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New Model Homes in Masterson Place

Here at Ball Homes, we are always looking to improve on our product, practices, and offerings in our collection of new construction homes. Our selection of model homes is no exception. We have completed the construction of three new model homes in our Masterson Place subdivision in the Lexington area. These new model homes are three of our newer Villas and Tradition floor plans and offer a wide variety of features and upgrades. They can be built in Central Kentucky, Louisville, and Knoxville, so contact your Ball Homes Specialist or visit our website for more information.
The Brooklyn is a two story plan with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a 2-car garage, and 1,939 square feet. Standard features include a two-story entry foyer, open living room and kitchen areas, island sink and breakfast bar. Upstairs, the master suite includes double tray ceiling and luxury bath and shower upgrades.


With 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a 2-car garage, and 2,810 square feet, the Preston offers great square footage values and a very livable design. The kitchen offers both breakfast bar dining and a spacious breakfast area, and is open to the generously sized family room with optional fireplace. The master suite is upstairs, and includes a roomy bath with luxury options and a spacious walk-in closet.


The Jackson II is a spacious 4 bedroom,2.5 bath, 2-car garage home with a downstairs office or study and 2,646 square feet. Standard features include an open concept family room, breakfast area, and kitchen, combination utility room/mudroom, and luxurious 9-foot ceilings on the first floor. The upstairs master suite includes a tray ceiling, a luxury bath with his-and-hers vanities, linen closet, enclosed commode, various shower options, and a roomy closet.


To see these brand new model homes and all the features and upgrades they have to offer, visit our West Lexington Information Center in Masterson Place Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5pm!

Reducing Allergens in your Ball home



If you’re like me, you both love and dread this time of year. While the warm weather can be so inviting, seasonal allergies can wreak havoc on your immune system! Itchy, watery eyes, plus sneezy, runny noses equals a miserable mess! Luckily, there are simple changes you can make in your new Ball home to keep the allergens down and your sinuses clear! Follow these steps to help minimize your symptoms.
1. Change your furnace filters regularly. Not only will new filters better trap dust, dander, and pollen, but it will help your HVAC system run smoother and longer. When you shop for filters, look for models designed to capture microscopic particles including bacteria, mold spores and pollen. Pleated filters increase the amount of surface area where these particles can be trapped.
2. Wash your bedding. When we sleep, our dead skin and hair cells slough off and can stick on the fibers of our bedding. Wash your sheets and blankets on the hot water cycle at least every one or two weeks. For down comforters, wash them on the gentle cycle in warm water and throw a few tennis balls in with it so the feathers don’t clump together. Make sure your comforter is COMPLETELY dry before using it again to prevent the build-up of mold. If your washer or dryer isn’t big enough to handle it, you’re better off taking it to the dry cleaners.
3. Take your shoes off when you enter your house. With the spring rain coming and going, our shoes can easily be caked in mud and dirt. Do you really want to track that through your home? By removing your shoes at the door, you can eliminate up to 70% of dirt and germs, like e Coli, being tracked through your home. Keep your shoes neat and tidy in your mudroom or in the garage.
4. Vacuum or mop at least once a week. We’ve all heard that vacuuming regularly is essential for keeping allergens at a minimum. Use a vacuum cleaner with a small-particle or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap particles and spores. You can also vacuum your furniture and curtains too. If you have hardwood, laminate, or linoleum flooring, use a sweeper or mop. For area rugs, take them outside, hang them over a fence or chair, and beat them out with a broom or stick. You’ll be surprised how much dust gets shaken out, even if you vacuum regularly.
5. Get everyone in on the action! These tips won’t help reduce allergens in your home if no one knows to follow them! Get your family or roommates involved in the process. Explain to them why you want to make these tips a part of your weekly routine. Get everyone on board to help keep your Ball home clean and clear all year long!

And They're Off!


After waiting all year long, the most exciting two minutes in sports are coming! The 139th running of the Kentucky Derby is just a few days away, and here in Kentucky, we are getting ready for what is sure to be a great race! 

For many of us, the Kentucky Derby is a time to gather with friends and family, watch the races, and celebrate the simple Southern comforts that Kentucky is famous for--from Mint Juleps, to fancy hats, to delicious Derby pie. Since it’s difficult to watch the Derby from inside Churchill Downs, use your new Ball home to your advantage and watch this season’s best run for the roses in your comfortable bonus room. You’ll always have the best seat in the house!
At Ball Homes, a bonus room or loft area is a popular plan feature that is standard in a large number of our spacious home designs, like our Cavanaugh II or Rockwood II floor plans. In addition to spacious living rooms rooms, these bonus spaces provide a cozy place to sip on your mint julep or sample the Derby Pie while you cheer on your favorite horse and jockey with millions of other racing fans. These multipurpose rooms can also provide the ideal space to hold family game night, read a good book or work on your next DIY project.
Whether you watch the Derby for the horses or the hats, keep up to date with all the action in the comforts of your new Ball home. For more information on our plans with bonus and loft areas, visit the Ball Homes website today!
The Kentucky Derby will be televised on your local NBC-affiliate television station. Coverage begins at 11:00am.

And The Results Are In....

Here at Ball Homes, we recognize the importance of the trust a homebuyer places in us as their chosen homebuilder. Few decisions in life are more important than determining the company who will build your home--the safe haven for your family for years to come. Because you’ve entrusted us with the construction of your home, we strive to maintain that same homeowner confidence throughout the entire homebuilding process.
We value our customers by being sensitive to their needs and providing a quality product that represents a good value.  At our core, we are dedicated to making customer service and homeowner satisfaction our main goal. This is only possible by receiving input from our customers. After the closing of a home, we send out Customer Satisfaction Surveys to each of our homeowners. We value the comments, suggestions, and remarks that people give us. By getting customer feedback, we can gather information about the practices that are working, the procedures we can improve upon, and the home options people are looking towards.
Out of the responses we received from the Customer Service surveys in Q1 of 2013, 98% of homeowners say they would recommend Ball Homes to other home buyers. For us, these results not only mean that our homeowners love the quality of their Ball home, but that they also put their stamp of approval on our product and are willing to tell others about it. Essentially, these people have become part of our sales team by telling others that building with Ball Homes is the right choice. Our customers are our biggest marketing tool and these results demonstrate our dedication to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction.
We want to thank all of our homeowners. Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We genuinely believe that the greatest compliment you can give us, as a home builder, is a referral. If you have any questions about the home building process, please contact a Ball Homes Specialist today!

10 Spring Maintenance Tips



Finally, beautiful spring weather has decided to roll into our area! For many of us, that means it’s time to roll up our sleeves and complete items on our spring maintenance checklist. To get you started, here are 10 things to complete around your house to get it ready for the warmer months ahead.


Inspect your roof.
Now that the cold weather has passed, it’s time to check the condition of your roof. Cracked or missing shingles need to be replaced. Also check your gutters and downspouts for debris buildup. With impending April showers, you don’t want to find out too late that you have a leak in your roof or a blocked gutter.

Check your air conditioning unit.
Just as you prepared your furnace in the fall, you’ll need to prepare your air conditioner for the warmer temperatures. Clean or replace your air filter and check for leaks in hoses or vents.

Pressure wash the outside of your home. Build up from dead leaves, mold and mud can leave the outside areas of your home looking dingy and grimy. Rent a power washer from your local hardware store or borrow one from a neighbor and clean your deck, driveway, fences and lawn furniture.  

Clean from top to bottom.
Spring is a great time to clean the areas that are usually neglected. Dust or vacuum stair rails, ceiling fans, and the tops of cabinets. Schedule to get your carpets and upholstered furniture cleaned or plan to do it yourself. 

Wash your windows. You can’t really appreciate the beautiful sun shine if your windows are dirty and foggy. Wash the inside and outsides of your windows. Don’t forget to clean out the sills and window tracks with a soft brush or rag. 

Prepare your lawn equipment.
Time to dig out the lawn mower again! Check the blade for dullness and refill the oil and gas containers. You'll lengthen the life of the mower and improve the look of your lawn.

Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure each smoke detector in your home has fresh batteries. Change the batteries quarterly, or as needed.

Clean out the dryer lint trap. Even if you clear out lint after each load of laundry, dust, hair and lint can still be trapped in the vent. A clogged vent can lessen your dryer’s efficiency and is a major fire hazard. Follow this step-by-step tutorial from About.com on how to properly clean your dryer vent. 

 
Clean up the yard. Clear away dead limbs, leaves, and bushes that have expired over the winter. Keep all landscaping trimmed away from utility lines and your AC unit.

Vacuum the refrigerator coils. The coils you’ll find on the bottom or back of your refrigerator conduct the hot air from inside the unit. If they're coated with dust, they do the job less efficiently and cause your fridge to work harder. That means a higher electric bill for you. Use a vacuum cleaner hose or a brush to clean the coils.