Tag: advice and tips

Whiteboard Topics: 3 Ways To Help Your Real Estate Agent

Posted on Kamari House

When searching for your dream home, you must guide your agent in the right direction. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, shares three tips to help your real estate agent help you find your lake home.

  1. Know and Share Your Goal: Understanding your must-haves and dealbreakers before going into the home buying process is essential in effectively searching for your dream home.
  2. Be Real: Be honest with your agent about your price range from the beginning. This will ensure that time isn’t wasted on homes without potential.
  3. Say ‘No’: Now is not the time to relent on what you want. If you know a property is not for you, it’s ok to say ‘no’ and move on to homes with more promise.

How can you expect your agent to find the perfect home for you if you’re not thorough on what you want? Before you begin your journey, be sure to finalize what you want, be honest throughout the process, and don’t be afraid to say no!

Whiteboard Topics: Has The Lake Real Estate Market Peaked?

Posted on Kamari House

It can be difficult to determine if the market has reached its peak when you’re not familiar with real estate patterns. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, breaks down three factors that are affecting the market as we know it.

  1. Modern Increase in Inventory: There are several components that go into this, some of which include: the economy, buyer fatigue, and life post-pandemic. Searching for a home, in a market this intense, can become overwhelming, and the effects are starting to show themselves.
  2. Days-on-Market Up: Homes aren’t flying off the market as they once were. This is a clear indication that the frenzy is starting to slow down.
  3. Fewer Offers: The competition isn’t as fierce as it once was. Homes are no longer being flooded with offers as soon as they reach the market.

Although noticeable changes are being made, this isn’t to say we are in a bubble or about to crash. Now is still a great time to sell your lake home for a return on your investment. On the other hand, if you plan to buy, waiting a little longer may lead you to more opportunities.

Whiteboard Topics: Buying? 4 Advantages Of Hiring A Lake Homes Realty Agent

Posted on Kamari House

When buying a lake home, the average commercial real estate agent just won’t do. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, explains the benefits of working with Lake Homes agents who specialize in the lake real estate market.

  1. Market Expertise: Lake Homes Realty agents don’t just dabble in lake properties. They specialize in their local lake area, which is essential in understanding the complexities of lake real estate.
  2. Price Knowledge: Our agent’s knowledge isn’t limited to their lake area. They understand the pricing trends of lake properties around the nation, which will help you get the best deal on your dream home.
  3. National Network: If during your search you discover the lake you’ve chosen isn’t for you, our agents can connect you to another Lake Homes agent whose lake you may prefer.
  4. The Lake Real Estate Specialists: We are the lake real estate specialists, which means our agents know the market better than the average realtor. 

When choosing a realtor, it’s important to work with someone who knows the lake real estate market better than anyone else. When choosing a Lake Homes agent, you can rest assured that you’ll be working with the best of the best!

How to Remove Mold From Your Outdoor Furniture

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Summer Classics.

When you own outdoor furniture at your lake home, you can enjoy nature from the comfort of a plush cushion and a curved backrest. With the right chaise lounge, admiring your lakefront view from your boat dock and enjoying a spring breeze never gets old. However, as any lake homeowner knows, being immersed in nature requires taking a few necessary precautions, such as protecting yourself from nuisances like bugs, sunburns, and poison ivy. For outdoor furniture specifically, this means being vigilant about the presence of mold and mildew. 

While mildew is sometimes found on the furniture itself, mold often appears on cushions and the underside of umbrellas — not a treat for your guests. Because these sneaky fungi thrive in moist areas, furniture that is regularly exposed to rain will attract them. But at Lake Homes Realty, we refuse to let mold and mildew ruin anyone’s outdoor dining and lounging experiences — we’re here with tips on keeping your furniture clean and mold-free. 

Make the Right Solution

Photo courtesy of FamilyHandyman.com.

When deciding what kind of cleaning solution to use, the answer will depend on the type of furniture. For most furniture, a mixture of Lysol (or another soap solution) and hot water should do the trick. According to the luxury outdoor furniture manufacturing company, Summer Classics, metal, and aluminum furniture are easiest to clean. For wood furniture, the ideal formula that Summer Classics recommends is 1 cup ammonia, ½ cup white vinegar, and ¼ cup of baking soda into 1 gallon of water. These homemade solutions can help remove mildew that appears on furniture. There is a myriad of DIY solutions you can create — be sure never to mix bleach and ammonia.

For mold, which most often appears on cushions, a mild soap and water solution will clean most dyed fabrics. Candy Chase from Treasure Garden, an award-winning umbrella and shade product designer, and manufacturer, advises mixing ½ cup of bleach and ¼ cup of natural soap per gallon of water when cleaning umbrella fabric. After applying the solution, she notes that it’s essential to “allow the fabric to air dry and store in a dry, well-ventilated area.” She urges, “do not subject the fabric to extreme heat or it will shrink.”

Use a Pressure Washer

Photo courtesy of Jacuzzi Outdoor Living.

Especially for wicker furniture with lots of small crevices that are difficult to clean thoroughly, a pressure washer is an ideal tool. Jemma Lane from Arbor Living, a real estate company in the U.K., says that a pressure washer “should get most if not all of the mold and mildew off of the furniture.” After using the pressure washer, she recommends, “wipe the rest of it away with soapy water and a cloth and then use the pressure washer again to finish off.” Outdoor maintenance expert, Gena Lorainne recommends using a pressure washer as well. She advises, “make sure to spray it from all angles, so you can effectively remove all the mold, as it can spread again.”

Less Moisture, More Sunlight

Because mold and mildew tend to thrive in moist areas, create an environment for your outdoor furniture that prevents moisture from getting too settled. When you aren’t enjoying your furniture, be sure to move it out of the shade and lower your umbrella. Additionally, a positive flow of air is encouraged. If your furniture is sitting in an enclosed space, be sure to invest in a dehumidifier.

Invest in Good Products

Photo courtesy of Sunbrella.

One way to prevent mold and mildew from developing is by purchasing cushions that are specifically designed to withstand these pesky fungi. For example, Sunbrella is renowned for its high-quality marine grade cushions that are engineered to prevent the development of mold and mildew. They’re also easy to clean — a concept that gives way to “worry-free livability.” If you’re looking for an extra layer of protection, Candy Chase recommends protective covers and fabric protection products to stem the growth of mold or mildew. However, it’s important to keep in mind that waterproof covers don’t protect from mold and mildew because condensation can still develop beneath the cover. Instead, look for water-resistant, breathable fabrics.  

No matter your specific strategy for conquering mold, make sure to clean your outdoor furniture regularly. When you invest a little time upkeep, your furniture will be in a consistently clean state that’s always ready for guests to arrive! 

Top 5 Work from Home Tools

Posted on Mark Griggs

Here at Lake Homes Realty, working remotely is nothing new for us. Our company has always operated as a distributed enterprise. Our hybrid company operates through LakeHomes.com, our national lake real estate shopping website, and traditional locally based brokerages in 29 states.

Unlike traditional only real estate brokerages, Lake Homes has full-time real estate agents located in local lake markets across the country. Our agents have always worked from their home offices using technology to stay in constant communication with our corporate office in Hoover, Alabama.

We have a few tips for all you first timers out there who are now working from home:

Email

Email is your lifeline! Few technologies work better than email to stay in touch with work, friends, and loved ones. The ability to quickly send messages and files is invaluable to stay connected. Almost everyone has email, but just in case, you can find free email accounts at Gmail.com, Outlook.Live.com, or Yahoo.com, to name a few.

Zoom

Zoom has become a must-have for the mobile workforce. The video conferencing tool has soared in popularity as everyone from TV news personalities to late-night hosts use the platform to broadcast their TV shows. Not only is it an excellent tool for work but staying in touch with family is greatly enhanced by in-person sessions where you cannot only keep in contact but see each other in real-time! You can download the free version of the app at Zoom.us.

Slack

Photo source: slack.com

Slack is an instant messaging app that is invaluable! Our corporate staff uses it in the office and from home offices. Quickly contact teammates, make voice and video calls, share files, and connect the services to apps you use a lot for even more functionality. If you haven’t used Slack, you should! The basic program is free. You’ll find it at Slack.com.

Dropbox

Photo source: PCMag.com.

Dropbox lets you save data in the cloud and share files seamlessly with others. Upload documents directly from your computer to Dropbox. It’s a great way to share or receive large files. If you are a Windows user, you also have OneDrive, which works much the same.

Smartphones

Mobile smartphones have nearly become ubiquitous, but there are a few folks who haven’t made the jump. A good smartphone is more affordable than ever, and most can run all the apps we have previously mentioned in this article! Your smartphone is an invaluable tool for working remotely.

These are a few of the top tools we use every day for business and personal communication. Most of them have free versions, so try them out without spending any money in this time of conservation. We know you will find all these tools as valuable as we do! 

Best Shoes for Waterfront Living (Winter/Spring Edition)

Posted on Luke Hanshaw

The worst of winter is behind us, and the first day of spring is finally approaching. That said, March 19th (the first day of spring) is still a few weeks away, and in the meantime, there’s one thing those of us who live on the waterfront need this time of year– a good quality pair of shoes. Whether you’re a hiker, a muck-about, or a fashionista, these best shoes for water will keep you warm, dry, and fashionable for many wet seasons to come without breaking the bank.

For Hiking 

Teva sandals person walking at lake best shoes for water
Photo courtesy of Teva.

Everyone enjoys a trek around the lake, but sometimes it’s too wet and cold to spend hours outside unless we have the right pair of hiking boots. Introducing Teva, a brand whose mission is to “inspire those who crave experiences and connections, in any form they take.” Known for their sport sandals designed to float on water—an excellent investment for summers spent on the waterfront—the brand also carries a number of other options, including hiking boots like the Arrowood Venture Mid Waterproof. “Combining waterproof leather with closed-performance mesh and a waterproof bootie,” this boot also benefits from the comfy Floatlite EVA foam midsole—the same component that makes Teva’s famous sandals float. The brand even has the Arrowood boot for men and children. So slip on a pair, grab your walking stick, and head out to the lake! 

For Mucking Around

Mother and daughter in matching Hunter boots best shoes for water
Photo courtesy of Sunflowers and Stilettos.

Spring means rain, and unfortunately, rain means mud. If hiking isn’t your thing, you’ll still need a quality pair of muck boots, and for that, you can trust Hunter. A good pair of Hunters, like the Refined Slim Fit Tall Rainboots, are the perfect shoes for waterfront living. They’re a choice that will last a lifetime because they’re handmade using high-quality rubber. If you’re uncomfortable with knee-highs, the brand also carries ankle varieties such as the multi-colored Chelsea Boot. Like the Teva brand, Hunter offers styles for the whole family. Finally, this brand even has two royal warrants, the Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Especially in lake regions prone to rainy weather, this shoe is a must for any outdoor activity at any time of year. 

For Fashion

Hiking shoes and rain boots are great to have around, but everyone needs a dressier option. After you’re finished hiking or doing chores around the lake house, you might enjoy a night on the town. Why not choose Cougar, a Canadian brand that’s been handcrafting quality shoes for over 70 years? One of the best shoes for water is their “Always Waterproof” line of boots, which include the elegant Colleen Natural Hide Ankle Bootie and the Fargo Leather Ankle Boot—both made with genuine leather. Alternatively, check out Cougar’s Dash Duck Sneaker, available in six colors and for only $45. There’s also the useful yet stylish Ritz Rubber Rain Shoe, which comes with an air mesh insole that’s sure to keep you comfy and dry this spring and next. 

For Home

Cozy winter Ugg slippers in front of fireplace at lake house
Photo courtesy of Racked.

Of course, after a long day filled with the joys of lakefront living, what you really want is to relax and unwind at home. Picture it: your favorite book propped in your lap as soft, cold rain patters on the roof. You’ve had a fantastic day, and now, as it winds to a close, you’re happy and warm from head to toe. Your fuzzy Hadley slippers from Sorel certainly help. These are some of the best shoes for waterfront living that will remind you that life is good on the lake. And tomorrow, you’ll have the perfect footwear to do it all again tomorrow. 

Ready to go for an adventure at the lake? Read our article “Tips for Hiking the Great Outdoors“.

Hosting the Perfect Game Day at your Lake House

Posted on Camille Smith

Autumn Approaches

We all have a favorite thing about Fall. For some, it’s crunching leaves that have turned golden brown, rusty orange, and deep yellow. For others, it’s the cool, crisp air that invites you to pull cozy sweaters out of your closet. But if you ask many of us in the American South, we’ll tell you that when September approaches, the main thing on our mind is Football Season. We’re looking forward to tailgates, beers with friends and family, and of course, Game Day house parties. When you can’t make it to the actual event, there’s nothing better than gathering around a table of chips and hot wings and cheering on your team from the other side of the TV. At LakeHomes.com, we believe that lake houses can make the perfect venue for hosting a Game Day event this Fall. We’re here to help with tips for preparing a fun, laid-back time with your friends and family.

Emerald Shore Lake House Lake Martin
Photo courtesy of Adams Gerndt Designs.

Prep for your Guests

When it comes to gearing up for Game Day at the lake, food prep is a must. It can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve invited a group of 30 friends or family, but it doesn’t have to be such a daunting task. “Keep it simple,” advises Anna Cooper who often hosts parties at her house on Lake Martin in Alabama. “Write down your menu, do as much ahead as you can, and over-prepare rather than under-prepare so that you can enjoy your night.” When enjoying football together is such a laid-back activity, the food you provide can be simple too. For example, a beef tenderloin in the oven — or on the grill if you have one at your lake house— is an easy dish that turns out well every time. For enjoying a daytime game in the transitional weather, it’s nice to pair with a fresh salad with watermelon, feta, basil, and balsamic vinegar.

Grilled Watermelon Feta Basil-RecipeRunner Salad
Photo and recipe courtesy of RecipeRunner.com

Afterwards, ice cream sandwiches or a bowl of berries and granola with a dollop of whipped cream. Let’s not forget about drinks. Besides the traditional Game Day beers from the fridge, Cooper recommends a few fun cocktail recipes. She starts off with Aperol spritzes for her guests, adding an orange slice in the classic Italian way. Once late October approaches and you feel the Fall chill, she suggests a delicious “smoked old fashioned” with nice bourbon. With this recipe, she recommends infusing the glass with torched hickory wood for a flavorful touch. The recipes don’t have to be intricate – they can be simple and fun. As long as there’s enough to go around, your guests will take the fun from there.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Grill Girl.

Setting the Scene

Once the food is on the table, the best part about hosting Game Day at your lake house is bringing everyone together. Whether you’re watching the game on a screened porch, an outdoor patio, or in your den, there’s something comforting about bursting into cheers at the TV every time your team scores a touchdown. When setting up the viewing spot for the big game, outdoor TVs are a popular choice – especially when there’s a gorgeous lake view just outside. They’re also an emerging trend that’s more accessible than ever. If you’re looking to set up an outdoor TV at your lake house to start hosting Game Day events, Birmingham-based general contractor Blake Ballantine of McGuire Construction has some advice. “The biggest thing is protection from the weather,” Ballentine notes, “you don’t want it in direct sunlight either.” With these tips in mind, Ballentine notices that clients often request outdoor TVs on exterior walls so they can sit on the deck and watch the game.

Photo courtesy of John Baranello Design.

When the weather gets chillier, they may turn on their outdoor fireplace or fire pit. As entertainment trends move from comfy indoor dens to screened porches and open patios, Ballentine mentions that outdoor kitchens are rising in popularity as well. At a lake house, it’s easy to see why. With everyone on the patio enjoying the halftime show, the cook at the grill can be part of the conversation – and enlist help from friends and family. All the while, everyone is enjoying the serene, spacious backdrop at your lake home. 

Willow's End, Lake Martin - Adams Gerndt Design
Photo courtesy of Adams Gerndt Designs.

Embrace the Season

Whether your focus is cooking delicious appetizers or setting up the perfect outdoor grilling area, once you prepare a space for your guests, the beautiful lake setting surrounded by Fall foliage will work its charm. There’s no better background for a fun, communal event like Game Day than refreshing air and peaceful lake views. “At my home in Birmingham, I don’t have an outdoor space,” Cooper comments, “But once you get to the lake, it’s a relaxing, casual environment. You can see the water and feel the breeze while the fire’s going. I’d much prefer to be there watching the game.” As Fall and football season approaches, now is the time to look into that outdoor grill or TV you’ve been thinking about for your lake house. Just one last piece of advice— make sure you have channel access to the game! You wouldn’t want to miss out on experiencing stadium excitement from the comfort of your tranquil lake home.

Lake Home Parties – Tips for Creating an Unforgettable Experience

Posted on Staff

A fun lake home party is not stressful when you organize, plan and prepare properly. Parties at the lake can create unforgettable memories for family and friend when you plan appropriately.

Prior to Party Prep

group of men and women in bathing suits dancing

Pick a party theme that correlates with the special occasion or time of year. Set a date and time for your guests.

To ensure optimal attendance send out a ‘Save the Date’ message via text, Facebook, and/or email as soon as the date is set.

If you are having a birthday party pick an age appropriate theme that the guests of honor chooses.

If you are having a party for another occasion, do your best to pick a fun, colorful theme that correlates well with the dreamy lifestyle of lake home living.

Lake Home Party

three kids catching air on a tube being pulled behind a boatSome parties require games and expensive rental equipment for guests entertainment.

A great lake home party will allow guests to enjoy swimming, boating, skiing, floating, paddling, sunning and any other sports the hosts already own equipment for.

Decoration Preparation

At lake home parties the main goals are spending time together and making memories while soaking in the sun and enjoying aquatic sports.

Keep decorations simple ~ the lake is picturesque enough. Take advantage of the view and let your lake home create the dream party.

Allow the scenery to naturally relax your guests and promote lake life conversations on the wonders of the lake.

Food Preparation

Unless you plan to spend your time maintaining food and refreshment areas be sure to prepare foods that take little to no attention after preparation.

toddler drinking from a water bottle One easy idea is a crock pot full of hot dogs. Simply add water, heat the dogs then turn the slow cooker to the keep warm setting when they are hot. Keep a cooler nearby with condiments for the dogs.

Single serving bags of chips and other easy single serving snacks will not consume your time during the party.

Have a few coolers with a variety of can drinks and make sure there is plenty of bottled water.

Be sure to have paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils and trash cans in a few places to decrease clean up time later.

On the Eve of the Party

Make sure to have everything you need so that you can start preparing for your guest arrival. If you have decorations, start hanging them the night before.

If you are making specialty drinks or foods make them the night before the party so you do not feel rushed the day of.

Do everything you can the night before so that you can spend time being a host to your guests rather than their cook or waitress.

Lake Home Parties Safety

To be sure everyone stays safe while having fun always have enough life vest and other required safety equipment. Lake Homes Realty has numerous safety articles you can read for more information on keeping your guests safe.

And if there’s a chance the party might last through the night, check out our “Lake Home Guests – Invite the Family for Extended Stays and Be Prepared” story for more advice!

Relax, have fun and take a lot of pictures to remember your lake home party fun!

 

How to Prepare the Pipes at Your Lake Home for Winter

Posted on Staff
Lake house during winter with snow and still lake

One of the most important aspects of taking care of your lake home is to make sure it survives the winter so that you can return without incident the following spring. So, what’s the best way to prepare the pipes for winter at your lake home?

The degree of protection needed can vary depending on the age of your home and its geographic location. Regardless, the most urgent need is protecting your pipes, so they don’t freeze and rupture. In some homes, pipe prep may require insulation around the pipes in the attic, around outside fixtures, and in crawl spaces.

Secondly, if you have pipes outside of the home such as in your yard for pools, fountains and sprinkler systems, they are going to be vulnerable to freezing. If you plan to be around the home during the freeze, running pumps for the pools or fountains can keep the water moving, so it doesn’t freeze.

Sprinkler systems should have insulation around any plumbing that is exposed. It’s a best practice to drain the water from the plumbing system until spring if you will be out of the house during the winter.

List of Things to do Before the Freeze

Winter lake house insulation prepare your pipes for winter
  • Prepare the pipes for winter by wrapping them with insulation. Specialized insulation can be purchased at any home repair store.
  • Insulate outside walls and unheated areas in the attic and crawl spaces.
  • Cover vents that are around the house’s foundation.
  • Protect outdoor electrical pumps by leaving them running during conditions below zero to keep water moving. If the system is entirely above ground, then it would be wise to drain it.
  • If you have a pool, keep the pump running and adjust valves so water can flow freely through the pipes. If your system doesn’t allow you to adjust the valves, then you’ll want to insulate the system.
  • For any fountains you have installed, if the pipes are underground, keep them running. If the pipes are all above ground, drain them.
  • Drain any supply lines for your sprinkler system that are above ground.
prepare your pipes for winter frozen leaky pipe
  • Cover any pipes in the attic if they are exposed. If you suspect they are not well protected then turn the faucets to drip water to help keep from freezing.
  • Caulk and weather-strip windows and doors to cut down on wind drafts
  • Storm windows can be installed or use plastic film and cover the windows on the inside.
  • Don’t forget to detach the garden hose, and shut the water supply off to the outside faucet. Install faucet covers on any external faucets for protection.
  • Turn off the water supply to dishwashers and washing machines if possible.
thermostat on heat in house
Photo courtesy of Clark.
  • Most importantly, remember that unless you drain your house’s entire plumbing system, do not turn the heat off.
  • Leave it on with a temperature setting no lower than 55 degrees to ensure your indoor plumbing does not freeze.
  • It is also a good idea to have a professional give your heating system a check-up before winter arrives.
  • Finally, if you live nearby, it is always a good idea to check in on things, or if you are friends with the neighbors, leave them a key, and ask for a visit as a favor.

For more advice on preparing for winter, take a look at our article, “7 Steps to Prepare Your Home for Winter“.