House & Home Guide - June 2016

HOUSE AND HOME

House and Home

Local experts tell us how to improve the homes we love, what to do when we're ready to buy a new one, and the steps we need to take to protect one of the biggest investments we'll ever make.

FINDING THE ONE

Our motto is: 'We can't guarantee to grow your business, but we can grow relationships, which will grow your business!'"

Why

should

homeowners

consider

refinancing

with

BancorpSouth?

Chuck Fawcett, with Chuck Fawcett Realty, enjoys helping

BancorpSouth says, "Now is the time to refinance your mortgage

house hunters find their perfect new home.

or purchase a new home with us. Interest rates are still extremely

He and his team are active members of their communities and

low. Whether you're wanting to lower your monthly payment

have a wealth of knowledge about the schools, medical care,

or pull equity out of your home to make improvements,

walking and biking trails, opportunities for higher education,

BancorpSouth is the lender for you. BancorpSouth offers local

and churches in the area. They understand that finding the right

decision making and servicing of your mortgage. We strive to

home is more than a brick-and-mortar decision; it’s about being

make the lending process easy for our customers with customer

in exactly the right location for your lifestyle. “We have more

service being our number one priority."

than sixty agents, home appraisers on staff for your convenience, and four locations to serve you better,” Chuck says.

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How does the Home Builders Association benefit consumers?

Stephanie Stipins, Executive Director of The Greater Fort

What should a client bring with them (magazine layouts, a

Smith Homebuilders Association, says it helps to connect the

folder with ideas, etc.) when they first visit LSP Drafting about

consumer with reputable builders and suppliers. "The GFSHBA

designing a new home?

offers several opportunities each year, to help the consumer

Logan Parnell, with LSP Drafting, says, “Ideally, some

reach the potential builder or supplier for their projects. Events

magazine images of homes you're interested in, or a style you

such as the annual Home Show, Parade of Homes and access to

like. Perhaps even a mock-up floor plan. If you pass by homes

our website, can provide the consumer with resources for any

you like, snap a photo. Find one online? Save it and bring that

project, large or small. In addition to consumer relationships,

with you. It’s also a great idea to have a square footage and

we help strengthen relationships within the industry.

price range in mind."

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How can we get our home ready to sell, so that it stands out for

What are the benefits of getting a home loan/mortgage from

potential buyers?

Citizens Bank & Trust Co.?

Aaron O'Neal, of O'Neal Realty, says, "First impressions

"Citizens Bank & Trust Co. is a hometown bank with a simple

count: it all starts from the curb. Buyers are attracted to

mission, which is 'to make our customers successful.' Our

homes with manicured landscaping, clean, inviting porches,

mission is evident in every step of getting your home loan,

and freshly painted front doors. Homes that sell the quickest

whether it be walking you through your first loan or helping

are clean and free of clutter, smell fresh, and have great

close on your thirtieth. We have kind people on staff who are

lighting. A buyer needs to see your house as their home. Our

experts and want you to have a great home buying experience.

philosophy has always been: 'Everything matters.' And that

It’ll have you saying, 'Citizens Bank. That’s my Bank!'"

means everything from the baseboards to the light fixtures; every detail will stand out to potential buyers."

PROTECTING WHAT YOU OWN

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Beverly Soucy, with the Reserve Apartments at Chaffee Crossing, tells us that they offer a great option for those needing a home

Does it matter if I use a local alarm company or a national one?

for a definitive amount of time.

Aren't they all the same?

“This helps a variety of people, from those waiting for a closing

Pat Nolte, with Alert Alarm Systems, says, “Good question,

date on a new home to those who are in the area on an extended

and the answer is, no, they aren’t. Alert Alarms is a family-

business stay. We offer convenient lease terms as well as beautifully

owned, local company, in business for more than 40 years!

furnished units where everything is included: furniture, bedding

We don’t sub-contract any of our work, and we’re proud to

and kitchen items, and all utilities are paid." Outstanding amenities

say our employees have been with us for years and are highly

include granite countertops, laminate wood floors, large walk-in

experienced. Alert is 1 of 7 monitoring stations in Arkansas,

closets, pool with cabanas, clubhouse, theater room, tanning bed,

but the only one that monitors only for our customers, no

business center and state-of-the-art fitness center.

one else – YOU are our top priority. We offer the same Home

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Automation services you see on TV – unlock doors, set alarm,

activate your security system. It also allows you to regulate

turn on lights and appliances and even adjust your thermostat

your heating and cooling system to a specified temperature,

right from your phone! We also offer the latest in High Def

as well as turns off lights and appliances when not in use,

video surveillance and security monitoring."

saving you money on energy costs."

What sets Tornado Place Storm Shelters apart from other storm shelters out there?

ON THE OUTSIDE

Charlie Willsey, owner of Tornado Place Storm Shelters, Why buy the Grasshopper brand?

We can custom design our shelters to fit any space to meet

The Mower Shop says, "Grasshopper is the original zero

the needs of our customers. We can build in existing homes

turn mower and has been manufactured in the USA since

in closets, stairways, and garages. We also work with

1969. The Mower Shop has sold Grasshopper since 1990,

homebuilders to fit any new construction. They are fully

longer than many other brands have been in existence.

customizable and can be enlarged as time goes by or taken

Customer satisfaction is Grasshopper and The Mower

with you as you move.”

Shop's number one concern whether you're a professional or just want to mow like one. Our parts and service after

How can a “connected home” security system help manage

the sale are second to none. To experience the difference

energy costs and protect families?

in a Grasshopper Zero Turn Mower, come by and take a

One Source Innovation says, "Families can be very busy, and

test drive with Dennis."

sometimes we leave the house in a hurry. Our "connected home" security system allows you to stay informed of your

Tell us what to do if our roof is damaged in a summer storm.

home and family's status. For example, it will message you

Ward Brothers Roofing says, "Check for missing shingles or

if someone forgets to lock a door, close the garage, or

missing pieces of metal fascia, including any pieces displaced

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says, “Our shelters are the most versatile in the market.

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ON THE INSIDE

in the form of dimples, made by smaller chunks of hail that pound the outer layer of shingles, so check for that as

What are the hottest trends in tile for kitchens and bath?

well. Inspect your attic for leaks or water damage. Also, if

Chase Allison, with Allison Flooring says, "Wood-look tile

any water stains appear on your ceiling or walls, you likely

in the large format (36” or longer) is the hottest trend in

need repairs or even a roof replacement. Stay safe — avoid

flooring right now. For the kitchen and bathroom, white

climbing on the roof to check for damage and instead contact

and gray reign supreme. As for backsplashes and shower

a professional roofer."

accents, glass is still king. Marble has had the biggest

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from around your chimney. Hail damage commonly comes

increase in popularity over any other natural stone. In wood Why is now the perfect time to buy a pool?

flooring, 7” or wider is the fastest growing segment. Lastly,

Burton Pools says, "What other product can bring the family

long fiber or shag carpeting is making a comeback! Come

together, turn special moments into lasting memories, offer

see all these styles and more at Allison Sales Flooring at

good, clean fun for years to come, and improve your health,

7101 Highway 271 South in Fort Smith."

all without leaving the comfort of your own backyard? We all know the family that spends thousands of dollars on

What's trending in paint colors this season?

wonderful family vacations that require months of scheduling

Sue Moore, with The Paint Store says, "For interior, hands

but then are over in the blink of an eye. However, when

down, Thistle Gray. This new neutral is perfect to blend

you decide to invest in a swimming pool to provide those

together earth and wood tones and give a refreshing hue to

moments of family pleasure, you will be asking yourself, 'Why

any room. Also, muted tones of blue, gray, and green. The

would we ever want to go anywhere else?'"

exterior colors lean towards medium beige, seaweed green or even black, which works very well with rock, brick and vinyl.

If you’re afraid of bold colors, consider using them on lawn furniture and garden accents."

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Tell us about D&D's great window coverings, including

What can an AOG customer do to take control of fluctuations

plantation and automatic blinds.

in their gas bill?

"D & D Floor Covering in Van Buren is the Hunter Douglas

"Sign up for our AOG’s Average Monthly Payment plan

Showcase Dealer for the River Valley. We have a showroom

(AMP). AMP is designed to average your monthly payments

full of the latest and greatest in window coverings, including

and level out those unusually high winter bills. Your total

classic Plantation Shutters as well as the new PowerView

annual cost is the same, but your bill will be more consistent

window treatments. Besides the Pebble Remote for

each month."

handheld control, with PowerView motorization, one can simply program personalized settings with your smartphone

What are the benefits of buying our plumbing and lighting

or tablet. You can put your blinds on a schedule to open and

fixtures wholesale?

close, and operate them from anywhere in the world! Come

J&B Showroom Sales Representative, Cindy Ridley, says,

see us for free estimates."

“We understand that you have many choices when selecting

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a plumbing and/or lighting showroom, so we're determined What are the new trends in furniture sales?

to provide the best shopping experience possible. For

Terri Glasco, T. Glasco Designs, says, "Simple, clean lines

starters, we are a locally-owned and family operated

still seem to be the trend in 2016. Although Modern or

business that has been around since 1968. Our 8,000

Contemporary trends may not be to everyone's liking, the

square foot showroom is full of inventory and is great for

idea of less clutter, less pattern, and simpler architectural

customers to come in and get ideas when planning a new

detailing seems to be catching on, even in areas of the South

home or remodel. However, our best attribute has to be our

were traditional tastes have been the norm. There's also a

sales staff. Our staff, while small in numbers, has more than

large influx of rustic and primitive furnishings, now that

50 years of combined experience and can help you make a

'reuse, recycle and restore' is the new mantra of design."

well-informed and confident purchase.”

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high-end

bathrooms

a

big

selling

point

for

How does H3 Home's in-home design consultation work

potential buyers?

and what should I expect?

Genia Smith, of Arkansas Glass and Mirror, says custom

H3 Home says, "The true key to designing the perfect room

glass showers are trending right now, and they are happy to

is getting to know our customers. Great design takes a team:

talk to you about the perfect one for you. The possibilities

you and our knowledgeable design pro at H3 Home + Décor.

are limited only by your imagination. High-end bathrooms

You’ll feel comfortable because we do a lot of listening to

are a big selling point, which is something to consider as

find out what you want your room to feel like. And, you’ll

you improve your home. Arkansas Glass and Mirror also

feel confident because we use the latest digital tools to help

has a twenty-four-hour emergency service for those times

you visualize what your new room will look like. We’ll provide

when you need immediate help. They can be reached at

you with several options to fit your taste and budget and

479.414.5964 or 479.414.5965.

let you choose the options that fit your style. Decorate with

confidence, for free, in our store, or in your home."

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Are

What are some signs that you may need to replace your HVAC unit?

Mike Atchley, owner of Atchley Air, says, “The most

SEE YOU IN JULY

common time to replace a heating and cooling system is when you are at a repair bill more than $500. The average

Next month we’re featuring our Locally Owned Guide. We’re

life of a system is about 15 years. If your system is older

encouraging you to buy where you live from locally owned

than this, spending money on repairs is probably a bad idea.

businesses! Our readers love to support local, so make sure

In most cases, you'll be better off putting the money you

your business stands out in next month’s issue! Call 782-1500

would have spent on repairs toward a new system."

to reserve your space today!

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