Palouse Living, November-December 2015

Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.

Palouse Living

November-December 2015November-December 2015November-December 2015Moscow-Pullman Daily NewsMoscow-Pullman Daily NewsMoscow-Pullman Daily News

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Stylish table setting ideas and tips

� | November/December �015 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News Palouse liviNg

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Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November/December 2015 | 3PALOUSE LIVING

Buying a home for the first time is an exciting period

in a person’s life. Deciding to buy a home often indicates buyers are ready to establish firm roots in a community where they can see themselves living for years to come.

The process of buying a home is rarely easy, and first-time buyers may feel overwhelmed at times. Such feelings are perfectly normal and felt by first-time buyers regardless of their budgets or home preferences. But there are a few ways to make buying a home more enjoyable than it is nerve-wracking.

· Examine your finances. The first step toward buying a home has nothing to do with deciding if you prefer a craftsman- or Tudor-style home. Before you even begin your search for a home, carefully examine your finances to determine how much is coming in and how much is going out of your household each month.

Figure out how much debt you are currently carrying, be it student loan, automotive, consumer or any other types of debt. Order a credit report so you can see how prospective lenders are likely to see you, and address any errors you find on the report before meeting with any lenders. Peruse past bank statements to track your spending habits, looking for areas where you might be able to scale back if need be.

· Be prepared when visiting lenders. Prospective borrowers can make the home-buying process go smoothly by having all of the necessary documentation ready when visiting potential lenders. Many mortgage lenders will want to see some recent pay stubs (from both borrowers if buying with a spouse or partner), a couple years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your recent bank statements. You can always call ahead and ask lenders what they need to see when applying for a loan.

Having these materials ready in advance means you will spend less time at the bank and more time finding the right home for you.

· Secure financing before you begin house hunting. Many first-time home buyers might not realize the benefits of securing financing before they begin looking for a home. Mortgage preapproval lets buyers know how much a bank

will loan them, meaning they won’t spend time looking at homes they can’t afford. In addition, preapproval means buyers won’t lose out on their dream homes as they scramble to secure financing after making an offer.

· Work with a local real estate agent. Real estate agents are an invaluable resource to home buyers and are especially valuable to those buyers who have

never before purchased a home. Agents can help first-time buyers navigate the often confusing and, at times, disappointing process of buying a home. Choose an agent who is established in the area where you want to buy a home. He or she can provide information about local property taxes and schools as well as a multitude of additional issues that first-time buyers may not think of. Agents also know the lay of the land regarding home prices, which can ease first-time buyers’ fears about overpaying for their first homes.

A home is the biggest purchase many people will ever make. First-time buyers may be intimidated as they begin searching for their homes, but there are several ways to make the process go smoothly.

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Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.

Palouse Living

November-December 2015November-December 2015November-December 2015Moscow-Pullman Daily NewsMoscow-Pullman Daily NewsMoscow-Pullman Daily News

Staging by Eddy Street Staging Co. Staging by Eddy Street Staging Co. Staging by Eddy Street Staging Co. Photography by Blank Slate ImageryPhotography by Blank Slate ImageryPhotography by Blank Slate Imagery

Stylish table setting ideas and tips

Tips for first-time home buyersMetroCreative

� | November/December 2015 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News Palouse liviNg

Whether you are having an intimate gathering

or a large family affair, there are a number of ways you can set your table and make your guests thankful they were invited to your home for the holiday. When

dressing up your Thanksgiving tables a couple of basic principles apply:

1. Table selection: First things first, determine the foundation for your table setting: round, rectangular, wood or plastic. Each

of these tables can be decorated beautifully. Pick what works for you and run with it. For my setting I chose a farm style table with two leaves to accommodate a larger group.

2. Textiles: After you’ve determined your table, then

decide what textiles you are going to use. Will you be using a tablecloth, runner, placemats or a combination? I like to layer for added dimension and visual interest. In this setting, because the table is naturally beautiful, I simplified the set and used a placemat instead of a tablecloth. In lieu of a fabric runner I opted to create a runner of leaves scattered through the center of the table. All the leaves were collected from our yard making them a very budget friendly option.

3. Plates: Layering isn’t limited to textiles, you can also layer your plates by using a charger, your dinner plate, and if the menu is formal, a salad plate as well. For

clarification, a charger plate is a base plate that goes underneath your dinner plate. It’s simply for decoration. Tip: If you don’t have enough plates, mix two different coordinating sets to increase your quantity.

�. Napkins: If you want to use cloth napkins without breaking the bank, you have a couple of options. Places like Ross, TJ Maxx and Pier 1 offer stylish items for a discounted price however you can’t always find the quantity required. As a backup, sometimes the dollar store is a great option too. When the price is right, you can justify only using it a couple times a year. If price doesn’t matter, check out Pier One. They

The art of setting your Thanksgiving table: tipsBy: Meredith Fischer, Eddy Street Vintage Market

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Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November/December 2015 | 5PALOUSE LIVING

for taking it to the next level

always have a very stylish options! I also love using napkin rings. Napkin rings can be made out of a variety of items. Here we use handmade pheasant feather napkin rings. One of my favorite touches.

5. How to set silverware: Sometimes silverware is tricky...But here are the basic rules. Forks are on the left and knives on the right with the blade facing the plate. If you are having salad and plan on using a fork specifically for the course, the salad fork goes to the left of the dinner fork. Tip: When you sit down to dinner and there is more silverware than you know what to do with, remember to work from the outside in when it comes to silverware.

6. Place-settings: Sometimes the best thing to do is assign seats. It gives you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need. Plus, using placecards holders is just so fun and always a nice touch. You can get as creative as you’d like or keep it simple. These placecard holders (pictured below) are made out of wine barrel pieces and chalkboard labels. The great news is you can re-use them as often as you would like.

7. Use natural elements that fit with the season: Whether it’s a centerpiece or place setting decor, incorporating natural elements not only keeps the cost down but it also increases the festive feel

of the table. For this table we used, leaves, pumpkins and feathers. I’m in love with all the color.

8. Add a special touch: This time of year gives us the opportunity to reflect and put into words why we are thankful for each other. At each place setting

there is a small linen pouch with a letter. Write a sentiment in each letter expressing your gratitude for that

person. It’s a personal touch that will go a long way with your guests.

The takeaway: Making an impact doesn’t have to be expensive.You can do a lot with natural elements and also by re-inventing items you have in your existing collection. The most important part of the day is simply being together and celebrating everything you are grateful for.

Provided by Eddy Street Vintage Market. Go to eddystreetvintagemarket.com for more tips and tricks.

Photo credit: Blank Slate Imagery


When homeowners decide to put their property on

the market, they are faced with the decision to use the services of a real estate agency or not. Are you hesitating? Here are five reasons to entrust the sale of your property to real estate professionals.

1. Knowledge of the market. Fixing a home’s selling price is a difficult exercise. In addition to being neutral—your emotions could distort your assessment of the real value of your home—realtors know the market in your area as well as comparable properties. This allows them to decide on an appropriate selling price.

2. Home staging. Through their experience and expertise, realtors can advise you on what improvements should be made to your home before it’s put on the market, as well as the best ways to make it look as attractive as possible. Besides, they’re sure to have some home staging professionals among their many contacts.

3. The listing. Photos, description, certificate of location and inspection report: a realtor makes sure your sales listing is complete.

4. Marketing. By using the services of a real estate agency, you give more visibility to your property and you can let

skilled professionals handle the marketing. Your chances of selling quickly are much higher.

5. organization. Managing phone calls, promoting the property, planning visits and assessing potential buyers: do you really have the time and skills to take care of everything? And don’t forget that you’ll have to tidy up and clean your home before every visit.

Realtors are experienced negotiators who can get the best price for your property, while respecting the buyer. Best of all, they support you throughout the sales process.

Five good reasons to sell through an agentNewspaper Toolbox

Exercise is a great way to maintain a healthy mind

and body. Many people begin a new

year by making resolutions to lose weight or build muscle. Too often, however, men and women get stuck in an exercise rut, following the same exercise routine week after week.

Not only can this be boring, fitness experts advise that it’s necessary to change an exercise routine periodically to continue to see results. It’s one reason why many fitness clubs unveil new classes every few weeks. Just when you master the choreography of a class, it’s time to change!

With repetition, the body adapts and grows accustomed to the routine, using less energy as a result. That can affect your ability to lose weight.

Changing your workout forces your body to work harder, producing better results. If you exercise with a trainer, discuss ways to modify your normal routine to surprise your body.

Increased intensity, interval training, adding sprints to running, taking different classes, or even increasing the frequency of your workouts may do the trick.

Did you know?MetroCreative

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The holiday season allows people to transform their

homes into wonderlands of lights, garlands and poinsettias. Each family has its own holiday traditions, and decorations are a part of many of those traditions.

Decorations might be awe-inspiring, but those that include lights often lead to substantially higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are ways for homeowners, whether they prefer subtle displays or more over-the-top arrangements, to save money and still celebrate the holiday season in style.

· switch to more efficient lights. A great way to ensure

holiday displays consume less energy is to change the bulbs being strung. Incandescent lights can use 80 to 90 percent more energy than LED lights. Gradually replace older light strands with newer, energy-efficient LEDs. Not only do LEDs require less energy, but they also can last longer than incandescent bulbs, meaning you won’t have to replace them as frequently as more traditional bulbs. Furthermore, lower wattage usage means you can attach more strands of lights together safely.

· use timers. Timers can be set to turn lights on and off at specific times, ensuring lights aren’t turning on during the daytime or being

left on into the night by forgetful homeowners. Timers also are a good safety precaution. A dark house that is normally lit up can advertise to thieves that no one is home. When lights turn on with a timer, it will create the illusion that it is business as usual in your residence.

· use homemade decorations. You also can save energy and money by recycling materials into holiday décor. Trim branches from trees and use them in vases for an instant wintry look. Prune an evergreen on your property and make your own wreath with some wire and twine. Shop yard sales for gently used decorations that still have years of utility left. Sew ornaments from scraps of fabric or

clothing that no longer fits. Each of these ideas reduces reliance on manufactured decorations that consume energy during production and fuel while being transported from factories to store shelves.

· Rely on extension cords. You can extend the length of displays without using more lights by spacing out light strands with extension cords. Intersperse spotlights to add attention to key elements of your display as well.

· Turn off interior lights. If a Christmas tree is illuminating a front window, turn off the lights in your home, as the tree may provide enough light to make a living room or den extra cozy.

Save energy with holiday decorationsMetroCreative

Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November/December 2015 | �Palouse liviNg

When shopping for a home, it’s easy for

buyers to fall in love with a property. A well-maintained home with updated features can be hard to resist, but buyers must consider more than just a home’s appearance before submitting an offer.

One variable prospective home buyers tend to value more highly than others is the neighborhood where they will ultimately choose to live. Many buyers even value neighborhoods more than homes, feeling they can always fix a home but cannot necessarily fix an undesirable neighborhood. When considering which neighborhood to begin a home search, buyers should research a host of factors.

Crime

Crime statistics are public domain, meaning buyers can examine crime figures for any neighborhood where they are considering buying a home. Some real estate websites list neighborhood crime ratings among the information they offer about a given property. In addition, buyers interested in learning about crime in a given neighborhood can visit a site such as CrimeReports.com to access data on crimes committed near a particular address.

Home values

Home values are another factor to consider when

choosing a neighborhood in which to buy a home. Buyers can work with a local realtor to find a neighborhood or area where real estate prices are trending upwards. While buyers might be able to find a great deal on a home in a neighborhood where home prices are dropping, it’s important to remember those home prices are dropping for a reason. Work with your realtor to find a neighborhood where you can afford a home and where property values are not in decline. Realtors will have access to recent sales figures so you can get an idea of whether a neighborhood is trending upward or in decline.

amenities

The proximity of amenities

such as shopping, restaurants and parks is attractive to many buyers, and that’s something all buyers should consider before buying a home. Even if you prefer a home in a remote location, that could limit your market of buyers when you want to sell the home down the road. While your own comfort and preferences should ultimately prevail over potential resale value, it’s important that you at least consider access to amenities before making a decision. You might be able to find a compromise in a home that is a short drive away from a town center, but still remote enough that you are not in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

Commute

Quality of life is heavily

influenced by commute time. Many men and women feel their quality of life improves dramatically the shorter their daily commute is. When considering a particular neighborhood, do a test run before making an offer on a home. Wake up early and drive to the area where you are thinking of buying, and then commute from there during rush hour. Also, do the reverse commute come quitting time. You might be able to get an estimated commute time online, but a test run can give you a more accurate idea of what your daily trips to and from the office will be like.

Choosing a neighborhood where you will enjoy living requires some forethought and research.

Factors to consider when choosing a neighborhoodMetroCreative

The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions can

be traced back to the ancient Babylonians, who promised their gods that they would repay their debts and return borrowed items in the new year. While resolutions have changed since then, people still see the dawn of a new year as an opportunity to commit to doing something good in the months ahead.

No rules govern New Year’s resolutions, but many people resolve to do something healthy. The following are just a few resolution ideas for people who want to make 2016 as healthy as possible.

· Lose weight. A January 2015

survey from Nielsen found that 32 percent of U.S. consumers resolved to lose weight in the new year. That should come as no surprise, as New Year’s Day marks an end to the holiday season, when many people pack on pounds thanks to holiday dinners, parties and the baked goods that seem to find their way into homes and offices throughout December. Seventy-six percent of participants in the Nielsen survey said they did not follow a weight loss or diet program in 2014, which might explain why so many felt a need to lose weight in 2015. If you resolve to lose weight in the new year, do so with the assistance of your physician, who can offer useful advice on diet and exercise.

· Bike to work. Depending on how close your home is to your office, consider riding a bike to work instead of driving into the office every day. Riding a bicycle is great cardiovascular exercise, which is a critical part of any successful exercise regimen. But riding a bike to work also benefits the environment by making the air you breathe cleaner. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that roughly half of all U.S. residents live within five miles of their workplace, which provides a great opportunity for commuters to reduce total household emissions, all while having fun on their bicycles. If 50 percent of American workers chose to bike rather than drive to work each day, total household emissions could be cut by as much as 6 percent. Biking

to work also saves commuters money on fuel.

· Work less. Work is good for the mind and body, but too much work can lead to elevated levels of stress. Stress can produce a host of negative consequences, including an increased risk for depression, obesity and heart disease. Long hours at the office is one of the leading causes of work-related stress, and many professionals find themselves taking on more than they can reasonably handle. Make an effort to scale back your responsibilities and spend less time at the office.

· Reduce alcohol consumption. Reducing alcohol consumption is another healthy resolution for the new year. Excessive alcohol consumption

can do a number on the human body. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that overconsumption of alcohol can affect the heart (increasing the risk for cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, stroke, and high blood pressure), liver (fibrosis, cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis), pancreas (pancreatitis), and immune system (weakening it and making you a much easier target for disease). Reducing consumption can have a considerable impact on your overall health.

Men and women resolving to get healthier in the new year can do so in various ways.

Healthy resolutions for the new yearMetroCreative

10 | November/December 2015 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News PaLouse LiviNg

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Are you undecided about organizing an open

house to stir up interest in the sale of your home? Here are five good reasons to convince you.

1. You’ll save valuable time by meeting lots of visitors on the same day.

2. You’ll attract potential buyers who would not necessarily have visited your property under different circumstances.

3. You’ll show potential buyers that your home generates interest.

4. You’ll increase the

visibility of your home in the neighborhood.

5. You can get a feel for the market by asking for the views of the various visitors. This will allow you to make adjustments as needed.

So, when’s your open house?

Five advantages to organizing an open house

Newspaper Toolbox

These days, things like divorce, job loss and heavy

debt can put respectable, hard-working people in danger of losing their homes. As a result, many families consider renting out a room to one or more tenants. If you’re considering renting out a room or a part of your home, know that having a tenant can be a positive experience. But it can also turn into a nightmare. Before you take the plunge, consider all the pros and cons carefully.

Renting out a part of your home is a great way to pay the bills or pay down more of your mortgage. It could open up the possibility of owning a bigger or

more luxurious home or of being able to afford better services, such as Internet and cable TV. Tenants can also be good company if you get along with them.

However, sharing your home with others is not always easy. You have to adapt to each other’s habits and negotiate chores. Things like paying bills, sharing groceries, smo-king, pets, guests, and making noise could lead to conflict. To keep things peaceful, inform prospective tenants of your prefe-rences in advance and establish suitable rules that everyone has to respect, including you.

Would you like to share your home?

Newspaper Toolbox

Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November/December 2015 | 11Palouse liviNg

Homemade Holidays

Share your favorite original holiday recipes for your chance to win a cash prize and a spot in our Homemade Holidays special pullout

section appearing November 21st in the Daily News!

Enter your recipe by emailing it to [email protected] or mail/bring to 220 E. Fifth Street, Ste 205, Moscow.

All recipes must be received by November 13, 2015.

Reader Recipes

12 | November/December 2015 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News Palouse liviNg

Jarrod Nichols Tanja Rankin Tami Storm

Bret Carpenter Misty Curry Jessica DahlingerDarcy Anderson Tiffany Bentley BAngela Carpenter

Natasha Summers Gary Tribble Sean Wilson

We are one of the longest running and the oldest continuously locally owned/managed real estate brokerage rms in Latah County. Our agents are primarily long-time local residents.

Buying? Selling? We’d love to help!

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Palouse Living, November-December 2015