Saturday, September 16, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal
home.cjonline.com Real estate
Smart homes Homebuyers leaning toward new technology page 6 n Tips for planting trees, page 2 n Securing a land loan, page 5 n Boosting a basement’s appeal, page 8
keith horinek/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
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Getting to the root of planting trees that will succeed Selecting a damage-free product from a nursery is the first step Trees are one of the most valuable aspects of a landscape and a crucial part of our ecosystem. From reducing energy costs by shading homes to providing habitat for insects, birds and mammals, trees matter. Trees can be planted in the spring or the fall. Planting a tree properly is a vital step in making sure your new addition is around for years to come. Planting a tree falls into a simple 10-step plan that will give your tree the best start in its new home. n Tree selection: Diseases, pests, broken branches, winter burn, drought stress and death are just a few tree issues that can be avoided with proper tree selection. K-State’s publication “Answers To … What Shall I Plant?” gives a comprehensive guide on tree selection. The publication is free online at www.bookstore.ksre. ksu.edu/pubs/MF434.pdf or at the Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave.
Ariel Whitely
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
arielw@ksu.edu
When selecting a tree from a nursery, don’t choose a damaged one. The tree may be off balance due to poor pruning, have severely girdling roots, damaged bark or signs of pests — all red flags. Starting with a healthy tree will be your best chance of having a healthy tree for years to come. Pay attention to root ball size. For every inch of trunk diameter, it should have 10 to 12 inches of root ball diameter. n Transport and storage: Take care when transporting your new tree. Don’t carry it by the trunk or allow the root ball to dry out. If possible, leave the tree in
“Pumpkins — Preparation and Preservation” will be presented at 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. The class, which is open to the public, will focus on carving and preserving a Halloween jack-o’-lantern. Participants will walk away with their creations, pumpkin seeds and a recipe for roasting the seeds. Enrollment is topped at 10; reservations are required. Price for the class is $10, payable upon reservation. Information: (785) 232-0062. a shady location until you’re ready to plant. n No strings attached: Make sure all tags, wires and strings are removed from the tree prior to planting. Anything left on the tree can girdle the trunk or branches. n Dig a good hole: Your tree should be placed in the bottom of a hole — the same depth as the root ball — where it won’t sink further down. The first level of primary roots should be placed at the soil surface, not beneath the soil. The width of the hole should be three times the diameter of the root ball. Tree roots grow primarily horizontally from the root ball.
n Set it free: Remove as much of the plastic pot, peat pot and burlap as possible. If there is a small amount of girdling roots, cut the bottom and sides of the root system. n Fill the hole: Backfill the hole with the same soil that came out of it. Adding any amendments to the soil may do more harm than good. The root flare of the tree should be visible above the soil. To ensure the root flare is visible, you may have to remove some of the soil that came with the tree. n Avoid pruning: Only remove branches that are damaged. Other branches — or their buds — are needed
to send signals to the roots to grow. n Water: Make sure you water your tree thoroughly after planting. After that, water once a week for the first year if there is no rain. For evergreens especially, continue to water through winter if the ground isn’t frozen. Overwatering your tree can be just as damaging as neglecting it. Pay attention to the specific variety needs, weather and soil moisture. n Mulch: Mulch helps retain moisture, protect the roots from climate fluctuations and keep competing trees and plants away. Improperly mulching can do as much damage as no mulch at all. Mulch around the tree 2 to 4 inches deep — shallower near the tree, getting deeper as you go outward — in a ring around the tree that spans two to three times wider than the root ball. Do not mulch directly up against the bark of the tree. n Staking: Only stake trees when necessary. Staking should immobilize the root ball, not the trunk. Ariel Whitely is the horticulture agent for Shawnee County Research and Extension.
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On a budget? Update hardware for fresh look Domaine Homeowners and renters alike can attest bad hardware is something that plagues dated kitchens. And while major kitchen remodels aren’t always worth the investment, small upgrades, like painting cabinets and swapping hardware, offer an 83 percent return on investment at resale. So while you may not be ready to gut your kitchen in favor of the latest luxe trends, there are easy updates you can make in one weekend that will make your space pretty to look at and enhance the value of your home. You’ve already painted
your cabinets, now’s the time to address hardware. To guide us through the sea of hardware options, we tapped Peter Sallick, CEO and creative director of Waterworks — purveyors of heritage hardware and plumbing since 1925 — on his favorite hardware trends and his best tips for upgrading hardware in your home. Splurging on your dream hardware might not be as foolish as you thought. Here’s the smart way to do it. Q: Where does hardware add the most value to a home? Sallick: The kitchen and
the bath are two of the rooms that can most widely impact the resale value of a home, so we see any investment in these spaces as adding value. These are also spaces that are generally complex to update and hardware is the simplest change that you can make. Q: What are the best hardware options for kitchen cabinets? Sallick: The kitchen is a focal point for entertaining and a space that is frequented by house guests, party guests and homeowners themselves. So it has to look great, but it also has to be HARDWARE continues on 7
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How do you get a loan to buy land? By Staci Giordullo Angie’s List
Building a new house is exciting and half the fun is selecting the perfect plot of land. Getting a land loan and determining your eligibility differs from a typical loan or mortgage, so it’s important to know what to expect. n Determine a use for the land. Lenders tend to view land loans cautiously and as a higher risk than traditional mortgages, because it’s typically easier for a borrower to walk away from an undeveloped piece of land than a residence. To offset this risk, lenders often require a larger down payment and charge a higher interest rate. As a borrower, having a definitive use for the land and plans to increase its value can help in determining your eligibility. However you plan to use the land, have it professionally surveyed and review the zoning regulations to make sure you’re legally allowed to use it as you wish. n Financing considerations when you buy land. How you plan to use the land is a major factor in deciding the type of loan you’ll need. Location is key, and if you can show your lender it’s a prime piece of property versus a plot out in no-man’s land, you’ll have an easier time. Why? The lender will have an easier time reselling an ideal location should you default on the loan. Another factor is the land itself. Is it already cleared, and does it have access to utilities, sewers and roads? Or is the land “raw,” meaning these manmade improvements have yet to arrive? Raw land is cheaper, but it’s much harder to get financing, and you might find yourself with higher interest rates and a stricter repayment plan. The path of least resistance is one where you plan to build immediately. You’ll get the most favorable loan terms with approved construction plans in place. n Where to get land loans. When you begin your research on how to
Lindsey Smith Bolling
Getting a loan for land is a bit different than getting a mortgage or other type of loan. How you plan to use the land is a major factor in deciding the type of loan you’ll need. buy land and get a land loan, it’s best to start with your local banks or credit unions. A local lending institution will be more familiar with the area and have a better idea about the land’s value than a national bank with no local presence. Local lenders also have a vested interest in community growth, which makes them more likely to finance a loan. As with other loans, the bank or credit union will check your credit history before approving a land loan, which can have an impact on loan terms, such as interest rate and down payment.
Expect to pay fees associated with the loan that cover a title search and insurance, land survey, appraisal and any attorney fees. If you already own property and have little debt, obtaining a home equity loan for your land purchase is an option that usually presents lower interest rates and more favorable terms. Federal aid is available if you’re seeking a loan for land in a rural area. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers direct loans with low-interest rates and favorable term requirements for those willing to improve the property.
Tip of the Week Here are some uses for microfiber cloths. When they become dirty, toss them into the washing machine. n Pets: Freshen up your dog by lightly dampening a microfiber cloth with water and wiping its fur. Use them to wipe food from a dog’s face after it eats or remove crusty discharge from a cat’s eyes.
n Auto: Keep several microfiber cloths underneath the front seat of your vehicle. Use them to dust off the dashboard, radio and steering wheel. n Bathroom and kitchen: Use them to clean and shine the chrome, spiff up mirrors and wipe off the sink. Source: heloise.com Metro Creative Connection
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real estate
Smart home technology: A wise move for sellers By Jan Biles
jan.biles@cjonline.com
Realtor Luke Thompson was looking for a way to create a buzz to draw potential buyers to a home he was helping sell for a client. Thompson, who works at ColdThompson well Banker Griffith & Blair American Home, 2222 S.W. 29th St., suggested converting the client’s property into a smart home. Presentations at a Coldwell Banker convention in fall 2016 had focused on the new housing trend and his colleague, Amanda Lewis, was satisfied with smart technology — mostly voice-activation devices — recently installed in her home. “I told him about updating to a smart home. We looked at the price and incorporated it into his home,” Thompson said. To be considered a “smart home” by CNET, which reviews new technology products, a home must be equipped with interactive technologies in three of the following areas: lighting, safety, entertainment, appliances, heating/ cooling, outdoors, security or temperature. One of the areas must be security or temperature. Thompson said his client chose security, temperature and lighting, and installed an Echo Dot, a hands-free, voice-controlled device;
Brandpoint
STEPS TO A SMART HOME
Smart thermostats and lighting timers represent the first steps toward smart home technology for many homeowners, but in a lot of cases, they were the only steps. Since then, technology has continued to develop, and today there are scores of home goods that can talk to one another while allowing you total control of your home from your smartphone, tablet or another device. Follow these steps and your home will be a smart home in no time. n Determine what you’d like to control remotely or automate based on time. Having total control of your home sounds great, but it also leads to total responsibility and sometimes you don’t need all that. n Select technology that works with your home. When you’re shopping for products — like lighting switches — you should always be mindful of functionality. For example, does your home operate on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth? Understand the base functionalities of your home and you’ll streamline your shopping process. n Seek professional help. If you’re concerned about your ability to set up your smart home technology successfully, don’t be afraid to seek out some guidance. Call on your contractor to assist you in the installation. You can also download helpful guides and how-to instructions from the manufacturer’s website. n Download the proper apps. The key to your home’s smart technology lies in the corresponding apps. Make sure you’ve downloaded the right one to match your system. Many smart home technologies offer both iPhone and Android apps to provide the functionality control you need. n Set your schedule and optimize as needed. Your smart home is an ever-evolving machine, and the more time you take to continually customize your preferences, the more you’ll get from your system. Establish your initial schedule and then add voice control through Amazon, Google or Apple. Finally, don’t be afraid to make continued improvements. Source: Brandpoint
Keith Horinek/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
John Ringgold, a Realtor at Keller Williams Realty, uses his tabloid to program the lighting system in his home. Ringgold has installed voice- and phone-activated lights; smart switches and outlets; Wi-Fi light bulbs; and a programmable Nest thermostat to remotely control his home’s temperature. LED light bulbs; a smart lock controlled by phone; a video doorbell; and phoneactivated garage door control. To upgrade to a smart home cost the seller about $1,300, which included materials, but not installation. In the past few years, the seller also replaced the roof, updated windows and added stone veneer siding, new carpet in the living room, and ceramic tiles in the kitchen, bathroom and dining room. “We sold the house he had in seven days and it
sold for a lot more than it was appraised,” Thompson said. The seller’s home was appraised at $98,000. After installing the smart technology and making other improvements, the property sold for more than $130,000. The house was appraised at $82,000 when the seller purchased it in 2016. Lewis isn’t the only Topeka Realtor who has transformed their dwelling into a smart home. John Ringgold, a self-proclaimed “tech geek” and a Real-
tor at Keller Williams Realty, 2641 S.W. Wanamaker Road, said he likes to be able to “control things from my phone remotely.” Ringgold has installed voice- and phone-activated lights; smart switches and outlets; Wi-Fi light bulbs; a programmable Nest thermostat to remotely control the temperature of his home; and Amazon Echo voice technology. “Anything electric you can control with technology,” he said. “It does cost a little bit to get into it.”
Ringgold said he likes the convenience of smart technology, but added he also enjoys “setting it up and seeing what you can make it do.” He’s not alone. According to information compiled by Coldwell Banker, 33 percent of its surveyed agents said homes with smart home technology sell faster than homes without such devices. In addition, about half of millennials and 42 percent of broadband households surveyed would “smart stage” their homes to attract buyers. Consequently, Realtors need to be up to speed on the latest smart-home technologies.
“Buyers love smart thermostats and Alexa turning on the living room lights,” Lewis said, adding she often works with millennial homebuyers who are “curious” about the latest technology. “Voice activation is important for the future.” Is there a downside? “When Wi-Fi isn’t working, nothing works in the house, so you have to do things manually again,” Ringgold noted. Thompson and Ringgold also said Realtors need to make sure a home’s technology and equipment transfer from the seller to the buyer, and passwords are reset once a contract is signed.
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Rose arbor adds fragrance to the entry By Maureen Gilmer Tribune News Service
DREAMSTIME
Small upgrades, like painting cabinets and swapping hardware, offer an 83-percent return on investment at resale.
Hardware: Unexpected materials spur new value Continued from 3
functional. For a fully functioning kitchen, I see many of our professional interior designer clients combining hardware styles with a mixture of knobs and pulls, depending on the size and positioning of the cabinets and drawers. They are getting away from the sameness of a single style on every surface. The other thing that can make a huge impact beyond pulls and knobs is the actual hinge hardware. We are seeing many Waterworks Kitchen customers who are purchasing cabinets choosing exposed hinges, either partially exposed or completely exposed, with surface mounted hinges. Surface mounted brass hinges on a deeply hued cabinet door make a bold statement. Q: What are your favorite hardware styles right now? Sallick: My favorite styles of hardware are those with the less-expected materials. We’ve recently introduced styles that work with hand-stitched Italian leather and rich American walnut. They add a beautiful warmth, texture and dimension to any room in the home. As soon as these were available, I updated the cabinets in
my dining room with leather pieces and it impacted the feeling of the entire space. Similar to metal finishes, the leather pieces will patina over time, showing how much they are used and loved. Q: What would you recommend for someone on a budget? Sallick: Hardware and also lighting probably make the biggest difference in the look and impact of kitchens. Hardware can literally dress up even the simplest cabinets. When choosing hardware, it’s important to keep in mind that you are going to touch this item on a daily basis and the feel of a solid piece is very different in your hand. Hardware is a big-bang-for-the-dollar element of kitchens. Q: What are your tips for choosing hardware for furniture? Sallick: Hardware updates don’t need to be restricted to the kitchen. A vintage furniture piece can feel completely modern when paired with a new hardware style, and it’s easy to update built-in cabinets in living rooms and dining rooms. Overall, pick something that will complement the piece and that is the right scale.
Some girls dream of the perfect house with a white picket fence. Romantic girls want all that plus a rose-covered arbor gate. When it’s in bloom, not only is that gate the focal point of your front yard, it’s also a fragrant experience for everyone who must pass through to get to your front door. From highbrow dinner guests to the FedEx delivery person, your entry becomes a sensory experience they’ll want to repeat over and over. These arbors began as a means of showing where to tie one’s horse before entering the ranch or farm home. The yards were originally fenced with pickets to keep farm animals out and kids in. This idea means you can claim all of your front yard space for personal use rather than leaving it open to intruders. The arbor also provides an opportunity to have the bell out at the sidewalk, mounted security cameras and an intercom to keep everyone out of the front yard and away from the house. There are no rules about what kind of arbor to choose, but it should match existing fencing materials to create an integrated look. Wrought iron, wood or paint-free modern white composite are all suitable choices. Before you buy anything, though, check with your local building department to determine if any codes prevent you from creating a front yard fence and arbor gate. Today’s ever-blooming or remontant roses are the best choices for these arbors, because they don’t need much care compared to the big arching hybrid tea climbers. For example, Star Roses (Starrosesandplants.com) has developed a nice range of heavy-blooming, moderately sized climbers with spectacular vigor, adaptability and disease resistance. They offer a rainbow of different colored varieties well-proven for modern lowmaintenance gardens. The single-flowered forms are far more countrified, working well with clapboard homes, historic architecture and cottage gardens. Double flowers are more elegant for greater sophistication with Victorian or brick and stone architec-
Maureen Gilmer
A 1920s antique arbor supports two different kinds of roses. Rose-covered arbors make for a fragrant entryway to your home. ture. Climbers with good flowers offer a secondary bonus of cut blossoms for indoors. Be adventurous with your rose color choice to suit the overall pal-
ette of your home and garden. Consider planting just one color on your arbor to intensify its presence. Try ROSE continues on 9
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Tips to enliven a dull basement, purge musky dankness By Staci Giordullo Angie’s List
In some homes, basements are light and airy with adequate windowsand space to help you forget you’re in a subterranean room. Others might need some help. If your basement feels musty and dank, check out these ideas on how to breathe some new life into the space. n It’s all about lighting. Make sure windows are sparkling clean and unobstructed from the exterior to let natural light in, and approach basement lighting as you would any room — just remember you’ll likely need more. Recessed and undercabinet lights work well in areas where you might have food and drinks, such as a wet bar or kitchenette. A pendant light or chandelier above a table is ideal for spotlighting the immediate area. Around the TV, use dimmable lighting. Have a cozy reading nook? Put a lamp nearby. Consider a strand of bare-bulb lights or holiday twinkle lights for extra sparkle. n Create open space. Open-concept is all the rage when it comes to primary living, dining and cooking areas. Extend the same idea to the basement to provide a sense of
spaciousness. Start with the stairs. Remove a wall (if structurally possible) to open up at least one side of the staircase and offer a view into the room. Get creative with the beams and support systems to maintain an airy feel. If you need to hide pipes, beams or wires, build a half wall or box to conceal the less-sightly components. n Purposeful decor. Use decor to achieve a warm, yet open and airy feeling. Strategically placed mirrors make the space seem larger and bounce around the beams from your new lighting scheme, shining light into previously dark corners. Dress basement windows with normal treatments, which help the room feel finished. If your basement is cooler, use a ventless fireplace for warmth. These units are typically freestanding and don’t require a chimney or fuel. Eliminate any remaining “dungeon-like” vibes by bringing in some live plants. Some plants do well in low-light scenarios and nothing says “fresh” like a touch of flora. Moldings, such as baseboards and chair rails, can also play a big part in defining a space. Select trim that’s appropriately sized to make the room seem bigger.
n Embrace color. Lighter paint colors will make the room appear larger, and there’s no need to make everything in the room beige. Use your neutral-colored walls to feature brightly colored artwork that’s spotlighted with accent lighting. Select furniture pieces that pop — maybe a turquoise couch or hot pink bar stools. Add a complementary colored rug or plush throw pillows for a cohesive look. Look for a finish, perhaps in a bookshelf or coffee table, that’s luminous and reflects light (without being too glittery, unless that’s your thing; then go for it). n Let floors and ceilings flourish. You want to reflect light and brighten the space. To accomplish that, choose a polished hardwood, tile or shined concrete that’s sophisticated and somewhat reflective. Carpet is the typical goto for a chilly basement, but if your wallet allows and you want to rip out old flooring, consider radiant heat under the new floor. Paint or stain can go a long way with both the floor and ceiling. Paint bare, exposed rafters for a dramatic effect. Or use a stencil to create a unique pattern and give floors some flair.
A change of lighting and furniture — and a splash of bright color — can bring a dull basement back to life. Frank Espich
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Rose: New varieties are fail-proof Continued from 7
architecture. Climbers with good flowers offer a secondary bonus of cut blossoms for indoors. Be adventurous with your rose color choice to suit the overall palette of your home and garden. Consider planting just one color on your arbor to intensify its presence. Try two analogous or complementary colors to work together. Planted on opposite ends of the arbor, they’ll come together on top as a haze of flower color each
year. Almost all other vines are too big for this application. Wisteria becomes a monster. Ditto trumpet vines that require continuous pruning, and once established they can be devilishly hard to remove. The beauty of these modern roses is that they are so carefree, and if well selected for your climate, it’s nearly impossible to fail. The simplest solution for a free arbor is to round up some muscle to bend salvaged rebar
or galvanized pipe into a simple arch. Secure the ends in post holes of concrete for a solid foundation. Then plant your roses and train them up the pipe and over the top. Even if you’ve never grown a rose, that dream of a beautiful romantic entry is only one plant and one simple arbor away. Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer. Learn more at MoPlants. com. Contact her at mogilmer@ yahoo.com or P.O. Box 891, Morongo Valley, Calif. 92256. homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, July 29, 2017 | 9
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