Thursday, June 5, 2014
More than half the population will be taking a vacation this summer. According to FBI statistics, the number of home robberies increases 10-18% during the months of July and August. Before you head off on your much-needed time away, don’t forget to take proper precautions to keep your home safe while you’re away.
1. Stop Your Mail
Nothing screams “We’re not home” like a pile of unopened mail in your mailbox. Put a hold on your mail at the post office, or ask a trusted neighbor or family member to come by a few time while you’re away to pick up your mail. Nothing deters burglars more than having someone come over a few times a day. Plus, they can water your house plants too.
2. Make Your Home Look Lived In
When you’re home, the blinds open and close, the cars go in and out of the garage, and the lights go on and off. When you’re away, the normal routine stops. Help create the illusion that you’re still home by investing in a light switch timer that turns your lamps on and off at certain times of the day. Leave your curtains or blinds exactly as you keep them normally. Move your expensive items, like cash or jewelry, out of plain sight if they’re visible from the window.
3. Pull the Plug
Unplug your television, toaster oven, coffee pot, and computer while you’re away to protect from power surges and save on your electric bill. Even while off, many of these electronics still use electricity. Disconnect your automatic garage door opener as well, so that burglars can’t open it with a universal remote.
4. Remove the spare key
Collect any spare keys hidden around your house. If a person decides to burgle your house, the first place they’ll look is under door mats, in a potted plant, or around the door frame. Instead, give a copy of your key to a trusted neighbor or nearby friend for emergencies. Make sure the key doesn't have any identifying marks on it, like your name or address.
5. Keep It To Yourself
In today’s social media world, it’s so easy to post about upcoming vacations, photos of yourself at the beach, or check-in at a vacation resort. Unfortunately, it’s not just your friends and family that can see those posts. Would-be burglars can easily check social media sites to see who’s home and who’s away. The less information you put out there, the less likely it is to reach the wrong ears and eyes.
Do you have anything you would add to our list? Let us know on our Facebook page!
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Now that summer is officially here and the kids are getting out of school, it's important to remember to brush up on important safety tips that will keep you and your family safe during the warmer months ahead.
Sun Protection:
Sunscreen is a MUST, even on cloudy days. Sunburns can lead to skin issues down the road, so be sure your and your kids lather up at least every 30 minutes with a product that has both UVA and UVB protections and an SPF of at least 15-30 (according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Association of Dermatology) . Try to find the shade as much as possible, and even consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for further protection against the sun's rays.
Beware of Bugs:
Warm weather doesn't just attract people to the great outdoors. Mosquitos, ticks, and other insects are out and can carry dangerous diseases. When you're outside, be sure to use an insect and tick repellent containing DEET. Don't forget about protecting your four-legged family members too. Pets can be put on a monthly flea and tick control program to protect them while they're outside.
Beat the Heat:
As temperatures rise, your body loses a lot more fluids, so it's important to stay hydrated. Don't wait until you're thirsty to start drinking fluids. By that point, you're already dehydrated, so make sure to get plenty of fluids before, during, and after being outside.
Grilling Tips:
Grilling out is a favorite activity during the warmer months, but make sure you're prepared before you head outside. Don't let children near the grill. It can still remain hot for a long time after it's done being used. Also, make sure all meats are cooked to the appropriate internal temperature to avoid food-bourne illnesses.
This summer can be fun and enjoyable for everyone in your family. With a safety plan, you can make sure that everyone has a great few months.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
In all areas where we build, we continually strive to partner with those local real estate professionals who can best provide exceptional service to all of our homebuyers. We're proud to announce that our Louisville brokerage, Prudential Parks & Weisberg has joined forces with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and will now be known as Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Parks & Weisberg Realtors.
As a brokerage that is known throughout the country as as power-house in the real estate market, we're confident that our clients will enjoy the same level of service and quality customer service they have come to expect with our Louisville Ball Homes Specialists. Broker Dave Parks commented, "We believe real estate clients will embrace our brand as it reflects Berkshrie Hathaway's values of trust, integrity, stability and longevity."
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Parks & Weisberg, Realtors serves the metropolitan Greater Louisville area, with offices in Kentucky and Indiana. For more information, visit their website at www.BHHSParksWeisberg.com or contact one of our Louisville Ball Homes Specialists.
Monday, January 20, 2014
With over 70 different floor plans to choose from, you can be assured that you and your family will find the best plan that meets your wants and wishes in a new construction home. Our team of designers are always looking at the latest design trends that meet the desires of our homeowners. Here are a few of our top selling floor plans in our Cottages, Villas, and Traditions collections.
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The Morgan floor plan incorporates many features that today's homebuyers want when searching for a new construction home. The main living areas feature 9' ceilings, with the kitchen, dining, and living areas flowing into each other, creating a large open-concept design. The Master suite features a spacious walk-in closet and a private bath with a window.
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The Brooklyn is a two-story plan with three bedrooms and a two car garage. The family room is large and open and connects to the kitchen, which overlooks the rear yard via six large windows, giving plenty of natural light. The upstairs Master suite offers a variety of bathroom layouts to suit your family's needs.
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The Monroe is a spacious ranch floor plan that is designed for larger homesites and incorporates many features that today's homebuyers are looking for. The kitchen and living room feature an open concept design and flows into a large dining area. The Master suite is connected to the utility room via a pass-through linen closet, making household chores like laundry and cleaning a breeze.
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These are just a small sampling of the award-winning floor plans Ball Homes has to offer. For more information on these or any other available floor plan, visit our website or speak with a Ball Homes Sales Team member today.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Have you made your New Year’s Resolution list yet? Like many people, you may have added “Get Organized” to your list of things you’d like to accomplish this year. One place that many people have trouble getting organized is the family drop-zone; a central place in the home where family members (sometimes literally) drop their keys, bags, mail or other important documents. Many of our homes have built-in drop zone areas , like the Glenstone or Livingston floor plans. However, if that area isn't organized, the accumulation of everyone’s stuff can get overwhelming! By getting (and keeping) your family drop zone organized, you can make sure everyone gets out the door in the morning quickly, while still keeping your home clutter-free at the end of the day.
When you're preparing to tackle your family drop zone, ask yourself these two questions.
Do I use this item on a daily basis?
If the answer is no, find another place for it. Only keep must-have items in your drop zone so that you keep it from becoming a dump-zone!
How can I better utilize this space?
After you’ve cleared out all the unnecessary items out of your drop zone, look at the space itself. Is there something you can add to make the space more efficient?
• Place a decorative bowl on the counter to hold your keys, or mount hooks on the wall to hang bags or purses.
• Get a basket for each member of the family to hold shoes, gloves, or scarves.
• Put drawer organizers to good use by holding pens, pencils, stray paper clips or stamps.
The final step in keeping your drop zone organized is to commit to keeping it maintained. When you come home from work, don’t just drop all the mail in a giant heap. Pledge to sort everything into its proper place. Involve your kids in your efforts too. When they walk in the front door, make sure they know that their shoes and bags need to be put in their bins or hung on the wall instead of dropped on the floor or the counter.
Do you have a family drop zone that you plan on organizing this year? Let us know on our Facebook page!