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CONTENTS On the cover: Formerly Faith Electric, the Generator Supercenter is the No. 1 Generac dealer in the state of Oklahoma. Pages 4 & 5
Spring Home and Garden
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Many complicated projects require the help of a professional home services provider.
10-11 Spring is the best time to sell a home. Tips for the pre selling process. Things to consider when buying a new home.
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Upgrades can make a kitchen more enjoyable, as well as more functional.
From our advertisers:
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Pacific Shore Stones is a distribu tor of the highestquality, hand selected stone.
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Norwalk Furniture and Design makes custom designed furniture simple.
With some effort, your lawn can be a lush, too.
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Generator Supercenter’s dynamic duo: Austin Partida and Larry Admire.
New name, same faith, integrity, customer service Larry Admire took a tremendous leap of faith 70, Larry is taking his company in an exciting, four decades ago. He and a friend walked new direction. away from a lucrative contracting job to “Instead of turning my business down, I “Faith is the begin Faith Electric, Inc. It turned out to kept turning it up,” Admire said. “I anticifoundation of be one of the greatest decisions Larry pated one day seeing it go even bigger. ever made. Austin has a lot more energy than I do.” everything we do. You “Faith is the foundation of everyLast year, Larry hired Austin Partida, can expect us to handle thing we do,” Admire said. “You can who was working for Generac at the our transactions in a expect us to handle our transactions time. A few months later Austin Christlike manner. in a Christ-like manner. We’ve spent approached Larry about buying his 40 years developing that reputation, business. Austin called Larry and asked, — Larry Admire, and it’s widely known. My chest “What do you think about me coming to past owner, sticks out when I see my logo on the work for your team?” Partida said. Faith side of a generator.” “Let me handle the sales and marketing Faith Electric is the largest Generac and take some of the pressure off of you.” Electric Generator dealer in Oklahoma. Now almost The rest they say is history. 4 Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine
“Right after having a car wreck is not the time to buy insurance. The best time to buy a generator is when you don’t need it.” — Larry Admire, past owner, Faith Electric Austin graduated from OSU, began his career at a rural electrical cooperative, and eventually went to work for Generac, the #1 name in home backup generators. Faith Electric is changing their name to Generator Supercenter, same people, same service, same Faith, just a new name. Faith Electric, the No. 1 Generac dealer in the state, is joining forces with Generator Supercenter, the No. 1 Generac dealer in the nation. The duo has been awarded premier dealerships in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. They also have plans to bring Generator Supercenter to Lawton and Enid later this year. “This will only enhance our customer experience and satisfaction. Overall, this will make us bigger and better,” Partida said. A pandemic and recent weather events have illuminated the importance of an affordable standby generator. Our homes are now offices and classrooms. An outage could be catastrophic for the family, sick and elderly. “Fresh on my mind is the unforeseen early ice storm in October of 2020 and the February 2021 rolling blackouts and historic outages,” Austin said. “What we do is give people some comfort and peace of mind.” Much like a tornado shelter, a Generac generator is an important layer of protection you pray your family never needs. “A generator is another form of insurance,” Larry Admire said. “Right after having a car wreck is not the time to buy insurance. The best time to buy a generator is when you don’t need it.” Larry Admire and Austin Partida know from experience it takes a leap of faith to try something new. One thing these men know for certain -- this new alliance will be built on a firm foundation of integrity, character and customer service.
Faith Electric is the No. 1 dealer of Generac generators in the state of Oklahoma.
At right is an automatic transfer switch that connects the utility meter to the generator. The transfer switch is the brains to an entire generator application. It notifies the generator when utility power has been lost. Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine 5
Sometimes, you have to hire a professional Homeowners who are good with their hands can tackle many minor home improvements on their own. However, more complicated projects often require the services of professional contractors to ensure the renovations are done right, completed on time and within budget. Choosing a home services provider requires careful consideration on the part of homeowners. The wrong contractor can cost homeowners time and money, so homeowners must exercise due diligence when vetting contractors before going forward with a home improvement project. Types of contractors The Federal Trade Commission notes that the scope of a project may necessitate hiring various types of contractors. The more complex a project is, the more likely it is that homeowners will need to hire contractors who specialize in certain areas. Understanding the differences between contractors can help homeowners make informed decisions. • General contractor: General contractors manage home improvement projects. This includes hiring subcontractors and supervising their work. General contractors also secure building permits and schedule inspections. • Specialty contractors: Specialty contractors focus on specific areas of a project. For example, homeowners who are remodeling their kitchens may need new cabinets installed by a contractor who specializes in cabinets and cabinet installation. That contractor is a specialty contractor. • Designer or design/build contractor: The FTC notes that these contractors both design and build projects. • Architects: Architects design homes, as well as any additions or major renovations to homes. Architects are often necessary when projects involve structural changes to existing homes. Hiring a home services provider Once homeowners determine which type of contractor they need, they can begin researching local professionals. • Speak with neighbors, family and friends. Neighbors, family members and friends who have worked with contractors in the past are great resources. Seek recommendations from people you trust, even asking to see completed projects if possible. • Utilize the internet. Websites such as HomeAdvisor and Angie's List are free of charge and can be great resources when homeowners are looking for contractors. Each site includes reviews of contractors from past customers and contact information for local contractors. • Confirm qualifications. The FTC advises homeowners to confirm contractors' licensing and qualifications before hiring anyone. Some areas may not require licensing, but many do. Homeowners can contact their local building department or consumer protection agency to determine the licensing requirements for their area.
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Pacific Shore Stones is particular with the products it offers
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Pacific Shore Stones is an American stone distributor of the highest quality, hand-selected stone through multiple company-owned distribution centers across the U.S. Each center has a large inventory with a selection of various colors and finishes, plus dedicated staff to assist you with your choices, supporting fabricators, consumers, architects, builders and interior designers in selecting Pacific Shore Stones carries a variety of natural stones slabs for their projects. In an effort to access the finest and is home to several high-end quartz brands. blocks, joint ventures are developed with quarries across the world. Types of stones available are granite, marble, quartz, travertine, onyx, limestone, soapstone, quartzite, and Pacshore Tech porcelain which is Pacific Shore Stones’ exclusive brand. Pacific Shore Stones carries a variety of natural stones and is home to several high-end quartz brands. The carefully-curated inventory includes brands such as Caesarstone, LG Viatera, Compac, Hanstone, Silestone, and Pacshore Quartz which is an exclusive line of quartz available only at Pacific Shore. Each brand is carefully considered to assure quality is provided to every client. Pacific Shore Stones is proud to be a premier source for both natural and engineered stone. See Pacific Shore, Page 15
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SO, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? You don’t want to hear this, but it depends
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Home renovation projects are significant undertakings. Working with skilled and experienced contractors can ensure projects go smoothly and are completed promptly. Timing is a big consideration for homeowners as they begin renovating their homes, and the home improvement experts at HomeAdvisor note that the following are some general timelines for popular renovation projects. • Home addition: Short of a full-scale demolition and rebuild, home additions are the most time-consuming projects homeowners can undertake. HomeAdvisor notes that its survey of customers who recently completed home addition projects reported that the average time from start to finish was between three and four months. Certain variables, including the scale of the project and the local permits process, can extend the time it takes to complete a home addition. • Kitchen remodel: Scale is a big factor to consider when estimating the time it takes to complete various home improvement projects, and kitchen remodels are no exception. Some HomeAdvisor users reported projects taking as long as four months, though the average time reported was roughly six weeks. Projects that require major overhauls like rearranging the plumbing and
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Certain variables, including the scale of the project and the local permits process, can extend the time it takes to complete a home addition.
moving walls will likely take longer than more cosmetic projects that are limited to replacing cabinets and countertops. • Bathroom remod el: More than 1,000 homeowners surveyed by HomeAdvisor reported that bathroom remodels took about 4.5 weeks from start to finish. Small-scale remodels that focus on painting the walls a fresh color and replacing existing tiles can be completed in less than two weeks. But like with kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels that involve replacing plumbing fixtures and removing walls figure to take much longer than that. • Siding installation: HomeAdvisor users report that new siding projects take roughly two weeks from start to finish. That estimate is the same regardless of which materials homeowners are replacing and installing. • Replacement windows: Homeowners who want to replace all the windows in their home can expect such a project to take roughly three weeks. HomeAdvisor notes that such a timeline need not concern homeowners worried that they will be forced to brave the elements during the length of the project. Much of a contractors' time during a window replacement project will be spent on upfront measuring and then ensuring a tight fit once the windows have been installed.
Bringing your visions to life Cindy Curley, owner
Cindy graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Business. After years of decorating houses for friends, family and herself, she became an interior designer at Norwalk Furniture in 1998. In 2005, Ryan and Cindy made the decision to purchase Norwalk Furniture. It only seemed like the natural thing to do and ended up being a perfect fit. Cindy’s goal is “to give clients a unique, fashion-forward sense of style.” It’s a good balance between using a business logic and artistic talent.
Custom designed furniture has never been more simple. Our highly talented and experienced Oklahoma City design team is ready to bring your vision to life. With endless custom options, all of our furniture is one of a kind and made of the finest quality in the USA. Norwalk Furniture is locally owned and operated by Cindy Curley and Ryan Johnson. Stop into our Northpark Mall showroom and see what we can design for you!
Ryan Johnson, owner Ryan holds a degree in the design fields from Oklahoma State University. He has been practicing residential and commercial design for over 10 years. After joining the Norwalk design team in 2001, he went on to purchase the store with Cindy Curley in 2005. He believes in giving clients a classic and timeless design, with a modern twist.
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For sale: Spring best season for selling a home
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According to Realtor.com, spring is the busiest and best season to sell a home. While a good home can find a buyer any time of year, homeowners might find the buyers' pool is strongest in spring and into summer. The reasons for that are many, ranging from parents wanting to move when their children are not in school to buyers wanting to move when the weather is most accommodating. Because spring is such a popular time to sell a home, homeowners who want to put their homes on the market should use winter as an opportunity to prepare their homes for the prying eyes of prospective buyers. The following tips can help homeowners during the pre-selling preparation process.
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1. Address the exterior of the home. Winter can be harsh on a home's exterior, so as winter winds down, homeowners who want to sell their homes should make an effort to address anything that might negatively affect their homes' curb appeal. A study of homes in Greenville, S.C., from researchers at Clemson University found that the value of homes with landscapes that were
upgraded from "good" to "excellent" increased by 6 to 7 percent. If it's in the budget, hire professional landscapers to fix any problematic landscaping or address any issues that arose during the winter. Homeowners with green thumbs can tackle such projects on their own, but hiring professionals is akin to staging inside the home.
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2. Conquer interior clutter. Clutter has a way of accumulating over the winter, when people tend to spend more time indoors than they do throughout the rest of the year. Homeowners who want to put their homes on the market in spring won't have the luxury of waiting until spring to do their "spring" cleaning, so start clearing any clutter out in winter, even resolving to make an effort to prevent its accumulation throughout winter. Just like buyers are impressed by curb appeal, they are turned off by clutter. The Appraisal Institute suggests homeowners clear clutter out of their homes before appraisers visit, and the same approach can be applied to open houses. Buyers, like appraisers, see cluttered homes as less valuable. In addition, a home full of clutter might
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give buyers the impression, true or not, that the home was not well maintained.
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3. Eliminate odors. A home's inhabitants grow accustomed to odors that might be circulating throughout the house. Pet odor, for instance, might not be as strong to a home's residents as it is to guests and prospective buyers. Because windows tend to stay closed throughout the winter, interior odors can be even stronger come late-winter than they are during the rest of the year. A thorough cleaning of the house, including vacuuming and removal of any pet hair that accumulated over the winter, can help to remove odor. In the weeks leading up to the open house, bathe pets more frequently, using a shampoo that promotes healthy skin so pet dander is not as prevalent. Open windows when the weather allows so more fresh air comes into the home.
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Spring is a popular and potentially lucrative time to sell a home, and homeowners who spend winter preparing their homes for the market may reap even greater rewards.
Now, it is time to buy a new home
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Home ownership is a dream for many people. In fact, buying a home is considered by many people to be a major life accomplishment. Various factors determine what makes a home an attractive place to live. While some considerations may overlap, others may be unique to individual buyers. Those new to the real estate arena may want to consider the following factors as they search for a new place to call home.
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1: Property taxes Property taxes can greatly affect the overall cost of living in a particular home. The real estate company RedFin says property taxes are generally levied by each county and often include taxes paid to
taxes in your estimates.
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schools, utility companies and municipal governments. Property taxes will usually be factored into a monthly mortgage payment, and how high (or low) taxes can turn an affordable mortgage payment into something that can break a budget. When calculating payments, be sure to include property
2: Job security/availability The financial resource Fortune Builder says to consider your job security before taking the home ownership plunge. Before committing to an investment as substantial as a home, ensure that you are secure in your job. Similarly, if you are relocating for job prospects, verify that the new location has a thriving job market.
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3: Local schools For potential homeowners with children or those planning on becoming parents, area schools See BUY, Page 15
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A real lush A lush, green lawn is a sight to behold. Many variables are involved in growing and maintaining grass and water and fertilizer are among the most important components. Knowing how much water and fertilizer to apply and when to apply it can make a big difference in the appearance and health of a lawn. That's because a well-fed and watered lawn will develop a better root system, which makes the lawn less vulnerable to stressors like drought, mowing, foot traffic and heat. Fertilize There is no magic formula governing when to fertilize a lawn. The type of grass and how well-established a lawn is must be considered. Experts suggest having the soil tested to determine its pH levels and if any nutrients are lacking. A fertilizing schedule can then be developed after testing. Keep in mind that overfeeding a lawn will not make it grow any better and actually can damage the turf. Several small applications of fertilizer during the lawn's most active growing period may be helpful, advises the home improvement resource Tools Around the House. An annual application (late spring for warm-season grass or fall for cool-season grass) may be all that's needed. Certain fertilizers need to be applied and watered in. Others may be combined with weed-control products and must be set on top of damp grass. Read packaging to determine the right application. Water The right watering schedule and techniques can help a lawn thrive. Experts say adjusting for climate and nature can help grass to grow strongly. A lawn that has a grayish cast or appears dull green is telling an owner that it needs water. Another test is to step on the lawn. If footprints disappear quickly, the grass blades have enough moisture to spring back. Water the lawn in the morning before 10 a.m. when it's cooler and the winds tend to be calm so that the water can soak in. For those who must water at night, do so in early evening so that the water can dry before nightfall and will not contribute to disease. Experts say to water an established lawn until the top six to eight inches of soil is wet. Most lawns need one to 1.5 inches of water per week from rain or a hose to soak the soil that deeply. Newly established lawns may require more water to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Visit a lawn care center for more information on watering the type of lawn for your area. 12 Nichols Hills & NW OKC Community Magazine
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What’s cooking?
Upgrades make kitchen more enjoyable, functional
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Homeowners looking to renovate often see room for improvement in their kitchens and bathrooms. The National Association of Home Builder's Remodeling Market Index Survey, which measures conditions in the remodeling market, indicates that the two most common remodeling jobs are bathroom remodels (81 percent) and kitchen remodels (79 percent). According to HGTV and Statistics Brain, a new kitchen remodel for a kitchen measuring 12 by 12 feet may cost homeowners anywhere from $17,000 to $37,000. Before investing so much into their remodeling projects, homeowners should think carefully about the features that will improve their time spent at home. When planning a kitchen renovation, homeowners
may want to consider the following upgrades to make the room more enjoyable while improving its functionality. Oversized sink Although high-efficiency dishwashers are popular, deep sinks to soak soup pots or woks are still useful. Deep sinks may be preferable to double sinks, especially for homeowners who use lots of kitchen tools when preparing meals. Softclosing hinges When replacing cabinets (or just the hardware), consider installing soft-closing hinges and slides on doors and drawers. These devices eliminate slamming and caught fingers, reducing noise and injuries in the kitchen.
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Footpedal water operation When outfitting a sink, think about foot controls, which are popular in doctors' offices and hospitals. Turning on the water with the tap of a foot can reduce the transfer of pathogens to faucets from hands during food preparation. These pedals also free up hands for other tasks. Bottom's up People likely spend more time raiding the refrigerator than the freezer on any given day. Rather than having to bend down to seek out that favorite flavor of Greek yogurt, choose a model with the fridge on top and freezer on the bottom, especially if anyone in the household has mobility issues. When shopping for See KITCHEN, Page 15
KITCHEN From Page 14 refrigerators, French-door style units may offer even more access, making it easy for homeowners to slide fruit trays, sheet cakes and other large items into the fridge.
Renovations can be customized to make the kitchen more hospitable for all in residence.
Extra lighting A kitchen should be a balance of form and function. A combination of overhead lighting, decorative lighting and task lighting can illuminate all areas of the space effectively. Appliance garages Architectural and design resource Houzz says that appliance garages are popular kitchen additions, too. Set at countertop level, these cabinets allow people to keep small appliances plugged in but tucked neatly behind closed doors. Kitchen remodels are a sizable investment and renovations can be customized to make the kitchen more hospitable for all in residence.
BUY From Page 11 should merit significant consideration. Research school rankings and reviews, but know that rankings can change. American Family Insurance Company says to also look at the school budget history of towns you're considering to see if residents prioritize funding for education. This can be a measure of how important education is in a given community. a 4: Commute times
PACIFIC SHORE From Page 7 There are several ways clients can effectively use the showroom and tips are provided to help anyone bring their vision to life. Clients are always encouraged to bring any samples they have to the showroom so that they can get the best idea of how a stone will look in their space.
Home ownership involves both lifestyle and financial decisions. Calculate the time it will take to travel to and from work when considering a certain town or neighborhood. Find out if there is mass transit and what options are available for off-hour travel needs. a 5: Lifestyle options Quality nightlife, arts and history, community events, proximity to cultural centers or cities, and other factors are at play in choosing a home. Make sure your new community allows you to still enjoy the things you're passionate about. a Buying a home involves considering various factors that can affect your budget and quality of life.
“Designing a home can be so stressful, so when clients visit our showroom we make it a point to take the stress off,” said Pacific Shore owner Marco Pereira. “We take the time to learn about their project and what their vision is and then we work to find exactly what they're looking for.” Day-to-day business in the kitchen and bath industry has shifted just like most service-oriented businesses. “We are still helping clients in our
showroom, we just take more precautions,” said Nancy Carter, regional manager of Pacific Shore Stones OKC, Tulsa and Springdale. “Our staff wears masks and follows CDC guidelines of social distancing. Some of our products have a longer lead time when ordering, but we are still receiving the product on time and keeping strict timelines. “We still keep a warm and friendly environment, just a little more distance in between us now.”
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