How to Maintain Your Grill
Wed, 12 Jun 2013 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty
Hold the meat! Don’t kick off grilling season without seasoning the grill! We’ve got the best tips and tricks to keep your grill maintained all summer long at your new home in Columbus GA.
Pro's and Con's of Countertop Options
Thu, 30 May 2013 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty
What makes Granite countertops so popular? Are they the most durable choice? When it comes to choosing the right materials for your new home in Auburn AL, you want to know the facts!
Here are the pros and cons of a handful of the most popular choices on the market today.
Granite – As a natural material, each piece of granite offers a beautiful, one-of-a-kind appearance. It can be found in an array of earth tones including subtle red and pink hues. Its mottled surface covers a multitude of breadcrumbs! It holds up great to heat, wear and tear, and even withstands knife knicks. It’s heavy, so you need sturdy cabinet bases to support it and it may need to be sealed from time to time to protect against stains.
Solid Surface – You may be more familiar with the term Corian but that’s actually the brand that popularized the material. Made from acrylic and polyester, this nonporous surface offers low maintenance in your new home in Auburn AL and comes in a wide variety of color and pattern options. Its seamless installation means no dirt and food trapped between the cracks and you can easily sand out scratches or burns. It’s about the same price as granite but may not withstand heat and wear as well.
Laminate – Don’t disregard this traditional counter surface just yet! It is certainly more prone to scratches, burns, stains and water damage but it requires no special cleaning and is one of the most affordable choices. Your top-end laminate will start around the base price of other popular materials. Today’s laminate styles offer the appealing look of natural stone, butcher block and of course come in an array of solid colors.
Concrete – If you’re a trendsetter and want a counter that stands up to heavy use, this may be one to try. It comes in at the top of the price range for counter surfaces but rightly so due to the custom options available. Concrete can be tinted to any shade and unique inlays with glass or rock can be added. It is porous so you have to seal it to protect against stains and with time, as expected, it can crack.
There are still other countertop options for your new home in Auburn AL: soapstone, quartz, butcher block, and even paper composite. The bottom line is, choose a durable surface that offers the color choice you want within the budget your comfortable with.
Spring Cleaning Your Closets
Thu, 23 May 2013 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty
Summer is almost here and before you pack-up and head off to the beach you need to finish unpacking your closets!
It can be a little overwhelming when all of the boxes arrive at your new home in Phenix City AL. Unpacking the necessities happens by force. Then, before you know it life kicks in and you’re left with a room that was supposed to be for guests but wound up for boxes; a garage with little more than a path to the door; and oh yes, the closets that seemed so big when you bought the house but somehow shrank in the process of moving in!
It’s time to get it done! Here are a few tips we’ve picked-up from homeowner’s through the years that will help you finish what you’ve started and spring clean your closets in the process.
Remember the Vision – Remind yourself what it felt like to open the doors of those wide-open, spacious closets when you first found your new home in Phenix City AL. Sure they were empty, but you envisioned your best clothes, your finest linens, and your little treasure boxes of pictures and memorabilia neatly organized and accessible. Go after that vision!
Ask a Few Questions – Am I missing anything? Probably not. If you’re not using it, chances are, you don’t need it. What will I do with the things I don’t want? Label boxes for charity, trash, or yard sale so everything has a place as you start the process. What do I want more, the guest room I’m dreaming of or this collection of concert tickets and t-shirts from college? You have to make space for the things you want.
Set a Date – Don’t try to tackle the clutter in the wee hours of the morning. You need to be fresh, awake, and ready for action! Plan a weekend and make it an event! Know where you’re going to get started and how much you want to accomplish. You’ll be surprised how fast it will go once you get into the groove of sorting and shedding all the things cluttering your new home in Phenix City AL.
Enjoy your Freedom – Whether it means parking a car in the garage, putting a bed in the guest room or twirling in your closet, celebrate! The freedom you’ll feel from unloading and organizing all the extra stuff you’ve been holding onto will be energizing. But don’t fill it up too fast—take time to turn your newfound space into exactly what you want.
Hot TV Design Shows
Tue, 14 May 2013 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty
It’s no secret that home buyers these days are spending as much time on Pinterest and watching marathons of their favorite design shows as they are looking for their new home in Columbus GA. Who can resist the wonder of a demolished kitchen raised into a state of the art chef’s dream right before their eyes?
Here’s a collection of our favorite design shows from HGTV. Whether you’re buying a brand new home and looking for decorating tips and trends or you choose to buy a pre-owned home and want to do some renovation, these shows will spark your creativity!
Love it or List it: Mondays at 9
While this show is primarily about people deciding to keep or sell their homes, for us it offers incredible insight on how renovation can turn any shell into the home of your dreams! Find an almost perfect home with an unfinished basement or vacant attic space? Don’t walk away without considering the possibilities a contractor could bring to the table!
Income Properties: Tuesdays 9
In this show, Scott McGillivray helps first-time homebuyers turn part of their home into a moneymaker to help with mortgage. This isn’t an option in every home but it sure gets our wheels turning. Maybe you have a basement that could be collecting more than junk? Maybe you just need inspiration for layout and design to finish that upstairs teen-suite?
Property Brothers: Wednesdays at 9
O.K., here’s a favorite! Now, if you’re buying a new home in Columbus GA you don’t have to worry about doing major renovation. However, you may get to make some choices like paint color, floor types, cabinet finishes and more. The finished project comes together so seamlessly, sometimes with combinations that take you by surprise. Jonathan and Drew will definitely give you ideas to make your new home even more than you imagined!
Flea Market Flip: Fridays at 9pm
Wrap-up the week with this inspiring series where décor comes from the most unexpected items. On a hunt for flea market finds they can buy, fix and sell for a higher sum, contestants on the show battle to see who makes the best flip. In the mean time, viewers are consumed with ideas on how to decorate their new home in Columbus GA on a dime by repurposing their own finds!
We hope these shows will inspire you! But don’t spend too much time in front of the tube—we’ve got homes to show you where you can put all your ideas in place! Call or visit Rose Anne Erickson Realty to find your new home.
Relocating Tips
Tue, 30 Apr 2013 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty
We know—the gentle babble of the Chattahoochee River and the slow seasons of the south have drawn you to relocate here. As one of the state’s largest cities, boasting world-class entertainment, Columbus GA has managed to hold on to its historic charm and coveted pace of life.
Choosing a new home in Columbus GA is the right decision and we want to help ease the move! Below are a few tips on relocating.
Finding the Right Place
We represent the areas most desirable new homes in sought after school zones with opportune locations and affordable prices. When relocating, consider your commute to both work and conveniences and get familiar with local schools. Take a look at our helpful links and explore the Local Area tabs for each of our communities online. We’re experts on the Columbus area and we’re ready to help you find the perfect neighborhood to call home!
Packing and Unpacking
The not-so-fun part of relocating to your new home in Columbus GA is the packing and unpacking. The most useful tip is to downsize as you go to lighten the load! Anything unused in a year or more you can probably do without. When you start packing use linens and t-shirts to wrap fragile items. This saves money on supplies and room on the truck! When it’s time to unpack, don’t let boxes sit unopened for too long. The sooner you unpack, the sooner you can file any necessary claims for damage. Most moving companies will have a time limit for this.
On Moving Day
Keep important contact numbers like your moving company, Realtor, and utilities close by. If anything comes up last minute, you’ll have it handy. Pack your overnight necessities; items like medication, first aid needs, contact solution etc. Regardless of travel or delays, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable night. Don’t forget about your pets! If they’re traveling with you, bring along enough food or treats to take care of them until you can fully unpack their things!
Don’t Forget
Forward your mail and be sure your current bank has a local branch in Columbus. Updating your address with your credit and debit cards as soon as possible is also good practice or you’ll be stuck at the pump trying to enter the wrong zip code! Print IRS Publication 521 and deduct your acceptable moving expenses when it’s time to file your taxes. Gas, mileage rate, storage and shipping costs can all be deducted!
We have a wealth of experience within our Company. We don't just "relocate you"; we assist you in feeling right at home! Contact us today for a Relocation Packet and see how easy it is to find a new home in Columbus GA!
Housing Recovery Well Under Way
Mon, 22 Apr 2013 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty
While the spring blooms are budding and green leaves are returning the housing market is showing signs of new life as well! If you’re looking for a new home in Opelika AL, you’re not the only one.
Across the board, real estate markets are seeing improvements and buyers in waiting are not waiting any longer! “Clearly, all the signals are positive”, says Nicolas Retsinas of Harvard Business School in an interview with PBS News Hour, “right now, it seems we're moving in a very positive direction.”
Prices are moving up, mortgage rates are still at historic lows and anxious buyers are vying for the perfect home before someone else snatches it up! From move-in ready to new construction, if you want selection when choosing your new home in Opelika AL you can’t act fast enough!
We’re seeing the fastest rate of recovery since the housing bubble burst. Home prices rose 8.1 percent in January - the fastest annual rate since the housing boom in 2006 according to Standard & Poor’s/Case Shiller 20-city index. While prices are rising, they’re still 29% below the peak during the boom. So as a buyer, you can feel confident you’re still getting a good deal!
To take advantage of the recovering market, buyers want to be able to act fast! Now is the time to secure your mortgage loan. Don’t wait until you’ve found the home you want to start applying. Talk to a mortgage professional early. This will help you get qualified, have your required documents in hand and be more appealing to sellers when presenting competing offers! PLUS it’s the best time to lock-in on your mortgage interest rate—as the market continues to improve, it’s inevitable that rates will rise.
Let Rose Anne Erickson Realty help you find your new home in Opelika AL. We represent the highest quality new construction homes in the Columbus GA and Phenix City AL areas as well as desirable pre-owned homes in established neighborhoods. Request information or visit online today to see what’s waiting for you!
How to Buy Your New Home in a Seller’s Market
Fri, 12 Apr 2013 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty
What is a seller’s market? Simply put, it’s when there are more buyers than homes available. And if you’re buying a home in Columbus GA this spring, that’s exactly what you’ll find. Inventory has dwindled, homes are selling faster, and sales prices are at or above asking price in most cases!
Here are a few tips to help you navigate this market and come out on top.
Find a Realtor – More than ever, you’ll want a professional on your side. This deal may take a little back and forth not to mention the market is changing overnight and you’ll want the most accurate, up-to-date information available when buying a home in Columbus GA.
Get Financing – Your offer won’t stand much chance without a pre-approval letter, and more than likely, proof of funds. Meet with a mortgage professional NOW to get your ducks in a row! It can take a few days just to gather all the paperwork you’ll need to start the process and by then the home you like could get swept away.
Make an Offer – The sooner you can make an offer the less likely there is to be competing offers. Your Realtor will show you comparable sells and help you determine the real market value of the home you’re buying in Columbus GA. Don’t be surprised if it’s asking price.
Make it Favorable – Even a full-price offer without significant earnest money and proof of your ability to obtain financing, may be passed over. Let them know you’re a serious buyer prepared to close the deal. Give the seller a few days after closing to move; it’s a nice gesture other buyer’s may not think of. Think about things you can do yourself before asking for a punch list of small repairs—the less they have to do to make it work, the more likely they are to take your offer.
If you want to know more about preparing an offer that wins or taking advantage of this seller’s market to sell your current home, contact Rose Anne Erickson Realty today!
Green Living Decorating Tips for Your New Home in Columbus GA
Fri, 29 Mar 2013 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty
Green cleaning and green living are not unheard of these days. Rather, the whole idea of “green” is quite the trend. Designers, craftsmen, and artisans are all looking to more environmentally friendly materials for everyday items like furniture and accessories. Here are a few tips we found to bring green living into the décor of your new home in Columbus GA.
Bamboo is highly sustainable because it is the fastest growing woody plant on earth. Choose this eco-star to upgrade flooring, for new furniture, and even sheets and towels! As a fabric, bamboo is naturally antibacterial and absorbent; they make great bath towels and cloths.
Painting is core to decorating and now you can go green when choosing colors for your new home in Columbus GA. Look for no-VOC or low-VOC formulas. These emit less of the volatile organic chemicals that can contribute to poor health.
Not only will fabric shower curtains enhance the look of your bathroom; they’re far more superior when it comes to health and cleanliness. Curtains made from PVC can give off a gas during hot showers and tend to collect mold.
Recycled glass bottles and jars make excellent decorating pieces. Place varied heights and sizes clustered together on a trey or charger. Fill them with mixed stems of flowers and leaves for a charming centerpiece. Collect larger jars, with and without lids, to hold cotton balls, matches, band-aids, toothbrushes, and more!
From Chandeliers to wall art, you can find Stray Dog products online at WestElm.com. Their eco-friendly line is handmade from recycled tin, iron, and paper adding an eclectic touch to the décor of your new home in Columbus GA.
Create ambiance with beeswax or soy candles, avoiding those made of paraffin. Look for cotton wicks without metal. And for a twist on traditional lighting, use a full-spectrum compact fluorescent bulb, which mimics natural sunlight, under your lampshades.
Keep using those nesting baskets for decorative storage on your bookshelves or for holding blankets and towels. Just look for those woven with sustainable materials such as water hyacinth and rattan fibers.
Our communities featuring homes built by Grayhawk Homes, the Energy Star Partner of the Year from the Environmental Protection Agency, are the perfect choice for the eco-savvy homebuyer. Call or visit us online!
