Wednesday, July 30, 2014
The Grand Tour of Homes concluded July 27th, and the votes are in! Judges have awarded twenty-one honors to five of the Ball Homes models featured on this year's tour. The Hartford II, Hudson, and Monroe, Jackson II, and Albany Revised plans all received awards within their price categories, including five for Floor Plan. Several of our newest model homes were featured on the Tour.
Our Hartford II model in The Enclave at Chilesburg was awarded First Place for Floor Plan, Exterior, Kitchen, and Best Overall in its price category.
.jpg)
Kitchen of the Hartford II model home in The Enclave at Chilesburg
Our revised version of the Albany plan, which was on the Tour in The Reserve at Bryant Oak, won First Place awards for Floor Plan, Master Suite, and Interior Features, as well as the Overall award in its price category.
The Albany in The Reserve at Bryant Oak
Our Jackson II model in Masterson Place won First Place for Floor Plan, Exterior, Master Suite, and Overall.
.jpg)
Jackson II model home in Masterson Place
The Monroe model in Chilesburg was awarded First Place in the Kitchen and Floor Plan categories.
.jpg)
Kitchen of the Monroe model home in Chilesburg
The Hudson model in Glasford was awarded First Place for Master Suite and Floor Plan.
.jpg)
Master suite of the Hudson model home in Chilesburg
Although the Grand Tour is over, these homes can still be seen during our regular Open House, and any time by appointment. To view these and other model homes by appointment, please contact a Ball Homes Specialist at Milestone Realty Consultants.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Can you believe that the start of school is just around the corner for kids in Kentucky and Tennessee? Pretty soon, you'll be seeing kids with their backpacks getting on those big yellow buses in the mornings.
Here's a list of the first day of school for counties in Central Kentucky, Louisville and Knoxville.
Fayette County: Wednesday, August 13th
Madison County: Wednesday, August 13th
Scott County: Wednesday, August 6th
Woodford County: Wednesday, August 13th
Jefferson County: Wednesday, August 13th
Oldham County: Tuesday, August 19th
Knox County: Monday, August 11th
Loudon County: Wednesday, August 6th
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Summer is in full swing! We've had some pretty toasty days in our area over the past few weeks and as the dog days of summer approach, it's only going to get hotter and humid. As the temperatures rise, so does the need to keep your lawn well watered. But, instead of just sticking a sprinkler in the middle of your yard and hoping for the best, here's some tips on the right way to water your lawn.
1. Water Your Grass Only When It Needs It
If you don't water your lawn correctly, you could run the risk of under or overwatering your lawn, which could contribute to the development of fungus and disease. Some types of grass require more water than others, and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind can dramatically affect how frequently you need to water your lawn. Fortunately, the most accurate way to determine whether your lawn needs water is also the easiest: just look at the grass:
·When grass needs water, it will begin to take on a blue-gray tint, and the older leaf blades on the plant will begin to curl up or wilt.
·Footprints will remain on the grass for longer than usual, as the grass won't "bounce back."
When 30 to 50% of your lawn shows these symptoms, it's time to water.
2. Know When To Water
The time of day that you water is just as important as how much you water. Early in the morning is the ideal time to water for most lawns. There's less wind, less hot sun, and your lawn has a full day to dry. Watering at night invites mildew and fungus. In the hot afternoon, much of your water can be lost to wind and evaporation.
3. Water Evenly
Sprinklers are finicky. They don't always put water down equally. To make sure water is going where it's supposed to, place a few empty soup cans around your lawn, and run your sprinkler for about 20 minutes. If water collects evenly in the cans, you know your sprinkler is doing its job.
4. How Long Is Long Enough?
Your lawn needs about 1-2 inches of water per week. Each time you water, you should aim for the water to absorb about 6 inches into the dirt to make sure that the roots of the grass are well hydrated. How long that will take depends on the slope of your yard, weather conditions, and various other factors. The best way to tell is to water your lawn for about 20-30 minutes. After that time, turn off the water and stick an 8-inch screwdriver into the ground. If it goes in easily, you're done. If not, you need to water some more.
5. Know When to Stop Watering
You can water carefully and properly, but if the water isn't absorbed, your efforts are wasted. Watch out for water running off the grass and into your driveway or street. If that happens, turn off the sprinklers and let your lawn absorb the water for about 20-30 minutes before turning back on again. And this goes without saying, but aim your sprinklers to water just the lawn. That's the part that needs the moisture—not the sidewalk or street! Slight adjustments to your sprinklers can save a lot of water. Ideally, you shouldn't water your sidewalk, patio, street, or driveway at all.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Everyone here at Ball Homes wishes you and your family a happy and safe July 4th holiday!
Our offices and model homes in Lexington and Knoxville will be closed on Friday, July 4th for the holiday. They will resume normal business hours through the weekend, with the exception of the Hampson Place model in Knoxville, which will be closed through the weekend.