Boost Curb Appeal with Exterior Renovations

If you were to take a look at a typical neighborhood today, you would see patterns of familiar home designs such as split-level, ranch or colonial. Most of these American styles were built between 1955 and 1985, when there was a need for mass-produced housing. Due to this suburban sprawl, many homes lost the originality and architectural appeal of classic styles built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

If you, like so many others, currently live in one of these houses, its lack of personality and curb appeal may have you thinking about making a change to the exterior. Yet the overwhelming amount of home design choices may have you wondering how to get started.

“Many times, homeowners are afraid to do more than replace existing windows or siding with new versions of the same product, simply because they can't visualize the possibilities for their home exterior,” says John Stephenson, senior vice president of marketing for Ply Gem, an exterior building products company.

To help picture what's possible in exterior home design and simplify product and color selection, homeowners now have the option to turn to digital home remodeling tools. Online visualizer tools, such as The Designed Exterior Studio by Ply Gem, allow consumers to find inspiration and experiment with renovation ideas, even before meeting with a contractor. Users can virtually update a home exterior with new colors and style options for siding, stone veneer, windows and more. Homeowners can save their designs, and easily share with a remodeling contractor.

“When meeting with a contractor about a remodel, doing research and having a visual of a preferred exterior style and color palette is a great way to get the conversation started,” says Stephenson. “The existing American housing stock has so much potential for beautiful design and architectural styling; new online visualization tools are designed to help both homeowners and their contractors realize the potential for these older homes.”

Before getting started on an exterior remodel, it's also important to understand the level of changes you want to make. Read through the following tips on making the most of an exterior renovation and provides some insight on how to prepare and get started.

• If your home has great bones, but lacks curb appeal and originality, a simple refresh with new siding, windows and accents in different colors and textures can make a big difference.
• New windows are also a noticeable architectural feature with the added benefit of increased energy efficiency in the home. Some key elements to consider for beautiful window design include style, grille pattern and color.
• For an even more personalized home exterior upgrade, consider cosmetic, nonstructural architectural changes, in addition to the replacement of windows and siding.

“Adding elements to the roof such as window dormers or gables, or changing the entryway with a porch, can give your home personality and create a look that is reminiscent of classic architectural styles,” says Deryl Patterson, principal, BSB Design architecture firm. “These additions also provide visual interest to the exterior, giving it balance and elevation. In combination with appropriate material textures and colors, you can transform your home into an architecturally authentic style.”

Source: www.plygem.com

Lessons in Leftovers: Make Sure They're Safe

Saving leftovers to eat later is a great way to practice portion control and save money, but it's important to make sure leftovers are safe to eat according to Home Food Safety, a collaborative program of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods.

"Oftentimes our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. Instead of overeating at home or a restaurant, save part of your meal to eat later," says registered dietitian and Academy Spokesperson Melissa Joy Dobbins. "Just make sure you're storing and reheating leftovers properly to keep them from making you sick."

Keep these food safety tips in mind when reheating leftovers:

1. Refrigerate leftovers to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below within two hours of them being served to you. (In hotter weather over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, refrigerate after one hour.)
2. Seal leftovers in an airtight, clean container, and label it with the expiration date
3. Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and use a food thermometer to make sure all types of food reach the safe minimum internal temperature throughout before you eat.
4. Check on the shelf life of leftovers and discard when it's past the expiration date. When in doubt, throw it out!

"Unfortunately, you can't rely on sight and scent alone to tell if food is spoiled or contaminated with foodborne pathogens," Dobbins says. "That's why it's important to follow these simple steps, but a majority of Americans do not always do so, putting them at risk for food poisoning."

According to a 2011 survey conducted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, only 23 percent of Americans always use a food thermometer to check the doneness of their foods, and only 28 percent regularly check the refrigerator thermometer.

"It's important to properly store and reheat leftovers, whether at home or the office," she says. "Encourage your work place to regularly clean the office refrigerator and ensure it remains under 40 degrees Fahrenheit."

Source: www.homefoodsafety.org.

Connie Farmer Ray Leads Real Estate Panel at NYC RIS MEDIA CEO Exchange

Grabbing the opportunity to discuss heavy-hitting subject matter and share strategic business development ideas for the future of the real estate industry, top brokers and real estate executives from across the nation quickly signed on to attend RISMedia’s Real Estate CEO Exchange, a groundbreaking think tank of industry luminaries.

Billy Ray, Connie Ray and John Featherston
at the RiS Media CEO Exchange, NYC

During the September 5 & 6 CEO Exchange, which was held at the prestigious Yale Club in New York City,  some of the strongest players in real estate to came together and brainstormed ways to commandeer this slowly recovering market. The two-day event included multiple panels and discussions, covering everything from modernizing technology plans to exploring the Dodd-Frank act.

According to RISMedia President & CEO, John Featherston, “Many of the industry’s leading brokers who attended to the CEO Exchange came to discuss what is—and equally as important—what isn’t working within their firms and markets. This is a high-level real estate meeting for leading brokers interested in profitably building their business, today and into the future. Our industry and its brokerage owners are confronted with many pressing issues, from the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act to the possibility of fee capping to new competitive business models. We have assembled some of the best real estate operators in the business to address the critical challenges facing today’s brokers.”

One particular session, titled, “Increasing Market share: Recruiting, Roll-Ins, REOs and Other Ways to Expand Your Business,” featured a panel of Power Brokers who discussed ways to grow business in today’s market.  Our own, Connie Farmer Ray, of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, was invited as one of the prestigious CEOs asked to speak at the event.  Connie shares, “It was an honor to be a panel leader, for this event.  My topic was to discuss was how Brokers have changed their business and operations model to survive and thrive in real estate’s “new normal.” I discussed how at our Company we have undertaken dramatic advancements like: replacing bricks and mortar with virtual and regional locations; innovative solutions for top producers;  creative financing solutions; increasing our technologies and techie knowledge with new tools and education on how to use them; overhauls to our own website and mobile site and apps we present; providing branded and unmatched personal web sites (web & mobile-friendly) to each of our agents at NO additional cost to them; we have also embraced social media.  It was an honor to share how we continue to think outside of the traditional brokerage to operate more effectively in the recovering marketplace.”   

“Thanks to the involvement of several industry icons, the CEO Exchange hosted a great cross section of leading brokers interested in openly discussing how they successfully operate and tackle problems within their respective markets,” Featherston explains. “This event provides brokers with the opportunity to get to know their counterparts from around the country. The brokers who attended have told us they want to make their companies and their agents more successful. What better way to learn than from a diverse group of successful colleagues?”

Benjamin R Smith Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Sales Team in Savannah

Benjamin Smith joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a Sales Associate for the Company's office located at 6349 Abercorn Street.  Benjamin specializes in Downtown & East Savannah, Tybee and the Islands as well as Baldwin and Ardsley Park areas.  He joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because, “…CBPP is the best in Savannah and I want to be the best REALTOR® I can be!” 

Benjamin’s ultimate goal is to, “… provide my clients with a positive experience that will have them recommending me to anyone who needs a great REALTOR®.”  Benjamin attended Armstrong Atlantic State University and earned a BA in Economics.  He previously worked as a Barista at Starbucks and in the sales industry.  Currently, he is a member of SABOR and a member of Solomon’s Lodge #1 F. & A.M.     Benjamin Smith may be reached at (912) 667.0575 or emailed at benjamin.smith@coldwellbanker.com.

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Welcomes Susan L Owens to the Brunswick Office

Susan L Owens has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a Sales Associate at the Brunswick Office located at located at 901 Glynn Isles where she concentrates on residential and new home properties in the North Camden and Glynn Counties.  Susan joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because of the numerous training and opportunities the Company presents.

Before becoming a GA REALTOR® Susan had a career with Sun Trust Bank and served as the VP of Operations.  Susan has a BBA in Management from Georgia Southern University and has served on numerous local civic organizations.  She is a native to Glynn County and attended local schools.  She has three children, all of which attend school locally, too.     Susan looks forward to, “…my clients being completely satisfied with the knowledge and value I add to their transactions.”  Susan L Owens may be reached at 912.222.4674.