Nolan Construction Home with Solar Panels and Tons of Amenities!

Nolan construction - known for quality! Solar panels in place & power sold to PSE. Low utilities costs. After your busy day, relax in your sauna or hot tub. Gardens, orchard, outbuildings, chicken coop, fenced dog run, greenhouse, Insulated shop w/ 220 power, generator. Chef's kitchen w/ top of the line s/s appliances, Beautiful cabinets, and great work area. Vaulted ceilings ,tube lighting, wd stove , A/C, 220 bottle wine rack. Oh did I mention the sun room? Enjoy the abundance of amenities.

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Flowers Everywhere

Early Spring in The Garden

Here are a few tips to help you get a head start on your spring gardening:

• Finish up your seed and plant orders.

• Keep an eye on houseplant pests.

• Get your garden tools in order and your mower back in shape.

• Prune trees and shrubs, both ornamentals and fruit.

• Use an acid-type rhododendron, azaleas and camellias

• Use an all-purpose fertilizer to feed roses and other deciduous trees and shrubs.  If using dry-type fertilizers, water them in thoroughly.

• Check flower beds for plants that may have heaved.

• Cut some branches for forcing indoors.

• Rejuvenate holly bushes with a hard pruning.

• Check evergreens for signs of desiccation.

• Start seeds of cool-season vegetables and flowers.

• Start to rejuvenate annual flower beds.

• Harvest winter crops before they bolt.

• Trim back any branches that were damaged by the ravages of winter.

• Apply dormant oil fruit spray.

• Take notes and buy some shrubs and trees that you would like to see in your winter garden next season.

For more information on Gardening please go to http://gardening.about.com

Thank you CW title and Escrow for the Tips

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Freshen things up!!!

HOMES BY DESIGN FOR 2015

Looking for a few ways to freshen up your home’s interior design for the New Year? Check out these ideas from home furnishings retailer BoConcept New York and Cheryl Hucks Interior Design.

Get the Blues – Blue is the color of the year, and while cooler tones have been popular for several years, shades of blue will be more prominent in home design in warmer and bolder shades. To update your home décor, add a sofa or accent pieces in midnight blue or indigo.

.

 Heavy Metal – Add a little sparkle to your home décor by adding a few metallic elements, such as a brass floor lamp, silver picture frame or throw pillows with copper stripes.

Natural Elements – Using natural materials adds more space and depth within your living space. Furniture made of natural wood, especially in lighter shades, creates an open, airy atmosphere. Try mixing wood pieces with other natural materials..

 Tone on Tone – Create a contemporary tone-on-tone look by layering one color with varying shades and textures of the same color. Despite using different textures and saturation levels, designers at BoConcept say the overall appearance will be soft, calm and sophisticated.

Make a Statement – Some designers say using large prints and floral fabrics for accent furniture pieces can make a bold statement and give a room a creative focal point. 

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

What to Ask For in Your New Kitchen

Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets

Whether cooking at home or shopping for

someone who does, the right kitchen

appliances can make it easier to prepare

meals. The experts at Epicurious.com

recommend a few must-have kitchen gadgets.

Professional chefs and savvy home cooks

alike need a reliable knife for everyday use.

Epicurious.com recommends the Global

G-2 8-inch stainless steel knife, which is

easy to use and ideal for precise dicing

and heavy-duty chopping.

A mandolin makes it easy to slice, crinkle-cut or waffle-cut veggies such as potatoes, carrots and cucumbers. Epicurious.com suggests the DeBuyer swing mandolin, which has a smart handle designed to protect fingers, nonskid feet, and stainless-steel blades that can be easily removed for cleaning.

A standing mixer is one of the most useful appliances home chefs can have, and Epicurious.com recommends the KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart model. It takes up little counter space and has a tilting head for easy access to the bowl. Optional attachments do everything from grind meat to juicing fruits and vegetables.

Immersion blenders, such as the Cuisinart Smart Stick, make it easy to prepare soups and sauces. Home cooks can puree soups right in the pot without the danger or hassle of transferring hot liquids, and sauces can be thickened and emulsified without removing them from the stovetop.

Slow cookers, which were popular in the 1970s, are kitchen staples for many of today’s savvy home chefs. For family-size meals, Epicurious.com recommends Cuisinart’s 6.5-quart digital slow cooker which features a programmable 24-hour timer and high, low and stay-warm settings.

By having just a few great gadgets on hand, homeowners can make sure their kitchen is equipped to help them make great at-home meals for years to come.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Home For The Holidays!!!

Holiday Home Selling Tips

There are a few advantages to selling your home during the holidays. Buyers shopping for homes this time of year tend to be more serious, and because fewer homes may be on the market, there’s less competition. Frontdoor.com offers several tips to attract buyers during this busy season.

Don’t go overboard on holiday decorations. Large decorations can make your home seem smaller and they can distract buyers. If you choose to decorate, opt for fewer and smaller items with a general winter theme.

Hire a reliable real estate agent. Ask family and friends to recommend a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) agent who will work hard for you during the holiday season.

Seek motivated buyers. Individuals shopping for a home during the holidays must be highly motivated. Target buyers who need to move soon, such as people relocating for jobs, college students and university staff on break, and investors on tax deadlines.

Price the property to sell. No matter what time of year it is, a home that’s priced appropriately for the market will attract buyers.

Pay attention to curb appeal. Maintaining your home’s exterior is just as important in the winter as it is during any other season. Touch up the paint, clean the gutters and spruce up the yard. Also keep buyers’ safety in mind by keeping stairs and walkways clear of snow, ice and leaves.

Make your home cozy and inviting. When showing your home, crank up the heat, play soft music and offer homemade holiday treats. It will encourage buyers to spend more time in the home, which gives them a chance to admire its best features.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Pets and The Holidays

DON’T RUIN

Their holiday

 It’s easy to overlook our furry companions during the rush of seasonal celebrations. The holidays can be disruptive to pets’ routines, so it’s important to keep their eating and exercise habits to a normal schedule, according to the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The following tips can help keep pets out of harm’s way during the holidays. 

    Anchor the Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall over, injuring your pet. This will also prevent the tree water, which may contain poisonous fertilizers, from spilling. Also keep wires, batteries and ornaments out of paws’ reach so pets don’t get hurt.

    Consider decorating the tree with bows or strands of popcorn, ribbon or garland. Avoid shiny strands of tinsel that can be tantalizing to cats, but also dangerous. One small nibble can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration.

    Fresh holly and mistletoe might appear harmless, but when ingested, pets can suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Instead, choose colorful, artificial plants made from silk or plastic.

    Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets can accidentally burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Place candles in appropriate holders on a stable surface, and extinguish them when exiting the room.

With so much activity going on, give your dog or cat a quiet place to retreat to, complete with fresh water, their favorite toy and snack, and a place to snuggle.

Its Getting Gray!

CURBING THE WINTER BLAHS

While the weather outside might be frightful, your home’s curb appeal can still be delightful. The following ideas from HGTV.com can help make your home stand out even when it’s cold and gray outside.

    Clean the gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your home, create ice dams that can damage gutters and attract pests.

    Keep visitors safe. Clear the walkways, driveway and stairs of snow and ice so prospective buyers can make it to your front door without slipping.

    Provide proper lighting. As the days get shorter, it gets darker earlier. Lights can illuminate the path to the front door, and sconces or lanterns on each side of the door can give buyers a warm welcome.

    Colorize the exterior. Bare trees won’t hide your home’s faded or chipped paint, so give your home a fresh coat. A front door painted in a bright color can make it stand out amidst the gray landscape.

    Use winter decorations wisely. Keep holiday decorations to a minimum, and use them to show off your home’s best features. A string of white lights around the windows can make your home look festive.

    Bring out the green. Evergreen
trees and cold-weather plants, such
as pansies and witch hazel, can                               
liven up a dreary landscape.

 By following these simple tips, your home
can make a great first impression in any season.

Selling Your Home During the Holidays.

HOLIDAY

Staging tips

        You may be trying to sell your home during the festive holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the holiday decorations completely. Just don’t overdo it, say the staging experts at Frontdoor.com. Instead, stick to a few simple decorative touches, such as a pinecone centerpiece or an evergreen wreath. Avoid religious themed decorations, which may turn off potential buyers.
     Avoid using decorations that might clash with your current color scheme. For example, if the décor in the living room is blue, silver and white, choose accessories that complement that color scheme, such as blue glass ornaments and silver or white candles.
      Use accessories to draw attention to the home’s best features. Hang a few tasteful ornaments from the mantel to showcase an elegant fireplace or hang an evergreen garland around the bay window.
      Keep inflatable characters in storage while your home is on the market. Instead, use simple string lighting to showcase a fir tree in your front yard.
       Make your home extra inviting by lighting a fire in the fireplace or turning up the heat a couple of degrees on chilly days. Offer tasty treats like hot apple cider and fresh-baked cookies to create a welcoming environment.
       With a little creativity and common sense, you can enjoy the holidays while trying to sell your home.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com
 

Your Home - Guiding Light

Need a little more light in your life?  See for yourself the difference that light bulbs and lamp shades can make with a room's mood.  Check out these bright ideas from RealSimple.com.

Type Cast  In the bathroom, use overhead lights to get rid of shadows;  sidelights flanking the mirrors are perfect for makeup application.  In the kitchen, overhead lights brighten surfaces.  In the bedroom, try cozy tinted, low-wattage bulbs to give a candlelit, romantic effect.  To create a grand atmosphere in the dining room, use a chandelier.  Place one directly over the table, but make sure to measure the ceiling height and table height before making a purchase.  Indirect lighting - in all parts of the home - sotfens spaces.  Small table lamps or wall scones can also add a subtle glow.

Safe and Secure  Use ambient lighting to brighten the exterior of your home.  Motion-activated or timer-equipped lights can ensure your home's exterior is well-lit in the evenings.  Don't go too dim or too bright - no need to attract intruders, nor bother your neighbor.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com