ond-home market...............Page 4 Flower Power
Transcription
ond-home market...............Page 4 Flower Power
NAR: Outlook favorable for second-home market...............Page 4 Flower Power: Make your home blossom.............................Page 12 The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 2 Create a summer sanctuary — on a budget HOUSE & HOME You can create a relaxing outdoor retreat on any budget. Target Style Expert for Home, Sabrina Soto, offers these smart, affordable tips: Think of your outdoor space as an extension of your home. Color and comfort are two key factors. If you have a lot of space and entertain often, opt for a larger table. Folding chairs and cushions can add extra seating. Add colorful, outdoor, water-resistant pillows for extra comfort. Soto advises that not all furniture has to match, but cushions and pillows should coordinate. If you have room for a separate lounging or dining area, use outdoor area rugs and furniture made from different materials to define the spaces. The din- ing area could include wrought iron or wood furniture and your seating area could be wicker or fabric based. Set an outdoor recliner or hammock in a shady spot for “solo” time. For smaller spaces such I HAVE NEW INSTRUCTIONS FROM MY CLIENT! Offers are now invited in the region of $329,000 for this magnificent home on 3.29 acres in Linnippi Village. This truly is a home for all seasons. See the summer sun wash through the whole of the living area, and enjoy long evenings on the two tier deck. Marvel at nature’s paintbrush in the fall and let the warmth of the stone fireplace embrace you in the winter, until the tastefully landscaped yard bursts into life in the spring. as an apartment balcony, add privacy with a divider screen or trellis. Then, dress up your space with window boxes or small planters for a personal garden. KIDS’ CORNER Designate a separate area for the kids. Add a child-sized picnic table that can be used for crafts as well as meals. An inflatable pool or dual-racing water slide can provide cool relief and hours of family-friendly entertainment. LET THERE BE LIGHT—AND SHADE “There are many different ways to utilize lighting in your outdoor space,” says Soto. “String lights are a fun and affordable option, while solar-powered lighting is one of my favorites. I love the warm glow they add to an outdoor setting.” Sabrina suggests hooking up outdoor lights to a timer so that they turn on automatically at night. Candles work for any environment. Whether you want flameless candles for kids’ safety or votives for a romantic touch, there are endless scents and colors to match your decor. Soto advises using citronella candles to ward off flies and mosquitoes. Set up seating areas to take advantage of shade or opt for a table with a builtin umbrella. You can also get portable shade canopies to create shade anywhere. OUTDOOR DINING Have fun with your table setting. Spice things up without spending a fortune by mixing and matching dinnerware, pitchers, platters and place mats. Available in many different shades and patterns, melamine dinnerware can help create a colorful dining experience. Bringing everything outside to the grill can be cumbersome unless you have the proper transporters. Picnic baskets are great for carrying the essential burger buns and condiments and then can be used to hold extra items to make room on the table. Experience all the delights of this fabulous property; join me at an Open House on Sunday, July 18 from 1 pm until 4 pm and see for yourself what this home has to offer. Think of your outdoor space as an extension of your home. PHOTO PROVIDED Updated Throughout - 3 bedroom, 2 bath with large kitchen, breakfast area, dining room, family room, central air more. In Jersey Shore. $149,900. Kathy Probst, Assoc Broker 570-772-4562 Easy Living - can be yours in this 3 bedroom brick ranch with 1 car garage, 1 car carport and hardwood floors, too. Asking only $118,900. Hurry! Corrine Bierly, Realtor 570-660-5774 A Great Starter - 3 bedrooms, 1st floor laundry, newer vinyl siding, enclosed porch, 2 car garage and fenced yard. In Jersey Shore at $109,900. Kathy Probst, Assoc Broker 570-772-4562 Just Like New - Newer 3 bedroom in immacualte condition. Includes central air, rear patio, heated shed, 1st floor laundry and a great rural setting. $112,000. Lori Haines, Realtor 570-660-9285 On 1+ Acre - close to town! Remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bath with den and 2 car detached garage, deck and more to appreciate. Only $129,900. Corrine Bierly, Realtor 570-660-5774 Call Today - 3 bedroom, 3 bath remodeled home with dining room, family room, pool and 2 car garage with apartment or in-law quarters above. $139,900. Corrine Bierly, Realtor 570-660-5774 Beautiful Ranch - near Pine Creek bordering state land & near Torbert Canoe access road. Rear porch, large garage, outbuildings. $169,900. Anggi Hoy, Realtor 570-660-6905 We’re now offering Property Management and Rental Services. Contact Amy Motter for information at our office: 570-748-9572 or via cell: 570-367-0052. Remodeled - with Rails to Trails bordering the property! 2 tiered deck, pool, family room, dining room and lots of extras. Great house at $159,900. Kathy Probst, Associate Broker 570-772-4562 Gorgeous Log Home - on 3.70 acres offers privacy & views! Upgraded kitchen, windows, furnace. Family room, fireplace, central air. $174,900. Corrine Bierly, Realtor 570-660-5774 Business For Sale - Own this profitable pallet business located in a rural setting in Blanchard. Seller to provide customer list & training! $175,000. Corrine Bierly, Realtor 570-660-5774 Start Packing! - This 4 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath is in move-in condition! Offers fireplace, great fishing, is fully furnished and awaiting a new owner! $89,900. Kathy Probst, Associate Broker 570-772-4562 Welcome Home - to this lovely 2 bedroom with formal dining room, family room, sun room, enclosed porch, and lots of new features. Now $79,900. Anggi Hoy, Realtor 570-660-6905 Exceptional Living - is yours in this 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath with family room, office, sun room, master suite, 2 car garage & outbuildings. $189,900. Kathy Probst, Associate Broker 570-772-4562 Stop Searching! - This is your house! 3 bedroom ranch with covered deck, 24’ pool, basement for 4th bedroom or office. Offered at only $128,000. Corrine Bierly, Realtor 570-660-5774 Creek Front Property - Unique 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath that’s newly remodeled offers family room with wet bar, skylights, gas fireplace & more. $188,900. Kathy Probst, Associate Broker 570-772-4562 35+ Acres - Cabin in private community with gated entrance borders state forest with easy access to I80 & Rte 220. Hunting, hiking & more. $125,000. Anggi Hoy, Realtor 570-660-6905 Not A Misprint! - The price is correct on this 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath home! Plus it’s got a new roof, windows, carpet & more. It’s only $25,000! Lori Haines, Realtor 570-660-9285 Historic Beauty - Perfect for the large family or to use as a Bed and Breakfast! On 1.40 acres with fenced lot, garages and serene views. Now $299,800. Lori Haines, Realtor 570-660-9285 A True Beauty - Lovely 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath with new windows, large heated garage, private rear deck and motivated seller! Asking only $119,900. Lori Haines, Realtor 570-660-9285 3 - The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 Lock Haven Area - 570.748.9572 The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 4 HOUSE & HOME NAR: Outlook favorable for second-home market LISA LINN DAVIS REAL ESTATE Despite weakening second home purchases in 2008, the long-term demand looks favorable for the second-home market because there are large numbers of people in the prime years for buying a second lifestyle. Considerations are the single most important factor in the vacation home market according to a recent survey People seem to be buying weekend homes or recreational property to use themselves or for a family retreat—investment considerations are secondary for most vacation-home buyers with relatively modest interest in renting. Diversifying investments is also a consideration of secondhome buyers. The typical vacationhome buyer is middleaged and purchases a property within a few hours drive from their primary residence. Some other findings on this market: (according to the National Association of Realtors) In terms of location, 26 percent of vacation homes were purchased in small towns, 23 percent in a rural area, 23 percent in resorts, 20 percent in a suburb, and 8 percent in an urban area or central city. Seventy percent of vacation homes purchased in 2008 were detached single-family homes, 18 percent condos, 5 percent townhouses or rowhouses, and 7 percent other. Sixty-nine percent of vacation home buyers and 84 percent of investment home buyers purchased existing homes; SINCE 1942 the rest purchased new homes. Investment-home buyers in 2008 had a median age of 47, earned $85,000, and bought a home that was fairly close to their primary residence – a median distance of 19 miles. When asked about the most important reasons for purchasing an investment home, 58 percent said to provide rental income; 38 percent to diversify investments; 19 percent for use by a family member, friend or relative; and 15 percent to use for vacations or as a family retreat. Twenty-eight percent of investment homes were purchased in a sub- urb and another 20 percent in an urban or central city area, 23 percent in a rural area, 22 percent in a small town, and 6 percent in a resort area. Sixty-four percent of investment homes purchased in 2008 were detached single-family homes, 22 percent condos, 8 percent townhouses or rowhouses, and 6 percent other. Vacation-home buyers plan to keep their property for a median of 12 years; 58 percent plan to keep their vacation home for 11 years or more. Investment buyers plan to hold their property for a median of five years. Eight in 10 secondhome buyers consider it a good time to invest in real estate, compared with 71 percent of primary residence buyers. So it appears as though the size of the market for second homes is still significant even in this economy. If purchasing or selling a second home is in your future plans, contact a Realtor who knows their market area well. Lisa Linn of Davis Real Estate provides that knowledge and experience and is a certified Resort and Second Property Specialist servicing Clinton, Lycoming and Southern Tioga Counties. ——— Article information and statistics from NAR Home safety surprises and suggestions BY ELINOR GINZLER Any time of year can be the right time to take a look around your home and find ways to make it safer for you and your family. For example, simple home maintenance can avert a number of potential problems. Cleaning lint filters in the clothes dryer before every load and cleaning the dryer vent line each year can prevent dryer fires. Shockingly, there are more than 15,000 dryer-related fires each year. Placing a barbecue grill too close to the house can be another way to cook up accidents. It’s estimated that 6,500 barbecue grill fires cause as much as $27 million in property losses each year. Some injuries can be prevented by just choosing a different tool for a difficult task. Consider using a can opener instead of a kitchen knife the next time you open those frustrating anti-theft plastic clamshell packages. And did you know that a sharp knife is safer than a dull knife? A dull blade leads to slips. AARP has compiled a list of 30 home safety facts and tips that shine a light on the simple things that can help make homes safer and more user friendly. DID YOU KNOW THAT: 86,000 people fall each year because of their pets? Power-mower injuries cause 80,000 hospital visits each year? Poison ivy is getting more potent and harder to identify? More people are injured using hand tools than power tools? Many of these injuries can be prevented with simple fixes that take just moments but rarely make it to our to-do lists. CONSIDER THESE See SAFETY, Page 6 5 - The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 HOUSE & HOME Wood can look good in every room ASK A DESIGNER By MELISSA RAYWORTH For The Associated Press What’s old — centuries old, even — is suddenly new again in home design. Wood, that ancient staple of interior decorating, has been getting fresh attention in every room of the house. Designers are mixing salvaged barn doors with new synthetic flooring that looks strikingly like the real thing. At the same time, faux wood-grain wallpaper and upholstery offer a nod to nature without hiding their artificiality. Designer and HGTV host Genevieve Gorder calls wood “the one medium that is eternal.” “It’s been in interiors since the beginning of time and it’s sitting in our front yards,” she says. “There’s nothing else like it.” Gorder, along with fellow designers Candice Olson and Vern Yip, judges the work of fledgling designers each week on HGTV’s “Design Star.” When we asked these experts which style ideas have their attention right now, all three mentioned wood. Wood is both natural and trend-proof, Olson says, and can bring a much-needed warmth and timelessness to modern rooms. Even people who love modern style, she says, don’t want a home “where everything looks like George Jetson lives there.” Likewise, in more traditional rooms, wood is being used in ways that add a dose of edgier style without clashing. LUMBER & LOGS Years ago, Olson saw an entire wall of stacked wood in a building in Europe. The image stuck with her. She eventually created her own variations, arranging chopped logs from fallen trees within frames that are 6 inches deep. Lumber, especially the low grades that might otherwise be discarded by builders, can be used the same way. Gorder loves the look: “Really inexpensive,” she says, and “really powerful.” Whether dominating a whole wall or serving as an accent, these pieces of wood can be arranged to form a smooth surface or poke out from the wall at different lengths, creating a pattern. The contrast between order and chaos is central to the appeal: Essentially, “it’s a pile of sticks,” Olson says, but laid out “in an orderly, modern, refined way.” WOODEN WALLS & CEILINGS Several years back, Yip drew praise for designing a room with one wall covered in planks. “Anytime you have an entire wall of one material, wood or something else, it’s so striking,” he says. It caught on. Wood flooring is now being used to cover walls and ceilings. Old wooden platforms, says Yip, can also be hung up as art. That showcases a beautiful wood’s texture and color, Olson says. “It’s almost like it gets wasted on the floor,” she says. This photo provided by Brandon Barre shows a room makeover by Candice Olson for her HGTV series “Divine Design.” Wood, the ancient staple of interior decorating, has been getting fresh attention in every room of the house lately. AP PHOTO A wall or ceiling done in a given type of wood doesn’t mean you must use that type of wood elsewhere in the room. Mix old and new woods in different shades and textures, says Gorder: “If you just keep matching, it looks like a bad pantsuit.” RECLAIMED WOOD People are embracing reclaimed wood and giving it new life, Yip says. “We realize it’s not an infinite resource we can just keep exploiting,” he says. “It’s a natural extension of the green movement, colliding with the fact that we’re repurposing a lot of things these days.” And wood adds character to a room, the designers say. Old doors, shutters, crates and barns are being repurposed into furniture and floor or wall coverings. “It’s that soul you can’t buy off the showroom floor,” Gorder explains. Salvaged wood is refreshingly low-maintenance because scratches only add to its charm. “I have two young children under the age of 6,” Olson says. “So weathered finishes, they really speak to me.” Reclaimed flooring and furniture can be expensive, especially if you’re set on a particular item or type of wood. But, this being America, fake wood with a weathered “reclaimed” finish is available at a lower price than the real thing. WOOD-GRAIN UPHOLSTERY & WALLPAPER If you are going with an impostor, these designers say go all the way. They love the cheerful fakery of wall coverings and upholstery with wood-grain patterns. “You know a chair isn’t upholstered in wood, so that’s tongue-incheek,” Gorder says. “It’s playful.” Materials like these let designers take “nature and tradition, and stylize it” in unexpected ways, Olson says. In designing a line See WOOD, Page 7 The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 6 Home safety surprises and suggestions Continued from Page 4 SMALL TASKS: © 2010 Beth Riccardo Broker/Owner MBA,GRI 748-8222 I Moving the grill 10 feet from the house or shrubs can help protect you from a larger fire if the grill tips or the fire flares. I Feeding the cat before making dinner can stop it from milling around the kitchen when you’re cooking. A baby gate can keep the dog out of the kitchen altogether. I Most mower injuries are caused by stones or other things kicked out by mower blades moving at high speed. Clearing the yard of debris before mowing can help. I Can’t recognize poison ivy? The oil that causes people to react to poison ivy won’t penetrate long sleeves and pants or vinyl work gloves. By drawing attention to home-safety risks that are easy to overlook but not too hard to prevent, AARP hopes everyone can relax, knowing they will have a safer home all year round. ——— Learn more at Beth Riccardo Real Estate 48 E. Church Street, Lock Haven, PA • 570-748-8222 briccardo@gearhartherr.com Remodeled 3 BR with fenced yard, 3 car garage, in Castanea. Lovely oak kitchen. New furnace, low maintenance . MLS 58639 $89,900 Very nice 3 BR bi-level on corner lot on Hickory Drive, just outside of town. Eat-in kitchen with screened porch. Finished lower level offers family room with bar, 3/4 bath, one car garage and a very nice enclosed porch. Don’t let this one slip away! $99,000 Call Beth or Tina for your private showing. #58199 SA Built in 2007, this newer 3 BR 2 bath ranch home in Fairpoint Meadows Ph II offers easy one level living. Unload your groceries right from the garage to the kitchen. First floor laundry, nice open floor plan with all neutral colors. Large MBR and bath. Level lot. Call Beth for more details! NEW LISTING! 3 unit Apartment House, East Main St. Nice 3 unit with off street parking. Affordable living and convenient location. Live in one and rent the rest, or use as investment. Fresh painted trim, fully rented. Call Beth or Tina to set up your appointment. MLS 59586 Tina Weaver Sales Associate 660-2890 ND PE LE ING ! Older charming 3 BR home on West Water St., Lock Haven. Great for those who work or attend LHU. Very nice rear screened porch with smaller fenced yard. Newer furnace, upgraded electric. MLS 58952 3 BR starter home on corner lot, S. Jones St. Convenient location near grocery and LHU. Would also make a very nice rental. MLS 58565 $80,500 Newer ranch home offers 3 BR and 2 baths, open floor plan, easy maintenance. Nice rear party deck and two car attached garage. Includes extra building lot next door! Conveniently located between Mill Hall and Centre County! MLS 58777 NEW LISTING! Completely remodeled and renovated 1 BR home on S. Highland. Not one update needed! Don’t pay rent when you can own this adorable home with appliances, carport and shed included. This home is in EXCELLENT CONDITION. $49,900 http://www.aarp.org//hom e-garden/housing/30— safety—tips.html or call 888-OUR-AARP (888687-2277). ——— Elinor Ginzler is AARP’s senior vice president for Livable Communities. ——— Article courtesy of North American Precis Syndicate. www.napsnet.com Be an editor! Send your news and photos to The Express through our Virtual Newsroom at: www.lockhaven.com Interest rates are at a 50 year low! Now is the time to buy up! PRICE REDUCED Call Beth to see this stunning ranch in Sunset Pines. New kitchen with stainless applicances, hickory wide board flooring, sunken LR that leads to patio, finished walkout lower level. Very private yard. $350,000 FAIRPOINT MEADOWS DEVELOPMENT Residential Building Lots For Sale ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS OFFICE! A look at some clever gadgets RIGHT AT HOME By KIM COOK For The Associated Press If you follow tech blogs or watch a few infomercials, you know that inventive minds are always coming up with new households gadgets meant to make life easier. Here’s a look at a few of the more ingenious ones. Luc Jacobs of Boca Raton, Fla., curates an online gadget site called CleverandEasy.com. He scorns silly items, and says that to earn a place on his list, a product should be useful in the long term. “It should solve a real need, and take little effort — simple is best. Preferably it’s the result of original, out-of-the-box thinking, and while it’s not essential, it’s nice if it looks cool,” Jacobs says. He likes Racor’s Gravity bike rack, a freestanding sturdy rack, so no bolts or supporting wall studs to worry about. It’s great for a rental home, storage area or garage where the rack may need to be moved from time to time, and is available at Amazon.com for $49.99. The Newline folding kitchen scale gets a nod as well. It’s a compact digital scale that unfolds for weighing, collapses into a sleek steel cylinder, and even has a built-in timer (Amazon, $39.99). Australian engineer Wilson Lee’s useful ReZap battery charger not only replenishes the juice of rechargeable batteries but will also revive nonrechargeables, from the tiniest AAAA to a 6V lantern battery. It uses a microprocessor, and also serves as a battery tester. Even C and D batteries can be revived in the ReZap. At pctreasures.com, $59.95. If you’ve ever been perched This product image provided by Thinkgeek.com shows Days Ago fridge timers. Wood can look good in every room Continued from Page 5 of wallpaper, she combined the look of wood grain with a metallic finish. “It’s that reference to a natural motif, but with the metallic, that makes it new and fresh and current.” AP PHOTO high on a ladder installing a picture or fan when you dropped the screw, you’ll appreciate the ingenuity of former Stanford student Andre Woolery, who designed the MagnoGrip wrist band. It’s a handy, magnetized, ballistic nylon cuff you can dock small hardware on while you work. There are tool belts and even suspenders in the product line, which starts at $15.95 at magnogrip.com. ThinkGeek.com’s a great destination for useful gadget hunters. Never find the jam fuzzy or the milk moldy if you’ve got Days Ago fridge timers stuck on the containers. Affixed by either magnet or suction cup, the timers can be set to count off days or hours. They’re bat- OPEN HOUSE - Sunday, July 18, 1-3 pm “HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE” GREAT MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Newly constructed 3 BR, 2.5 BA European Style. Energy Efficient. First floor secluded Master Suite. Handicapped accessible. Gas fireplace and wet bar. Granite counter tops. 75 Cochise Trail, Linnippi Village, McElhattan, PA TO FAKE OR NOT TO FAKE Given a choice between real wood and a facsimile, these designers prefer the real thing. Nothing quite replaces a true wood floor. But laminates and synthetics can help make a huge visual change on a relatively small budget, Gorder says. The technology has come far, and fakes are looking less fake these days. And because laminate flooring resists water fairly well, it is increasingly popular in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. “If people put it down or have it installed professionally with either a cork or sponge underlay,” Olson says, “you don’t have that hollow, cheap feeling of walking on a laminate floor.” tery-run and reusable. Two in a pack, in orange, lime or black, for $7.99. If your picky little eater would rather drive dump trucks around than shovel up supper, order a Kid Construction utensil set. A compartmented plate even has a cool ramp ($14.95), and the utensil set includes a bulldozer pusher, front loader spoon and forklift fork ($17.95). Everything’s dishwasher safe and PVC/BPA/phthalate-free. The Freeloader Pro solar charger ($79.99) uses sun energy to power up a host of electronics, even power-gobbling e-readers, portable DVD players and cameras. And this item from ThinkGeek satisfies the “clever and easy” criteria in the tastiest way: The Mini Donut Factory ($19.99) looks like a Foreman grill, but bakes up half a dozen minidoughnuts in under five minutes. Safe enough for kids to use, the appliance uses any store-bought doughnut mix. There’s no deep frying involved, and you control how much sugar goes on top once they’re baked. A perfect back-to-school gift for the gadget-loving college student. LARRY GLENN CONSTRUCTION Phone: 570-78-8769 or 570-660-9636 larryglennconstruction@comcast.net / www.larryglennconstruction.com 7 - The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 HOUSE & HOME The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 8 121 W. Church St. , Lock Haven 570-748-8550 205 Park Place, Suite 7, Bellefonte 814-355-3400 Email: pattyd@davisrealestateinc.com Experience Isn’t Expensive, It’s Priceless NEW LISTING! Loganton MLS #59405 $109,900 REDUCED McElhattan MLS #R54929 $269,900 NEW LISTING! Lock Haven MLS #59434 $129,900 NEW! Lock Haven MLS #59574 $224,900 NEW LISTING! Lock Haven MLS #59467 $146,500 REDUCED Lock Haven MLS #59287 $89,000 NEW LISTING! Jersey Shore MLS #59500 $72,900 NEW LISTING! Linden MLS #59481 $345,000 NEW LISTING! Lock Haven MLS #59466 $89,900 NEW LISTING! Mill Hall MLS #59556 $92,000 NEW LISTING! NEW LISTING! Lock Haven MLS #59580 $184,900 Lock Haven MLS #59631 $349,900 NEW LISTING! Mill Hall MLS #58476 $49,900 Waterville MLS#58434 $165,000 Lock Haven MLS #58804 $129,000 Lock Haven MLS #59209 $325,000 Lock Haven MLS #59156 $119,000 Lock Haven MLS #59672 $79,900 Lock Haven MLS #59365 $173,000 Lock Haven MLS #59363 $229,900 Jersey Shore MLS #59369 $66,900 Lock Haven MLS #57574 $104,900 REDUCED Mill Hall MLS #58882 $79,900 Lock Haven MLS #55435 $30,000 Lock Haven MLS #C53951 $299,000 Lock Haven MLS #58500 $325,000 Lock Haven MLS #57524 $199,900 Lock Haven MLS #58515 $169,900 Renovo MLS #59189 $69,900 Lock Haven MLS #59111 $249,900 Visit West Branch and Centre County Listings Online: www.davisrealestateinc.com REDUCED 2 UNITS! 8 UNITS! MOVE TO YOUR LOCATION Land Listings LOVE THE COUNTRY? Privacy and space on this acreage. Located on a cul de sac and ready for your new home or getaway. MLS #L55646 HYNER! 13+ acres waiting for your new home, camp or vacation property! MLS #L55894 Lock Haven MLS #R51361 $99,900 Lock Haven MLS #57932 $140,000 Lock Haven MLS #57935 $350,000 Lock Haven MLS #59414 $29,900 COMMERCIAL! Exceptional lot bordering State Game Lands! Perfect for your dream cabin or home. Just a few miles to Pine Creek and Rail Trail. Easy access yet plenty of privacy. MLS #58039 10 Acre wooded lot in Loganton. Perfect for your home or cabin. MLS #58336 PRIME LOCATION! Several spacious lots available in Linnippi Village. The perfect place to put your new home! MLS #58959 10+ Acre lot available. Borders State Game Lands. Perfect for hunting and hiking. Located on Rag Valley Road. MLS #59137 Lock Haven MLS #57486 $359,000 Lock Haven MLS #58264 $112,000 Lock Haven MLS #58265 $97,000 Lock Haven MLS #59389 $142,000 Nice .33 acre building lot in Castanea near the Castanea Park! Great place to build your dream home. Property has public utilities with the water and sewer already on site. MLS #59388 Great investment for Development! 31.75 acres on Rte. 64 near I80 at Lamar exit. Great for large truck access. MLS #59478 Investment Property with access to railroad and Rte. 220. 6 acres of commercial property in Lock Haven. Land can be used for outside storage or will build to suit. MLS #59511 Lock Haven MLS #C52486 $159,900 Lock Haven MLS #59132 $174,000 Lock Haven MLS #59163 $185,000 Woolrich MLS #59364 $139,900 2 Lots in Beech Creek. Both over 6 acres on Beech Creek Mountain Rd. Perfect for your dream home or cabin. MLS #59598, 59599 REDUCED Avis MLS #C55704 $95,000 Loganton MLS #58118 $725,000 REDUCED Lock Haven MLS #55780 $115,000 Mill Hall MLS #59118 $115,000 Lamar MLS #59197 $139,900 Cross Fork MLS #59257 $89,900 Waterville MLS #59372 $325,900 2 UNITS! Lock Haven MLS #R57026 $299,900 Lock Haven MLS #57568 $209,900 Woolrich MLS #58457 $105,000 Mill Hall MLS #58618 $115,000 Mill Hall MLS #58691 $259,900 9 - The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 The only agency serving Clinton, Centre, Lycoming and Tioga Counties! The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 10 HINTS FOR HOMEOWNERS Get to know spunky Decks can offer style and value ground covers HOUSE & HOME Ground covers are some of the most versatile plants for your yard. These problem-solving plants can provide color and texture in even the most challenging locations. With just a little maintenance, ground covers suppress weeds and keep soil from eroding. You can have fun learning some of their names and planting one that’s right for you. I Wine drinkers can offer a toast to vinca minor “Merlot.” This creeping, trailing ground cover with shiny green leaves and a burgundy flower in spring prefers well-drained soil. It grows best in shade or at least a spot with afternoon shade. Mature plants reach eight inches tall and spread up to 10 feet. The only hangover you’ll get is if you let the plants trail over a rock wall or ledge. I If you’re partial to calico-flowered sofas or need something to soften the edges between pavers and flagstones, try “Pink Chintz.” It’s a tiny thyme with fuzzy gray-green leaves and itty-bitty flowers in early spring. Don’t let the delicate looks and girly name fool you; this is one tough grower that tolerates foot traffic. It can spread in a mat up to two feet wide. It likes full sun and needs very little water once established. I Military types may want to plant brass buttons. That’s the common name for “Platt’s Black” leptinella squalida, an interesting ground cover with small, fernlike, chocolate-brown leaves with green edges. Tiny golden “brass button” flowers cover the surface in summer. The leaves are small, growing only two inches long and about half an inch wide. Brass buttons can serve as a lawn substitute in full sun to part shade and can rapidly spread if you provide enough moisture. I Fans of murder mysteries can point out the “Wolong Ghost” euonymus creeping through their gardens. This Chinese member of the winter creeper family gets its name from the silvery veins running through the narrow, dark green leaves. It likes to flit through part-shade gardens but won’t scare the children away. Reaching six to 12 inches tall and about two feet wide with minimal care, Wolong Ghost is a good choice for a hill or an area that’s hard to reach. I Cat lovers may purr at pussytoes, the common name for Antennaria dioica. This rugged plant performs well in hot, sunny locations and in poor soil. The white, fuzzy foliage of a pussytoes plant spreads eight to 12 inches wide and produces pinkish-white flowers on stalks six to 12 inches tall, making it great for a rock garden or to edge a flower border. Just don’t walk on it—like a real feline, it doesn’t like to be stepped on. These ground covers are part of a larger family of reliable performers in the Forever and Ever GroundCover line, available at fine home centers and independent garden centers. The right deck can offer hours of enjoyment to you and your familyand add value to your property. In fact, some say adding a deck is a proven way to add value to a home in an uncertain market. According to the recent Cost Vs. Value Report completed by the collaboration of Remodeling magazine and Realtor Magazine, homeowners can expect to recoup a national average of more than 70 percent of the value of adding a new deck when they go to resell the house. In some areas of the country, that recoup value is more than 82 percent of the original cost. However, great decks don’t just happen. They require imagination, planning and the right materials. If you are thinking of adding a deck to your property, here are some tips: I Start by checking with your homeowners’ association or local authorities to determine specific rules, zoning or building codes. These may affect the size, height and safety features of your deck. I How you plan to use the deck can play a big part in the design. Entertaining, dining, family activities and relaxing can all place different demands on the design. I When you’ll be using your deck is also a factor to consider. You’ll want to position the deck in an area that will receive the appropriate amount of sun and/or shade. Some say adding a deck is a proven way to add value to a home in an uncertain housing market. PHOTO PROVIDED I Do you want your deck to adjoin the kitchen, living room, family room or your master bedroom? Accessibility will influence both design and location. I Decide what size deck you want. Many builders suggest the deck be the same size as the largest room in your home. Be sure you have enough room to comfortably fit your deck furniture. I Keep the physical features of your yard in mind, including trees, gardens and hilly areas. Some items may need to be moved or removed before you start building. I Be sure to consider your privacy, traffic noise and the local climate. Often, you can add screens and landscaping to solve problems in these areas. I When it comes to selecting materials, your lifestyle, as well as your budget, can have a lot to do with deciding which materials work best for your deck. For example, many homeowners are turning to composite deck materials made from plastic and wood fiber—such as EverGrain from TAMKO Building Products— because the decking is low maintenance in that it requires no staining or painting, just periodic cleaning. Plus, this compression-molded decking features true-to-life lasting grains with no rotting or termites. It also offers coordinating railing systems. To learn more, visit www.tamko.com or call (800) 641-4691. ——— Article courtesy of North American Precis Syndicate. www.napsnet.com 11 - The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 If Owning A Home Is Your Goal We Can Help Mortgage Loans There are so many mortgage programs available, let a Jersey Shore State Bank Mortgage Consultant help you determine which program fits your needs. I PHFA Keystone Home Loan Program I Rural Housing Loans I Single Close (One Time) Construction Loans I Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loans I FHA Financing I Purchase-Improvement Programs I PENNVEST (Septic) Funding Program Mortgage Services Solid Local Banking Since 1934 Jersey Shore State Bank Mortgage Services | jssb.com | 1.888.412.5772 Call For A No Obligation Pre-Approval To Review Your Options. Gina Wright I Montgomery (570) 547-6642 I Montoursville (570) 368-1200 Kim Walker I Jersey Shore (570) 398-2213 Toll-free 1-888-412-5772 I Email jssb@jssb.com Gail Rice I Lock Haven (570) 748-7785 Libby Gretzler I State College (814) 235-1710 Brenda Br yerton I State College (814) 235-1710 Barr y Peters I State College (814) 235-1710 Keith Boyles I Williamsport (570) 320-2015 Jerr y Seman I Williamsport (570) 320-2015 Member FDIC JA192-14-90956-2 The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 12 HOUSE & HOME Make your home blossom FLOWER POWER People who want to create beautiful home interiors, host sophisticated parties and nurture loving relationships often turn to flowers because they are an easy and versatile way to express individual style and show love and affection. At home, flowers make rooms feel warm and inviting. For gettogethers, flowers show appreciation to guests and hosts. And they help us express our feelings from a tender “I’m thinking of you” to a romantic “I love you.” When choosing flowers for your home, interior designer Kelli Elliswho frequently appears on HGTV-says consider the room’s style. For a traditional style, bring in an arrangement of flowers with full blooms, such as roses or carnations. In a room with a more playful look, try gerbera daisies or tulips. PHOTO PROVIDED Ellis also recommends Flowers are an easy and versatile way to express your individual style placing the flowers in areas that need softening and show love and affection. or could use a burst of color. When it comes to unexpected ways to decChristine Arylo-author of blooms could be just the color, Ellis says one of orate the event with Putting Me Before Weticket. the hottest trends this flowers, such as tying says when giving flowEllis, Benedict and year in decorating is ribbons adorned with ers, select the flower that Arylo suggest getting to monochromatic arrangefresh flowers around can- reminds you of your know your local florists ments-flowers of differdles or placing individual friend’s unique spirit and so you can rely on their ent types that are all the stems in a goblet. If include a note linking the knowledge and experisame color. If you need you’re invited to a getflowers to him or her. If ence when making help, Ellis suggests turntogether, thank the host the flowers are for your flower choices. To learn ing to a florist who can by bringing a big bousweetheart, place the more, visit www.aboutrecommend flowers for quet or a flowering plant flowers so your loved flowers.com. To find a any budget, can design in in a fun container. The one will find them by florist by city, state or a vase you provide and host will be instantly surprise or have the ZIP code, visit can deliver on the same happy and remember you florist deliver them when www.nationalfloristdirecday if you want your long after the party is he or she least expects it. tory.com. blossoms in a pinch. over. If you’re unsure of Arylo also suggests send——— Adding flowers what type of flower or ing flowers that are Article courtesy of enhances celebrations, plant to bring, ask your linked to a specific memNorth American Precis says lifestyle party expert florist for suggestions. ory or event. For Syndicate. Jeanne Benedict, who Flowers convey instance, if you met in www.napsnet.com recommends looking for almost any message, and spring, tulips or spring Preventing household chores from wreaking According to a recent survey, there’s a battle of the sexes raging and the fighting could get dirty. It’s all over how to divvy up household chores and distinct gender cleaning habits and preferences. The survey, conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS Global) among married Americans, found: I Most married women say they do most of the household work, while only 18 percent of married men say the same. More men than women believe household work is split evenly between the partners (53 percent vs. 26 percent). According to relationship expert Dr. Robi Ludwig, “Arguing over household chores is a common problem and can be very disruptive to a marriage.” I One in five Americans argue with their spouse at least once a month or more about who does most of the work or chores. Conversely, most married couples that share household chores say their marriage is a happy one. I A majority of married Americans agree that women have taken on a larger role as a financial provider yet over two-thirds believe women are still expected to do more of the household chores. I Married people, especially women, desire cleaning products that fit into their fast-paced lives, so products need to multitask, be fast acting and smell good. Women care about the environment and feel good about choosing the brands that do, too. Men look for big projects that require a thoughtful plan of action, focus and time. Men say laundry and choosing the appropriate cleaner are their least favorite chores; for women, it is taking out the garbage and taking a trip to the local home improvement store. Fortunately, there are items made to meet the different cleaning preferences of men and women. “By embracing each other’s differences and learning to understand their preferences, couples can be happier and even make household chores enjoyable time spent together,” says Ludwig. One line of powerful cleaning products provides an easy, reliable and cost-effective way to improve chores for both sexes. They clean the toughest dirt and stains throughout the whole house-inside and out-and help increase water and energy efficiencies. The CLR family of cleaning supplies uses all-natural ingredients that are safe and gentle enough to use every day, yet effective at getting the job done. A DfE-design for the environment-designation on the packaging lets you know it helps protect the environment and is safe for your family. ——— You can learn more-and take your own cleaning quiz-at www.clrchorewars.com or by calling (800) 323-5497. Retro’s fun, but keep a balance ASK A DESIGNER By MELISSA RAYWORTH For The Associated Press Going retro has never been easier. Whether you love ‘50s space-age style, ‘20s art deco or design from any bygone era, vintage furniture and home accessories are everywhere today. Flea markets and antique shops are stocked with vintage treasures or trash, depending on your perspective. Yard sale season is in full swing, bringing Naugahyde recliners and vintage Tupperware into the daylight after decades of slumber in attics and garages. And at a slew of websites, from niche marketers to the catchall that is eBay, you can find real vintage pieces and endless reproductions. But while it’s simple to get your hands on decor from the past, it’s more complicated to use it well. “Doing retro right is all about balance,” says designer Brian Patrick Flynn, founder of decordemon.com. “If you do everything from the same period, your space can become cliche or kitsch. What you mix retro with is what makes the space unique and updated.” We asked Flynn, L.A.based interior designer Betsy Burnham and HGTV’s “Design Star” judge Genevieve Gorder for their favorite retro decorating techniques. LESS REALLY IS MORE “If you’re really into the ‘50s, don’t do the Formica table, and the jukebox, and an old radio, and five other things,” Burnham says. Instead, choose just one or two evocative pieces. “Not only is it more tasteful, but I think it’s more effective.” For a client who collects toys and action figures from the ‘80s, Burnham designed built-in shelves and suggested displaying only part of the collection at one time. “We found a way to have it enhance the space, and not have the space dictated by it,” she says. Treasured retro pieces of furniture or art will be ignored if they’re displayed with too many items from the same era. “You won’t notice it until you have something to give it contrast,” Gorder says, so mix favorite vintage items with contemporary pieces. “The juxtaposition between new and old is a beautiful conversation.” And don’t be misled by books about retro design, says Flynn. “If you look in any design book, you’re going to see a room that’s all packed with things from a certain era,” he says. “But it’s meant as a reference,” not as a template to be replicated. LIGHT THE WAY Beyond buying furniture from a given era, you can infuse your home with vintage flair or temper retro furnishings with contemporary style through strategic use of light, pattern, color and texture. “George Nelson pendants are probably the most iconic form of midcentury pendant lighting, and they mix well with virtually anything,” Flynn says. “Table lamps, espe- cially chrome and ball 1970s style, add a nice element of postmodern sexiness to any room.” Burnham agrees: “Vintage lighting is fantastic,” she says, but old lampshades should be replaced with fresh ones to “enhance your vintage stuff, make it beautiful again.” Like lighting, patterns and colors “can act as a bridge between yesterday and today,” Flynn says. “Start off slow with accent pillows or draperies. If you get comfortable with that, move on to wallcovering. A great designer to turn to for geometrics is David Hicks. His prints are still in production today and just as popular now as they were in the 1970s.” In his own home, Flynn highlighted the house’s mid-century architecture by using 1970s diamondpatterned wallpaper and Nelson pendent lights above the side tables, contrasted with a traditional bed. “The room has a definite retro appeal,” he says, “but it doesn’t feel forced or out-of-the-box.” He’s also a fan of grasscloth, which can give walls a ‘50s or ‘70s vibe, and using contemporary color combinations in retro rooms (try black, gray and blue “with pops of Kelly green” for a “swanky, masculine and entertaining-savvy” look, Flynn says). RESPECT THE ARCHITECTURE These designers agree that while your home’s interior design doesn’t See RETRO, Page 15 This undated photo provided by Sarah Dorio shows a room designed by Decor Demon/Brian Patrick Flynn. Flynn mixed a 1960ʼs mural and sofa with farmhouse burlap fabric and a 1970ʼs shag rug. Whether you love ʻ50s space-age style, ʻ20s art deco or design from any bygone era, vintage furniture and home accessories are everywhere today. AP PHOTO/SARAH DORIO/ DECOR DEMON/BRIAN PATRICK FLYNN 13 - The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 HOUSE & HOME The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 14 Mill Hall • $72,500 Mill Hall • $159,000 Lock Haven • $77,500 Mill Hall • $149,000 MLS #59507 Building is presently leased to a beauty shop and was a coal yard in the past. Many possibilities! MLS #59593 Country home on 3.14 acres. Master bedroom offers a gas fireplace with his & hers bath and a huge walk in closet! Jersey Shore • $309,000 Lock Haven • $115,000 MLS #59527 Kayak & fish in your own backyard. Newer 3 bedroom 2 bath raised ranch on Bald Eagle Creek. McElhattan • $271,900 MLS #59652 Country living in a great locaton! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths w/a fireplace in the family room. MLS #59123 Solid 3 bedroom brick with a beautiful custom kitchen and a full basement. MLS #58662 Owner will offer $2,000 towards closing cost with a full price offer on this 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with a fenced in yard and a freshly painted kitchen. ML #58522 Nice 2 unit with plenty of off street parking. Mill Hall • $195,000 Blanchard • $90,000 Mill Hall • $95,000 Jersey Shore • $95,900 MLS #59096 Quaint 4 bedroom, 2 bath home on a peaceful lot. Seller will entertain a lease purchase option. MLS #59506 2 Unit with many possibilities! Lock Haven • $79,900 MLS #58783 Pine Creek Paradise- 3 bedroom, 2 bath tri-level home with awesome creek frontage! MLS #59492 3 bedroom traditional style home with a remodeled bathroom and a nice yard. MLS #59471 Well maintained 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch situated on .90 acres. Features a lovely stone fireplace, attached garage and barn. MLS #59459 This 3 bedroom mobile has been completely remodeled and is in very good condition. Howard • $215,000 Lock Haven • $79,900 Salladasburg • $149,900 MLS #58548 Cozy 4 bedroom cape with 1.5 baths and a 2 car garage. Beautifully landscaped for summer & an above ground pool. MLS #58693 3 bedroom contemporary offering stunning views in an upscale development. Renovo • $53,800 MLS #59063 WILDLIFE GALORE! Great camp on 7.67 acres bordering state game land. Have a better-looking lawn on a budget 15 - The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 HOUSE & HOME Got a hundred bucks and a free weekend? Then you’ve got what it takes to invest in some yard care improvements, according to a top expert on lawn and yard care. “Some of the best improvements in your yard can be done with a few dollars and a few hours,” says Trey Rogers, Ph.D., the Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor. “When budgets are tight, get more creative and do it yourself.” WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH $100 RIGHT NOW? Mow the right way starting today. Don’t scalp your lawn, thinking you will have to mow less often. Instead, let it grow a little longer, which is healthy for the lawn and saves on gas and wear and tear on your mower. When you do mow, cut only onethird the length of the grass blade. Cost: About $3 for a gallon of gas, enough for a month of mowing for many homeowners. I Apply a few bags of bark mulch. Few things dress up a yard more than mulch properly applied on flower beds and around trees. It provides that finished look and is good for the plants because it retains moisture in the soil. Cost: About $3 per bag. I Fertilize naturally. When you mow, leave a light layer of grass clippings on the lawn, which will become a natural fertilizer. Even better, a mulching mower finely minces the grass clippings so they decompose more rapidly. Cost: $0. AP PHOTO/SARAH DORIO/ DECOR DEMON/BRIAN PATRICK FLYNN This undated photo provided by Sarah Dorio shows a room designed by Decor Demon/Brian Patrick Flynn. Flynn brought retro style to his living room through texture and wood tone. I Donʼt scalp your lawn. When you do mow, cut only one-third the length of the grass blade. PHOTO PROVIDED I Start a compost pile. This costs nothing but a little time as opposed to purchasing bags of compost at the garden center. It’s easy. Start a pile that includes most leftovers from your meals (excluding proteins). Cost: $0. I Take 30 minutes to maintain your mower. Change the oil, clean or replace the spark plug, and change the filter once a year. This simple task cuts emissions, makes your mower run better and may save you from repair bills down the road. Tune-up kits are available to make it easy. Cost: $10-14 for the average walk-behind mower. I Let nature water your lawn. Your lawn needs about one inch of water a week to be green and thrive. But if water is costly where you live, let nature handle irrigation. Cost: $0. With the rest of your $100 bill, splurge on some flowers, inexpensive clay pots and a bag of potting soil to dress up your front doorway, patio or deck. Then sit back and admire what you accomplished on a shoestring. For more yard care tips and to learn about the Yard Smarts Boot Camp hosted by Trey Rogers, visit www.yardsmarts.com. The Yard Doctor is part of the Briggs & Stratton Yard Smarts program, created to help homeowners achieve the yard they want to have. Retro’s fun, but keep a balance Continued from Page 13 have to evoke the same era as the exterior, there should be some connection. “One of my rules is to really understand the architecture and give that value, and take it inside with the interior design,” Burnham says. “But you don’t have to be literal. My house was built in 1927, and obviously I don’t want to have a Victorian interior. I keep it classic, with a twist.” With a mid-century home, the defining characteristics are a low-slung shape and clean lines. “It’s about the lack of detail,” Gorder says, “so I wouldn’t go all Rococo with my interior pieces.” But, she says, she might use bold vertical stripes to give the illusion that the rooms have more height. Also consider the size of rooms and the practical uses of the space. For a living-room conversation area, a cluster of ‘60s orb chairs might look cool, Gorder says, but what about the acoustics? Seating, whether it be a contemporary sofa or a pair of antique barber chairs, should help guests talk and connect. The Express - House & Home - TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 16 Brigandi Renninger Realty 220 N. Jay Street • Lock Haven, PA 17745 • 570-893-4220 Visit our Website: www.brigandirealestate.com 165 Park Ave., Woolrich (58881) $128,900 1445 W. Cardinal Drive, Woolrich (59023) $469,000 236 Hunter Knoll Lane, Loganton (56625) $495,000 305 Hobson Street, Mill Hall (58293) $115,500 605 Frederick Street, Flemington (59203) $64,900 113 S. Water Street, Mill Hall (59382) $91,900 28 Linnet Lane, Lock Haven (59318) $129,900 789 Kryder Road, Mill Hall (59397) $75,600 14 Beech Lane, Lock Haven (59277) $154,900 292 Barton Street, Lock Haven (59284) $99,000 339 S. Fairview Street, Lock Haven (58134) $122,900 37-41 Bellefonte Ave., Lock Haven (58474) $149,000 Unlock your dreams with Brigandi Renninger Realty!