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Real Estate Blog
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Thursday, March 10 2011
Remodeling kitchen trends are creating stylish kitchens with cleaner lines, built-in dining, and pops of color, according to a recent article in RISMedia.
Here are some recent trends in kitchens across the country.
1. Built-in dining areas. Eat-in kitchens are in high demand as more remodelers are opting for extensions in counters that resemble a table, either in lower or higher height to the countertop. The counter extension is different than bar seating because diners can sit around the edge and face one another, and not just sit in a row. The counter extension saves space, offers an extra buffet service, and more kitchen storage, says Deanna Carleton of Kitchen Design Group.
2. Dressing up the kitchen with lighting. An affordable way to upgrade a kitchen is just by switching out the lights, designers say. For example, hand-blown glass shades on pendant lights, contemporary drum shades, and chandeliers can quickly update a kitchen. Layers of light continue to be popular, such as with a ceiling lighting fixture combined with under-counter lighting as well as ambient lights behind a glass-front door, designers say. LED under-counter lighting and LED recessed ceiling lights are also popular.
3. Pops of color. Neutral colors in the kitchen is the safe preference, but more kitchens are adding bolder pops of color--such as in persimmon or pomegranate--to spice up the kitchen. Colored knobs, kitchen accessories, and even appliances are bringing in these pops of color. Designers say pops of color can also be brought in by the fabric choice in kitchen window seats, the upholstered seats, or window valances.
4. Striving for simplistic luxury. Clean lines and transitional designs are “in” while ornate Tuscan and French country kitchen styles are falling out of favor in the kitchen. Betty Nairn of Cabinet-S-Top in Granger Township, Ohio, says “simplistic luxury” is the kitchen trend nowadays.
Source: "8 Areas to Pay Attention to When Updating Your Kitchen," RISMedia (March 5, 2011)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2011030806?OpenDocument
Wednesday, March 09 2011
Spring is upon us, and it's time to dust off the old mop and get ready to do some deep cleaning.
Don't worry spring cleaning can be a fun and rewarding experience, if you approach it with the right mindset! See for yourself with this letter, we are including a list of tips to help you get the most out of your spring cleaning experience. We hope you find these special tips useful. Remember to call us with any real estate questions you may have, and remember to tell your friends about us! You can reach Rolando at 812-499-9234 or Kathy at 812-499-0246 or visit our Web site at: www.TheTrentiniTeam.com
FIVE FUN AND EASY SPRING CLEANING TIPS
· Dance while you dust: This is the perfect time to fully indulge your musical interests; break out the iPod or turn up the CD player, and you'll be singing along to your favorite tunes and won't find cleaning to be a chore at all!
· Clear out the clutter: Take the opportunity to dig into the closets, storage spaces and, of course the garage. You've probably got a veritable treasure trove of old clutter that's just taking up space now's the time for a yard sale! Turn that clutter into cash.
· Room by room: Try to focus on just one room at a time, and try to complete one room each day. This will make the whole job seem more manageable, and you'll probably get things cleaned more thoroughly than if you tried to tackle the whole house at once!
· Just a little more laundry: One of the things that we rarely attend to is the state of our draperies, shower curtains and rugs. Now is your chance: gather up every spare bit of linen in the house and have it laundered; you'll be surprised by how much brighter your home will look!
· A room with a view: It's time to tackle those windows! Set aside a special day to give your windows a good scrubbing. Clean off any screens while you're at it: your home will literally sparkle once you're finished.
Tuesday, March 08 2011
Evansville-based Berry Plastics Corp. says it plans to invest $5 million in a new production line at its Daviess County operation. The expansion is expected to create five positions. The company says it could make an additional capital investment and boost employment at the Odon facility in the future.
Berry Plastics Corporation announced plans today for the addition of a new $5 million production line at its operations in Daviess County Indiana to increase manufacturing capacity. The company had earlier expanded its physical operations near the city of Odon in Daviess County to 29,000 sq. ft. The expansion, which is receiving tax abatement incentives from the county, is expected to create up to five new jobs.
“Berry Plastics has continued to strategically diversify and grow its business operations in southern Indiana, which benefits all Hoosiers,” said Mitch Roob, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “When a company adds even five high-impact jobs in a small town like Odon, it translates out to considerable economic impact for the immediate region.”
“Berry Plastics has proven itself to be a great corporate citizen for the region,” said Ron Arnold, executive director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation. “The company’s continued growth helps diversify and grow our local economy.”
“The workforce and expanding transportation infrastructure in south central Indiana makes great strategic sense for a company like Berry Plastics,” said R.J. Reynolds, president and CEO of Radius Indiana, an eight-county regional partnership that includes Daviess County. “We appreciate their confidence in the region and we look forward to helping Berry Plastics continue its great track record of growth.”
“The investment in Daviess County and the local economy reflects Berry Plastics’ continued belief in the high quality support provided by the residents and local communities,” said Dave Corey, President of Berry Plastics Specialty Films Division. “This investment is being made in a very challenging flexible film manufacturing application and successful operation is dependent on dedicated, highly competent personnel. Berry Plastics reviewed the overall business and operational requirements for this investment and determined that Daviess County met all criteria and has proven to be an outstanding manufacturing base.”
Beyond the initial project phase, Berry Plastics’ future plans could include additional capital investment and employment at the selected site as additional capacity is required by the market.
Source: Berry Plastics & InsideINdianaBusiness
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=46501
Monday, March 07 2011
You're about to relocate and along with that comes the task of moving all your goods. Now is a good time to decide what you will keep and what you wish to leave behind. A moving sale can reduce the weight of your shipment and the cost of your move. Also, of course, a moving sale can generate additional funds that may offset other expenses.
The key to a successful moving sale is determining what you no longer use, have outgrown or what you can easily replace at your new home. Remember, what may seem worthless to you is another person's treasure.
And who knows, if you haven't sold your home yet, a moving sale may even attract the right buyer!
How To Begin
Ask your family members about items they wish to sell, they may desire to sell more things than you imagined. Or, you might organize a "neighborhood" sale and pool the efforts of other famlies on your street.
When To Have Your Sale
Set a date and a time as soon as you can. Fridays and Saturdays are usually best; however, try to avoid holiday weekends. Establish a rain date if you think it may be necessary. Determine the hours, such as 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Many shoppers like to be first in line, so be prepared for early arrivals.
Where To Hold Your Sale
Check with local authorities about restrictions for sales in your area. Once you have a location, decide if the sale will be in the garage, yard or basement. Make sure there is ample parking and space for people to move about.
Publicize Your Sale
A good source of publicity is your local paper. Contact the Classified Advertising department to find out:
- How they calculate costs — by column inches, number of lines or number of words?
- What is the cost to run the ad Friday and Saturday vs Saturday only?
- What is the additional cost for a bold headline?
- What is the deadline for submitting an ad?
Mention the most popular items in your ad, such as furniture, appliances, tools, electronics, etc. Consider including your phone number so people can call for more information about sale items or for directions (this is especially useful if you live in an obsecure area).
Another publicity technique is to display flyers around the neighborhood. Note in large letters the type of sale, date, time and location. You may also place signs in high-traffic areas on the day of the sale with arrows and directions. (Please note that there may be restrictions on the posting of flyers and signs. Your local Chamber of Commerce can assist you should you have any questions.)
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Set up a cashier's desk (a card table will do fine) with a calculator, scissors, tape, string, markers, a cash box and plenty of change. |
Ten Essential Preparations
- Look at your list of items for sale. Visit secondhand shops, retail stores, etc. to determine prices for each.
- Record the price on a tag or sticker and place on the item in an easy-to-see location. Use different colored stickers or an identification code on the tags if more than one family is involved in your sale.
- Start saving shopping bags and cartons to make it more convenient for customers. Have tissue paper or newspaper on hand to wrap glass, knickknacks and other fragile purchases.
- Bundle or package all sets, groups, or units together so customers know what they are getting. Put loose game pieces in a sealable bag and secure inside the box.
- Set up the yard, garage or basement so that all "For Sale" items will be separated from items not for sale.
- Display items in groups according to type, such as kitchen utensils, sporting goods, tools, etc. If possible, hang clothing on a clothesline or rack for easy viewing.
- Set up a cashier's desk with a calculator, scissors, tape, string, markers, a cash box and plenty of change.
- Be prepared for the weather to change at any time. Have several large sheets of plastic handy to quickly cover everything.
- To keep the kids busy, buy a few varieties of soft drinks and bottled water. Ice them down in a cooler the night before. Tell the kids that the money they earn selling drinks is their reward for helping. On a hot summer day, a cold drink will be a welcome relief to shoppers.
- Assign everyone a responsibility for the day, like cashier, clerk, organizer, etc.
Now You Are Ready For A Successful Moving Sale!
Source: http://www.atlasvanlines.com/how-to-move/moving-sale/
Friday, March 04 2011
Pests are not just unwanted houseguests--they're also a threat to your home investment. In many cases, pests bring down a home's price more than high crime rates or low quality schools. In this sense, they pose a greater risk than fire and flood. Termite damage costs U.S. homeowners more than $5 billion annually.
The 's ChallengeExterminator
The best time to call an exterminator is right away, before the symptoms of an infestation appear. Early detection of termites or other pests can help you protect your investment and avoid thousands of dollars in treatment and structural repair costs. Termites and carpenter ants work from the inside out, gradually consuming the wood until the structure fails altogether. Unlike rats or raccoons, these destructive pests are "silent invaders"--they may hide undetected for years, leaving no marks on the wood's exterior surface.
Exterminators Detect the Early Signs of Termites
Professional exterminators possess a trained eye to spot the early signs of a termite or carpenter ant infestation. Telltale evidence of termites or ant colonies includes:
- Mudholes or "mud tubes" along the exterior walls of your home. About the size of a pencil, these are tunnels that provide termites a direct thoroughfare from the soil outside into your home's wall.
- Piles of sawdust along windowsills or on the ground next to walls.
- Cracks, small holes, or paint bubbles on the wall's surface.
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped with a hammer.
- Swarms of winged insects in and around the home.
These signs indicate that an infestation is underway. An expert can assess the extent of the problem and recommend solutions. Exterminators are trained in pest identification and control. They understand how pests such as termites behave, and how best to clear the premises of these destructive visitors.
A standing relationship with a pest exterminator can help you protect your property from pest invasion. "Every successful pest control program begins with a partnership between the homeowners and the professionals," explains Ron Harrison, Ph.D., technical director for a leading pest control company. Routine inspections (at least once a year) by an experienced exterminator can catch the worst offenders--termites and carpenter ants--before they eat into your walls and your property value.
Thursday, March 03 2011
You have installed vinyl or aluminum siding on your house, and you look forward to a long vacation from the cares of maintaining wood siding. You are done scraping and repainting every four or five years, and you are delighted. Sadly, no house siding product for your home can be 100% maintenance free. With a little bit of care though, your house siding will retain its good looks for years to come. Cleaning Your Vinyl Siding or Aluminum Siding
Over time dirt, grime, and even mildew can build up your house siding. You can clean off these deposits using a pressure washer, which can be rented from most hardware stores. The key is to use a lower-pressure nozzle to avoid damaging the siding. A cleaning solution made with diluted liquid detergent works well on especially dirty siding, but if your siding is only lightly soiled, water alone should do the trick. You should always spray the siding using a downward angle to avoid shooting water up between the spaces in the siding. If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, you can find a pressure washing professional to do the job for you.
Aluminum and Vinyl Siding Repairs
At some point, your house siding might require some repairs. Aluminum siding can get dented when objects such as stray basketballs hit it. Vinyl siding is susceptible to cracking in the winter because the cold temperatures make it more brittle. Also, vinyl siding can melt if you lean something very hot against it, such as a barbecue grill lid. If a panel of your house siding is damaged, it easily can be removed and replaced with a new piece that has been cut to size and locked into place. In general, it is much easier to repair vinyl and aluminum siding than wood siding.
Though you will not escape maintenance duties entirely with vinyl or aluminum siding, they offer a worry-free and attractive exterior finish for your home.
Source: http://www.guidetohomeimprovement.com/siding/servicearticle/cleaning-your-vinyl-siding-or-aluminum-siding.jsp
Wednesday, March 02 2011
The phrase “home energy efficiency” causes most of us to immediately think about triple-paned windows and Energy Star appliances. Important energy savers, to be sure. However, as one energy efficiency expert counsels, not all changes have to be big or expensive to make a difference. Many of the small choices we make every day can impact our energy usage as well.
Daniel Lanzilotta, owner of The Mindful Chef and an executive chef/chef educator, offers these simple tips to ensure your kitchen is energy efficient.
Refrigerator tips:
- Check your seal. One of the most important factors in determining your refrigerator’s energy efficiency is the quality of its seal. Check the seal regularly to ensure it is not dried out and is still sealing properly. If it’s not, replace it. This inexpensive repair can make a big difference in your refrigerator’s efficiency.
- Stop refrigerator gazing. We’re all guilty of standing mindlessly in front of the open refrigerator door, pondering what we should eat. Not only can this habit lead to poor choices, it also increases our utility bill as well. According to Lanzilotta, this represents one of the basic laws of thermo-dynamics—heat is attracted to cold—and gazing at an open refrigerator causes the hot air to rush in, raising the internal temperature of the appliance.
- Allow food to cool. When you place hot leftovers directly into your refrigerator, you are forcing your appliance to work harder than necessary to cool your food and, in turn, the interior of the unit. By allowing your food to begin to cool naturally before placing it in the fridge, you’re increasing your efficiency and saving money and energy.
Sink and dishwasher tips:
- Be mindful of water waste. By being aware and conservative when using water at the sink you can dramatically reduce your water waste. Run water only when necessary and only use hot water when absolutely needed.
- Wait until your dishwasher is full. Many people are guilty of running a dishwasher half-empty. Lanzilotta urges people to wait until the unit is full before running. Also, check your settings to make sure you are only utilizing the features that are necessary.
- Take care of your hot water heater. Perhaps the most important kitchen-efficiency change you can make is not even found in the kitchen. Check your hot water heater’s setting and insulate pipes to prevent heat loss.
Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/news/articles/simple-kitchen-tips-can-mean-big-changes-energy-efficiency/#ixzz1FNZnvxc7
Sunday, February 27 2011
Adding motion sensor lighting in and around your house provides an automated, hands-free way to turn on lights when you need them, and off when you don’t.
Motion sensor lights are eager helpers and good little guardians. They illuminate the way to your front door when you pull into your driveway, light hallways when you get up in the middle of the night, and turn on lamps when you enter a room.
They also provide safety and home security, powering up exterior floodlights should someone attempt to trespass when it’s dark outside.
In addition, they watch over your budget, dutifully turning themselves off after you’ve entered your home or left a room—saving you money on energy bills. Light-sensing diodes prevent them from switching on during daylight hours.
Plug-and-play lighting solutions
Many motion sensor lights don’t require elaborate setups or wiring; they simply plug into any wall outlet. Battery-operated types can be mounted onto your walls using adhesives, magnets, or screws.
Sylvania’s LED Motion Sensor Light runs off batteries, is easy to install in any room, and is especially handy for small spaces, such as closets. Cost: $13.
Put a sensor on anything
Have a lamp in your living room you want to turn on automatically when you walk in? The SensorPlug Motion Sensor Outlet Plug from Andev plugs into any standard wall outlet. In addition to lamps, you can use it with equipment that doesn’t exceed 500 watts, such as fans and radios.
The SensorPlug Motion Sensor Outlet Plug costs between $10 and $20.
Sun power
If your home gets ample sunlight during the day, install a solar-powered light and avoid the need to do any wiring. Designed for the outdoors, the Solar Security with Motion Detector from Concept helps you save money by not tapping into your home’s electricity.
It uses 32 long-lasting LED lamps, providing bright illumination for places like your driveway and front door. Since only sunlight is needed to recharge the battery, you can attach it anywhere on your property, such as the far end of your yard.
The Concept Solar Security with Motion Detector is available through Amazon at $49. The Solar-Powered 80 LED Security Floodlight, an even brighter light with 80 LED lamps, costs $105 from Smart Home Systems.
Overhead detection
You can easily add a motion sensor to an existing overhead light fixture by adding adaptive devices, such as the Motion Sensing Light Socket from First Alert.
Simply screw the motion-sensing light socket into an existing wall or ceiling fixture and add a 25- to 100-watt light bulb. Some motion-dection light sockets won’t support energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs, but for rooms that are infrequently used, such as an unfinished basement, it’s a quick solution. The First Alert Motion Sensing Light Socket sells for $25.
Home automation sensors
Home automation systems, such as those based on X10 and Z-Wave technology, are great for controlling your thermostat and home entertainment center, but they also are useful for home security purposes. Linked to motion sensor lights, your home automation system can send a signal to have lights turned on when triggered by a timer or by your smartphone.
The HomeSeer HSM100 sensor is available for Z-Wave systems for $74, and the Eagle Eye Indoor/Outdoor Motion Sensor costs between $18 and $30.
A writer covering the latest technologies and trends for a variety of national publications, Les Shu is currently automating his home with the newest doodads to make it smarter than he is.
Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/motion-sensor-lighting-safety-and-security-indoors-and-out/#ixzz1EzdTW896
Saturday, February 26 2011
Advanced programmable thermostats give you precise control over your heating and cooling, helping to reduce wasted energy.
It’s no secret that heating and cooling account for the bulk of a home’s energy usage—an average of over $1,000 annually. Switching from a manual to a programmable thermostat is one simple way to save as much as $180 a year.
The most basic programmable thermostat can be self-installed in an hour, and comes with preset temperature settings for different times of the day.
Some of the latest models offer greater control, easy programming, sophisticated displays, and even communication with you via the Internet. Here is a look at some of these smart units.
High-def, high-tech settings
You wouldn’t think of spending much time in front of your thermostat, but the newest advanced models—with their colorful touchscreen displays—are an engaging, interactive experience. They offer separate programs for each day of the week, and can even alert you if service is required.
With its high-definition screen display, Honeywell’s Prestige Comfort System resembles a mini-computer more than a traditional thermostat.
In addition to indoor temperature, the Prestige’s graphical user interface can display outdoor conditions and humidity with an add-on sensor. An onscreen wizard interviews you about your usage based on simple questions, and then sets a program accordingly. A portable controller lets you adjust settings from any room in the house.
The Prestige is priced from $250 and up.
If you can live without a fancy display, an advanced programmable thermostat from HAI costs around $300 to $400, while a simpler seven-day programmable model from Hunter costs $99.
Control from afar
What if you’re on your way to a long vacation, and you suddenly realized you’d forgotten to turn down your home’s thermostat?
If your home is equipped with the Smart Thermostat from ecobee, you can tap into the system through a personalized web portal anywhere there’s Internet access. Log in to check on your HVAC’s performance and make adjustments on the fly. The unit sells for $469.
Manage your home’s HVAC via a home automation app from Control 4. The sophisticated system allows you to change thermostat settings from your smartphone, pad, and PC. In addition, you can control the lighting, music, window treatment motors, and a wide range of Control 4 devices.
Know the price before you turn it on
Pilot programs for installing smart thermostats that display “time of use” pricing information are underway in regions like Florida and California. These thermostats receive a wireless signal from the utility company, and adjust the temperature according to the price of electricity during different times of the day.
With costs for air conditioning at about 70 cents to $1.20 per hour, reducing AC usage only an hour per day would yield a savings of $65 to $110 over the course of a summer.
Check with your utility company to find out if such a program is available in your area.
A writer covering the latest technologies and trends for a variety of national publications, Les Shu is currently automating his home with the newest doodads to make it smarter than he is.
Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/no-sweat-programmable-thermostats-save-energy-costs/#ixzz1EzbPBopl
Friday, February 25 2011
While the Midwest has been battered in recent years by manufacturing job losses and price drops in residential and commercial properties, farmland has become a bright spot in Midwest real estate.
As commodity prices surge, farmers and investors across the Midwest are bidding up farmland at auctions, prompting values to soar.
Investors in Corn Belt farmland saw a 14 percent return last year on the land, which includes appreciation and income from renting it to farmers, according to the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries.
As the agricultural economy continues to thrive, farmers are having less incentive to sell, which is creating a low supply of land that is high in demand.
"Prices continue to increase due in part to the limited supply," says Randall Pope, chief executive officer of the Westchester Group Inc., which manages farm tracts. "There are a number of people who would like to buy these days but there isn't a lot of product on the market."
For example, investors bid up prices in an auction last month for 120-acres of farmland in Greene County, Iowa. The winning bid offered $8,200 an acre--nearly $1 million, which was 44 percent higher than the $5,701 per-acre estimate for average values in the county.
Sheila Bair, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp chairperson, warned in October that a bubble may be forming in farmland real estate. But that hasn’t seemed to turn away investors.
Analysts predict farmland prices will continue to climb. Values in Iowa, which is the largest corn and soybean-growing state, climbed 16 percent in 2010 and are expected to increase another 10 percent this year if commodities remain at current levels.
Source: “Value of Midwest Farmland Climbs,” Bloomberg News (Feb. 21, 2011)
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2011022303?OpenDocument
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