BC Homes - April 2012

Homes Guide

Brown County April - May 2012

FREE

real estate • appraisals • insurance • financial • Services • area maps published by the

Brown County Democrat

Homes Guide

Brown County April - May 2012 Real Estate

Chief Realty........................................... 4 Jane Gore Realty.................................. 5 Prudential.............................................. 6 Hills O Brown Commercial.................. 7 Remax.................................................... 8 Mike Nickels Log Homes..................... 9 Century 21 Breeden ............................ 9 Remax.................................................. 10 Logos Real Estate.............................. 11 Hills O Brown................................. 12-13 Century 21 Breeden........................... 17 Forest Hills of Brown Co.... Back Cover

2 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

Other Services

Area Appraisal Services...................... 6 Farmers Insurance Group................... 6 Austin Insurance................................ 16 South Central Appraisal..................... 17 Indiana Farm Bureau.......................... 17 Centra Credit Union............................ 23 Area Maps...................................... 20-21

Features

How to improve your landscape before selling................................. 14-15 Tips when creating an outdoor living space.................................... 18-19

ImportantAreaPhone Numbers Code 812

Assessor...........................................988-5466 Auditor...............................................988-5485 Career Resource Center..................988-5880 Circuit Court Judge..........................988-7557 Clerk..................................................988-5510 Extension Service............................988-5495 Dept. of Child Services....................988-2239 Div. of Family Resources.................988-0160 Health Department...........................988-2255 Highway Department........................988-4545 Jail.....................................................988-5605 License Branch.................................988-2404 Nashville Police Dept.......................988-0341 Parks & Recreation..........................988-5522 Post Office - Nashville.....................988-2262 Post Office - Helmsburg...................988-6302 Public Library...................................988-2850

Prosecutor........................................988-5470 Recorder............................................988-5462 School - BCHS..................................988-6606 School - BCJHS................................988-6605 School - Helmsburg..........................988-6651 School - Nashville............................988-6607 School - Sprunica.............................988-6625 School - Van Buren..........................988-6658 Sheriff’s Department........................988-6655 Soil and Water Conservation...........988-2211 Solid Waste Mgt. District.................988-0140 Town of Nashville.............................988-5526 TRIAD.................................................988-5606 Treasurer...........................................988-5458 Veterans Affairs................................988-5600

Highlighting, or up lighting, is a landscaping technique in which light from below is used to accent certain focal points in a landscape. In many instances, the light is used to illuminate a particularly impressive or unique plant. When highlighting, two or more spot light fixtures are placed at the base of a landscape component and pointed upward. While highlighting is most commonly used to illuminate plants, it can be used to draw attention to other focal points of a landscape as well, including sculptures or other garden structures. Light fixtures are aimed away from observers as a means to preventing glare, and oftentimes the fixtures themselves are camouflaged to maintain the natural beauty of the landscape.

-Metro Creative Services

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 3

Chief Realty

130 Pine Hills Dr. • Nashville

New construction log home 4BR, office, 3.5BA, 2 levels plus walk-out basement, stainless steel appl., granite counter tops on custom kit cab., screened porch, lrg. covered front porch. Wonderful location, near Nashville.

$369,500

501 W Pearl St. Trafalgar

Three (3) bedrooms, 1 bath. some hardwood floors, large rooms, garage, corner lot, walking distance to Trafalgar Elementary School.

$66,900

79 Park St., Morgantown

$69,000

Updated and well maintained 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, brick ranch home of 1.20 acres (2 lots), hrdwd flrs., all appliances, 2 car garage, within one mile of Waverly Elem. School and great location for commuters.

SOLD Stately older home on 3 town lots. With some updating could be a showplace. 3 or 4 bdrms, (2 have no closets), newer furnace & AC. Wrap-around porch. Formal dinrm with bay windows. Some hrdwd flrs., detached gar.

8160 Elm St., Martinsville

60 W. Mulberry St., Morgantown

Charm of the wrap-around porch welcomes you to this 3 bdrm. home. Updated HVAC, ele. panel, water heater, and a new family room. Some repairs still needed and reflected in price.

Good location. Indian Creek Schools.

$59,000

$145,900

NEW PRICE

370 E. Washington St. • Morgantown

Brick exterior home with a new 3bdrm, 2ba interior, including new kit cabinets and appliances. New furnace, carpeting and more. 1,880 sq. ft. w/attached gar. and fenced rear yd. Great location. Contract or Leased-To-Buy

$119,000

PENDING 260 County Line Rd., Morgantown

Spacious, well maintained home, with lots of storage. 2 1/2 baths, 2 bedrooms, 2 car attached garage, lrg. storage barn and gazebo in rear yard. Indian Creek Schools.

$110,000

603 W Pearl St., Trafalgar

Updated KT and bath. New furnace, newer roof. 2 bedrooms with space for 2 more in the unfinished attic and the stairway is in place, 1 bath, walking distance to Indian Creek Elem. School, Large covered front porch.

2508 Country Club Rd., Nashville Bank-owned rustic barn-style home on 1 acre. 3 bdrms, 2 baths, pre-approved buyers and cash offers only.

$32,000

$71,900

Land for Sale • 5.39 ac., Johnson Co., Franklin Schools, corner of 100 S and St. Rd. 135, north of Trafalgar, $44,000 • 1.01 Ac. Building Lot, all utilites available Indiana Cree Schools $29,900

4 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

• St. John Commons, Morgan Co., I.C. Schs., near Johnson Co. Line, Building tracts from 0.9 ac. to 2.4 acs., some lakefront, wooded, municipal water available. - $29,000 - $59,000 • 1.3 ac. wooded, lakefront, building lot, gas & water available, Indiana Creek Schools - $52,900

Jane Gore Realty “Personalized Not Franchised”

812-988-6512

91 West Gould St. P.O. Box 9, Nashville, IN 47448 • Fax: 988-8812 jane.gore@sbcglobal.net www.janegorerealty.com

Serving Brown County Since 1982 Jane Gore, Principal Broker 812-325-5419 Karen Smith, Sales Associate 812-369-0486 Wayne Flesher , Broker Associate 812-327-2735

ACREAGE NICE LOCATION

2 BR, 2 BA home on 20 +/- acres, easy commute to Columbus, one car garage, horse barn, hilly & rolling mostly fenced pasture. $167,900. #21164892

GREAT HOME

Beautiful 2 BR, 2 BA cedar home on 5+/- acres, fully furnished, covered front porch, open back deck, 2 car garage/workshop, creek. $259,900. #21144217

14+/- acres of gently slopping ground & a lake site, build w/a view of distant ridges. $70,000 #2960433

11+/wooded acreage, walking distance to Lake Monroe & adjoins Hoosier Nat’l Forest. $43,900 #21014219

GREAT STARTER

FAMILY STARTER

Very nice 3 BR, 2 BA, mobile home, all redone inside on 5.53+/- acres, large horse barn, long road frontage on SR 135 N. $89,000. #21147237

Large 2 story home on 3+/- acres, home features 4 BR, 3 BA, lots of remodeling, still some to do, big yard, some woods. $149,900. #21135986

GREAT HOME

UNIQUE HOME

Gigantic 4 BR, 3 BA lodge style home w/long range views, 3400+ sq. ft., stone FP, creek, 2 ponds, multiple building sites, 162+/- acres. $980,000. #21113764

Find Your New Home With Us!

Unique 3 BR, 3 BA home w/2 stone FP, H/W floors, 2 levels of living space, massive rooms, 2nd kitchen in lower level, potential view. $249,000. #21027357

1+/- acre building lot on Hoover Road, ground is flat and has approved soil analysis. $20,000 #21025669

18+/- acres on Plum Creek Rd, ground is rolling, flat & wooded w/a choice of building sites. $90,000 #2960502

15 acres +/- in Southern BC, undeveloped land, it is divided in 5 acre tracts, has been in classified forest since 1964. $99,900. #21165191

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 5

McGinley AREA APPRAISAL Insurance Agency SERVICES Linda S. Bauer, SRA

Designated & Certified Residential Appraiser Serving Brown, Monroe & Morgan Counties Appraisals for mortgage lending, tax assessment, divorce, estates, marketing & independent

812.988.6424 812 988 6424 | FAX FAX: 812 812.988.4924 988 4924 P.O. Box 472 Nashville, IN 47448 Email: bauerls@wildblue.net

146 E. Main St., Suite 6 Nashville, IN 47448 Office: (812) 988-6399 Fax: (812) 988-6300 Toll Free: (866) 373-6399 cmcginley@farmersagent.com www.farmersagent.com/cmcginley Located in the Red Bud Terrace Just East of the Court House

Auto • Home • Life Health • Business 6 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

PROPERTY SALES & MANAGEMENT

Commercial Buildings

PENDING 125 S Van Buren St. Artist Colony Unit 21155844 $79,000

4514, 16, 4520 Old State Rd. 46 Residential / Industrial 2837490 $349,900

4865 Helmsburg Rd. Figtree Gallery/Coffee House 21014565 $399,000

SOLD 4865 Helmsburg Rd. Antique Barn Next to Figtree 21040467 $175,000

The Pine Room Tavern $200,000

RedBud Terrace 8-Unit on Main Street 21166782 $489,900

165 Van Buren St. North End of Town 21158326 $575,000

Lots in Nashville Town Limits 0 Chestnut St Next to Salt Creek Plaza 21161474 $640,000

0 Chestnut St/State Rd 46 E Between IGA/Law Enforcement Center 21161493 $485,000

0 Hawthorne/Willow St Next to YMCA 21161483 $154,000

CALL ABOUT AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL RENTALS

158 N. Jefferson St. P.O. Box 206 Nashville, IN 47448 Office: (812) 988-2227 Fax: (812) 988-6664

The

SUZANNAH LEVETT ZODY PRINCIPAL BROKER 812-369-1171 Cell

RUTH JARRETT Broker Associate 988-7046 Home

DEBBIE FLEETWOOD Sales Associate 988-4402 Home

BOB KIRLIN Sales Associate 812-720-0222 Cell

KATHRYN RICHARDSON Sales Associate 812-327-7462 Cell

DEMETRIA KELLY Rentals Manager

PHIL SHIVELY Managing Broker 988-1816 Home

Phil Shively Team

www.browncountyhomes.com

DELORES PERCIFIELD Broker Assoc./Team Marketing 988-2227

KIM BRADY Broker Associate 988-2227

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 7

NEW LISTING NEW LISTING (21164961) $299,900 (21157935) $108,000

PRICE REDUCTION RUSTIC GET-A-WAY RUSTIC LOG (21142081) $299,900 (21142076) $169,900 (21156007) $92,900

PENDING 2BR, 2BA W/POOL MONROE LAKE FRONT (21137140) $97,000 (21136355) $139,900 (21138906) $119,900

SUNRISE COTTAGE PENDING 3BR LOG HOME (21043852) $188,900 (21102944) $275,000 (21134958) $168,900

COZY COTTAGE TOURIST HOME TURNING TREE (21108518) $429,500 (21020786) $229,900 (21106728) $139,900

COMMERCIAL

4BR - HORSE PROPERTY COMMERCIAL - CHURCH ANTIQUE LOG HOME (21113684) $389,900 (2668925) $199,900 (2858434) $259,900

PRICE REDUCED!! BIG RIVER COMPLEX IN GNAW BONE, IN. ONE OF BROWN COUNTY’S ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES OFFERS A GOOD LOCATION ON SR 46E WITH LARGE PARKING LOT. BUILDINGS ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. BOTH SHOPS HAVE FIREPLACES, CARPET, FULL BATHS, KITCHENS, COVERED PORCHES, FENCED BACK YARD, GAS FURNACES A/C, GAS W/H’S, 3+C GARAGE W/ STORAGE FOR MERCHANDISE OR 3RD SHOP. IMMEDIATE AREA SHOWING GROWTH. SELLER WILL CONSIDER SHORT TERM CONTRACT OR LEASE W/OPTION. INVENTORY SOLD SEPARATELY.

(21164682) $322,900

8 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

BROWN COUNTY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT WE HAVE POTENTIAL TENANTS LOOKING FOR RENTALS AND ALL OUR PROPERTIES ARE LEASED!!! IF YOU NEED A TENANT FOR YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY PLEASE CONTACT US, WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU!

BROWN COUNTY ACREAGE

SOLD – WALLOW HOLLOW RD (21156266) 19.80AC $98,900 (21156262) 25.81AC $122,900

NEW- 2666 LANAM RIDGE RD. (21164958) 5.00AC $30,600

SOLD – LAWSON RIDGE RD (21156267) 6.01AC $39,900

LEE TURNER RD (2904057) 80AC $360,000

8726 WINSLOW CT (21138359) 5AC $49,900

8906 GREYSON CT (2819301) 2.50AC $31,900

STATE RD 135 N (2530138) 1.80AC $24,900

SOLD- PETRO RD (2952283) 10.06AC $22,000

2596 AMY LN (21116521) 7.11AC $44,900

DUSTY LN (21040164) 5.94AC $57,500

STINSON RD (2806123) LOT #9 - 5.00AC $26,900 (2806160) LOT #13 - 7.00AC $42,000

RASPBERRY (21040168) 2.54AC $35,000

PUMPKIN RIDGE RD (21045729) 20.00AC $85,900 (21045759) 12.60AC $68,900 (21045810) 10.00AC $54,500 CHRISTIANSBURG RD (2840642) 85.84AC $488,900 (2840636) 74.17AC $434,900 (2840620) 11.67AC $89,900

232 C W MAIN STREET (21019929) .19AC $9,000 232 D W MAIN STREET (21019932) .19AC $9,000 232 CD W MAIN STREET (21156116) .38 AC $18,000 GLENN OAK COURT (2668934) 2.02AC $24,900

DEVELOPMENT LOCATED ON OWL CREEK RD. THESE BUILDING SITES ARE A RARE FIND OFFERING SECLUSION FOR PRESTIGE HOMES, YEAR ROUND VIEWS AND MORE.

advertise in the

Brown County ntey Guide uHomes n Ceo s Guid Brow Hom February - March 2012

FREE

FREE

2012 uary

1 - Jan

ber 201

Decem

Homes Guide

nsider s to co g Thing e movin befor

igner e a des get Creat bud on a look a es • are • Servic

real

June-July Brown county

maps

ial • financ ocrat urance s • ins nty Dem raisal estate • appraisals wn Cou• insurance • financial • Services • area maps • appreal the Bro estate ed by publish

published by the

Brown County Democrat

Homes • Acreage • Lots • Financial Commercial • Appraisals • Rentals Show it all right here for Brown County and the surrounding area to see!

Brown County Democrat ads@bcdemocrat.com • 812.988.2221 147 E. Main • P.O. Box 277 • Nashville, IN

15 Pine Brook Trail 6940 Jordan Lane $499,000

$176,500

• Spacious Custom Home

• 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths

• 4 Bedrooms

• 1.75 AC Well Landscaped Lot

• Maintenance Free Living

8663 Autumn Lake Drive • $221,900 • Spacious Home on 1.53 Acres • Shared Lake • Move-in Condition

• Large Storage Barn

SR 135 N, turn right at Pine Tree Hills entrance

SR 46 W, Left at Entrance to Henderson Meadows, Watch for Signs.

Jan Brinkman

Exceeding Expectations in Real Estate Exce

812-371-3215 8 81

JJanBrink@C21Breeden.com an www.JanBrinkman.com w w

Nora Noblitt

700 Washington Street Columbus, IN 47201

812-343-3843 NoraN@C21BR.com

Team Wischmeier John & Kimberly Wischmeier Sarah Sanders 812-344-3480 john@C21BR.com

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 9

Diane Brown-Hawes & Nancy Ann Brown

(Diane) Cell 812-371-8343, (Nancy) Cell 812-350-2855 Office: 812-372-2200, Ext. 119 hawesbrownteam@yahoo.com www.dhawes.remax-indiana.com

E IC PR

417 12th St

Income Potential, 2 Apts Each with 1 Bedroom, East of Washington Street

$75,000 MLS#21101989

1217 Washington St

Multifamily w/2 Apartments Each with 2 BR, Also Zoned for Commerical Use $135,000 MLS#21101993 $130,000 MLS#21101992

PEN

2555 California Street

208 S Poplar St

Immed. Possess., 3 BR, 2 BA, Freshly Painted, Fenced Yard, Home Warr. Included $134,900 MLS#21101435

610 E Grant Street

On 4 Lots w/3 Bedrooms, Full Basement, Hrdwd floors 2 Car Det. Gar, In Waldron $121,450 MLS#21101004

PEN

PEN

DIN

G

$79,900 MLS#21101562

2815 Bittersweet Blvd

G

Upper Level End Unit Condo 2 BR, 2 BA, Fireplace New Roof, Immediate Possession!

DIN

109 Lookout Ridge

Great Income Producing Property with 4 Apartments and Off Street Parking $90,000 MLS#21101991

Walking Distance to Schools, 4 BR, 2.5 BA, Basement, Liv Rm, Fam Rm w/FP, Sunroom

N

EW 3 Unit Apartment House w/Off Street Parking, Don’t Miss this Opportunity!

DIN

EW N 1224 Franklin St

1227 Washington St

G

1204 Franklin St

Good Investment Opportunity with 3 Apartment Units, Convenient to Downtown $95,000 MLS#21101990

N

EW N

N

EW

“Each office independently owned & operated.”

EW

3 BR Log Home on 1+ AC 2 BA, All Appliances, Hot Tub, Deck, Priced to Sell! $113,000 MLS#21101823

EW

2401 Beam Rd, Columbus, IN 47203 • 812-372-2200 866 57REMAX

1269 SR 135 S

N

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

Outstanding Agents Outstanding Results

5170 E 550 N

2342 Indiana Ave

Stone/Vinyl Ranch, Double Country Setting, 3 Bdrm, 2 BA, Lots of Charm, 2 BR, Sun Lot, 2 Bedroom plus Bonus Large eat-in kit. w/new S.S. appl., Room, 2 Car Det. Gar, BSMT, Room, 1 Car Att. Gar, +2 Hrdwd flrs, Det 2 C Gar, Workshop Home Warranty Included Car Detached Garage $118,900 MLS#21100738 $80,000 MLS#21101802 $224,900 MLS#21200271 $94,900 MLS#21001467

10 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

Tom Vornholt 317-989-3323 Broker

Kedren Leedy 812-340-3430 Agent

www.logosrealestatellc.com

YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS

3409 Lanam Ridge

7790 Lakewood-Lemon

4564 Bear Wallow

4195 Turtle Trace-Lamb

2370 Greasy Creek

3435 Grandma Barnes

2375 Fairway

2840 Smith Road

2532 S.R. 135 N.

5217 Bellsville Pike

2115 Fair Oaks

2560 Greasy Creek

514 Whipporwill

3403 Plum Creek

4817 Helmsburg

00 Buffalo Pike

00 Kelly Hill Lane

4823 Watson-Lemon

1637 Fruitdale

Business For Sale

The TOY CHEST

Jeepers Miniatures

Excellent Business Opportunity

Excellent Established Business Opportunity

Fruitdale Market & Gas

B.C. Tire & Auto

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 11

12 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 13

How to improve your

LANDSCAPE before selling 14 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

Selling a house is seldom easy, and homeowners are often willing to do whatever it takes to make their home more attractive to prospective buyers. One of the areas sellers typically focus on is the home’s landscaping. A well-maintained lawn and garden increases a property’s curb appeal considerably, increasing the chances a buyer will have a strong first impression of the home.

But homeowners don’t need to have a green thumb to ensure their lawn improves curb appeal. The following are a few tricks of the trade savvy sellers can employ to make their home an instant hit when buyers pull up to the curb.

• Color the landscape. The plants outside a home shouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb, but a few splashes of color can make a home more appealing. For the cost of some annuals, which are typically inexpensive, homeowners can turn a drab flower bed into a colorful spot bound to catch a buyer’s eye.

• Lay down new layers of mulch. Mulch is not only good for plants, helping them to retain moisture while inhibiting weed germination and growth, but a fresh layer of mulch also adds to a yard’s aesthetic appeal.

Mulch made of wood or bark chips is also slow to decay, so apply a new batch right before the “For Sale” sign is erected and you might not have to apply another batch before selling the home.

• Prune trees and shrubs. Pruning trees and shrubs is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve a landscape. Dead branches in shrubs and trees might suggest to buyers that the homeowners weren’t terribly preoccupied with maintenance, and this might cause them to think twice about making an offer. Stay on top of pruning regardless of what season it is, and be sure to remove any fallen branches from the yard on a regular basis.

• Clean bird baths and other water features.

Water features create a peaceful atmosphere around a property if they’re well maintained. If not, buyers won’t see the yard as a sanctuary but rather a place where mosquitoes congregate and odors emanate from algae-filled water. Remove any debris from water features, including leaves and algae, and clean the filters so water is always clear.

• Invest in a power washer. Buying a power washer might be a tad over the top, but homeowners whose yards are filled with grimy surfaces might find a power washer can work wonders at restoring a home’s external appeal. If plants are in pots that are covered in years-old dirt and grime, a power washer can restore the pot’s luster in a matter of minutes. Spray down walkways and even home siding that has fallen victim to dirt and grime over the years.

• If planting trees, don’t go too big. Especially large trees are not always attractive to prospective buyers, who likely won’t want sight lines obstructed or won’t want to worry about a tree falling and destroying their home during a storm.

• Address issues with weeds. A prevalent problem with weeds around the property is another situation that some buyers might feel is indicative of neglect.

Weeds are a pretty simple problem to remedy, so buyers might be correct to assume weeds around the property are there because the homeowner was not concerned with maintenance. Lay mulch around flower beds and gardens to reduce weed growth, and pull any weeds from sidewalks and the driveway.

Once weeds are pulled, spray areas that were infested with a weed-treatment product to ensure weeds don’t grow back.

A well-maintained landscape is a great way for men and women hoping to sell their homes to make a strong first impression.

-Metro Creative Services

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 15

16 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

South Central APPRAISAL ASSOCIATES

Buddy Greller

Certified Residential Appraiser Serving the following Counties: Brown • Morgan • Monroe • Johnson • Bartholomew

scappraisers@sbcglobal.net

153 E. Gould St. • P.O. Box 122 • Nashville, IN 812.988.6216 • 800.659.6737 • Fax 812.988.7643

551 Town Hill Road $339,900 • 2.26 Beautiful Acres • Large Kitchen w/Abundant Cabinets • Open Concept w/Cathedral Ceilings

3020 Green Valley Road $299,900

We work with both buyers and sellers in the Brown County area.

637 Highland Drive $239,900

• Custom Built 4 BR Home on 8.5 Acres

• Spectacular, Spacious Home

• Finished Basement w/Family Room

• Over 1 Acre Wooded Setting

• 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths

Give us a call!

• Additional 63 Acres Available

ACREAGE & BUILDING LOT 6961 Jordan Lane - Building Lot/2.5 AC

2533 STATE RD 135 N $159,900

N. Ike Shipley Rd. - Wooded Lot/63.40 AC

• Charming Home on 10 Acres

• Very Unique Rustic 3BR Cottage

$295,000

• Many Recent Updates

• Walk-out Basement

• Additional 20 Acres Available

• Hardwood & Ceramic Floors Throughout

6046 S. Hamilton Creek Road $189,000

Roberts Team

Office: 812-378-1715 Cell: 812-343-9486 BevandDave@C21Breeden.com

$31,000

Visit our website:

www.RobertsTeamHomes.com

Our Experience Is Your Advantage!

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 17

Tips when creating an

outdoor living space -Metro Creative Services

18 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

Outdoor living spaces have become increasingly popular over the last several years.

The home improvement boom has shown many homeowners just how easy it can be to transform a home into a private sanctuary that caters to the personalities of the home’s residents.

Outdoor living areas have become an extension of the home’s interior, with many homeowners creating outdoor living rooms and dining areas so they can relax and eat meals outside just as they do indoors. But homeowners thinking of creating outdoor living spaces should consider a few tricks of the trade before beginning their projects.

• Strategically place the space. Property often dictates where the outdoor living space will go, but it helps to keep in mind that the outdoor space is more likely to be used if it’s easily accessible from the inside of the home. For instance, if residents need to walk out the front door to access an outdoor living space in the backyard, then residents might find the area is too inconveniently located and they won’t make the most of the space. Whenever possible, plan the outdoor living space so it’s easily accessible from the home’s interior, preferably from the kitchen so it will be easier to carry meals outdoors when dining outside.

• Emphasize comfort. Many homeowners look at their outdoor living areas as places to kick their feet up and relax, so comfort should take precedence when planning the space. Forgo the plastic patio chairs of yesteryear for furniture that’s more sturdy and roomy so you won’t feel cramped or sweaty on warm summer evenings and afternoons.

In addition, don’t forget to shade the area. Some homeowners choose to build pergolas, but oftentimes an umbrella or two can do the trick at a fraction of the cost. If the outdoor living area is near trees, they might provide sufficient shade from the often blistering summer sun. But keep a few umbrellas in the garage just in case.

• Illuminate the area. Summer nights spent relaxing in the outdoor living area make for great memories. But such nights are nearly impossible if the area doesn’t have some lighting. Tiki torches might do the trick for some, while others who want to avoid giving their outdoor area a luau feel might prefer solar-powered accent lights, which won’t require any wiring. If your backyard attracts its fair share of insects, look for insect-repelling lights or lamps. Whatever your preference, don’t forget to have some lighting so those summer evenings spent under the sky don’t have to end when the sun goes down.

• Keep the design consistent with your home. In addition to providing an outdoor respite from the daily grind, an outdoor living space can also increase a home’s resale value. However, homeowners who have one eye on R&R and the other on resale value should keep the design of their outdoor living space consistent with their home. One of the goals when designing an outdoor living space should be to create a seamless transition from the home’s interior to its exterior. The best way to do that is to keep the designs of both living spaces consistent.

• Don’t forget the fire pit. A fire pit provides a great focal point for an outdoor living area. Instead of sitting at the dinner table, families and friends can gather around the fire pit and relax with some s’mores and share stories. But even when guests aren’t coming over, a fire pit makes for a great place to relax and let the time go by.

With more and more homeowners transforming their homes into their own private sanctuaries, outdoor living spaces continue to grow in popularity. By employing a few simple tricks of the trade, homeowners can create the outdoor areas of their dreams.

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 19

20 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 21

Brown County Democrat

Your

News at your door and online Whether in print or online, we bring you the latest headlines from across town and throughout our county: community events, school updates and closings, local sports, touching stories, money-saving offers and so much more.

subscribe today In-county delivered, $39/year!

A 25% savings off the newsstand price.

www.bcdemocrat.com To Advertise, email Ads@bcdemocrat.com To submit comments, letters to the editor student news and photos or story ideas, email newsroom@bcdemocrat.com 812.988.2221 147 E. Main • P.O. Box 277 • Nashville 22 Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012

DREAM Start making memories today with a Mortgage Loan.

Kevin Johnson 812-314-0424

kjohnson@centra.org

Julie Schlehuser 812-314-0228

jschlehuser@centra.org

Can you bank with Centra? YES, YOU CAN! Open an account today.

Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Lender.

Brown County Homes Guide - April - May 2012 23