 13

2 • norman homes • 12.07.2013 • The Norman Transcript

The Norman Transcript • 12.07.2013 • norman homes • 3

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TABLE Contents

PAGE6 for the BUYERS

PAGE10 for the SELLERS

PAGE8 PAGE12 for the DECORATORS for the REPAIRERS Publisher Terry Connor

Advertising Director Debbi Knoll

Executive Editor Andy Rieger

Production Manager Rob Rasor

Advertising Representatives Nick Sheats Sherry Romack Trevor Wolfe Rebekah Collins Jan Giza Kim Lehenbauer Robin Escarcega

homes is a weekly publication of The Norman Transcript, 215 E. Comanche St, Norman, OK 73070. (Phone: 405.321.1800). Letters or editorial contributions should be sent to: abode, P.O. Drawer 1058, Norman, OK, 73070 or emailed to hcruz@normantranscript.com. N-town is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permissions is prohibited. Address advertising inquiries to Debbi Knoll, 405-366-3554 or dknoll@normantranscript.com. homes can be found online.

Interior decorating tips for the holiday season (BPT) - This year’s holiday season is taking on a decidedly modern twist, with an emphasis on recycling and repurposing old decorations, utilizing sustainable decor, and adding sparkle to complete the look.

Shari Canepa, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), member, LEED Green Associate, and a member of the interior design faculty at The Art Institute of California - San Francisco, a campus of Argosy University, says that sustainability begins with the icon of Christmas: the Christmas tree.

“It can no longer be artificial or cut. Bring a potted tree into your home with the intention of planting it after Christmas in the yard. The idea is to save a tree and plant a tree, giving a gift to nature after Christmas.”

To design a new focal point, Canepa suggests an arrangement of various sized potted trees that can be conveniently moved.

Create a mini forest of varying sizes and heights and decorate with lights and ornaments.

“Supple evergreen branches wrapped around a stair banister with or without lights is also a nice addition.”

To continue the sustainable trend, utilize energy-friendly LED lights around pictures, ceiling moldings, desk railings, in interior flower arrangements or on door casings.

“Sophisticated or elegant interiors move toward white lights while energetic, youthful or

modern themes make use of the color option. These energy saving lights make using lots of sparkle for Christmas guilt-free,” Canepa says.

Modernize the holiday by choosing a salmon and chartreuse color scheme over traditional red and green, mentions Canepa.

“If this part of the color wheel leaves you flat, use the symbols of Christmas like candy canes, reindeer, stars, pinecones, stockings, candles and balls - but make sure they are other hues than red and green. Add white, lots of white, which adds pop.”

Silver, gold and mirrored surfaces are also appropriate and modern, as are neutral colors such as white, gray and beige when combined with shiny materials.

“Silver is the metallic accent that ties [this year’s holiday] colors together,” says Ann Durkin, part-time adjunct faculty professor of Interior Design at The Art Institute of Phoenix.

Durkin adds that this holiday season marks a shift toward textures that express warmth through materials - such as wood, suede and burlap.

The key to this holiday season’s decorating: keeping things simple yet chic while matching your personal style.

“Create a timeless ensemble which could extend beyond the holiday season and be used as the basic foundation for your interiors throughout the year,” says Durkin.

4 • norman homes • 12.07.2013 • The Norman Transcript

NORTHWEST

3000 LOCHINVER

OPEN SAT 10-5; SUN-WED 1-5

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 APPT

todd@westpointhomes.com 3660000 OPEN SUN. 2-5, WEEKDAYS 1-6 PM, TUES BY

OPEN houses

NEWCASTLE

3709 QUEST COURT

D E L L E C N CA

ONLY MINUTES FROM NORMAN! Beautiful new 2000 sq ft home on culde-sac on aprox. 3/4 acre lot with beautiful views. Three bedrooms, study, large kitchen with walk-in pantry, granite countertops, security system, master suite, three car garage, and energy efficient. Home is built by Tony Foust, a Certified Professional Home Builder. A must see home in a very pretty scenic area. $231,000.

DaVinci Homes

(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

SOUTHWEST

3720 SHADOWRIDGE DR

OPEN SUN 2-4

(From West Main & 36th Street go south on 36th Street to Shadowridge Addition. Turn right on Shadowridge Dr. West to property located on the south side of the road.)

YOU WILL FALL in love with this home and everything it has to offer! Immaculate, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3 car garage. 3672 sq. ft. Built-ins throughout.

Stunning wrought iron staircase. Large living room with many windows for natural lighting. Gas fireplace. Formal dining with beautiful chandelier. Stately office with double door entry and a magnificent built-in bookcase! Gourmet kitchen with many cabinets and an Island with a sink. Perfect for entertaining guest and family anytime o the year! Safe room. Too many great features to mention. This beautiful backyard is unbelievable large! Watch deer graze as you relax on your covered patio. Seller is motivated to sell and is offering to pay $5,000 of Buyer’s closing costs. Offering Price, $489,950. Hostesses: Stephanie Young and Mariah Kalhor.

Metro Brokers of OK

stephanieyoungrealtor@yahoo.com 9605

255-

SOUTHEAST

1139 SIENA SPRINGS

OPEN SUN 1-6

(East Lindsay St to Siena Springs between 24th Avenue and 36th Ave.)

5 BED, 3 bath, Two living areas, cozy, fireplace, formal dining, room size utility and 3 car garage. Sprinkler system and 30’x8’ front porch. Does this sound like a perfect home for you? $299,900. Host: Doug Greeson

NORTHSTAR HOMES

OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4

(Take Highway 9 West to Highway 62, exit right on Highway 62, go a 1/4 mile to The Ridge housing addition. Turn right into addition, take road back to the second stop sign. Turn right on Quest Circle.)

820-8981

DaVinciHomesOK.com

The Norman Transcript • 12.07.2013 • norman homes • 5

8 • norman homes • 12.07.2013 • The Norman Transcript

Five reasons why (BPT) - Cooler temperatures, dwindling daylight that makes you crave a mood boost, and the

scent

sandalwood, frankincense and neroli.

2. Essential oils are the perfect holiday home

The Norman Transcript • 12.07.2013 • norman homes • 9

is important for home decorating your home. The post-holiday letdown, colder

- try making your own glass cleaner from four

temperatures and the dwindling daylight of

tablespoons of vinegar and 12 drops of lemon

approach of the holidays - at this time of year, many

decoration. If you desire an inspired and perfectly

winter will make you crave a mood boost that the

essential oil. Mix the vinegar and oil in a clean

inspirations prompt people to redecorate. But while

appointed holiday home, capture the essences of

sunny scent of essential oils can deliver when the

22-ounce spray bottle, fill with water and use this

you’re breaking out the holiday decorations or

the holidays with essential oils which are a lot more

sunlight fails. Essential oils are like happy drops

sunny smelling mixture to clean glass throughout

looking for just the right shade of yellow to make

“real” than a box of tired old holiday decorations.

of liquid sunshine. Many people experience a

your home.

your kitchen look brighter on short winter days,

The true scents of the season come from essential

mood dip when days get shorter and there is less

don’t overlook another powerful decorator’s trick -

oils contained in botanicals such as balsam fir

natural light entering their homes. Inhaling the

Baking cookies or burning the ubiquitously

scent.

boughs, fresh pine needles, peppermint leaves,

wholesome, natural scents of essential oils awaken

cloying artificial vanilla-scented candle are cliched

1. Essential oils can make your home more

cinnamon bark, vanilla beans and clove buds, not

senses and elevate our emotions. Spritely scents

seller’s tricks meant to help you sell your home.

beautiful. In decorating your home you use visual

a spray can of artificial fragrance. Decorating with

such as peppermint or citrus can help energize a

Essential oils offer better alternatives of countless

and textural elements but scent-ual elements are

pine boughs and candy canes can work to bring

room and invigorate occupants.

aromas that are novel, natural and infinitely more

just as critical to establishing a beautifully realized

those scents into your holiday home, but if you

ambience. Essential oils offer aromas to match any

want to boost the effect without turning to synthetic

With all their harsh and potentially dangerous

Diffuse lemon, bergamot orange and lavender.

living scheme you are aiming for. Going for an airy,

room scents, diffuse pure essential oils. Consider

chemicals, how can home fragrance and cleaning

Want a comforting, homey aroma? Diffuse allspice,

fresh look? Diffuse eucalyptus, peppermint and

pure, natural products like Aura Cacia’s Uplifting

products be labeled as home “care” products?

cinnamon, clove and sweet orange. Want an exotic,

lemon. Going for an earthy, natural look? Diffuse

Candy Cane room spray that is crafted with real

Essential oils offer an equally effective alternative

intriguing aroma to pique a buyer’s curiosity?

vetiver, patchouli and myrrh. Going for a tranquil,

essential oil of peppermint leaves and extracted

to freshen and purify your home that is natural

Diffuse jasmine, mandarin orange and myrrh.

relaxed look? Diffuse lavender, geranium and

essence of Madagascan vanilla beans.

and safe. Instead of reaching for a bottle of that

chamomile. Carving out a sacred space? Diffuse

3. Essential oils can make you happy in

4. Essential oils can make your home healthier.

blue stuff that smells like - well, window cleaner

5. Essential oils can help you sell your home.

appealing to buyers. Want a squeaky clean aroma?

8 • norman homes • 12.07.2013 • The Norman Transcript

Five reasons why (BPT) - Cooler temperatures, dwindling daylight that makes you crave a mood boost, and the

scent

sandalwood, frankincense and neroli.

2. Essential oils are the perfect holiday home

The Norman Transcript • 12.07.2013 • norman homes • 9

is important for home decorating your home. The post-holiday letdown, colder

- try making your own glass cleaner from four

temperatures and the dwindling daylight of

tablespoons of vinegar and 12 drops of lemon

approach of the holidays - at this time of year, many

decoration. If you desire an inspired and perfectly

winter will make you crave a mood boost that the

essential oil. Mix the vinegar and oil in a clean

inspirations prompt people to redecorate. But while

appointed holiday home, capture the essences of

sunny scent of essential oils can deliver when the

22-ounce spray bottle, fill with water and use this

you’re breaking out the holiday decorations or

the holidays with essential oils which are a lot more

sunlight fails. Essential oils are like happy drops

sunny smelling mixture to clean glass throughout

looking for just the right shade of yellow to make

“real” than a box of tired old holiday decorations.

of liquid sunshine. Many people experience a

your home.

your kitchen look brighter on short winter days,

The true scents of the season come from essential

mood dip when days get shorter and there is less

don’t overlook another powerful decorator’s trick -

oils contained in botanicals such as balsam fir

natural light entering their homes. Inhaling the

Baking cookies or burning the ubiquitously

scent.

boughs, fresh pine needles, peppermint leaves,

wholesome, natural scents of essential oils awaken

cloying artificial vanilla-scented candle are cliched

1. Essential oils can make your home more

cinnamon bark, vanilla beans and clove buds, not

senses and elevate our emotions. Spritely scents

seller’s tricks meant to help you sell your home.

beautiful. In decorating your home you use visual

a spray can of artificial fragrance. Decorating with

such as peppermint or citrus can help energize a

Essential oils offer better alternatives of countless

and textural elements but scent-ual elements are

pine boughs and candy canes can work to bring

room and invigorate occupants.

aromas that are novel, natural and infinitely more

just as critical to establishing a beautifully realized

those scents into your holiday home, but if you

ambience. Essential oils offer aromas to match any

want to boost the effect without turning to synthetic

With all their harsh and potentially dangerous

Diffuse lemon, bergamot orange and lavender.

living scheme you are aiming for. Going for an airy,

room scents, diffuse pure essential oils. Consider

chemicals, how can home fragrance and cleaning

Want a comforting, homey aroma? Diffuse allspice,

fresh look? Diffuse eucalyptus, peppermint and

pure, natural products like Aura Cacia’s Uplifting

products be labeled as home “care” products?

cinnamon, clove and sweet orange. Want an exotic,

lemon. Going for an earthy, natural look? Diffuse

Candy Cane room spray that is crafted with real

Essential oils offer an equally effective alternative

intriguing aroma to pique a buyer’s curiosity?

vetiver, patchouli and myrrh. Going for a tranquil,

essential oil of peppermint leaves and extracted

to freshen and purify your home that is natural

Diffuse jasmine, mandarin orange and myrrh.

relaxed look? Diffuse lavender, geranium and

essence of Madagascan vanilla beans.

and safe. Instead of reaching for a bottle of that

chamomile. Carving out a sacred space? Diffuse

3. Essential oils can make you happy in

4. Essential oils can make your home healthier.

blue stuff that smells like - well, window cleaner

5. Essential oils can help you sell your home.

appealing to buyers. Want a squeaky clean aroma?

10 • norman homes • 12.07.2013 • The Norman Transcript

Prepare your Home to Sell

by Phoebe Chongchua for Realty Times It's the goal of every seller, to prepare their home so that it sells as fast as it can and for the highest price. However, not every seller takes the time to investigate what will help their home sell right away and for more money.

Sometimes it's because they're pre-occupied with the purchase of another home, a new job, family emergencies, etc. But if you're thinking of listing your home for sale in the spring, then, perhaps, you have a little time to give thought to how to prepare your home to sell.

As the seasons change, give your home some care starting

with the outside - what buyers will see first when they drive by your home.

Rake up the leaves, collect the debris around your home. Give the bushes a trim and remove dead plants. Wash your windows, clean the rain gutters, and remove any trace of holiday decor - that means those Christmas lights need to come down and not stay up year round!

Give the backyard the same kind of care and attention. If you have fountains that you didn't use during the winter, make sure they're cleaned up and functioning properly. If you have old patio furniture that's rusted, either clean it up and refinish it

or, maybe, donate it. Don't let it become an eyesore to potential buyers.

Moving inside your home.

Declutter. You'd be amazed at how cluttered some sellers' homes are when they list them on the market.

It's like a retail store opening its doors to buyers and having all the items jumbled together.

Shoppers would have a hard time discovering anything worth buying in the store. Likewise house hunters can see a home's value when it's clutter-free.

If you want an idea of how to prepare your home to sell, take a look at the competition. Before you list your home for sale, visit other homes on the market. See

what's popular. You might notice some big trends in your area, One of the most important tasks is to make sure that you have regular maintenance schedules planned. As you get closer to listing your home for sale, don't let repairs pile up. The problems will pop up in a home inspection, so it's better to be proactive and take care of repairs as needed.

Unattended repairs can be more than just an eyesore; they can cause real damage to your home.

Get a home inspection and find out where your home needs some maintenance help. Then roll up your sleeves and get started.

Preparation now will save you time and money later on.

The Norman Transcript • 12.07.2013 • norman homes • 11

Sellers who Undermine their Agents

by Blanche Evans for Realty Times One of the hardest things for some sellers to do is to put their future in a real estate professional's hands. They'll list their home for sale, and then sabotage their agent and themselves by refusing to follow their advice.

While it's scary to give up control over something as important as a home, these sellers don't realize that they'll have much more control over what happens by working with and not against their agent.

Your agent knows the market, how to negotiate, how to do all the steps of the transaction,

understands contracts and disclosures, and how to solve problems that invariably show up in all transactions. Yet, some sellers just can't bring themselves to turn things over to their agent, especially if they think they can do a better job themselves.

Are you undermining your agent? If you do any of the following or go against your agent's advice - you might ruin your chances of selling your home quickly and for the best price: • Insist on a short listing period in an attempt to make the agent "work faster."

• Insist your home is worth more than market comparables.

• Price your home according to your own financial needs, not what the home is actually worth.

• Refuse to make repairs or updates that would make the home easier to sell.

• Disclose some but not all of your home's flaws to buyers.

• Decline inconvenient showings because the home isn't showready.

• Stay home for showings so you can size up the buyers.

• Show your home to unrepresented buyers.

• Get huffy when others find flaws in your home's condition or pricing.

• Stall negotiations over relatively minor points hoping the buyer will blink first.

• Just as your agent hasn't been trained to do your job, you may not understand the nuances of your agent's job - which is to sell your home quickly and safely, and for the highest price possible.

Your agent's advice is based on hard-earned knowledge of human nature, typical housing problems, buyers' preferences, market conditions, and which strategies work best in which situations.

The best way to control your home's sale is to listen to your agent.

12 • norman homes • 12.07.2013 • The Norman Transcript

Three astoundingly simple solutions for big renovation challenges (BPT) - Americans are renovating again. In fact, the remodeling market hasn’t been this robust since 2004, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index. Yet even the most enthusiastic homeowners-turned-renovators may hesitate

piping, an up-flush, or macerating, toilet is a simple, cost-effective solution.

Macerating toilet and plumbing technology eliminate the need to cut through a floor to install new drainage. And the systems fit easily into areas as small as a

when faced with certain common challenges - be it adding a bathroom in a problematic location or figuring out how to bring natural light into an interior room.

But virtually every renovation challenge is solvable, and sometimes the answers are surprisingly simple and cost-effective. Here are three common issues you may encounter while renovating, and the astoundingly simple ways to overcome the obstacles:

closet or dead space beneath a stairway. A macerating pump reduces waste and paper from the toilet and sends it under high pressure through piping directly into the septic or sewer system. No waste is stored, and the systems are comparatively low-cost compared to traditional plumbing. Visit www. saniflo.com to learn more.

The challenge: Adding a bathroom over concrete flooring or in a tight spot where traditional plumbing doesn’t work well.

The simple solution: Up-flush plumbing. Bathroom renovations or additions offer a high return on investment - as much as 56 percent of the initial investment when you resell, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. But conventional plumbing can be costly and time-consuming, even in the best circumstances. If you want to add a bathroom in a basement where the floor is concrete or in a smaller space with no room for traditional

The challenge: Introducing natural light in a room with no space for windows.

The simple solution: Skylights. The benefits of natural light are well-documented, from improving mood to reducing dependence on artificial lights. Yet some spaces, such as interior powder rooms or walk-in closets, don’t lend themselves to windows. When you want natural light in a room where a lack of wall space precludes a window, or in which privacy is an issue, a skylight can be a great solution. Tubular skylights even allow you to bring natural light into ground floor rooms.

The cost of installing a skylight is comparable to adding quality windows in a

room. Choose energy-efficient skylights and you may also reduce home cooling costs in spring and summer, and lighting costs in winter, too.

The challenge: Privacy in a doorway where a swinging door doesn’t make sense.

The simple solution: Pocket doors. A swinging door may not be right for a space for many reasons.

Perhaps you need to close a door in a spot so infrequently that a swinging door isn’t needed. Or, maybe the space around the doorway is too tight to accommodate a swinging door, such as in a laundry space tucked into a hallway. Or, perhaps a traditional door will ruin the aesthetic of a space. In all those situations, a pocket door is a great way to achieve privacy without compromise. Because pocket doors tuck away inside the wall, you don’t need to worry about having enough space to open or close a traditional door. Plus, when left open, pocket doors are hidden inside the wall so their visual impact on decor is minimal.

While these solutions may be beyond the abilities of most do-it-yourselfers, reputable contractors can accomplish them easily - and help you decide if one of these options is right for your renovation project.

T U O e s u ho of the

The Norman Tran Transcript nscript • 12.07.2013 • norman homes • 1 13

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14 • norman homes • 12.07.2013 • The Norman Transcript

Tips for a keeping your home safe and dry this winter (BPT) - Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall are in store for much of the country this winter, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, and that means homeowners need to start taking immediate steps to ensure that their loved ones and property stay safe and

* Consider sealing off areas of the house that are rarely used * Keep closet doors shut * Move furniture away from heating vents * Close the fireplace damper when not enjoying a fire

foundations while you’re off enjoying a winter getaway.

warm through the long, cold months ahead.

Last year, winter storms caused $38 million in insured losses - a below-average figure, according to Munich Re. But this year could be much worse. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts that reduced solar activity combined with certain weather patterns in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans will result in plunging temperatures and increased snowfall for many regions in the United States and Canada.“As always, water is your home’s worst enemy,” says Rebecca Hudzik-Presson, assistant vice president of Claims and Risk Services at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. “Every year, water does more damage to homes than fire, but every year too many people forget to do the little things that protect their property.”

Luckily, there are several easy tasks to include on home maintenance checklists and most of them are no-cost and low-cost chores that could end up saving homeowners big bucks.

An effective list of winterizing tasks should include: * Install weather stripping around doors and windows, caulk exterior windows * Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to recirculate warm air downward * Install plastic shields on basement and attic windows

Indoor flooding Burst pipes and indoor flooding can wreak havoc on your home and personal possessions. While faulty pipes can be a problem in any season, even wellmaintained pipes can burst if they freeze - and they are much more likely to give way during winter when temperatures plunge.

A bit of preventative maintenance can help your family stay warm and dry all winter.

Wrapping exposed water pipes with insulation is a quick and easy precaution.

Another excellent way to prevent indoor flooding is to install an automatic water shutoff valve. These devices cut off all water to your home when they sense unusually large amounts of water flow and can be integrated to your alarm system so that the alarm company is alerted to the emergency. Shut-off valves are a great idea for people who plan weekend trips or extended vacations and are also good for vacation homes that sit empty for long periods.

And if you do leave home this winter, keep the heat set to at least 55 degrees. Spending a little more on heating can prevent freezing in the pipes that run through exterior walls and

worst ravages.

“If you have a backup generator, be sure that it’s connected to your home’s most vital systems: sump pumps, security and fire alarms,” says Hudzik-Presson. “Many people simply wire generators into the ‘comfort circuits,’ like lighting, heating, cooking and refrigeration, and forget about the other systems running in the background.

If the power goes out, you’ll want all your security and plumbing to keep right on working.”

Backup power When the weather turns really nasty and knocks out power, a backup generator will protect your home and family from winter’s

Last year, winter storms caused $38 million in insured losses - a belowaverage figure

Fire danger While water is winter’s most invasive weapon, furnaces, boilers and chimneys represent serious fire risks if not properly maintained. A professional chimney sweep can remove soot and other combustible debris that builds up over time and boilers and furnaces should be inspected annually. Also, never use boiler or furnace rooms for storage.

Candles are always popular during the winter season. Don’t leave burning candles unattended and keep them away from flammable objects.

Finally, put new batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to make sure they are in good working order.

The Norman Transcript • 12.07.2013 • norman homes • 15