Melanie Lunsford

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Melanie Lunsford

  • The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park

    For those of you looking for something fun this weekend, the Dogwood Festival is back at its longtime home at Piedmont Park.  Due to the drought conditions last year it was relocated to Lenox Square in 2008.  I hear they are expecting a rebound from the disappointing crowds last year.  So set out early and check out the festivities.  The festival is set for this weekend, April 17th through the 19th.  For more details visit www.dogwood.org.

    Have a wonderful time!

  • GE Recalls Profile Freestanding Dual Fuel Ranges

    For those that have a GE Profile Oven, I thought I would pass along this recall information:

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 8, 2009

    Release #09-189

    Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 352-9764

    CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

    CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

    GE Media Contact: (888) 240-2749

    GE Recalls Ranges Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

    Name of Product: GE Profile(tm) Freestanding Dual Fuel Ranges

    Units: About 28,000

    Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.

    Hazard: The wiring in the rear of the range can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

    Incidents/Injuries: GE is aware of 47 reports of overheated wiring, including 33 reports of wiring that caught fire. Of these, one fire caused structural damage to the home and there have been 14 reports of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

    Description: This recall involves GE Profile 30" Freestanding Duel Fuel ranges. The ranges were sold in white, black, bisque and stainless steel. The following model and serial numbers can be found on the left inside corner of the bottom drawer.

    Brand / Model Number Begins With / Serial Number Begins With GE Profile / J2B900 / LD, MD, RD, SD, TD, VD, ZD, AF, DF, FF, GF, HF, LF, MF GE Profile / J2B915 / MF, RF, SF, TF, VF, ZF, AG, DG, FG, GG, HG, LG, MG, RG, SG, TG, VG, ZG

    Sold at: Department and appliance stores nationwide from June 2002 through December 2005 for between $1,300 and $2,000.

    Manufactured in: Mexico

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven and contact GE for a free repair. Consumers can continue to use the cooktop burners.

    Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (888) 352-9764 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday ET, or visit the firm's Web site at www.geappliances.com

    To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:

    http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09189.html

  • Postage Rate Hike in May

    In case you haven't already heard, the postal service plans on increasing the cost of a first-class stamp to 44 cents effective May 11, 2009.  So make sure to stock up on Forever stamps before the increase. 

    This comes at a time when the postal service posted a $2.8 billion loss last year and is facing even larger losses in 2009.  According to the AJC on Saturday, the postal service agency said it will reduce management staff nationwide by 15 percent, with more than 1,400 processing, supervisor and management posts at 400 facilities being eliminated.  Another 150,000 postal workers will be offered early retirement.  The Postal Service has about 1.8 million employees.

     

  • A Spring Day at Piedmont Park

    My family and I went to Piedmont Park yesterday to enjoy a beautiful Spring Atlanta day.  We didn’t plan on everyone having the same idea but the crowd made for some great exploration for our little girl.

     

    We arrived to find the parking lot off of Park Drive full and all street parking was gone as well.  As we were directed to the left from the parking lot we were pleasantly surprised to run into a friend of mine that allowed us to park in his driveway.  My friend has a beautiful home that is one street over from the park.  We remain thankful for his kind offer as it allowed for more time in the park for our 21 month old daughter.

     

    Piedmont Park was lots of fun and full of such life and signs that Spring is here!  We crossed the bridge to see the larger dog run.  We really enjoyed watching all the dogs run around and have fun without their leashes.  One tip is that you should plan to walk your dog around more after hitting the dog run so they have time to dry off before heading home.  The water spigot they have for the dog bowls over flows and creates a muddy area that your dogs are sure to enjoy more than you.

     

    The trees are in full bloom and we loved the gorgeous cherry tree that sits at the grilling sites.  Every grill was taken and were being put to good use as we were salivating for hamburgers before we knew it.

     

    We ventured over to the kids play area and let Ivey slide and run around a little bit.  She was one of the younger ones so we had to watch her carefully.  She was shier than most of the kids that enjoyed the area but she didn’t want to leave just the same.

     

    We got to catch a glimpse at the new aquatic center that looks like it will be a real crowd pleaser.  Based on what we saw it seems they are pulling out all the stops on this one with a beautiful design, complete with solar panels and state of the art environmentally friendly facilities. 

     

    As we were leaving the sites and sounds of the park I over heard a man going in with friends say “is this a park or Disney Land”?  I guess for someone that isn’t used to seeing the park in full use it would have came as a bit of a surprise.  But we loved every minute of our beautiful Spring day at Piedmont Park and wished we could walk to the park anytime we wanted. 

  • Feeling Short Changed Lately?

    I must admit that I am feeling a little short changed lately when going to the grocery store.  Perhaps more than a little.  A recent trip to Publix yielded a 1.5 quart container of Mayfield Vanilla ice cream.  Now, upon looking at the freezer section again it appeared that they had extra room for additional flavors of ice cream. 

    In fact if I wasn't mistaken it looked like the container had shrunk in size.  Could it be that I wasn't getting the same amount of ice cream any longer?  The price was unmistakably the same but I couldn't be sure about the container.

    Upon arriving home my suspicions were confirmed and I felt that I had been had.  Sitting in my home freezer was the remains of our left over Mayfield Vanilla ice cream sitting perfectly in its 1.75 quart size container.  HELLO!  So perhaps I have too much time on my hands but I for one will be sending my friendly Mayfield customer service department a nice e-mail.  It just makes me wonder what else I have missed lately while checking out at the grocery store.

    Be sure to tell me about your unfortunate finds as well.  Curious minds want to know!

     

  • Keller Williams Realty now Third Largest Franchise in the US

     

    Keller Williams Realty Climbs to
    Third-Largest Real Estate Franchise in the United States

    Company outpaces market with financial model, agent-centric initiatives

    AUSTIN, TEXAS (March 2, 2009) — Keller Williams® Realty Inc., announced last week at its annual convention in Orlando, Fla. that it is now the third-largest real estate franchise in the United States, surpassing RE/MAX® International. According to Steve Murray of REAL Trends, a leading source of analysis and information in the residential real estate industry, the Austin, Texas-based company claimed the number three spot with 72,794 U.S. associates at the end of 2008.

    “The success of Keller Williams Realty can be directly attributed to the hard work and perseverance of our associates and the soundness of our economic and organizational models,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty, Inc. “While others might be looking at this market and seeing fear and uncertainty, we have always approached it as our opportunity to shine and grow. And that mindset has paid off.”

    The company has been gaining ground for the last three years, outpacing pervasive downward trends in the real estate industry. Comparing the average annual performance of the company from 2004 - 2005 (before the shift in the real estate market) to 2006 - 2008, Keller Williams Realty increased its associate count by 52 percent, while market share for its offices increased 83 percent and agent gross commission income went up 35 percent. Keller Williams Realty has 679 offices operating in the United States and Canada. In 2008, the company shared more than $30 million in profits with its associates through its profit sharing program.

    “Through profit share, our phenomenal coaching and training and our technology offerings, we are offering agents their own ‘bailout plan’ for this market.” Willis added.

    The company also announced that after years of searching for a partnership to provide its associates with affordable health insurance, they are moving forward with a solution.

    The soon-to-be-launched Keller Williams Health Providers Program will include options for major medical, limited medical, catastrophic coverage and a separate cancer plan. The health insurance coverage is the first step toward a total wellness program for associates.

    “We have always been very aware that as independent contractors, our agents face barriers to obtaining health coverage,” said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty.” We know that for many, this new option may alleviate some of the stress that they face in today’s economy. After all, our associates are not just our partners – they are our family.”

    Last fall, the company also announced the launch of KW Commercial, a new division of the company dedicated to providing commercial real estate associates with specialized technology, marketing tools and resources. KW Commercial already has more than 220 active brokers across the U.S. and Canada.

    “Our goal is to create synergy between the residential and commercial sides of our Keller Williams offices, raising the bar for the service we provide to our clients,” said Buddy Norman, president of KW Commercial. “We envision our commercial and residential agents working side-by-side, sharing referrals and helping our offices grow.”

    “Our growth in the last year and now becoming the third-largest real estate company in the United States was a true team effort and a company-wide win. We are so grateful for all of the leadership and commitment our associates have shown to power through this shift,” added Willis.

    For more information on Keller Williams Realty, working with a Keller Williams agent on a real estate transaction or joining Keller Williams Realty, contact Melanie Lunsford at melanie@mlrealtyteam.com

  • Time Change Blues

    I have to admit that I am not a fan of the time change.  Ever since changing back to Daylight Savings Time on Sunday morning I have been in a total and complete fog over that one hour of lost sleep.  It takes nearly a week to get my body into sync with the new time.  I think I had rather have jet lag as then at least I would have taken a nice trip to boot.

    If you have children at home it is even worse.  I have a 21 month old little girl who doesn't understand why daddy is already gone to work by the time she wakes.  She doesn't understand why she must now get up "earlier" to leave for the day.  She doesn't get why "Curious George" doesn't come on the same time he did previously.  It will take me a full week to get her back on her "normal" schedule.

    For those of you that deal with other countries at all it is a real challenge to know who changes when as there are different rules for every country and the majority don't change.  In my former life I worked at Georgia-Pacific in International Sales.  It was always challenging as we lost a complete hour each day to communicate with overseas offices.  We already started work at 7:30 am to get a head start and there was no way I was going to start earlier to gain that extra hour that we lost.

    When will the madness ever end?  I heard a rumor it may hopefully be sooner than we think.  But I won't believe it until I get to keep my hour of sleep.  In the meantime, good luck!

  • Mistakes Job-Seekers Make

    While watching Good Morning America this morning I heard Tory Johnson talk about common mistakes job-seekers make and thought it was extremely relevant for today's market.  I am including the article as posted on abcnews.com this morning, March 2, 2009. 

    "Looking for work is never easy. And with unemployment at a 16-year high, the available job pool is low and the competition is fierce. That means there's no room for error. You must be a qualified candidate and an exceptional jobseeker. Here's a look at some of the top mistakes to avoid.

    Don't wait for an employer to call you. Don't sit by the phone waiting for HR to call. You've got to make it ring by following up on every resume submission. Find an internal referral, which is the leading source of new hire leads at every large employer, using social networks such as LinkedIn.com and Facebook. (If you apply to company XYZ, go to LinkedIn and search for that company, its location and the job title recruiter or HR manager. Most times a name will pop up for you to call.) You can also Google the name of the company, along with the words "recruiter" or "hr manager" and see if a name pops up because that person has appeared in the media or on an industry Web site. That'll give you a starting point to begin the follow-up.

    Don't say generic things about yourself. If you've been out of work for several months or more, expect to be asked what you've been doing during that time. Saying you've just been job-searching is not impressive. It means you've attempted something unsuccessfully for quite some time. Even though we're in a recession, that's not a good enough answer. Instead, share a story about how you've spent the time: focus on a volunteer initiative you've taken on, the books you're reading, or the classes you're taking. Have something positive to briefly discuss to account for your time.

    Similarly, if you're like many job-seekers, you'll likely tell an interviewer that you're a "team player." That's too generic. If pressed for details, how would you back up that label? The worst response: "I'll say yes to lending a hand any time. I'm always happy to do anything for anyone." That's not necessarily a team player; that's a pushover in the workplace! Instead, focus on a specific example of a time you brought together a group. Or a time when you listened so effectively that you were able to understand — and overcome — the concerns of your department to bring about consensus. Be ready to cite specific anecdotes from your work history. This is where many people get tongue-tied -- so you'll be ahead of the pack with examples at the ready.

    Don't fidget, shift in seat, play with hair. Poor body language, such as averting your eyes, shifting in your seat, playing with your hair, chewing gum, or clicking a pen diminishes your confidence. It also distracts from the conversation and makes the other person somewhat uncomfortable. Instead, offer a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, stand and sit tall and always smile. That'll bolster your presentation.

    Don't give too much personal information. Whether you're networking or interviewing, don't share your mortgage woes or child care challenges. Focus on your skills and abilities and what you bring to the particular position and the organization, not on what the job means to your personal finances.

    Don't be pessimistic. This is true not only in any job-related conversation or interview, but even privately. Even though it seems there's little to be hopeful about given rising unemployment and underemployment, measured optimism is essential as you face each day. Optimism alone won't get you hired, but great skills and pessimism will keep you unemployed. In the search process, camaraderie and character can sometimes trump credentials, so the right attitude is essential.

    Don't let interviewer ask all the questions. Even though you'll spend most of your time selling yourself in an interview, don't cede all the decision-making to the other side. You've got to evaluate the prospective employer too.

    Two questions you must ask: Why is this position vacant? (Maybe someone was promoted from within, which could be a good sign. Or maybe turnover is a huge concern. You don't want to find out on day one that you're the fifth person in six months to sit at that desk.)

    The other question: If you could change one thing about the culture of this department or company, what would it be? (This is a polite way of asking what's wrong with the place without being rude. It will offer you valuable insights.)

    Tory Johnson is the Workplace Contributor on ABC's Good Morning America and the CEO of Women For Hire. Visit her Web site at www.womenforhire.com."

  • Local Spring Consignment Sales

    I just attended the recent consignment sale at Peachtree Pres in Buckhead this weekend.  It was to benefit a division of Children's Health Care of Atlanta.  I found some great toys and clothes for my daughter that were in amazing shape and the prices can't be beat.  Not to mention the proceeds went to a good cause.

    There are several Spring Consignment Sales coming up over the next couple months.  A great website to check for the sales in your area is http://www.thebargainwatcher.com/.  The website lists all the local sales and pertinent information.  If you have never been to one this is a great time as I have heard that the states are soon to create a new law that may make it harder for individuals to sell. 

    I don't know the particulars but it has something to do with mandating that items be tested for lead and other potentially harmful items.  Your best bet is to be a savy shopper and do your research before you go.  Make sure to get well known brands.  Make sure zippers and snaps are not in places that could end up in your childs mouth.  And the best advise of all is when in doubt just leave it.

    Happy Shopping!

  • Mommy & Me Deal at the Aquarium in Atlanta

    For those that didn't know, the Atlanta Aquarium has extended its December 31, 2008 deadline to March 31, 2009 for the Mommy & Me Special.  Here is the information on the Aquarium website:

    Me & Mommy $20 Ticket!
    We know it’s not always easy for moms (and dads and caregivers!) to take everyone on an exciting adventure (hello, gas prices!), and the Georgia Aquarium wants to help. We have put together the best Aquarium offer ever, and we have reserved it just for you!

    For only $20, the Me & Mommy ticket includes Aquarium admission for one adult, free admission for children age 5 and under (maximum four children per paid adult) and free parking ($10 value). This offer is valid Monday-Friday, now through March 31, 2009, and can only be purchased online. You also have to bring the little ones along to take advantage of this great offer. So take a day and come see everything at the world's largest aquarium, big (beluga whales, whale sharks!) and small (clownfish!).

    Visit http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/visitus/meandmommy.aspx to purchase tickets.  One tip, when you purchase your ticket it will come up on another screen and say they are only valid through December 31st.  After a quick phone call I found out that information is incorrect and they are still valid through March 31, 2009.  The ticket is not dated and there is no schedule other than you must come during normal business hours Monday through Friday.

    You use your paper e-ticket bar code to enter the aquarium.  Make sure you park in the Aquarium parking deck ONLY.  If you don't park in their deck they will not reimburse you for parking.  Make sure you take your ticket back with you to the parking deck as you will need that when you exit the lot so you don't pay extra.

    This ticket was well worth it for me.  This was my daughters first visit to the aquarium.  At only 20 months and a short attention span I was so glad I didn't pay full price.  Have a fun day!

  • Safe Guard your Marriage

    Given the state of the economy and all the worries of finances today it is easy to experience an unstable marriage.  Now I am certainly no marriage expert.  And if you find your self in trouble make sure to seek professional advise.  But financial issues continue to rank as one of the top reasons that couples get divorced.

    Here are some tips I recently learned from a guest speaker at my local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group:

    1)  Keep open lines of communication with your spouse.  Make sure to open up to your partner and share your concerns, fears and worries.  You both need to view the conflict as an opportunity to connect with rather than push away from your spouse.

    2)  Draw closer to your spouse in times of conflict.  Couples who empower one another approach their problems together as teammates facing issues rather than seeing the other person as the problem.  Cultivate an atmosphere of value and respect for your spouse during conflict by seeking to understand one another's perspective on the issue rather than coming in with "guns a blazing".

    3)  Celebrate each others strengths in your marriage.  Many happy couples fluidly move into constant bragging on each other's talents and admired personal characteristics.  So, as you and your spouse share your fears with each other about your current financial situation and team up against the issue, you will be able to celebrate each other's strengths and share those affirmations with each other.  Take some time this week to catch your spouse doing something well and celebrate that!

    Another huge find is a book that was recommended to me once by a loving couple that I admire.  My husband and I recently read "Love & Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.  It talks about how women desire to be "Loved" by their husbands and that men desire to be "Respected".  You can't have one without the other and it takes both partners to make it happen.  I will say that Dr. Eggerichs is a Christian author. 

    My husband is Japanese and although he attends church with me, he has never really practiced any one religion.  This is the first book that he says he actually "gets" and can apply it in our relationship.  So we are adding this book to our one and only list of "must read" books once a year.  Will we actually read it once a year?  We would like to think so but if not we are at least working on the principles in our marriage and every little bit certainly can't hurt.

     Happy reading and make sure to keep your Marriage a top priority!

  • Choose the Right Color

    Many salespeople and stages say neutral beige or off-white walls are what sells listings - but a touch of color may be just what you need to revive buyers' interest in a languishing listing. 

    Research on color responses has shown that warm colors, such as orange and red, can increase excitement and energy, whereas cooler hues, such as blue, can be calming and relaxing.  Indeed, research shows color can influence a person's senses - even body temperature - and make scenes more memorable.  Knowing the responses colors evoke offers insight into where and when you should use color in a home to appeal to buyers.

    Although people's color preferences and psychological responses vary, research into color has revealed some commonalities:

    Red - Increases energy and heart rate, creates excitement, and stimulates the appetite.  Best for Dining rooms.

    Orange - Adds comfort, warmth, and cheerfulness, but too much can bring about feelings of cautiousness.  Best for Living rooms and family rooms.

    Yellow - Brightens mood and promotes welcoming and joyful feelings; increases positive thinking.  Best for pooly lit foyers and dark hallways; buttery shades of yellow for living rooms.

    Green - Most restful color.  Reduces nervous system activity and muscular tension, calms and relaxes, offers reminders of nature.  Best for Living rooms (light greens); accent for kitchens and dining rooms (midtones).

    Blue - Promotes feelings of calmness, security, tranquility, and cleanliness; lowers blood pressure, cools a room, and serves as an appetite suppresant.  Best for bedrooms or any restful, peaceful area in a home.

    Purple - Boosts creativity, imagination, and meditation, but can have unpleasant subconscious responses.  Many adults dislike purple on walls, particularly lighter shades of purple that are perceived as more youthful.  Best for Children's bedrooms and play areas.

    Sources:  February 2009 issue of Realtor Magazine and www.paintquality.com.

  • Low Cost Ways to Tweak Your Listing

    According to Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend, design, and brand for Lowe's, the home improvement giant, the following tips can help get a home up-to-date without breaking the bank:

     1.  Move it - Rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room.  Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look.  Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. 

    2.  Plant it - Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room.  Justs drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters.  Small plants cann be moved easily and regrouped to change a room's look, while larger ones make a statement of their own.  But it is important to have plants that are well maintained and in good condition.

    3.  Paint it - Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a change.  Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces.  Always do a test before you paint the room.  Lowe's Home Improvement stores now sell sample size paint cans so you can test before spending the money on a gallon.

    4.  Organize it - Eliminate clutter and organize tools, work spaces and closets.  Hooks and shelves inside teh door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail.

    5.  Replace it - Cabinet handles, switch plates and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece.  Scan each room to see what looks warn or outdated and then replace it.  Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of a bathroom a snap.  Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store.  Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread.  Others require just four inches.  Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new.

    6.  Light it - Lighting can have a major impact on a home's look and feel.  Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try layering the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps.  Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will.

    7.  Clean it - Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it's up to snuff.  Scrub grout and seal natural stone.  Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover.  Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

    When selling your home, make sure to work with a professional real estate agent that can offer other valuable suggestions and time saving tips to get your home sold quicker.  Contact ML Realty & Associates to find out how MJ Thomas can help you.

  • Listing First Impressions

    When listing your house for sale your first impression is your house from street view.  The picture of the front of your house often determines if the buyer will even bother seeing your home.  With more buyers shopping online than ever before, your pictures are key.  For that reason you need to make every effort to stage your home both on the inside as well as the outside.

    You can often easily make some low cost changes so that your home is more appealing.  Some quick fixes are to pressure wash stained and unsightly driveways, keep trash bins out of sight, get all the leaves up in the yard and driveway, trim trees and bushes, mulch or pinestraw any flower beds, clean windows and make sure the paint on the front door is in good shape.  If you have any flower boxes on your home, make sure to plant seasonal flowers and keep them watered and looking good.  Remove any dead or deseased trees.  Make sure your house number is easily visible to buyers and that all exterior lights are in working order.

    It helps if you have an agent that can make recommendations on staging your home for quicker sell.  If you are looking for an agent to assist you with selling your home, please contact the ML Realty Team to learn how MJ Thomas can help you with your staging needs and much, much more!

     

  • Latest trends for Kitchens and Baths ~ Grab Buyers' Attention

    I came across an article that I thought was very relivant to todays market place and thought I would share the highlights:

    Four Rehab Must-Dos:  Universal bath design with roll-in showers and decorative grab bars that match other bath fixtures.  A kitchen island, ideally one that is not a boring square and that incorporates lots of storage.  A sealed shower with multiple shower heads and ouside vent to cut down on mold build up on grout and behind walls.  Stainless steel appliances are essential today at almost every home price point.

    Think Light and Bright.  Lighting - natural and manmade - "is huge" in kitchens and even more essential in bathrooms.  Ideally, bathroom lighting should come from both above and the side to prevent shadows.  Designers are now incorporating energy-efficient LED lighting under countertops, around glass doors, and in cabinet shelving for illumination and ambiance, especially at night.  An easy lighting upgrade is to add dimmers to all lighting so that you can adjust the light to the job and the mood.

    Storage is key.  In the kitchen, a walk-in pantry is the amenity buyers drool over.  If you can steal a little space from a neighboring laundry room or eating area, a big pantry is a sure way to go.  In bathrooms it is all about built-ins and decluttering.  Electrical outlets inside drawers keep electric shavers and such out of sight.  An easy storage upgrade is to add roll-out shelves in kitchen cabinets and drawers in bath vanities for easy access and better organization.

    Five retrofits buyers love:  Tile a backsplash by using a bright color or a bronzelike metallic.  Add undercounter lighting that improves safety and ambiance.  Paint the upper kitchen cabinets by choosing a different color for a custom look.  Add doors with glass panels to some cabinets to create open shelves to display a few lovely dishes.  Change the hardware to create a fresh look by installing new knobs and pulls, or reface the cabinet doors.

    Earth-friendly features are a plus but while more people desire to go green, they are only willing to pay so much.  Fast-growing banboo is teh eco-material of choice for cabinets and floors, but those who favor a more traditional look have started to explore eucalyptus.  Look for water-saving features for kitchens and baths.  An easy eco-upgrade is to change out a faucet to one with a built-in sensor; it saves water, and little ones never have to remember to turn it off.

    Although it is helpful to know the latest trends, design choices in kitchen and baths depend on both personal taste and how long home owners intend to stay in a home.  Those who plan to sell in five years or less, should focus on personalized touches using paint, backsplashes, and accessories.

    East Carolina University, in Greenville, N.C. conducted a survey of working adults between 18 and 31 years old and found that most are willing to pay as much as 20 percent more for appliances that can be customized with features like removable fronts and trivection ovens that simultaneously use thermal heat, convection, and microwave cooking.  Most young adults also said that they wanted natural woods and stone in their kitchens, and 76 percent said they're at least somewhat interested in having a greener kitchen.  And since they prefer to cook for themselves and entertain at home, they want kitchens to be even bigger.

    Five kitchen and bath features buyers want most:  36% want separate shower enclosure in master bath.  31% desire an eat-in kitchen.  24% want high-end appliances.  23% prefer granite countertops and 21% kitchen islands.

    This article was featured in the February 2009 Realtor Magazine.  For the full article visit www.realtor.org/realtormag.

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