April is New Homes Month!

In the home building industry, April is New Homes month! It's a time to educate consumers on the benefits of owning a new home. So what are the benefits? Here's a quick breakdown of why buying NEW is best!

1. New homes are built to the latest standards in building codes which means newer homes are more energy efficient than older homes. Save on your monthly utilities!

2. New homes are built with today's buyer in mind - open floorplans, more outlets, phone charging stations and more!

3. New homes offer more safety features than older homes including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and low or no VOC paints.

4.  New homes require less maintenance than older homes and come with a home warranty for your peace of mind.

5.  New homes offer the opportunity to personalize your home before you move in. Give your new home a touch of your unique style and flair!

Why would you be interested in buying a new home?

Storm Season Preparedness

In light of the recent bouts of severe weather it is important to establish a plan of preparedness before inclement weather arrives.  Spring is a volatile season and can bring heavy rains, strong wind and occasionally the threat of tornadoes. Peak tornado season in the south is March through May.
Here are a few ways you and your family can prepare for dangerous weather conditions.

- Understand the terminology. A tornado watch means that conditions are such as a tornado could appear. A warning means that a tornado has been sighted either on the ground or by radar. With a tornado warning take shelter immediately.

- Develop a communications plan.  Talk with your family about what to do during severe weather before it happens. Decide where to go when tornadoes are threatening and where to find emergency supplies.

- Have an emergency kit. Create a kit with items such as flashlights, bottled water, a NOAA battery powered radio, flares and first aid items.

- Choose a safe space in your home.  The best place to be during a tornado is in an interior room on the first floor with no windows. This may be a half bathroom or closet.

- Be aware of your surroundings.  Monitor the weather and take the threat of severe weather seriously.  Understand school closing policies and have emergency contacts available to help if needed.

Being prepared is an important step in being safe. Do what you can to protect your family from inclement weather conditions.  For more information and ideas visit the following websites:

https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html

Area Rug How-To's

One of the great things about buying a new home is making that space feel like you - your style and taste.  You can really put a stamp on your new home's decor with area rugs.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping and placing area rugs in your new home.

1.  How to know the right size

Look at your room and the goal you have for the rug. Is it to be placed under a dining table? Is to bring together an open space or define a small space?  There are many resources available online that can provide visual ideas for rug sizes and how they make a room look and feel.  Measure your space and mark out where your rug would go using tape or a bed sheet.

2. Think about the shape

Typically, round rugs work with round dining tables and rectangular or square rugs work in living areas.  Runners are great for the foyer and can help bring together two living spaces.

3.  Choosing rug material

Wool rugs are the most traditional make of area rugs. Wool is soft, durable and holds up against stains.  It tends to be a little more expensive and can be subject to fading from the sun.

Cotton rugs are a good choice for casual spaces but may not wear as well over time.

Synthetic rugs are composed of man-made materials designed to mimic the look of wool rugs. They are a more affordable option though may not be as plush as their natural counterparts.

4.  Picking a color

Think about where your rug will be placed before choosing a color.  If you have small children or pets, white or very light color rugs may not be a good choice.  Dark colored rugs hide stains better and may be a good choice for a dining area. Light colors will make a small room feel bigger while rooms with lots of natural light can take cooler or darker color rugs.  Your rug does not have to be an exact match to your furniture. Think of a color scheme or family of colors that you want to use in your home and go from there.

What tips do you have for choosing the perfect area rug?

Simple and Fun Easter Treats!

This Easter, surprise your loved ones with cute and tasty treats - without spending hours in the kitchen!

Try some out with your family this holiday!

Spice up your sugar cookies with a little icing and sugar eyes.  Create delicious ducklings and bunnies!

Wrap up some goldfish with plastic and ribbon to create colorful carrots!

Dip Nutter Butter cookies in icing and decorate for adorable and crunchy chicks!

Top Reeses Pieces with icing and candy eggs. Top with gummy string to make a delicious Easter basket!

Keeping Your Home Safe While Away

It's spring break season and while you may have already created a packing list and found a sitter for the dog, you may not have thought about how you can keep your home safe while you're away.

There are a few simple things you can do to protect your home and belongings while out of town. Use our checklist below to help you stay on track.

1. Don't advertise your travel plans on social media.  You're excited about your trip but wait to share with the world until you get back. You never know who may see your post and it could be someone without the best intentions.

2.  Use your neighbor as a resource! Ask if they'll occasionally park in your driveway and if they'll move your trashcan away from the street after pick up.  It's good to have a trusted friend keep an eye on the house and let you know if anything seems amiss.

3.  Contact your local resources such as the post office to hold your mail and the police to do a vacation check while you're away.

4. If you have an alarm system alert the company that you'll be away for an extended period.  Don't leave any valuables out in plain sight and double check that all the doors are locked before leaving.

5.  Put a timer on your electronics to have your outside lights go on at night (without staying on all day).  Some can be controlled by your smartphone or your alarm company.

What tricks do you use to keep your home safe while you're away?

A First Step Before Buying

Spring is peak home buying time and all indications point to a busy season already underway.  This means that if you're serious about buying a new home you need to set yourself apart from the competition and act fast when you find just the right home.

To do this - get pre-approved before you start home shopping.

A pre-approval letter is obtained from a mortgage company before you have a specific home in mind. You'll provide some basic employment and income information and the bank will run a credit check. Once this is complete you'll receive a pre-approval letter with an amount the bank is committing to loan you.

So what does this mean for you as a buyer?

-  Once you find a home you want your offer will be stronger if it comes with a pre-approval letter

- A pre-approval letter will help you with your search as you know how much home you can afford and what your monthly budget would be

Be aware that a pre-qualification letter is not the same as a pre-approval letter.  A pre-approval letter is a firm commitment of a willingness to lend up to a certain amount. Be sure to specify what you are looking for when you talk with your lender - and happy home buying!

Making Moving Easier

You've searched for just the right home. It's almost complete and moving day is right around the corner.  Then reality sets in.  You have to pack and move!  While this ranks as one of the major stressors in life there are ways to make it easier. Plus always remember your end goal - your brand new home!

Here are a few tips to make moving easier.

1.  Label, label, label - write down what is going in to each box and which room it should be delivered to. Use color coordinating stickers for extra help.

2. Downsize wherever you can. Now is the time to get rid of the cd's you haven't listened to in 3 years, or the t-shirts that just don't fit like they used to.  Collect up as much unused material as you can and donate it to a local agency like Goodwill or the Salvation Army

3. Look for free moving supplies.  Check grocery and liquor stores for free boxes.  Ask friends who have moved recently if they have any boxes left. Use t-shirts and towels to wrap fragile items.

4.  Move your hanging clothes with ease by using a trash bag.  The clothes will stay together and you can just place them right back on the rack.

5.  The heavier the item the smaller the box! Pack weighty belongings in smaller boxes to make transport easier.  Use suitcases with wheels for items like books or tools.

What tricks do you use to survive a move?  Remember, your new home is worth it!