2013 Knoxville Parade of Homes

It's time again for the Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville's 2013 Parade of Homes. This year's parade will be held October 4-6, 11-13, and 18-20 from noon to 5 pm. 

Ball Homes will be featuring four floor plans in the Parade: the Livingston, located at 3321 Cedar Branch Road in Greenbrook, the Baldwin Expanded at 1700 Sawgrass Road in Falcon Pointe, The Westmont II Three Car, located at 1732 Granada Drive and the Claremont II, located at 1375 Silver Leaf Drive, both in Silver Oak. Contact J Honeycutt Real Estate at 865.329.6919 for more information on these and other homes for sale!

This is our third year to participate in this free, scattered site tour of the best of Knoxville's new homes.  If you're in the market for a new home or you're interested in the newest trends in the home building industry, be sure to stop by our homes.

Livingston floor plan: 3321 Cedar Branch Road in Greenbrook

Baldwin Expanded floor plan: 1700 Sawgrass Road in Falcon Pointe

Westmont II Three Car floor plan: 1732 Granada Drive in Silver Oak

Claremont II floor plan: 1375 Silver Leaf Drive in Silver Oak

Fall Maintenance Tips

Temperatures are cooling down and that means it’s time to start thinking of ways to prepare your Ball home for fall and winter. These simple steps can lower your utility bills and keep you and your family warm and comfortable throughout the cold season.

• Clear your gutters and downspouts from debris frequently throughout the fall. Neglected gutters can lead to wood rot problems, pest infestations, wet basements, foundation damage and many other expensive complications. Consider installing gutter guards to cut down on the amount of leaves that can clog your drainage system.
  
  
• Caulking is one of the least expensive home repairs out there, with some of the biggest energy savings. Caulk around windows and doorframes to prevent heat from escaping. Silicone caulk is great for outdoor use because it won’t crack or shrink when the weather gets colder. If your weather stripping is cracked or loose or you can see daylight from inside your home, consider replacing it.
  
  
• Now is the best time to get your lawn ready for the spring. By spreading seed now, you give the roots enough time to germinate and develop a good root system before the cold weather sets in. If you can, aerate your lawn before you put down fertilizer, which will allow moisture and nutrients to get into the roots. We’ve found a great tutorial from DIY Network on how to aerate your lawn. If you aren’t able to aerate, consider mulching dry, fallen leaves rather than raking them. When you mow, remove the bag and let the pieces fall among the grass blades. This will allow them to decompose and nourish your lawn over the winter. 
  
  
• Change your furnace filter regularly. Before you switch over to the heat setting, contact a licensed heating contractor to inspect and service your gas heater or furnace to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Your local utility company will often provide this service for free. Also have your wood-burning fireplace inspected, cleaned and repaired to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. 
  
  
• Just because it’s getting cooler does not mean that your ceiling fan can’t help you lower your utility bills. Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling. 
  
  
• Take the time to do some additional fall cleaning you don’t normally get around to, like laundering window treatments, vacuuming your mattress and box springs, and cleaning out the clothes dryer vent. These small tasks will help remove dust and dirt that can be circulated into the air while your home is closed during the winter months. This cleaning will also save you time when you begin your preparations for the fall and winter parties and guests you will be hosting in your home.

Are there any other maintenance tips you'd like to share? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Fall Events in Knoxville

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Movies on Market Square, every Friday night, downtown Knoxville

The Knox County Public Library present Movies on Market Square beginning September 13th and running through October 18th. This FREE event happens every Friday night beginning at dusk in downtown Knoxville. Bring your chairs, blankets, and –of course– the kids for these fun, family friendly movies. For a list of the movies shown, visit their website.


34^th annual Greek Fest, September 20-22, Friday & Saturday 11 am-10 pm, Sunday 12 pm-6 pm, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Kingston Pike.

Enjoy authentic Greek food, Greek pastries, live music and traditional Greek dancing. Admission is $2.00 for adults. Weekend Passes are $3.00. Children 12 and under are free. For more information, visit http://saintgeorgeknoxville.com/GreekFest.dsp

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7th Annual Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival: A Celebration of the Life of Howard (Louie Bluie) Armstrong, Saturday, September 28, 10 am- 8 pm at Cove Lake State Park, Caryville, TN

 

Labor Day Recipes

Many people will be firing up the grill this weekend to commemorate the (unofficial) close of summer. We’ve got some simple recipes that are sure to be a hit with your guests!

Steak and Potato Kabobs

This easy recipe from Better Homes and Gardens uses items that are more than likely already in your pantry. Combine oil-and-vinegar dressing, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder to make a simple steak marinade.

Layered Summer Salad

This easy salad from Food.com can be made ahead of time and customized towards even the pickiest eater. Use a glass bowl for an even prettier display. 

Peach Cobbler

You’ll have no trouble finding this in-season fruit at your local Farmer’s Market or grocery store. Enjoy this classic dessert from Real Simple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.

5 Tips for Making Moving With Children Easier

Moving is difficult for even the most organized people. When children are involved the difficulty increases. Whether you are moving just down the road or to a completely new city, here are some tips to help ease the transition.

1. Let Your Kids Help

If they're old enough, let your children help you pack some of their personal belongings. Even at a young age, kids can sort their toys and help you wrap objects in tissue paper or bubble wrap. If you'll be putting some things into storage, ask them what they would like to keep and what they don't mind parting with for a while. Make sure your kids know that their toys and belongings will follow them to the new house and aren’t being thrown away. If you’re using cardboard boxes, let your child decorate them after they’ve been packed.

2. Alleviate Their Fears

If possible, take the children to see their new home and neighborhood in advance. This will help to take the “mystery” out of the move. Introducing your children to their new neighbors will reassure them that they will make new friends after the move.  

3. Pack It Last, Unpack It First

Children of all ages crave stability and comfort. Make your child's bedroom a safe place for them in your old home and recreate that same sense of ownership for them in their new bedroom. Older children may not want their new bedroom to be identical to the old (in fact, new furniture or decor could help dull the loss of school friends and activities), but younger children will benefit from a room nearly identical to the one they left behind. Make the moving disruption as minimal as possible by packing your child's room last and unpacking it first upon arrival.

4. If It’s Important, Keep It Close

Never make the mistake of letting the movers pack your child’s favorite toy or special blanket. Keep these items with you at all times. This will help ease any separation anxiety they may experience from the changes, and minimize your stress when you arrive if you can't find it right away. If it's important to your infant or toddler, it should be just as important to you -- don't let it out of your sight when you're moving.

5. Get Involved

Help your kids to make new friends by getting them involved in extracurricular activities in their new neighborhood. Find local schools, churches, co-ops and other neighborhood connections that might make your transition and introduction to your new place smoother. Sports leagues, community kids' clubs and classes specific to your child's interests will keep them busy, introduce them to new friends and make them feel more at home in their new surroundings.

Have you ever moved with children? Based on your experience, would you add anything to our list? Let us know on our Facebook page!