Rob Gow - Real Estate and Shoreline Lifestyle: Buying a Home in New Buffalo

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Celebrate Earth Day in New Buffalo!

It’s a beautiful time of year in New Buffalo as we’ll begin to see signs of spring blooming all around us. It’s fitting then, that the nation will be celebrating Earth Day on April 22 to focus on our environment and how we care for our world!

In working as New Buffalo Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we enjoy telling those interested in renting or buying a vacation property, or even a permanent residence, about the scenic setting and breathtaking views that they’ll find in New Buffalo and all along the Lake Michigan shoreline. We know that the preservation of this beauty is something that draws guests into our community and even causes them to want to stay!

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day this year with family and friends; you’ll want to be sure to check out the Woodland Wildflowers at the Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Preserve in nearby Niles. Check out the information below!

Woodland Wildflowers
Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve
13988 Range Line Road, Niles

Sunday, April 21 from 1pm to 2:30pm

- Gather with family and friends to learn about woodland plants that bloom from April through June and how to break seed dormancy, produce plants from seed, and establish them in a shade garden. Also learn about soil development and the use of soil amendments that will help you to grow some of the more challenging native plants. To learn more about this exhibit, visit the Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve website.

There are also other ways you can enjoy Earth Day and even promote a healthy, eco-friendly environment in your own New Buffalo home. Take a look at these simple ways to go green!

1. Close your windows- It may seem counterintuitive, but opening the windows will often make your New Buffalo home warmer, not cooler. Open your windows at night if the air outside is cooler than inside, and close them (along with blinds and shades) before the sun hits your house in the morning. When night falls, open windows wide, particularly those oriented toward prevailing winds so you can take advantage of cross ventilation. You may also put houseplants in front of sunny windows to absorb some of the sun’s energy.

2. Use fans strategically- Using ceiling fans or stand alone fans can create a nice breeze in a room and help keep you cool. If you’re using ceiling fans, make sure it’s running in the right direction, so that in the summer the breeze is blowing down, not up. Remember to turn fans off when you leave a room since they are made to keep people cool, and are not made to cool an entire room. If you’re buying a new fan, buy an Energy Star fan which will use 50% less energy than other models!

3. Cook (or don’t cook) a cool meal- Just as drinking an ice cold lemonade cools your body, eating cold food helps keep your internal temperature lower on a hot day. If you do cook, use the grill or the microwave, or else you’ll heat up your kitchen from using the oven and stove. And remember, kitchen appliances aren’t the only devices that give off heat; limiting your use of electronics will help keep your spaces cooler.

4. Shut off the lights- While modern lightning, like compact fluorescents and LEDs, are more efficient, incandescent light bulbs can produce as much heat as they do light. Energy Star-rated light bulbs produce 75% less heat, so consider that when replacing bulbs. It’s always a good idea to shut off lights to save energy, it makes a big difference on hot sunny summer days.

5. Plant a tree (or two or three) strategically- Your New Buffalo home may get hot because the sun beats down on it relentlessly on hot summer days. Let nature help reduce your energy bills by planting deciduous trees on the east and west sides of your home; in the summer, their broad leaves will shade your house. Also consider planting trees or shrubs to shade high-heat areas – air conditioning units that emit heat, for instance, and driveways and walkways that absorb it.

We hope these tips inspire you to help preserve the environment around New Buffalo! While these changes may seem small, if everyone does their part, it will help protect our surroundings and maintain the beauty of our community!

If you have questions about living or vacationing in New Buffalo and would like to learn more about the New Buffalo Real Estate market, please contact us today!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Hunt for a Home or Easter Eggs This Weekend Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline!

There’s nothing that kicks off the spring season quite like the Easter holiday! Thoughts of bunnies, brightly colored eggs and the inevitable Easter egg hunt outdoors help lifts everyone’s spirits.

However, hunting for Easter eggs may not be the only thing your list this spring. If you’re looking for a vacation getaway or are considering relocating to one of Harbor Country’s charming beachfront towns such as New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Sawyer or Grand Beach; you’ve come to the right place!

Our Shoreline Property Advisors team is here to make your hunt a little easier with our Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents experienced in these beautiful shoreline communities. There are a wide variety of homes currently on the market to buy or rent for your well deserved vacation, so you’ll be sure to find one that fits your needs and budget!

If you are going to be hanging out along the Lake Michigan Shoreline this weekend and are looking for a way to celebrate spring, you won’t want to miss out on these special events!

Easter Egg Hunt at Oselka Park
Oselka Park
601 E Indiana St., New Buffalo

Saturday, March 30 at 11am

- Don’t miss this Easter egg hunt where you also get a chance to meet the Easter bunny! Children ages 1-12 are invited and will get to take home a basket filled with treats. Hunt for the Golden Egg and special prizes! Refreshments will be provided for all in attandance. This event is sponsored by the New Buffalo Business Association, The Pokagon Fund, The City of New Buffalo and The New Buffalo Township.

Lakeside Easter Egg Hunt
Lakeside Park at Red Arrow Hwy

Saturday, March 30 at 1pm

- Meet up at the gazebo in Lakeside Park for this fun event! Bring your own basket for the hunt and win prizes! The Easter Bunny will be hopping around to take pictures! This event is open for all ages and will be fun for everyone!

Easter Brunch
Various Locations

- What’s Easter Sunday without a brunch with family and friends? Throughout Harbor Country, various restaurants will be offering mouth-watering options for brunch that you won’t want to miss. (Be sure to call ahead and reserve your spot.) Here are a few highlights!

Skips Restaurant
16710 Lakeshore Road, New Buffalo
http://skipsrestaurantandcatering.info/index.html
Brunch Hours: Noon-5pm
Reservations: 269-469-3341

Timothy’s Easter Brunch
16220 Lake Shore Road, Union Pier
http://www.timothysrestaurant.com/events.html
Brunch Hours: Noon-5pm
Reservations: 269-469-0900

Ferwoon Botanical Garden Easter Brunch
13988 Range Line Road, Niles
http://www.fernwoodbotanical.org
Brunch Hours: 10am-3pm
Reservations: 269-695-6491

Dune Beach Inn
3311 Pottawattomie Trail, Michigan City, IN
http://www.dunelandbeachinn.com
Brunch Hours: 10:30am-3:30pm
Reservations: 219-874-7729

We hope you’re able to take part in these events this weekend, or enjoy a fantastic brunch served by our local restaurants!

As always, if you have questions regarding living or vacationing in New Buffalo, Michiana, Harbert, Lakeside, Union Pier or any of the surrounding areas; please contact us! Our team of trusted advisors and Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents are standing by to serve you!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Don't Miss the New Buffalo Winter Festival This Weekend!

In many cities, the winter months means staying in doors, bundling up and waiting for warmer weather to be active, but not on the Lake Michigan Shoreline! Whether you live in Evanston, Chicago, the Indiana Shoreline, or along the coast in Harbor Country Michigan, you’ll find a long list of fun activities to beat winter boredom and experience these well loved communities.

In fact, if you’re searching for something to do and you don’t currently live along the Lake Michigan Shoreline, you’ll want to check out New Buffalo next weekend! Each year, this quaint Harbor Country town celebrates the spirit of winter with the New Buffalo Winter Festival. Here’s just an overview of this much anticipated winter event!

New Buffalo Winter Festival

Downtown New Buffalo

Saturday, February 2 & Sunday, February 3

- This yearly event is a great opportunity to gather with family, friends and neighbors! Events all day on Saturday offer a wide variety of things to do while the ball is a perfect way to end a day of fun. Enjoy ice skating, free sleigh rides, ice sculpting demonstrations, shopping downtown and much more!

Bev’s Second Season Ball includes dinner and dancing, and a charity auction for $75 per person. Begin your evening with free chocolate martinis and hors d’ oeuvres at 6:30pm followed by dinner at 7:30pm and decadent chocolate lovers desserts. Dancing till midnight gives you a chance to mingle with friends and place your bids at the silent auction featuring vacations and cruise options!

The festival continues on Sunday morning with a Chocolate Chip Pancake Breakfast at local favorite, Michigan Thyme. You won’t want to miss being a part of this highlight of the winter season in New Buffalo! View more information about the event on the New Buffalo website.

You’ll find there’s something for everyone that will make this New Buffalo experience well worth it! Whether you live on New Buffalo’s shores year round, or you’re considering buying a vacation home or permanent residence in this charming town; taking part in this event will give you insight into the great lifestyle that New Buffalo has to offer.

Please feel free to contact our team of New Buffalo Real Estate agents and property advisors here at Shoreline Property Advisors at any time! We are here to help with all of you New Buffalo Real Estate needs and look forward to serving you!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Discover New Buffalo with These Upcoming Events!

It’s the start of a new year and an exciting time as 2013 lies before us with endless possibilities. For many, this year will bring about changes to your job and even where you live! As a team of experienced New Buffalo Real Estate agents and property advisors, our goal here at Shoreline Property Advisors is to ensure the transition you make to a new home is as smooth and stress free process.

If you’re considering relocating to New Buffalo or are dreaming of buying a vacation home along its’ beautiful shores, you’ll want to take some time to get to know the area! We understand the importance of feeling a part of the community in which you’re buying a home and visiting the area is a great way to start to feel at home.

Whether you are relocating this year to New Buffalo, or you currently live here and are looking for something to do within the next few weeks to keep winter blues at bay, here are a few great events you won’t want to miss!

4th Annual Birdhouse Auction
Marina Grand
600 Water St, New Buffalo

Friday, January 11 from 5-8pm

- The Harbor Country Public Arts Initiative is presenting this creative event that features 50 unique artist designed birdhouses. The birdhouses will be auctioned off to raise funds to benefit the purchase and installation of public art. Admission includes two drinks and appetizers. This is a great way to support the arts in the New Buffalo community! View more information on the Harbor Country Public Arts Initiative website.

New Buffalo Yacht Club Chili Cook-Off
New Buffalo Yacht Club
500 West Water, New Buffalo

Saturday, January 12 from 1-5pm

- The New Buffalo Yacht Club, which was established in 1956 has been a great addition to the New Buffalo community! Throughout the year the club hosts events and, if you’re a member or interested in becoming one, the Chili Cook-Off is one you won’t want to miss! Membership to the New Buffalo Yacht Club includes use of the bar and restaurant , the clubhouse that overlooks the New Buffalo harbor, private club parking and much more! Learn more about the New Buffalo Yacht Club on their website or find out more about the Chili Cook-Off by calling 269-469-9808.

We hope you’re able to take part in one or both of these events within the next few weeks in New Buffalo! You’ll find they’re a great way to interact in the community and get a feel for the New Buffalo lifestyle.

Our team would be happy to meet with you at any time to discuss your New Buffalo Real Estate needs! Please feel free to contact us today!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff