2020 Homes of Distinction in Alabama

2020 Homes of Distinction Badge - Alabama - Lake Homes Realty

Every dream home has some quality that makes it distinct. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top five featured home listings in the state of Alabama. Each listing must meet a few qualifications: it must be listed at over $1 million as a featured listing of Lake Homes Realty, be over 4,000 square feet, and located on waterfront property.

Each home has interior and exterior details that make it stand out among other houses. They each have an element of charm, beauty, or uniqueness. Some offer vintage and imported features, while others have entertaining spaces that would make anyone envious.

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Prep Your Patio for Grilling Season

Article Contributed by: Sarah Miller, Lawnstarter.com

Smoky ribs. Juicy burgers. Corn on the cob, dripping butter. You can almost taste it. We’re coming up fast on grilling season, and food cooked outdoors is the best!

But you likely won’t be able to enjoy that delectable meal if you’re surrounded by weeds, dirt, bugs and peeling paint.

When lake season hits and you’re ready to crack a cold one with friends by the water and eat outside, make sure your patio or deck looks as good as your food.

Clean it Up

Chances are, your patio is covered in dirt, dust, mud and more from winter weather. A pressure washer is often the best way to remove the grime.

If you don’t own one, no need to worry: you can rent one from most home and garden stores.You can use this tool on all types of patios, including concrete, wood, and brick.

Make sure to remove all furniture, planters and other items before you start cleaning, and don’t forget to take necessary safety precautions, including donning your goggles, long pants and protective boots. Use a wide spray nozzle setting. It’s easy to cut or gouge your wood deck with a narrow setting.

Of course, there are alternatives to pressure washing that can still help spruce up your space before peak grilling season.

Using detergent or a bleach solution, take a stiff bristle broom or brush and scrub your outdoor entertainment areas. Take care as you clean the spots where planters or furniture sat during the winter as the moisture trapped underneath may have left mold behind. Rinse thoroughly and voila! Your structure will often look brand new with a little TLC.

Caring For Patio Furniture

Those brightly colored chairs that look so good on your patio can quickly lose their appeal if not property maintained. Furniture that stays outside year-round receives constant abuse from the elements, especially when storms whip dirt, pollen and lake water onto outdoor chairs and tables.

Cleaning them can transform your patio space, so try to do it as often as time allows, although once a year is better than never.

Depending on the types of furniture you’re cleaning, keep in mind that not all surfaces and materials can be cleaned with the same products.

For example, soap should never be used to clean wooden furniture or natural wicker. Just water and a soft brush should do the trick. Wood can benefit from a light coat of tungsten oil. It dries hard to the touch and returns the original luster.

Some brands of outdoor cushions like Sunbrella ™, can be cleaned with bleach without damaging the color or fabric. Check your labels to make sure you’re using the best cleaner for the job.

Also be sure to routinely check for damage to your furniture such as cracks in metal frames, rust and torn cushions. Outdoor furniture will last much longer with simple maintenance that prevents rain and insects from gaining entrance through cracks and tears.

Keep Pests Away

You’re reaching for a burger, fresh off the grill and SLAP! Again and again. Not much cools off a hot backyard party faster than mosquitoes.

If the wind keeps the water on your lake moving, mosquitoes might not be a concern, but if the water is still, there may be a problem. Not only are these pesky little nippers annoying to deal with, but they can also carry disease.

Prepping your patio to be pest-free this grilling season is easy. Eradicate any areas of standing water and try incorporating natural repellents — such as citronella, mint, lavender, and basil — as part of your landscaping.

Extract of eucalyptus in candle form is also helpful to have around, as are mosquito repelling patio lanterns.

If you need a more powerful solution, carbon dioxide mosquito traps can be an excellent investment. Foggers and sprays can be effective for short periods of time, but you must follow directions for application before your guests arrive.

Nothing spoils the appetite quite like the smell of fresh mosquito fogger!

Minor (or Major) Improvements

Go big or go home doesn’t always apply when it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, but even small modifications can make a BIG difference.

One such small improvement is planting flowers around the perimeter of your patio or deck. You can also extend your space by simply installing a hammock next to the seating area or by building a fire pit.

Another easy-to-install improvement is a stone pathway down to the waterline or creating multiple pathways to different parts of your property.

Also try brightening things up with outdoor lighting. Because there are many choices when it comes to outdoor lighting, be sure to give yourself some time to research and decide what will look best with your perfectly prepped patio.

The perfectly set table and centerpiece can make all the difference and set off the entire space with a pop of color. Search for great ideas online.

Adding small accent decor such as a drink serving set, platter or lake-themed throw pillows can pull it all together.

For larger patio improvement projects, First, decide on a budget and check with local specialists on projects that may require a level of expertise beyond yours.

A little time and elbow grease can deliver the perfect space for entertaining, time with family or just a quiet place to unwind. Spending a little time now can bring hours of enjoyment to your lake property this summer!

Why Your Lake Home Needs an Outdoor Shower

Sure, it sounds backwards to have a shower on the outside of your house, but if you live at the lake, an outdoor shower may be exactly what your lake home is missing.

Take a few minutes to check out the benefits of installing an outdoor shower to your home, and see how easy it can be to do it yourself!

Benefits of an Outdoor Shower

Convenient, mess-free changing room:

Photo Courtesy of Wayfair.com

How many times have you had to walk through your home — wet and freezing — just to make it to a changing room after a day on the lake?

Not only is it a chilly trek, but the trail of water you leave behind can potentially damage your floors and cause unsuspecting lake lovers to slip and fall.

An outdoor shower provides a convenient (and warm) place to change out of your wet clothes and allows you to rinse any leftover lake grime down the drain. Trust us, your floors and your guests will thank you!

Visitor Overflow:

When you own a lake home, you’re suddenly the most popular person among your family and friends. As a result, your home is often overrun with visitors during the lake season.

An outdoor shower can help better accommodate these guests by being an alternative washing spot when indoor showers are occupied.

To ensure patrons are comfortable, be sure to enclose your outdoor shower with privacy walls and a equip it with a latch or locking mechanism.

For added convenience, outdoor showers can even be connected to your home’s hot water supply for a more enjoyable showering experience.

Adds Value to Your Home:

That’s right: an outdoor shower can ADD to the value of your lake home!

According to HGTV’s article, “Which Home Improvements Pay Off?,” adding a bathroom to your home can increase a home’s sale price by almost 9 percent.

While your outdoor shower won’t be a full bathroom, this additional space can still bump up your lake home’s value, even if only by a little.

Do it Yourself – How to Build an Outdoor Shower

Whether your outdoor shower is as simple as a water hose hanging from a tree, or as extravagant as an enclosed room with a waterfall shower head is up to you!

For something basic, all you need is the following materials:

Photo Courtesy of campingroxx.com

  • two extra-large hula hoops
  • water-proof/resistant material
  • a wooden pallet
  • sewing materials
  • 10 ft. of rope or cord
  • a water hose
  • water spigot access
  • a tree with low-hanging limbs
  • old-fashioned ladder

Construction Instructions:

  1. Take your waterproof/resistant material and sew it to one of the hula hoops, similar to sewing curtains around a dowel rod. Once completed, your material and hula hoop should resemble a tube.
  2. Next, secure the second hula hoop to the bottom of this tube. This will add a little weight to the bottom of the enclosure.
  3. Around the top opening of the enclosure, cut 4 holes large enough to slip your cord or rope through. These holes should be made slightly below the hoop itself, and spaced out like the points of a compass with one point at each direction.
  4. Take your rope or cord and cut it into fourths, with each fourth at the same length.
  5. You will next tie each rope to the top hoop through the four holes you previously made. Be sure these a tied securely to ensure your shower enclosure does not collapse while in use.
  6. After each rope is secured to the base, connect all four ends together, so that they make a peak from which you can hang the enclosure and slide the enclosure over a low-hanging limb. Be sure to choose a tree that in on a slight incline, if possible, to allow for better water run-off.
  7. Next, take your water hose, connected to the water spigot, and wrap it around the same limb so that it rests above the center of the enclosure’s open top.
  8. Take your pallet and place it under your hanging shower enclosure to serve as the platform on which users will stand to shower.
  9. Lastly, lean your old-fashioned ladder against the tree. This will be where your towels can hang until you are ready to dry off.
  10. Finally, your shower is ready for use!

For more outdoor shower ideas, explore these 32 beautiful DIY outdoor showers, and be sure to check out our other home improvement blogs here!

Spring is Here! De-Winterize with These 3 Tips

Spring has sprung, and it's time to de-winterize your home for lake season! Do it right with these three tips!

Lake season is right around the corner, but before you invest in that new bathing suit and head down to the water, be sure to take the proper steps to de-winterize your lake home.

Window Wisdom

Months ago, before the first cold front hit, you checked all your windows for damage, improper seals and cracks around your windows and frames.

Well now’s the time to open them back up and let in the sunlight and fresh air.

You don’t have to seal your home for the entire winter for the air to get stale; even if you’re only away for a couple of weeks, you might be starting off your lake season with some unwelcome odors.

As you air things out, make sure all your windows have no new breaks or cracks and that no screens have been torn and need replacing.

Pipe Protection

The key to de-winterizing your pipes is to go slowly.

Before turning the water on, check that all bathtubs and faucet nozzles are turned to the “off” position, and remove the aerators from each of your home’s faucets.

Aerators are the small, screens inside the faucet that save water and reduce your utilities bills, but minerals can build up on them and limit your water pressure.

Next, carefully turn open the water valves beneath your sinks, toilets and water heater by rotating them counterclockwise.

You will also want to turn on an outdoor water valve before turning on the main water supply, located on your home’s water meter.

The main supply should be opened slowly. Allow a small flow of water for 20 seconds, then allow a small amount more. Increase the flow in small increments until the source is fully open.

Inside, run water from every faucet, and flush every toilet. As you did before, start with a small water flow in each faucet, and increase the flow in small increments. Don’t get in too big a rush; if there is too much pressure inside the pipes, sudden changes could cause them to crack and even burst.

Make sure your water heater is full before cutting off the electricity until your first spring home-stay.

Reattached all your fixtures’ aerators and turn your faucets back to the “off” position before you leave.

Rooftop Recommendations

Winter weather usually means  heavy snows and high winds, and you may find unwelcome evidence on your home’s roof.

Check for any missing shingles (the wind can whip them off clean), and look for damage from fallen limbs. It’s also important to look for holes, cracks and breaks in your home’s gutter system.

Also, if you take some time to rid your gutters of the small accumulations of leaves, sticks and other debris, you can prevent not only damage to your gutters, but also damage to your home from overflow during hard rains.

Want more weather-ready tips for your lake home and lake toys? Check out our article for How To De-Winterizing Your Boat!

The Lake Home Essentials Checklist

Person checking off lake home essentials boxes

Preparing to stay for a while at your lake home can be hectic, and the last thing you want is to forget the toilet paper or toothpaste. While it’s easy to let the little things slip your mind, going without some lake home essentials can make for a miserable experience.

Having a good, solid list of the things you’ll need makes the process run so much smoother, and the headaches a lot less frequent. So here’s a checklist of the most important lake home essentials to help you stay organized.

Kitchen

Kitchen and living room overlooking a Michigan lake
Photo courtesy of Lily Pad Cottage.

There’s no better pair than the lake and good food.  Wouldn’t it be the worst if you went to make a delicious meal, only to find you don’t have anything to make it with?

You can make your own grocery list, but here are the things you’ll need in the kitchen besides food:

  • A can opener/bottle opener
  • Silverware, cooking knives, cutting board, wooden spoon, spatula and tongs
  • Oven mitts
  • Coffee, filters (if needed) and coffee pot
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Sponge and scrub brush
  • Dishes: bowls, plates, cups and mugs
  • Dish soap and detergent
  • A trash can and kitchen bags

Baking Items

Recipe book and ingredients laid out on marble counter top

If you plan to do any sort of baking, bring these items along to save you a trip to the grocery store. You never know when your lake home will host the next Fourth of July or family birthday party. And, you can cook just about anything if you are well-stocked with these:

  • Recipe book
  • Glass cooking dishes and cookie sheets
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Mixer
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Flour
  • Butter
  • Shortening
  • Vegetable oil, olive oil
  • Chocolate bits

Bathroom

Wide bathtub with view of mountains and lake

An important lake home essential tip is to keep a clean and orderly bathroom. And you’ll want some emergency supplies as well. More guests at your lake home means more frequently used showers and toilets.

Here is a list of the things you will need:

  • Plunger and bowl brush
  • Soap, shampoo/conditioner
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, comb and brush
  • Bath mat
  • Towels, washcloths and hand towels
  • Small trashcan
  • Shower curtain, liner, and rings (if applicable)
  • Toilet paper and wipes

Living/Family Room

Cozy fireplace living room
Photo courtesy of New England Living.

Some days you just want to stay inside, and some days rain prevents you from enjoying the outdoors at your lake home.

Your personal taste will determine the specifics, but here are a few living room essentials for those lazy lake days:

  • Coasters
  • Board games
  • Table lamps
  • TV, DVD/Blu-ray player, DVDs, and Blu-rays
  • Gaming console and games
  • Furniture and any décor
  • Throw pillows and blankets

Bedroom

Nautical themed bedroom with view of lake
Photo courtesy of Tom Stringer Design Partners.

After a long day on the water, nothing sounds better than a good night’s rest.

Since we spend anywhere between a quarter and a third of our lives in the bedroom, it’s essential that you make it as comfortable as possible. Here are things you’ll need:

  • Bed
  • Comforter, bed sheets, pillows, and pillowcases
  • Clothes hamper
  • Hangers for the bedroom closet
  • Side table(s) and lamp(s)
  • Dresser or wardrobe
  • Full length mirror

Laundry Room

Marble and white laundry room
Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Home Decor.

If you plan on having a good time at the lake, prepare for your clothes to be covered in the outdoors. Be sure to bring these along:

  • Laundry detergent, bleach and dryer sheets
  • Laundry baskets
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Small trash can

Cleaning Closet

Organized cleaning closet lake home essential
Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens.

To keep your lake home spiffy clean, you’ll want to store these supplies in a closet or cabinet somewhere:

  • Rubber gloves
  • All-purpose cleaner for glass, tile and wood
  • Stove cleaner
  • Sponges and brillo pads
  • Mop and bucket, broom and dustpan

General Items for Around the House and Garage

Organized garage shelving
Photo courtesy of Garage Living.

Other important items to keep around include:

  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Extra batteries (different sizes)
  • Duct tape, scotch tape, and electrical tape
  • Wood glue
  • First aid kit
  • Toolset which includes: hammer, Phillips and flat head screwdrivers, mix of nails, screws, hooks, and wrenches
  • Saw and sawhorses
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Hose
  • Rakes and outdoor leaf bags
  • Shovel
  • Large trash barrel
  • Sweatshirt, light jacket/rain jacket for cool and wet days
  • Bug spray and sunblock

For more advice and tips for your lake house, visit here

How to Restore Your Home’s Curb Appeal

multi-story lake home on the waterfrontYou know that great curb appeal your house had when you first bought it? Is it looking a little haggard?

Maybe the paint is fading, or peeling. The gutters are bulging from dead leaves or this winter’s monsoon.

Maybe the porch has settled, and is drifting away from your house.

There are lots of things that can happen to a house that make it look, well, not so great. Here are a few quick tips to get your house back into curbside appeal mode.

Under Pressure

Power wash your house.

Rent a power washer, buy one, beg a friend or relative. Whatever you have to do, power wash the exterior panels, siding, or bricks and windows all the way around your house.

This removes the stuck on grime, and also gets rid of leaves, webs, and general yuckiness that tends to stick around.

Power washing is really quick fix to make your house sparkle on the outside.

Paint the House Red

Well, maybe not red unless you’re really going for a bold statement.

But if you notice your paint is peeling or fading, invest in a paint sprayer, or hire a professional.

Do touch-ups throughout the year, or just plan on one huge project in the summer when it’s nicest.

A fresh coat of paint has the power to make a house look brand-spankin’-new.

Get Your Head Out of the Gutter

Clean your gutters, people!

Stuffed gutters can cause structural damage, leaks and costly repairs if your gutters get so heavy they fall off. It happens.

Instead of letting it get to this point, clean your gutters out especially during spring and fall when all the new or dead leaves are falling from the trees.

If notice a bird’s nest or other blockage, get up there and clean it out. If you are not able to, hire someone that is.

Trim The Bushes

Landscaping is a great visual addition to a spruced up home exterior.

If you already have landscaping, maintain it. Trim the bushes, trees, or hedges and keep the flower beds weeded and grass mowed.

It’s amazing how much nicer a house looks when it’s got a well-kept yard.

If you have dirt instead of grass, think about investing in sod, grass seed, or having a landscaper do it all for you.

Clean Up

Don’t be that neighbor; get your car off the lawn, your trash bags off the porch, and your kids toys off the sidewalk.

Tidy up after you have a party on the lawn, and don’t let junk accumulate on your property.

It sounds simple, but so many people underestimate how much nicer their house looks from the outside when people aren’t greeted by a lot of junk at the curb.

Don’t Forget Your “Shore Appeal”

The term “curb appeal” refers to how your house looks from the street, or curb.

With a lake home many times the “front” of the house may be oriented towards the lake.

If this is the case make sure you make the appropriate side of the house your priority. Also, include your dock into the equation.

Make sure that any year-round furniture is secured, there is no clutter such as life vests or fishing supplies, and that your boat is secured and orderly.

Hopefully after reading these tips, you’re motivated to get out there and clean!

Do the easiest steps first, and build up to the big projects, like repainting or landscaping. Then, you can enjoy the view every time you pull into your garage or driveway.