Drapery Trends for Your New Home

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty

Window treatments are sometimes the finishing touch needed to turn a house into a home. They are often the element in a room that brings everything else together; wood paneled shutters finish off the shabby chic, soft sheers let the natural light reflect the perfect color on your walls, jacquard drapery brings the missing elegance to your formal space. Below are a few current trends in drapery that can help complete perfect spaces in new homes near Ft. Benning.

Hands Free Technology for Your New Home

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty

We use hands free technology daily. From our Bluetooth headset, to the wi-fi network in our favorite coffee shop we constantly connect using touchless technology. It’s time to bring this familiar technology home and introduce your family to the cleanliness and convenience it can add to your house.

Hands-free faucets are among the most popular and fastest growing of hands-free technology for the home. With a wide range of finishes and designs today you can find faucets for your bathrooms or kitchen in your new home in Phenix City, AL that is wall or sink-mounted. Prices range from around $150 to more than $1000.

Of course, what is a touchless faucet without an automatic soap dispenser? These gadgets can be purchased from almost any home goods or big box store now for a fairly reasonable price. Place it next to your sink and all you’re missing is a hands-free towel dispenser.

Speaking of which, can be neatly and discreetly mounted under your cabinets! That’s right. The CleanCut paper towel dispenser is one option that works with LED technology to instantly recognize your hand to dispense and cut the exact amount you need without waste. You can even use your paper towel brand of choice.

Automatic toilet flushing is another technology we’ve seen in public places for years but is now making its way into our homes. Most of the converter kits work by adding an infrared sensor to your toilet. They range from around $120 to upwards of $1200. You can also purchase simple foot pedal kits that can be easily installed and cost as little as $10.

Eliminate your traditional switches and visible light controls by installing touchless light switches and dimmers throughout your new home in Phenix City, AL. This revolutionary proximity sensing technology turns off or on with the wave of your hand or hold it still to dim. These kits start around $70.

New home intercom systems offer a sleek, updated design much different from those brass-plated wall units we remember from the 70’s. The new technology, like hands-free reply from any room, and personalized features of today’s systems makes this retro idea a practical solution for effective family communication in your new home in Phenix City, AL. Prices will vary on these systems depending on the size and features included.

New Home New Year's Resolutions

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty

Inevitably, New Year’s Resolutions have been listed, recited and taped to a mirror. Hopefully you are off to a good start with your diet, exercise, family game night and that plan to make more money. However, if you’re starting off the New Year in a new home in Columbus, GA, you may want to add a few New Home New Year’s Resolutions to your list!

New Home, New Habits
Moving into a new home is the best time to create new habits for your family. What better timing then the new year to initiate this plan? Designate a “game night room” in your new home, clean out your cabinets of the unhealthy snacks and replace them with better choices, create a “nook” in your bonus room or in the kids’ rooms for reading and homework, place a chore list on the fridge not just to get everyone else sharing in the responsibilities but to help you remember the monthly and quarterly tasks that can help keep a new home in Columbus, GA feeling new!

Projects
If you’re in a brand new home in Columbus, GA or a home that’s just new to you, there may be projects you wanted to take on like adding a fence or finishing the basement. Even if you’re not quite ready to tackle these projects, meet with a contractor and get quotes; find out exactly what it’s going to take then make a plan to accomplish your goal.

Protect your Family
It’s a good idea to change batteries in your smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors every six months so now may be a good time to catch up. It’s also a great time to consider a security system for your home. It may be as simple as initiating monitoring service if your home came pre-wired with a system. If you moved into your new home in Columbus, GA with infants or toddlers and haven’t a had a chance to childproof your doors, cabinets, windows and appliances add that to your new home New Year’s Resolution list!

Taxes & Insurance
Check with your county property appraiser to make sure that you are getting all of your property tax exemptions and discounts you're entitled to. Besides discounts on your primary residence, you may be eligible for discounts based on disability, disabled veteran, active-duty military and more. While you’re at it, make sure that the appraised value of your property is on target. Contact your insurance agent and review your coverage, check for discounts available if you have multiple policies, like your vehicles, with the same company.

Maybe your New Year’s Resolution is to find a new home in Columbus, GA to call your own. The professionals at Rose Anne Erickson Realty are ready to help you achieve your dream! Visit us online at www.homescolumbusga.com to learn more and see available homes.

Tips for Keeping your Tree and Wreath Fresh During the Holidays

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty

For many families a trip to the tree farm marks the beginning of Holiday festivities each year. For some, this happens as early as the day after Halloween and for the rest of us somewhere very near the end of the Thanksgiving Day parade! This year Rose Anne Erickson Realty has a few tips to help keep your tree and wreath fresh throughout the Holiday.

Choose the freshest tree for your new home near Ft. Benning. If you are not cutting a tree choose one that is deep in color, branches spring back when you gently press them down and few green needles shed when you firmly run your fingers along the branches.

Your tree will begin to form a seal after just 4 – 6 hours from being cut making it unable to absorb water. Most places will offer to make a fresh cut for you once you choose your tree. You may also ask them to notch the base of the tree to help with absorbing water.
When you arrive back at your new home near Ft. Benning store the tree in a cool, sheltered area like your garage until you are ready to put it in the stand. Remember, if you don’t get it in water within about 4 hours, you will need to make a fresh cut on the bottom.
Water your tree daily. Be sure to use a tree stand that holds at least a gallon of water and fill it daily until your tree no longer absorbs water.
Choose a wreath that is bright in color and full. Juniper, Bay Leaf and Boxwood wreaths are a beautiful alternative to the traditional Frasier or Pine. Wreaths outdoors in shaded areas will need no additional care but wreaths and garland hung inside or on your front door will need misting about every other day to maintain moisture and stay fresh.
Keep your tree and wreaths away from heat sources inside your new home near Ft. Benning. Not only is it a fire hazard to place them near your fireplace, heat vents and appliances, it will also dry them out sooner.

We hope these tips from Rose Anne Erickson Realty will help keep your tree and wreath fresh throughout the Holiday. Visit us online to view our new home communities and available listings. We would love to help you choose a new home near Ft. Benning to being the New Year!

Easy Gift Ideas for your Holiday Host/Hostess

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty

Social calendars come to life this time of year with holiday dinners, cookie exchanges, family gatherings, maybe even a housewarming at a new home in Phenix City, AL. Wherever you celebrate the season, bring some extra holiday cheer by presenting a special gift for your host or hostess. There are a few go-to gifts such as wine or flowers that are always appreciated and easy to grab in a rush. However, if you have a little time to think ahead, consider a gift that may reflect your host or the occasion more personally.

Here are a few gift ideas for your holiday host or hostess that are easy to find but less likely to come to mind:

The Beverage Enthusiast Not everyone enjoys wine. If your host does, consider something out of the ordinary like a dessert wine or a sangria mixer. For the tea lover try a selection of gourmet teas and dried honey granules. For the coffee connoisseur, a single brew pour over glass or personal French Press along with a seasonal coffee blend would be perfect. An assortment of cocktail mixers may be just the right thing for your host. Beverage accessories are also fun! Choose from drink tags, cocktail picks, and chalk-talk glassware or unique coaster sets.

The Cook When a host enjoys cooking, there are endless choices of gifts to present them with. Specialty kitchen ware such as a bamboo cutting board, silicone bake ware, or a garlic press will compliment any kitchen in a new home in Phenix City, AL. A bottle of high-quality olive oil is a nice twist to the traditional bottle of wine and something a modern cook will appreciate. Gourmet spices, an herb plant such as a Rosemary tree or a small herb garden would all be impressive.

The Party Planner If your host is the certain friend who hosts all the birthday parties, game nights, holiday events and everything in between, there may be a few thoughtful items they would appreciate. A guest book to keep greetings and notes from each time they entertain in their new home in Phenix City, AL, aromatherapy soap and lotion or monogrammed disposable towels for the powder room, and gourmet mixes for dips, spreads and breads are all must have items for a professional hostess! A board game is another great idea if it is something you know your host and their friends or family may enjoy.

The Family Man For the host or hostess who treasures nothing above their children or furry family members, a gift alluding to that will set them in smiles the rest of the night! Pick up a few gourmet pet snacks or an organic plush toy for the pet. Bring along the newest release kids’ flick, movie tickets for the family or passes to the local indoor children’s play area. Anything that says you thought about their kids (furry or not) and that could allow them to spend time together will be a win.

Simple Holiday Decor Ideas for your New Home

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty

It’s easy to find ourselves digging through holiday decorations and sledging through tree farms while the turkey’s still turning in our stomachs! This season comes upon us so quickly and can slip away almost as fast if we don’t take time to slow down and enjoy it.

Here are a few simple holiday decorating ideas that can be done quickly, easily and a few that even your smallest family members could help with. If you’re getting ready to “deck the halls” of your new home in Columbus, GA you may find these inspiring!

Fill Your Glass – Glass jars, vases, bowls and even stemware make the best holiday décor. Pull out what you have and make eclectic arrangements; varying sizes together for a coffee table centerpiece, small votives on a window seal, tall vases across your mantel, bowls on your garden tub, martini glasses lined center of your table, etc. Now fill the glass with festive pieces like holiday candy in red, green and gold such as Hershey Kisses or M&M’s, cranberries and holly stems with or without water, ornaments, tinsel, Jingle Bells or pine cones (natural or spray painted).

Tie the Ribbon – Colorful ribbon can make anything look festive! Add a ribbon behind any hanging family photo or artwork to enhance the holiday spirit. Use ribbon to suspend special ornaments or hand made crafts from chandeliers, mantels, hand rails, door knobs or even cabinet doors. Hang a three or four foot length of ribbon near the door of your new home in Columbus, GA to attach your holiday cards to as they arrive or to display your kids’ artwork and handmade crafts from throughout the season.

Hang the Garland - Outgrown mittens, hats, scarves, and wool socks make adorable (and nostalgic) wintry décor! You can use yarn and baby pins to attach the pieces and adorn a bedroom door. Cut-outs from paper or burlap in the shape of stockings, stars or snowflakes attached to twine with miniature close pins looks merry hanging from window tops, across a mantel or on your tree. Natural garland of lush greenery or pinecones can be draped alone or add lights for a holiday twinkle; either way, the garland will add to the seasonal flare and scent of your new home in Columbus, GA.

Repurpose Leftovers – Finally, a few ideas for using last year’s cards and leftover bows. Take a simple paper plate, cut out the center and then let your kids attach the sticky side of the bows - it makes a great wreath! You can use old cards to cut out letters then arrange them inside a frame or on colored paper. Spell words like joy, merry and peace!

These simple ideas should make decorating your new home in Columbus, GA something to enjoy and hopefully leave you time for sipping on cocoa and eating cookies!

Tips for Staying on Budget for the Holidays

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty

There is something seductive about the brisk air, peppermint mochas, and twinkling lights of the holiday season that reduces our sensibility to that of a child on Christmas morning. While it is a time of giving and sharing we have to do so with intention, otherwise we’ll spend the rest of the year paying for it, literally. Here are a few tips to help you stay on budget during the holidays.

Create a budget For those of us who haven’t set aside the money and began shopping early, it’s not too late. Even if you are shopping for a large investment like Columbus, GA homes for sale, look for small ways to save money weekly; cut out morning coffee, pack your lunch, have date-night-in, order water instead of soda, don’t splurge on that new red dress. The truth is you could save a good bit of money in a short amount of time. Be realistic about what you can afford and stick to it. If you insist on using credit, set a budget you can comfortably pay off in no more than 3 months.

Make a list Shopping with a plan will save time and money. Just like touring Columbus, GA homes for sale, if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you won’t know where to begin! Do not leave the house without knowing who you’re buying for and having an idea or two for each person. If shipping gifts, be sure they fit into U.S.P.S. flat-rate boxes. This will reduce sticker shock when arriving at the post office!

Shop with Cash Researchers say people spend up to a third more when paying with credit instead of cash. It’s easier to honor your budget when you physically see you have $15 dollars left for a gift verses the $18.95 on the price tag. $3.95 may not seem like much to charge on your credit card but making that exception for 10 people on your list adds almost $40 to your budget! Shop with cash and don’t spend a penny more than you have.

Look for deals While you’re perusing the paper looking for Columbus, GA homes for sale, check out the sales inserts and clip coupons! Shopping for deals in the paper, catalogs, and online before heading off to the stores will save you time, help you create and check off your list and stay on budget. The trick here is not buying more just because you saved money!

Stick with your plan Creating a budget and devising a plan will only leave you with disappointment if you don’t stick to it! No one looks at their bills in January and February happy about the debt they added over the holidays. Try to stick to your plan and remember it’s not all about gifts. True holiday joy comes from creating memories, celebrating tradition, and spending time with friends and family!

Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving in your New Home

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 by Rose Anne Erickson Realty

This could be the year you host Thanksgiving dinner around your own table! Choose one of our new homes in Columbus, GA in time for the holidays and gather friends and family to celebrate with a feast. Here are a few tips to make hosting Thanksgiving simple, impressive and thoughtful.

Try the “less is more” approach when preparing your menu. You only need 2 – 3 side dishes to accompany your ever-important Turkey. Multiple dishes means more time in the kitchen and a lot of leftovers! You can stay with the traditional green beans, stuffing, and sweet potato casserole or venture out by offering pumpkin soup, roasted parsnips with carrots and wilted greens.

A little decorating will go a long way to impress guest joining you in the home you choose from the available new homes in Columbus, GA. Gather a few handfuls of colorful autumn leaves to use in place of a table runner. Then fill various glass vases with fresh cranberries, kumquats, seedpods & acorns to line the center of the table. Finish off by dotting the table with cinnamon scented tea light candles to set a warm inviting mood.

Start with an empty dishwasher! Be sure your dishes are washed and put away before guests arrive. This will help with your clean-up time when the meal is over. You may even be able to clear away plates into the dishwasher between courses keeping the kitchen tidy throughout the meal!

Dinner favors will be a nice surprise for your Thanksgiving guests. Attach a tea bag or two of your favorite assortment to a pine cone tied with twine. Use it in the center of your place settings or make a bowl of them near your door. You can even include a simple hand-written note with endearing terms like grateful, thankful, or family.

Searching for new homes in Columbus, GA can seem like an overwhelming task much like hosting a Thanksgiving dinner. However, taking time to plan and seeking advice can turn the search into an enjoyable, successful adventure. The professionals at Rose Anne Erickson Realty are here to assist you. Contact us today to learn more about available new homes and schedule an appointment.