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YourHome NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

T H E H E A R T L A N D ’ S L E A D I N G R E A L E S T AT E & H O M E L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E

FEATURED PROPERTY

Beautiful waterfront home with a boat dock!

Off-season price. This property is temporarily priced below tax appraisal. LEARN MORE, PAGE 9

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S EDITION: n Prime Time! Don’t skip on the primer, 5 n Storage style! Furniture trends, 6 n Curb appeal! It’s all about looks, 10

C H E C K O U T L I S T I N G S & I N F O R M AT I O N F R O M T H E S E G R E AT A D V E R T I S E R S : M C C L U S K E Y & A S S O C I AT E S , T E X A S B A N K , T E X A S R E A LT Y, M I L L S C O U N T Y S TAT E B A N K , T E X A S G O L D S TA R R E A L E S TAT E , T O O T I E K E L LY R E A L E S TAT E , A C M E B R I C K & T I L E

Heartland Real Estate

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Table of ConTenTs REAL ESTATE McCluskey & Associates Texas Realty Texas Goldstar Real Estate Tootie Kelly Real Estate

3 6 7 12

LENDING INSTITUTIONS Mills County State Bank TexasBank

2 10

MISC SERVICES ACME Brick & Tile

10 A publication of the

Brownwood BULLETI BULLETIn Your Community u Your Story u Delivered Your Way

Serving the Heart of Texas Since 1886

NOTICE All Rental and Real Estate Ads are subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, or family status or national origin.

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*Annual Percentage Rate (APR) offer subject to change without notice and based on a first lien for an owner-occupied, single-family residence, maximum combined loan to value of 80%, a credit score of 700 or higher, and automatic payments from a checking account with MCSB. For a $100,000 loan at an interest rate of 3.899% (3.99% APR), the estimated monthly payment would be $1,007.90 for 120 months. Payments do not include amounts for taxes and insurance premiums and the actual total payment obligation may be greater. Subject to program qualifications and standard underwriting guidelines.

Home sales up 32% in county Heartland Association of Realtors release real estate stats for July

Brown County home sales increased 32 percent to 45 sales in July while home prices rose, according to the July 2015 Brown County housing market report released today by the Heartland Association of Realtors. Stan Crawford, 2015 President of the Heartland Association of Realtors, said, Ò The Brown County summer selling season didnÕ t disappoint in July, with double-digit gains in home sales and home prices. We anticipate that this positive momentum could continue through the rest of the summer.Ó According to the report, 45 homes were sold in Brown County in July 2015, a 32 percent increase from the year prior. The median price for Brown County homes increased 31 percent year-over-year to $130,700 during the same time frame. Brown CountyÕ s monthly housing inventory* was 12.4 months in July 2015, a decrease of 2.3 months from July 2014. The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University cites that 6.5 months of inventory represents a market in which supply and demand for homes is balanced. Homes spent an average of 130 days on the market in July 2015, 41 days

Looking for a new opportunity? Our monthly Super Employment Saturday section is the best place to find that new career. See our next section Saturday, Nov. 21st

July 2015 Statistics At-A-Glance 45 – Homes sold in July 2015, 32 percent more than July 2014. $130,700 – Median price in July 2015, 31 percent more than July 2014. 12.4 – Monthly housing inventory in July 2015, 2.3 months less than July 2014. 130 – Average number of days homes spent on the market in July 2015, 41 days more than July 2014. 385 – Active listings in July 2015, the same as July 2014. more than July 2014. Additionally, active listings remained at 385 listings, the same amount as last year during this time frame. With a growing economy, booming population and high quality of life, Texas is a great place to live, work and do business. As such, the demand for Texas real estate remains strong and enduring. Texas Realtors continue to work daily to protect the rights of private-property owners, keep homeownership affordable, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Ñ

Heartland Association of Realtors

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Heartland Real Estate

HOME HELP Heartland Real Estate

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Plan ahead to save on home improvement projects More Content Now Before embarking on a home improvement project, there are several steps a homeowner can take to manage the time and expense while making the effort run more smoothly: 1. Regardless of the type of project you’re planning, research the possibilities before you get started. From comparing prices to evaluating styles and features, knowing all your available options will help ensure you make right choices for your needs. 2. When evaluating appliances or equipment, pay attention to variables that may affect the overall project cost. For example, installing a generator with a power management system like

Symphony® II from Briggs &amp; Stratton, can help meet your home’s backup power requirements with a smaller, more affordable generator. This can potentially knock hundreds if not thousands of dollars off a generator purchase with a little research ahead of time to find the right-size generator needed for a home. An online calculator tool at powernow.com can help match homeowners with the best generator for their individual needs. 3. Determine a budget, and stick to it. Be realistic and remember that a little more investment upfront may buy quality that will save money on repairs and replacements down the road. Another good rule of thumb: add at least 10 percent buffer to help cover unexpected expenses. 4. Assess whether the project is something you can tackle on your own, and whether time or ability may impede your progress. If you need to enlist help, gather estimates and check references for at least three contractors. 5. Set expectations for yourself and your family about how long the project will take. If you’re working with a contractor, get a time projection in writing, as well as a written agreement about what happens if the project runs past deadline. — Family Features

HOME-SELLING TIP

Take good photos to attract home buyers A National Association of Realtors survey found that 83 percent of buyers found photos very useful when using online tools to look for houses. If you’re selling your own home, try to have an experienced home photographer take the pictures for the listing. Angles make a difference and if you’re in the process of packing and moving, store your boxes and clutter in one less photogenic corner of the room and take photos facing out from that location. — More Content Now

DECORATING TIP Be merry with metallics To create a show-stopping visual effect, use metallics in details throughout your home. Chrome and nickel are hot, and there’s a current resurgence of brass and gold. If you have metal in your backsplash tiles, add a centerpiece in the same metal to tie the entire room together. Keep in mind that less is more — Brandpoint

GARDEN GUIDE Plant a cover crop now to improve your soil Tilling, weeding, harvesting and foot traffic can destroy the nutrients and soil structure in home garden beds. Cover crops include several varieties of grasses and legumes that are grown in the off-season then tilled under in the to add organic matter back to the soil. They also prevent prevent erosion, suppress weeds while creating and cycling nutrients such as nitrogen. Their root system also keep the soil airy and from being compacted. It’s not too late, even in cold weather areas, to plant quick-growing grasses such as winter wheat and rye to give your garden a boost for next year. — More Content Now

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Heartland Real Estate

HOME&GARDEN SUMMER 2015

OM PIXABAY.C

PAINTING

By Melissa Erickson

THERE ARE SEVERAL GOOD REASONS NOT TO SKIP THE PRIMER

More Content Now

ave some interior painting to do and thinking of saving time by skipping the priming? Think twice, because you’ll most likely end with a poor paint job that won’t stand up to the test of time. “Many people, do-it-yourselfers, think they can save some time and skip the priming, but doing that you won’t end up with a long-lasting paint job,” said Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert for the Paint Quality Institute. “From a practical standpoint, a primer can help the paint adhere better, reducing chances that it will peel or blister. And it can make the painted surface look much more attractive by imparting more uniform color and sheen.” Have a child who took a black marker to the hallway wall or other impossible-to-clean stain? “A primer can help cover those stains that you just can’t get off,” Zimmer said.

When you can skip it While a primer is necessary when painting drywall that’s never been painted before and in many other instances, sometimes it’s not. “If you’re painting the living room, covering up a light, neutral color, it’s OK to use just a few topcoats,” Zimmer said. But if you’re trying to cover up a

burgundy wall, a primer will help cover the old color and you won’t have to use so many topcoats, Zimmer said. It’s also a good idea to use a primer if the surface you’re painting hasn’t been painted in awhile.

Specialty primers Almost any basic primer will help with topcoat adhesion and cover stains, and specialty primers can do

much more. Which one you chose depends on the surface being painted. The biggest news to come out of the paint industry in a generation are paint-and-primer products. Labeled 100 percent acrylic, these top-performers are not simply half a gallon of paint and half a gallon of primer mixed together. They’re an entirely new paint category, Zimmer said. By using one of these hybrid products, you’ll get the benefits of a primer and the great finished look of a top-quality paint, but you’ll need to apply fewer coats. That will save you lots of time and effort – and maybe even some money – when compared

“Many people, do-it-yourselfers, think they can save some time and skip the priming, but doing that you won’t end up with a long-lasting paint job.” — Debbie Zimmer

to the traditional way of doing things. They may cost a bit more, but “they’re worth it and will tremendously impact the paint job,” she said. • Other specialty primers include stain-blocking formulas that prevent grease, rust, smoke residue and more from seeping through the finished paint job and ruining its appearance. If your walls or woodwork show signs of these contaminants, you’ll want to be sure to apply a stain-blocker. • Vapor barrier primers, which are typically used in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, help keep moisture from passing through the walls to the exterior, where it could damage both the wall insulation and the house paint outside. The moisture barrier they form also helps maintain a comfortable level of humidity inside the home during the colder months. • Bonding primers are designed for use on very slick or glossy materials such as glass, tile, laminates or vinylcoating paneling. When painting these surfaces, a bonding primer is essential to help the paint adhere well. • Aptly named kitchen and bath primers are made specifically for use in those rooms. They contain both biocides and stain-blockers to help control mildew and mold growth in damp areas. • There are also primers that give paint a uniform appearance when applied over drywall and joint compound, and latex enamel undercoaters, which give glossier paints more uniform sheen.

Heartland Real Estate

Sunday, November 15, 2015

SUMMER 2015 HOME&GARDEN

FURNITURETRENDS

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

t’s a combination of finishes that gives a home its style, and this summer furniture and decor trends are embracing two favorite design movements, comfortable chic and industrial, with a focus on investing in pieces that are wellmade and meant to last. Versatility is key, said Elisabeth Dwyer, spokeswoman for Raymour & Flanigan Furniture. Both rooms and furniture need to be multifunctional, and added storage is always a bonus. “We’re seeing this in dining and entertainment, where the trend seems to be for servers to also be used as entertainment consoles,” Dwyer said. “Also in home office where desks are more multifunctional, such as being used for a craft table, and sofa tables can now be used as entertainment consoles.” Accents that have storage such as baskets, drawers and shelves, and cocktail tables that have stools that fit underneath the table for additional seating are popular, she added.

PHOTOS: PIXABAY.COM

Furni covere ture is still ba d s looks. Gin neutral, lin ically a big c ray continue en-type produc olor in conte s to be m ts still se , and brown t porary lling st rongly ones are than a bu couple years a t less go.” Elisabe th Dw yer

Dwyer said. Above the table, statement chandeliers or light fixtures are grabbing attention.

Bedrooms

Color Customers are gravitating to cream neutral fabrics and even more to items with gray tones rather than the dramatic black and white. “Furniture is still basically covered in neutral, linen-type looks. Gray continues to be a big color in contemporary products, and brown tones are still selling strongly but less than a couple years ago,” she said. Color is back but used more as a pop. “The colors are on the accent chairs, pillows and ottomans,” Dwyer said. “Blue is a big accent color. I find the accent patterns to have less colors within the fabrics, as in two-tones and not multiple with a lot of colors. The color for 2015 is Marsala, which

is a great, very useable color. I do not see many patterns on upholstery except at the higher end.”

Bigger sectionals, smaller dining tables In the living and family rooms, shoppers are looking for cleaner and simpler living, and big comfy sectionals offer plenty of space for relaxing and lounging. “The sectional business is huge. You can do so much with sectionals today whether it’s a space issue or filling a room with maximum seating. The options are endless and

can be customized to work in any home or room setting,” Dwyer said. In the eating area, “formal dining sets are smaller than the old, huge, grand sets. I’m seeing that people are moving away from arm chairs and using side chairs and benches more. Upholstered side chairs with nail-head trim are very popular now,” Dwyer said. In casual dining, “mixing metal and wood is very trendy, along with faux concrete and UV table tops. The industrial look is hot right now. Metal dining chairs and backless stools also seem to be trendy,”

For the children’s room, painted colored veneers in navy, pink, lavender and gray are bringing a sense of fun, modern style, said Dwyer. “I’m also seeing more earth tones in veneer finishes as a movement away from everything being espresso or merlot,” she said. Kids also want more space and bigger beds, moving from twin and full beds to full and queen sizes. Bigger is also better in adult bedrooms. Dresser drawers are getting deeper, Dwyer said. “People want the extra storage, and beds with more storage are popular than beds without,” Dwyer said. “Formal bedroom vanities are less popular than they used to be. Armoires are no longer selling as people either hang their TVs on the wall or buy a small media chest.”

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Heartland Real Estate

.COM

HOME&GARDEN SUMMER 2015

PHO TOS : BI

GSTO CK

BATHROOMDESIGN

TRICKS AND TIPS TO ENLARGE YOUR SMALL BATH

~Carla Aston

The most important idea here is not the particular color — it can be dark or light — the most important factor is not to break up the space with high contrast.”

Replace a shower wall or curtain with a clear, frameless glass door that will help lengthen the room, Avery said. Textured glass may offer more privacy but also adds a visual barrier, Aston said. Clear glass is a better, more modern option. If a closet in an adjacent room backs up against the bathroom and

LICK

A bathroom must contain certain basics like a sink, toilet and bathing area, and often some extras like storage, lighting and mirrors, said interior designer Carla Aston. While repainting to make a room appear larger is one trick, the key is limiting the contrast, Aston said. “The most important idea here is not the particular color — it can be dark or light — the most important factor is not to break up the space with high contrast. Keep the wall and ceiling finishes all light or the same

renovation is an option, Avery sugTo go bigger you might have to bring gests “tearing out the closet and capturing the space.” Other renovadown some walls, said Jason Avery, owner of Avery Construction in Clear- tions include reversing the bathroom door so it opens into the hallway water, Florida. rather than the bathroom, adding a “Often baths have a wall dividing pocket door, and replacing a bulky the bathroom. Tear it down or just use vanity with a shallow wall-hung or a half wall to open up the space,” he tower cabinet, Avery said. said.

NBA TH/F

Simple steps

Knocking down walls

ITCH E

s your bathroom too small? You’re not alone in thinking the space could be bigger. A recent survey conducted by faucet maker Moen found that almost half of respondents (45 percent) wish they could make their bathroom larger. If your bathroom is a cluttered and cramped closet rather than a serene spa-like space, you can enlarge it with either renovations or simple tricks. Remember, it’s not the size that matters but how you use it.

items all dark for a more expanding feel in the space,” said Aston, whose blog is DESIGNED w/Carla Aston, carlaaston.com. She also suggests blending the tile and wall color as well as taking the tile in the shower straight up to the ceiling for a feeling of expansiveness. Traditional vanities and cabinets are bulky and take up space. Instead, use pedestal sinks or a vanity designed to float on the wall for a more open feeling, Aston said. “You just recess the base of the cabinet about halfway under the vanity and tile it for a floating effect. It’s also good to keep the cabinet box at least about 9 inches off the floor when doing this type of cabinet,” she said.

IAMK

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ow green are you? A new Harris Poll suggests fewer Americans are living environmentally-friendly lives. A majority of Americans — albeit a diminishing one — say they turn off lights, televisions or other appliances when not in use to improve energy efficiency at home (75 percent, down from 79 percent in 2014 and 82 percent in 2012). The poll also found that fewer people are making an effort to use less water, purchase organic products, use low-flow shower heads, or buy energy-efficient cars or

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HOME&GARDEN SUMMER 2015

Houseplants for health Houseplants make us feel closer to nature, but they’re more than just nice to have around. Houseplants can keep you healthy and purify the air, according to studies published in the Journal of American Society of Horticulture Science. Some of the best plants to improve indoor air quality are aloe, an easy-to-grow succulent that looks great in a kitchen window; spider plant, considered safe for households with pets; and golden pathos, which filters out formaldehyde, common in cleaning products and in the garage.

Bang for the buck Some projects add more

BRIEFS

value and recoup their costs better than others, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2015 Cost vs. Value Report. Compiled annually, the report compares changes in job costs with Realtors’ perceptions of what those jobs bring to a home’s price at resale and found that while costs rose consistently, values only increased half as often. The projects that brought the biggest bang for their buck included entry door replacement, stone veneer, garage door replacement and sliding door replacement. For a major kitchen remodel costing between $25,000 and $100,000, the magazine found the national average was 67.8 percent of the cost recouped.

The look for less Love the look of that designer couch but hate the price tag? A free iOS mobile app lets you get the look for less. NousDecor (nousdecor.com) lets users snap a photo of a furniture or decor item they like and enter a few details. A quick search will turn up similar products hundreds of popular retailers including Crate & Barrel, Cost Plus World Market, Target and eBay. Users can also browse the work of professional designers.

PIXABAY.COM

Acme Brick, Tile & Stone is a complete masonry resource for builders, architects, designers, contractors, and consumers. Our stores offer all the elements of success for a stylish floor or wall project, which include: • Installation tools and materials, • Sealing and cleaning supplies, and • Expert tile and stone consultants on duty during store hours. Our locations also carry hard-fired Acme Brick in a broad selection of appealing colors and textures, as well as: • Engineered fireplace systems that combine the beauty of a traditional fireplace and the benefit of energy efficiency – up to 200,000 Btu per hour. • Hard-fired clay brick pavers, for sidewalks, driveways, and patios. Many locations also carry VAST composite pavers, which are manufactured from recycled materials such as plastic bottles and car tires. • Attractive glass block accents that splash light to the core of your home or commercial project: windows, walls, skylights, showers, floors, walkways, and now glass stair treads. The IBP Grid System™ uses a sturdy aluminum structure to hold the glass units in place.

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Heartland Real Estate

Sunday, November 15, 2015

flooring

A solid plan Cleaning concrete floors

By Laura Firszt Networx.com

Strong, long-lasting and easy to care for, concrete floors have a lot of pluses. And with today’s new elegant finishes, concrete is just as much a flooring option for your living room as for the basement or garage. Be aware that although it is a relatively low-maintenance material, concrete does need occasional cleaning. Here’s how.

Standard floors Standard concrete floors are easy to clean. When you just need to remove a small amount of dust, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Sweep up large particles of dirt and debris with a sturdy synthetic broom. In either case, follow with a high pressure wash with your garden hose. NOTE: Remove excess water promptly from porous unsealed concrete – a floor squeegee is perfect for this. Standing water will penetrate the floor and may lead to mold. If the concrete is stained, apply a dilute bleach solution to the affected area and let it set for a while. After about 10 minutes, scrub with hot water and a stiff synthetic brush such as a deck brush. Repeat if necessary. Oil and grease stains are a problem, especially on the floor of your garage. It’s best to deal with any oily marks ASAP. Start by covering with a generous layer of kitty litter or sawdust. This will soak up the oil if you do it quickly. Leave it on for several hours or overnight, then sweep it off. Sprinkle the remaining mark with an alkaline degreaser, heavy-duty laundry detergent, or dishwasher detergent in powdered form. Scrub well and flush with boiling water. Rust can be removed with a mild acid such as lemon juice or white vinegar. More stubborn stains may require treatment with trisodium phosphate or oxalic acid. Mix either of these powders into water (not the reverse, as this can cause explosive action), then apply to the rusty patch.

Cleaning and sealing To do an in-depth cleaning job, rent a floor buffer, requesting the special head for concrete. The cost is about $35 to $60 per day. Pressure washing will remove the most problematic stains. Renting a pressure washer will run you approximately $70 per day. Use the right tip for your concrete, and don’t direct the pressure spray on one spot for too long, as its powerful abrasive action can etch the surface of the concrete. Take caution and be sure to protect drywall and electric sockets. Exterior concrete floors should be sealed every 1 to 3 years to protect them from the effects of the weather and everyday wear and tear. Sealing reduces staining, maintains the concrete’s attractive appearance and extends its life.

Decorative floors Fashionable decorative concrete flooring may be stamped, stenciled, troweled or even spread with rock salt to create textured effects, such as a Portland concrete “wood” floor that could fool the crunchiest Oregon resident. They might also be colored, stained or painted for a good-looking finish. Although concrete itself is a durable, long-wearing material, the finishes are less so and must be handled with care. Use a soft dust mop or a vacuum cleaner for routine maintenance. Use a damp mop, using a mild cleaning agent like dish soap, to remove more serious dirt. Dry the floor immediately to prevent discoloration. It’s recommended to wipe dry with a cotton cloth, since synthetic can scratch. If you need to pre-treat a tough stain on your decorative concrete floor, use an organic cleaner, often marketed to the public as a pet stain and odor remover. This type of cleaner will slowly “digest” organic stains without harming your floor finish. Be patient; it may take up to 48 hours to do the trick.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Heartland Real Estate

health

HOME

“If one breaks, your house must be evacuated for 20 minutes, and then you practically need a hazmat team to clean up.”

HEALTH

CHECKUP By Andrea Williams DailyParent.com

As parents, we do our best to keep our kids safe at all costs. We make sure they’re bundled up in hats and gloves during the winter; we instruct them to look both ways before crossing the street; we teach them the dangers of talking to strangers. At home, we childproof, covering electrical outlets and installing gates in front of staircases to keep wobbly toddlers from tumbling down. And, perhaps most importantly, we lock up hazardous chemicals and other objects that could poison our little loves and land them in the emergency room … or worse! Unfortunately, though, in efforts to keep our kids safe from obvious dangers, we often miss the more subtle culprits that could be just as harmful. Here we explore four of the most surprising poison sources that are likely found in your home right now.

1. Household dust As it turns out, skipping those weekly dusting sessions can cause more than an unappealing layer of film on furniture and electronics. “Several studies have found house dust to be a primary exposure route for lead poisoning, as well as exposure to harmful flame retardants, PFCs (stain- and water-resistant chemicals like Teflon and Stainmaster) and phthalates (plasticizers used in soft, flexible plastic products),” says Trina Masepohl, an interior designer specializing in green interiors and the author of “The Green Nursery: How to Design a Healthy, Safe Space for Your New Baby.” The problem, she says, is that most of those contaminants can be found

Birgitta Lauren

FLICKR COMMONS/ADAM

in household dust, and because of children’s “constant hand-to-mouth behavior,” many of those substances can be ingested. Additionally, even as harmful chemicals like PFCs are phased out of the manufacturing process, they can still be found in older carpeting and upholstery, where they mix with dust. Masepohl suggests careful, regular cleanings, including vacuuming with a HEPA-filtered vacuum and dampdusting hard, dust-prone surfaces.

2. Compact fluorescent light bulbs In 2007, President Bush signed into law the Energy Independence Security Act, which, among other things, initiated a phase-out of traditional incandescent bulbs. The bill requires greater efficiency for light bulbs and, as of January 1, 2014, banned the manufacturing and importing of most of the older model bulbs. In their place? Compact fluorescent light bulbs (or CFLs), which are white and spiral-shaped and made with the toxic chemical mercury.

“If one breaks, your house must be evacuated for 20 minutes, and then you practically need a hazmat team to clean up,” says Birgitta Lauren, president of Expecting Fitness and an expert in prenatal and infant nutrition. The EPA has specific clean-up guidelines should a CFL bulb break in your home, but there are other alternatives. Companies like Philips and GE have produced energy-efficient bulbs that aren’t so hazardous to the environment or your child’s health.

3. Clothing and bedding It would seem that regarding the fabrics that come closest to our skin, companies would be most careful to avoid using chemicals that can wreak havoc on our health. Not so. “Lots of potentially harmful chemicals go into textile manufacturing,” explains Masepohl. “Formaldehyde (classified by the EPA as a known human carcinogen) can be used to provide wrinkle-free and so-called ‘easy care’ finishes to products like sheets and dress shirts. And PFCs are

applied to fabrics to make them stain- and water-resistant, but are known endocrine disruptors and suspected carcinogens.” Even clothing designed for children and babies doesn’t escape the toxic assault. A Greenpeace report published in January showed that harmful chemicals were found in kids’ clothes produced by major brands including Disney, Gap and Nike. To avoid the toxins, Masepohl recommends purchasing only bedding and clothing certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard or OekoTex, an association that advocated for sustainable textile production. “These certifications limit the number and type of hazardous chemicals that can be used throughout the textile manufacturing process,” explains Masepohl. “Clothing can be tougher to find, but certified bedding is readily available.” To learn more about how to poisonproof your home, check out the EPA’s “One Room at a Time” checklist: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/roombyroom-checklist.htm HOME&GARDEN FALL 2014

14 Heartland Real Estate 4 SPRING 2015 HOME&GARDEN

Sunday, November 15, 2015

COLOR

S PHOTO

BAY

SPIXA

MMON

TIVECO : CREA

OPENING

STATEMENT WHAT YOUR FRONT DOOR COLOR SAYS ABOUT YOU

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

A splash of color on the front door will boost curb appeal and grab the attention of visitors, but it can also reveal something about the homeowner. Whether or not we realize it, the colors with which we surround ourselves — in our clothes, cars and homes — say something about us. For example, bright colors often indicate an outgoing personality, while subdued colors imply a more low-key persona, said Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute. How can a hue say so much about you? Color has a psychological component through which we often communicate our moods, feelings, emotions and personality. One way we do that is through the paint colors we choose, even on the exterior of our home. “The entire exterior color scheme has meaning, but the color of the front door is especially important,” said Zimmer. “Like a necktie, which is the focal point of an outfit, the front door is the focal point of the home. The color there sends a strong message: in the case of the front door, providing insight into how we view our home.”

So, what does your front door color say about you and the way you regard your home? Here’s what a color psychologist might say about some of the most common front door colors: • Blue: Shown to be the most popular color in many studies, a blue front door signals that the homeowner views his or her home as a place of refuge — calm, serene

“The entire exterior color scheme has meaning, but the color of the front door is especially important. Like a necktie, which is the focal point of an outfit, the front door is the focal point of the home. The color there sends a strong message: in the case of the front door, providing insight into how we view our home.” — Debbie Zimmer

and relaxing, the perfect retreat from an often harsh and demanding world. • Green: Another popular color for the front door, psychologically speaking, green connotes health, safety, tranquility and harmony, all highly desirable attributes for the home environment. • Black: Those who paint the front door black are communicating something entirely different about their homes. A black front door projects strength, sophistication, power and authority, indicating to all who enter or even passersby that the home is a serious place inhabited by a person of substance. • Red: Regarded as a powerful “punch” color, red is the color of passion. By painting the front door red, the homeowner is saying that the home within is a vibrant place, full of life, energy and excitement. • Brown: Whether painted or stained, a brown front door looks natural and organic, but it can send mixed messages in terms of color psychology. On the one hand, brown conveys the positive attributes of warmth, stability and reliability, but certain darker shades of brown signal a desire for privacy, even isolation.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Heartland Real Estate

energy

SAVE POWER, SAVE MONEY Top home energy users and more efficient alternatives

By Randall Stokes DailyParent.com

Some of the biggest energy consumers in your home are your most needed appliances and electronics. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that home appliances and electronics make up about 20 percent of your electric bill. Other top home energy consumers and alternatives: Heating system. Heating your house is a necessity when weather turns chilly. Although the heating system is a big user of energy resources, there are a variety of methods to get the job done. Furnaces or boilers are the most typical home heating systems, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Efficiency on these units is measured in annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE. An AFUE rating of 80 percent (typical for a mid-efficiency heating system) means 80 percent of the energy used by the system ends up heating your home and 20 percent escapes and is lost. The U.S. Department of Energy has more detailed information that will help you manage the energy consumption of your heating system. Alternate heating systems. Wood or pellet heaters, electric resistance heating, solar heating, radiant heating and small space heaters are additional heating options. The most expensive of all of these is the electric resistance heating unit. Radiant heating is a newer technology that can use multiple energy sources like boilers, solar, wood and pellet fuel, and even electricity. Cooling system. Central cooling systems are typically better and more energy efficient for cooling an entire house than window or room air conditioners. If you’re only cooling a single room or two, it makes more energy sense to use a window unit. While air

conditioners are not as efficient in energy consumption as the central cooling units, they use less energy overall when cooling a small area. If you’re considering buying a cooling system, be sure to get the correct size for the space. Under Limit the cost of running these electronics or overbuying is not efficient. by turning them off when not using them. Keep in mind that older coolUnplugging them helps, too, as electricity ing units are not as energy efficient as the newer models, is used even when the electronic is off, if it’s still plugged in. which can use from 30 percent to 50 percent less energy FLICKR COMMONS/SAMUEL M. LIVINGSTON as a similar model from the 1970s. If buying new, look for storage water heaters are the most typical Energy Star models. These have a Seasonal type of water heater. Demand or tankless Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 13 or water heaters heat water directly as needed, higher — an old model cooling system may with no storage tank or associated heat loss have a SEER of 6 or less. — heat loss means financial loss. Speak with Clothes dryer. Only dry full loads. If you the appliance sales person about types of fuel are washing a small load, adjust the water and cost, what size is best for your family level setting. Dry heavy fabrics separately and which models are the most efficient. from lighter-weight clothes. Dry clothes until Electronics. That powerful new computer, they are just dry, as over-drying clothes is an big flat-screen television and fancy audio energy hog. Clean the lint screen in the dryer system are a joy for many a homeowner. after every load to improve energy efficiency The electric use that goes with these energy and reduce fire hazard. Use the cool-down consumers is less of a reason to rejoice. cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying Limit the cost of running these electronics with the heat remaining in the dryer. Plastic by turning them off when not using them. venting may clog or collapse causing dangerUnplugging them helps, too, as electricity ous blockages and lack of energy efficiency. is used even when the electronic is off, if it’s Water heater. Your water heater is another still plugged in. top home energy consumer. According to the Check out the handy formula for estimatU.S. Department of energy, water heating ing the energy consumption of appliances can make up about 25 percent of the total and home electronics at the U.S. Departenergy you consume in your home. Purment of Energy and find out how much chase a water heater that will produce the you are spending to run these energy amount of hot water that you need for your consumers: http://energy.gov/eere/femp/ home. Select an energy-efficient model, and energy-and-cost-savings-calculators-energyyou’ll save on your electric bill. Conventional efficient-products HOME&GARDEN FALL 2014

Heartland Real Estate

Sunday, November 15, 2015