May 2010

Up Early….

It’s Friday! I’ve been trying to get my body back in the habit of waking up early for the purpose of exercising. Rankin started stirring, so I went into his room to give him pacie. He had a huge grin across his face with his arms and legs sticking straight out! Wish that I could have snapped a picture…

Yesterday I went by daycare early to pick him up because I had to drop him off at 7:00 and didn’t want him to stay too long if he didn’t have to. When I looked for Rankin on the playground, they said that he had gone to the office with a busted lip (my acrobat had fallen off of the slide). Fat Lip and I went back to the office and then to a walk through, finishing up the day’s work together, and it was such a treasure to be able to do this with my son. He gave everyone “nugs” at the office, had a cookie, and suddenly was better!

Signing off to get on the elliptical…

What a Cool Day in Auburn, AL!

So, today I started the day at 4:45 with some coffee and preparing to get on the elliptical machine, which is my new goal. Next week, hubby and I are supposed to start back to doing P90X, ie, there will probably not be many posts for a while as my body goes into shock! Ha!

Anyway, I’ve always exercised in the mornings before getting started with the day, even when I went to Marion Military Institute and knew I was going to exercise my fannie off the rest of the day! It just clears my head and gets me ready for the day. What I have learned is that the most important thing is that when the alarm clock goes off, I need to put my feet on the floor and go ahead and sit up, even if I fall asleep sitting there for a while. This habit gets away from me, but life seems to re-center when I re-instate it in my life. So I am on a mission…

So anyhoo, this morning I got up, worked out, got ready for the day, and Rankin was an ANGEL. It’s always such a beautiful start to the day when he is a sweet baby in the mornings. He high-fived Daddy on his way to work, fed the labs some Cheerios, and just was so stinkin’ cute. He told me that it was time to go put on my shoes this morning, by the way. ; D Why God blessed me with such an angel whom I do not deserve…

After getting to the office and getting things going, Ryan and I prepared for an agent tour at two of our newest listings: 433 and 450 Breckenridge Court. These two homes were built by a good friend of mine, David Kahn. They are totally Eco-Friendly and Energy Star Rated with a HERTZ rating of 76, which is incredible! If you are into GREEN construction or EngeryStar at all, this is worth taking a closer look to see what it is all about. Ecological Insulation did the spray foam insulation for these two properties; they have compact florescent lighting, dual flush toilets, Low “E” windows, Low VOC paint, Bamboo Floors, Marathon Hot Water Heater…the list goes on. If you have interest in meeting with the builder to discuss Spray Foam Insulation or Green Construction, message me, and I will get you in touch. Cool stuff that is cutting edge!

 

 

 

607 Carpenter Way, Grove Hill

Make Grove Hill your home! Check out this great floorplan in one of the best subdivisions in Auburn!

• 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, approximately 1721 square feet
• Large Master Suite with private walk in closet, Tile Shower, Jetted Tub and Double Vanities
• Living Room features gas log fireplace and lots of crown molding
• Kitchen boasts Granite Countertops and Stainless Steel Appliances including a Gas Stove!
• Dining Room features warm colors and hardwood flooring
• Wonderful Private Fenced back yard!
• Transferable Membership to Moore’s Mill Golf Club ($10,000 value)!
• Transferable Termite Bond
• Easy Maintenance Brick Exterior
• Two neighborhood pools!
• Great Sidewalks!
• Neighborhood playground and green spaces!

Schedule a showing today! Contact me at 334-444-2431 or ryanledwards@yahoo.com

Home Automation

We have some great builders here in the Auburn / Opelika area. Being in Real Estate I work with a lot of these guys and see a lot of new construction homes. I see all kinds of neat stuff in homes and really enjoy walking in and seeing something original and unique. Just last week I was onsite at a new construction home and saw a one of the coolest driveways I have ever seen. It was a large area made with dark concrete pavers. It was done really well and looked great. This came with a cost….. a $26,000 cost!!! The house was in the mid $800,000′s so I am sure that was a drop in the bucket for the home owner. The inside of the house was really nice as well and featured a lot of major upgrades throughout the interior. After I walked out and drove off the technology geek in me got to thinking. Why have I not seen a complete home automation system in any new homes? The only house I know of that really has a whole house system is a 10,000 square foot house formally owned by a certain ex Auburn head football coach who now lives in Texas.

In my opinion, this is a market that is TOTALLY untapped. Builders are always looking to out spec the guy next door with lavish tile, appliances, bathrooms, and stone work and it is something that is so common now with high end new construction. Buyers walk in and EXPECT to see all these things. It isn’t anything “new” and “exciting”. Buyers want something new. They want something that is nice, but also something they can enjoy. Granted, not all buyers are looking for what I would consider a “want” or that is important to me, but there is a market for it. Technology is a huge part of our lives now. It is important (and MANDATORY in my line of work) to stay on top of it and use the awesome advances we have made. This is where builders come in. Building a house that features fully integrated lighting, security, audio, video, climate control and data would be a major selling point for most buyers. It could be done a lot less than that paver driveway too!

What exactly is home automation? Home automation gives you control of things around the home. You can control your whole house audio, video, all lighting, heating and air conditioning, security system, cameras, all your data stored on your computers, garage doors, irrigation system, powered shades, and even your door locks through a device such as a remote control, cell phone or personal computer. Basic systems have been around a long time, but they have been very expensive and complicated to set-up and operate. And in most cases you had to rewire the whole home. Over the last year there have been a number of advances in the technology and functionality of home automation. Prices have come way down on the systems as well.

Automated homes aren’t just a reality for the high end homes or the tech-savvy anymore. With the affordability and ease-of-use of the products on the market today, virtually anyone can automate their home. For instance, companies like Control 4 and the Crestron Prodigy product line offers affordable, functional and feature rich systems that were not possible years ago.

This is a video that demonstrate a control4 system installed in the new Aria hotel in Las Vegas:

You can even use Apple’s new Ipad as a controller!

Just some of the functions and benefits of home automation include:

Lighting and Appliance Control – Lights can be turned on or off from multiple locations. They can also be programmed to turn on or off along with other events from anywhere in the house or even by using the internet if you are away from your home.  You can use motion sensors and have lights come on automatically when you enter a room and turn off when you leave the room a few minutes later.

Security Systems & Access Control - Your alarm system can be used as a part of the control system. Lights can be turned on and off automatically as you turn you alarm on and off. Your system can call, text and email you if there is an alert status. Additionally, you can unlock the front door to let friends in or close the garage door from your office via the internet. You can also control security cameras from anywhere in the world from the internet or even on your mobile device.

Entertainment Systems - One single controller replaces all of the remote controls in your house. You can press one button to dim your lights, close the drapes, turn on the TV, start the DVD player and setup your audio for the movie. In-wall speakers can be placed throughout your home to provide audio wherever you like.

Communication Systems – Telephone, intercom and internet. Phone systems which are usually used for small business applications are surprisingly convenient in the home. With caller ID and a home automation controller you can screen your calls for only those you wish to cause your phone to ring. You can talk to anyone from in the house, or even at your door from your couch.

Thermostats - Remote control thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature from bed at night or even from a cell phone while on your way home. They can even trigger a notice to you if the temperature gets too low or too high. This can save quite a bit on your energy bill!

Irrigation – Set your sprinkler system to turn on only when it’s dry, turn them on from your office at work, or even while you are on vacation.

Data Systems – Multiple computers can all be networked together and access data from any TV in the house.

The advances in technology have opened a whole new world of possibilities. If you are starting to build a new house or even wanting to do some “upgrading” to your current house, do some research and see just home automation can do for you!

2010 East AL Showcase Home! Open THIS WEEK!

Come see me at the East Alabama Showcase Home Tuesday (the 25^th) and Thursday (the 27^th) to see this fabulous custom home! Tickets are $5 and all proceeds go to the Food Bank of East Alabama!

My husband and his partner David Kahn (ECOLOGICAL INSULATION) did the spray foam insulation for the house! Check them out at www.ecologicalinsulation.com!

Hope to see you then!

 

 

Real Estate and Rankin

Rankin usually sleeps until 6:30 every day, but today, of course when I am catching up on sending out feedback from showings to clients, Rankin wakes up bright and early at 5:15! We left him in his bed, and I couldn’t help but get tickled listening to him over the monitor as I sat at the kitchen table working. My sisters and mama have been working with him on “Old McDonald Had A Farm” so out of the blue, Rankin busts out with “E I E I OOHHHHHH” as he is gabbing other stuff that doesn’t make sense. What a great way to start the day! He is such a ham.

Finally I got him up and put in my bed as I finished putting on my makeup and drying my hair. Rankin got down and came and sat with me in the bathroom. He decided that he wanted to brush his teeth (of course we do not discourage this). I walked into my closet and came back to find him brushing his hair with his toothbrush and toothpaste. He knew he was being silly because he fell out laughing when I asked him what he was doing!

As I dropped him off at Milestones, I thought to myself what a treasure I have. Even though all the parents coming through the door at the day care look a little frazzled, with nice work attire on and probably a smear of peanut butter on their shoulders (this is a regular for me!), we are so blessed to have these angels in our lives! Hearing some “E I E I OOOOOHHH” first thing in the morning reminds me to live a little and sing a song or two when the going gets rough. Real Estate has been a good but tricky (and difficult at times) business to be in during the last 18 months. I am so grateful to the relationships that I have with my current and past clients, and for you all giving me an opportunity to work with you! I appreciate you more than I can say.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday! And on his farm he had a cow….

Great Day in Auburn, AL Real Estate!

Let me just tell everybody, I have the best husband in the world!

 

He is meeting a plumber at 7:00 in the morning, so that I can spend more time with the best son in the world!

 

Ok……just kidding! Not so much in this picture! This was a rough day!

Here is the usual Rankin face:

 

AND, I have the best real estate partner! Ryan cooked hamburgers and hotdogs for 4 hours today to feel the hungry realtor community in Auburn, AL today! Not only is he is great photographer, he cooks a mean burger, too!

 

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Thanks to everyone who came out and saw us at our new listing at 2233 Mt. Vernon Lane, Auburn, AL 36380. Fabulous Construction by Watermark Construction Company!

If you would like more information on one of the nicest homes on the market in Auburn, just shoot me an email!

 

 

 

2233 Mount Vernon Lane, Asheton Lakes

Absolutely stunning home in Asheton Lakes Subdivision. Just some of the features include:

• Quality Built by Watermark Construction Co. in 2006
• 5 bedrooms, 5 and a half bathroom, and a bonus room (or 6^th bedroom).  Two bedrooms on main level with private baths.
• Approximately 3760 heated and cooled square feet
• Custom Cabinetry by Roger Van Nostrand throughout, including built-in shelving in Living Room
• Gorgeous Heart of Pine Floors
• Custom Cypress Front Door
• Master Bedrooms Suite on main level with exquisite bath featuring double vanities, jetted tub and tile shower
• Master Bedroom also features private covered patio.
• 8’ doors on main level
• Oil-rubbed Bronze plumbing and lighting fixtures
• Kitchen features a custom island for extra storage and counter space.
• Walk-in pantry in kitchen
• Two coat closets off of kitchen
• Laundry includes a sink
• Additional laundry pantry upstairs
• Window seats and walk in closets in additional bedrooms
• 3 car garage
• Home sits on .67 acre lot with a private, fenced back yard, beautiful easy maintenance landscaping
• Covered Porch overlooks back yard and features stamped, stained concrete floor.
• Cedar and copper accents in exterior finishes
• Whole House Audio, including back porch
• Irrigation System
• Security System
• Transferable Termite Bond

Schedule a showing today! Contact me at 334-444-2431 or ryanledwards@yahoo.com

Auburn High is 6A State Champs…. Again!

Congratulations to the Auburn High School baseball team. Saturday they won the 6A championship for the second year in a row! Auburn beat Grissom 9-7 in the deciding game 3 Saturday night. Not only is Auburn the best place in the USA for golf, one of the top ten places to live, one of the best places for small businesses, and one of the best public school systems in the nation, but now we have the best baseball team in the state! This also has significance to me because the hero of game 3 and MVP of the whole tournament was Trey Gregg. His father Hap Gregg is a fellow agent at Prudential and good friend! He is one proud father and rightfully so. Trey pitched in game 3 and also hit a 395 foot home run! That would be a HR in most major league parks! Congratulations again to the team! Way to represent our wonderful community!

2010 Showcase Home Open!

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