Showing posts with label Prudential Rubloff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prudential Rubloff. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Create Beautiful Holiday Curb Appeal for your Harbor Country Home!

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner and the busy holiday season is almost here!  There’s a growing anticipation of the festivities, and there are a number of events that will be taking place in SawyerNew Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Grand Beach, Michiana, and Three Oaks to celebrate that we’ll be sure to highlight. 

You’ve probably already begun to see holiday decorations popping up throughout your Harbor Country town and you may be thinking of ways you’ll decorate your Harbor Country home this season.  If you live or vacation in Harbor Country, chances are you’ll be hosting friends and family in your Harbor Country home over the next few months and you’ll want to make them feel as welcomed as possible. 

Today we wanted to give seven easy tips for creating great holiday curb appeal for your Harbor Country home.  If you’re in the midst of selling your home, these are also great tips for appealing to buyers!  Either way, you’ll want to welcome guests from the moment they see your Harbor Country home... here’s how!

1. Safety- You may have friends and family planning to visit soon, so you’ll want to put safety first! Be sure your driveway, sidewalk and front porch are cleared of debris or any snow. It’s always better to be on the cautious side and put down salt, as even rain can freeze and make walking up to your home dangerous.

2. Tasteful Decorations- While you can have fun with the season’s bright lights and characters of Christmas, it can be easy for some to get carried away. Try small white lights around your homes’ bushes or front porch post, a simple wreath and garland to enhance your home’s appearance without being too distracting.

3. Fresh Paint- Your Harbor Country home is more visible in the winter months as trees are free from their leaves and your home’s condition is more exposed. Touching up chipped or faded paint is a great way to help your Harbor Country home look refreshed.

4. A Neat Lawn- Whether there is snow covering your lawn or not; be sure to keep your lawn free from any leaves, twigs, etc… that may have blown through with the harsher winds. Just because your lawn is not expected to be as lush as the summer months, doesn’t mean to ignore the state of your lawn. Keeping it cleaned up will show that you care.

5. Clean Gutters- It’s not too late to make sure your gutters are free from leaves and other debris. You’ll want these cleared so that melting snow or rain can easily run through the gutters and not cause damage.

6. Lighting- The use of lights can really make your home stand out with the shorter winter days. Since there is more time without the suns light, using a variety of lighting can give your home a warm glow. Indoor window lights in each room provides a nice appeal, while lights along the pathway up to your home, a bright porch light and tasteful Christmas lights are all ways in which to enhance your Harbor Country homes’ curb appeal.

7. Cold Weather Plants- Hearty plants and Evergreen trees can withstand the winter months while adding visual appeal to the outside of your home. Evergreen Holly will add a splash of color with its red berries and can stand up to the cold weather.

Hopefully these tips will inspire you as you begin decorating your home for the holiday season.  

If you are hoping to sell your home before the end of the year, but have questions about selling your Harbor Country home and need the assistance of an experience Harbor Country Real Estate agent; please contact us today!  Our team of Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents and advisors here at Shoreline Property Advisors are here to help you find success in your real estate endeavor!


We look forward to hearing from you!

Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

4 "To-Do's" When Buying a Harbor Country Home This Fall!


Harbor Country is beginning to show signs of the beautiful fall season and many are welcoming the change of seasons.  Thoughts of fall activities such as touring the vibrant trees on the Harbor Country Trails, visiting local pumpkins patches, or cozying up with a cup of hot apple cider in your Harbor Country home on a cool day are just a few of the things that excited residents for autumn.

And, while many are thinking of ways to decorate their Harbor Country homes for the season, there are those of you who may be considering moving to the area this fall!  As Harbor Country Real Estate agents, we know some are leery of buying in the fall because there aren’t as many homes on the Harbor Country Real Estate market as there would be in the spring and summer, but buying a home in the fall has its’ perks!

First of all, buyers are more likely to work with you on timeline and more in order to get their home sold before the holiday season.  And secondly, you’ll find less competition from other buyers!  If you are hoping to begin your Harbor Country home search soon, here are four “to-do’s” you’ll want to keep in mind!

DO # 1- Do Research the Town- Not only do you want to find a Harbor Country home that fits your needs and lifestyle, you’ll want to feel at home in the town as well! Decide what you would and wouldn’t like to see in the area in which you live, and make finding the right fit in the Harbor Country town a high priority as well.  Of course, whether you choose Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, New Buffalo, Grand Beach, Michiana, Three Oaks or Sawyer, we think you’ll be happy with your choice!
DO #2- Do Look at Many Houses Before You Buy- Although you may fall in love with the first Harbor Country home you tour, it’s wise to view other homes in the area.  You never know if the home across the street is more in line with what you’re looking for in a home!  It’s also good to see the comparables to ensure you’re not overpaying for the home.  View at least three houses before making your decision and, if you still are in love with the first home you saw, make an offer!
DO #3- Do Invest in a Professional Inspection- While you may be trying to cut down on costs; this is one you don’t want to skip!  Sellers may not disclose everything about the home or they may have done a quick cover-up fix to a larger problem in the home.  Have a professional check over every detail of the house could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.  You’ll also feel very comfortable in making your final decision knowing  the condition of the home.
DO #4- Do Buy Based on Needs, Not Wants-  On average, Americans live in a home for nine years, so when thinking long term; it’s best to decide on a Harbor Country home based on your needs. Some of the items you may want now, such as choosing a gourmet kitchen over square footage, may not be what you need in five years if your family is going to grow.  Make a list of your needs and be sure to follow it to be sure you don’t have buyer’s remorse down the road.
Harbor Country is a wonderful place to live all year long and the motto often rings true that people will “come for a visit, and stay for a lifetime!”  It’s hard to resist the charm and beauty of the communities that make up Harbor Country!
If you’d like to learn more about the Harbor Country Real Estate market, please contact us today to get started!

Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Tips for Getting Your Harbor Country Home Ready for Fall


As we begin to experience cooling temperatures here in Harbor Country, we anticipate the beautiful fall season.  Many of us are dreaming of cozying up in our Harbor Country homes around the fireplace with family and friends.  Before we know it, we’ll be feeling the crisp air, watching the leaves change to vibrant colors and thinking of the holiday season.

In our work as Harbor Country Real Estate agents and advisors serving the Harbor Country towns of Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, New Buffalo, Grand Beach, Michiana, Three Oaks and Sawyer, our goal is to provide our clients with a well rounded approach.  Whether you’re buying, selling or wanting to know how to get the most from your home; we hope to provide you with a number of great tips and advice!

Ready to create a fall checklist to ensure your home is fully ready for fall?  Here are a few items you won’t want to miss!

1. Check the roof- Whether you climb a ladder and survey the top, or grab a pair of binoculars for a close inspection, be sure to take a good look at your roof.  You’ll want to be on the lookout for missing shingles or any other damage so that you can replace or fix it before the cold weather hits.

2. Add weatherstripping to doors and windows- Weatherstripping can be plastic, foam, felt or metal; its job is to seal small gaps, keeping moisture and cold air outside where they belong. Newer, energy-efficient windows generally don't require added weatherstripping, but if your windows are older, weatherstripping can keep drafts at bay and energy costs down.

3. Clean your chimney- Before you begin cozying up by the fire in your Harbor Country home, be sure to clean our your fireplace and chimney.  The same goes for any heating appliances and vents!

4. Turn off exterior faucets- As the gardening season comes to an end, begin putting any outdoor hoses away for the season.  Be sure to turn off and fully drain all exterior faucets since leaving water in the pipes can freeze and cause the pipes to burst.

5. Add downspout extensions- The fall in Harbor Country can be filled with rainy days, so you want to be sure your home is ready to handle the additional water fall.  Adding extensions to your downspouts so that water is running at least three to four feet away from your home can help you prevent water damage or flooding.

6. Check gutters- Do a quick visual check to make sure gutters are clear; they'll be performing double duty soon with rainstorms and falling leaves.  Full gutters can cause water damage to the roof as well as ice dams.

7. Reverse ceiling fans- Reversing your ceiling fan in the cooler months can save on your heating bill.  Switching the fan so the blades run clockwise will help push the warm air near the ceiling down into the room. 

Creating a fall checklist now and beginning to get items checked off will allow you the opportunity to relax later on in the season and enjoy the Harbor Country lifestyle.

As always, if you have any questions about living in Harbor Country or would like to learn more about the Harbor Country Real Estate market; please don’t hesitate to contact us!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

New Buffalo's Music in the Park Series Kicks Off This Week!



In working as a team of Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents and advisors here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we love what we do.  Helping buyers and sellers navigate through the real estate market and offering advice on major life purchases is what we do best!

Yet, we don’t just enjoy our work, we enjoy where we work!  The Lake Michigan Shoreline has so much to offer and is a beautiful setting that anyone could easily fall for and what to call home permanently!  It’s the great communities we serve that make what we do even more enjoyable, and that’s part of the reason we like to highlight the lifestyles of the various communities along the Lake Michigan Shoreline.

Today, we want to focus in on the charming town of New Buffalo that’s one of the beachside towns that make up Harbor Country.  For those of you who live in New Buffalo year round, you understand what makes it so unique!  And, if you’re planning on vacationing in New Buffalo for the first time this summer; we can assure you you’re in for a treat.

In fact, there’s an event that’s kicking off this evening in New Buffalo that you won’t want to miss!  Every Wednesday throughout the summer, New Buffalo will be hosting Music in the Park.  Take a look!

Wednesday - Music in the Park
New Buffalo Township Memorial Park
17425 Red Arrow Hwy, New Buffalo
Wednesdays, June 5th through August 28th from 7-9pm
- You’ll love Wednesdays this summer as New Buffalo features Music in the Park!  This free event is open to everyone (sorry, no pets allowed), and is a great time to sit back and relax with family and friends.  These evenings of music feature local and nearby talent, which allows you to support those within the community!  Local vendors will also be selling food for you to enjoy (alcohol not permitted).  All you need to bring is a blanket or chair, and soak in this night filled with great music in a beautiful outdoor setting.  Here’s a lineup of the featured musicians. 
 6/5                            Unraveling String Band                                      
 6/12                         Lake Effect Winds                                           
 6/19                         Keith Scott
 6/26                         Ed Bagatini Jazz Quintet
 7/3                           No event this week  
 7/10                         Venitia Sekema and the Luna Madre Band
 7/17                          Brence Jackson
 7/24                          Night Blue Arranged Performance*
 7/31                          Hired Hands
 8/7                            Chester Brown
 8/14                          Generation Gap
 8/21                           tba
 8/28                           Mark Smith & Co. Open Mic      

Whether you live in New Buffalo, or looking forward to a well deserved vacation on its shores this summer, we hope you’re able to take the time to enjoy this fun event!
As an experienced team of New Buffalo Real Estate agents, we want you to know that we’re here for you!  If you’d like to learn more about buying a vacation home in New Buffalo, or are interested in knowing what more of what this charming town has to offer; feel free to contact us!
We look forward to talking with you and serving your real estate needs!

Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff

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