Curb Appeal

Spring always has me looking at my home wanting to do something to spruce it up!  There are some easy, low cost things you can do to easily add a little more beauty to your home for you to enjoy it during the summer!

Do you want to spruce up your front entry?  Paint your door.  Get a new doormat.  Add a flower pot.  Hang something on your door.  Create a pathway to your door with plants and/or outdoor lighting.

Want to pretty up your patio or deck?  Plant some flowers.  Buy some outdoor lanterns.  Add some lighting.  Recover your patio furniture cushions.

These are just a few fun ideas!  Head here to see some other "in-a-day" projects to help give your home some more curb appeal!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

I am getting ready to plant my potted plants this weekend.  This year I am looking to do something a bit more intentional that I usually do.  I stumbled upon this great website that helps you design you mixed containers.

Look through the gallery and then click on the examples that you love.  It will pop up with a list of all the flowers in the pot - PLUS the way they are all laid out in the pot.

Layout and source for this photo

Happy planting!

National Open House Weekend!

This weekend is the REALTORS National Open House Weekend!  Make sure to check your local paper on Saturday AND Sunday to see what open houses you might want to visit.   This is a great opportunity to see what is out there, especially if you are in the early phases of looking.

We will have a few of our listings open as well!

3136 Cherry Tree Circle, Lewiston - Open Saturday, April 28 11:30-1:30 (located off of Preston Ave, between 4th & 5th Street. Model Home for Subdivision starting prices at $189,900!

1420 10th Street, Clarkston - Open Sunday, April 29, 12-1:30 - Offered at $125,000!

Spring Cleaning

Now that Spring is truly in the air, some of you may be going into cleaning mode!  I'm not sure what it is about Spring that makes me want to scrub the baseboards throughout my home!  If you know you want to do some cleaning but seem a bit overwhelmed at a complete overhaul there are some great resources to help you may your way through your home little by little!

Here is a link to a very thorough checklist from the Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking.

Go through the list first and scratch out anything that might not apply to you and you already have made headway!  Then set a timer and go at this list for 15 minute a day.  That's not too overwhelming.

Yesterday I set a timer and was so into my cleaning by the end of the 15 minutes that I went for another 30!  You can accomplish more than you think with 15 focused minutes.


Happy Cleaning.

Vacation Planning

Whenever you think of vacation do you hear "cha-ching" ringing in your ears?   This month's item of value gives you some valuable tips on how to plan a vacation on a budget.  

Do you subscribe to your local Groupon email?  Why not sign up for the Groupon emails for the town you plan on visiting this summer.  Two years ago a team member of mine took a trip to NYC, and picked up tons of Groupons for discounted dinners, events, and tourist attractions just by subscribing to Groupon about 6 months in advance.  

Instead of staying in a hotel rent a home from HomeAway.com or similar sites.  Often you will get way more house for the money.  When you stay at a hotel you are paying of all the conveniences of the hotel: daily room cleaning, room service, etc.  When you stay at a vacation home you may not have your bed made for you but you will likely have more space and lets not forget to mention the money you can save by not eating out for every single meal!

Read our item of value below for some more helpful tips!

New Subdivision

Some of you may have seen the activity happening on Preston Ave. between 4th and 5th Street.  We are happy to announce that Lewiston's newest subdivision is now available!  With a model home complete, and one purchased home already in progress there is much to be excited about!

Convenient location, private culdesac, and Quality Design Homes construction are just a few of the perks of living in Preston Park.  Prices are starting at $189,900 and there are several lots to choose from!

Here is a virtual tour of the model home.

The model home is open every Saturday from 11:30-1:30 so be sure to stop by and see this awesome property and subdivision.

Some of the advantages to building in this subdivision:

-Go from Contract to Keys in 75 days!

-No construction loan!  You can buy these homes with a regular conventional mortgage while still getting to design it!

-No architect fees!  All design and floor plan is included free with the purchase of a home!

Bargain Basement...

The interest rates hit another record low!

Have a read: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/news/mortgages-drop-to-new-record-low.aspx

A little update on the market...

Follow the link below to find out more about what home prices are doing:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/31/home-prices-dropped-in-november-in-most-us-cities/

We'll Conspire as we Dream by the Fire...

Now that a winter wonderland has arrived all over the US, you may be dreaming of having a fireplace! There are lots of options to choose from, and the trends in indoor gas fireplaces may surprise you. Have a look at some new looks from HGTV:
http://www.hgtv.com/rooms/modern-gas-fireplaces/pictures/index.html

Market moving up?

There are some cities that are seeing some upward movement in housing prices! Check out where (according to Fox Business) the market is moving:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/11/16/check-out-top-5-housing-markets-on-rise/