Consider Floor Plans With Flexibility When Buying A New Home

Posted on February 22, 2012 by admin

Floor Plans With Flexibility

One of the needs that seem to be prevalent today when searching for a new home is having the ability to modify a home’s living space according to changing needs as times progresses. Maybe a first time home buyer looking to grow their family, homeowners wanting to add a home office, even adult children deciding to move their aging parents in – anyway you look at it the ability to modify living space is a huge benefit when choosing a new home.

Many buyers are looking to maximize the space within their home to allow for functionality utilizing various designs, some recent trends include: Bonus rooms located off of the kitchen or dining rooms, walkout basements partially finished to allow decisions to be made later down the road, and even third stalls for the garage allowing for all kinds of possibilities! Whatever your needs might be, now or in the future, take some time looking at multiple floorplan’s to find the right one now that will work for years to come.

Getting Your Yard and Garden Ready For Winter

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Ursula

Fall has just arrived and winter is right around the corner. There are several things to do outside in the yard and in the garden to prepare for winter. Some things are a must; others will make next years gardening easier or more productive. Doing these things now will save money and valuable time in the spring.

Here is a check list to follow:

Water evergreens, trees and perennials before the ground freezes. This step is often overlooked and many home owners assume the plants, trees and shrubs will receive water from the snow that falls. This isn’t always the case so be safe rather than sorry and water heavily before winter sets in.

Mulch after the ground freezes to prevent heaving. Heaving is what happens when the ground freezes then thaws, then freezes again. This isn’t good for the plants and shrubs but wait until the ground is frozen before adding mulch around perennials and trees.

Disconnect and drain the garden hose, coil it up and place in the cellar, garage or storage building for the winter.

Being in a new home community, you may have new landscaping. Protect any newly planted or young trees with burlap to protect from harsh winds and damaging snow. Also if you live in an area frequented by deer you might want to protect young trees with a fence to keep the deer from eating the bark and killing the tree.

Add a couple of inches of straw or hay to the strawberry and asparagus beds. Remember to pull this back in the spring when the temperatures start to rise.

Prune grape vines in the winter. Wait until the temps are down to freezing and winter is here. There is so much to do in the spring and this is one job that can be done now, just don’t do it until the winter freeze has set in.

Evergreens can take a beating during winter months. Protect evergreens with an anti-desiccant spray like Wilt-pruf, to seal in moisture. Give a second coat half way through winter for extra protection. Another option is to wrap the evergreens in burlap, especially in severe winter climates.

Bring outdoor containers indoors for the winter. Some outdoor containers can withstand the winter temperatures and the freezing and thawing. Others crack and break. This is another time an ounce of prevention can save you money.

Clean, sharpen and oil the garden tools. There is an old saying, “Take care of your tools and they will take care of you.” Wash and oil all the tools you use in the garden. Take this opportunity to sharpen any tools that need sharpening. Store them in a safe place where they will be ready to go to work, come spring.

If you are considering a new home in West Michigan, check out Sable’s website for new energy efficient homes.

Plant Bulbs in the Fall

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Ursula

Daffodil & Grape Hyacinth Mix - Tall bulbs in back - short in front

The good news is that planting flower bulbs is fast, easy, and nearly foolproof. One reason bulbs are so beloved of both beginner and master gardeners is that, with so few issues to consider, gardeners can put all their effort into the fun part of gardening — design.

When the bulbs arrive. Bulbs should be planted as soon as the ground is cool. In most parts of the country, this would be around the time of the first frosts, when evening temperatures average between 40° to 50° F. But you should plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes. You can, if necessary, store bulbs for a month or longer, if you keep them in a cool dry place. When in doubt, however, the bulbs belong in the ground. They won’t last till next season.
Read the label. And keep the label together with the bulbs until planting. Without the label, you can’t tell the red tulips from the white ones just by looking at the bulbs.
Where to plant. You can plant bulbs just about anywhere in your garden — so long as the soil drains well. The Dutch say, “bulbs don’t like wet feet.” So, avoid areas where water collects, such as the bottom of hills. Bulbs also like sun. But the spring garden is very sunny — the leaves aren’t on the trees yet. Get creative!
Prepare the planting bed by digging the soil so it’s loose and workable. If it’s not an established garden bed, chances are the soil could use the addition of some organic matter such as compost or peat moss. These are available at most local garden retailers.

Tips for Planting Bulbs

Plant the pointy end up. That’s about all you need to know. It’s easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip; tougher with a crocus. But in most cases, even if you don’t get it right, the bulb flower will still find its way topside.
Plant big bulbs about 8″ deep and small bulbs about 5″ deep.
No fertilizer is necessary for the first year’s bloom. Bulbs are natural storehouses of food. They don’t need anything to flower the first year. For bulbs that are intended to naturalize or perennialize (return for several years) or for bulbs that are coming into their second year, spread an organic fertilizer such as compost or well-rotted cow manure, or a slow release bulb food on top of the soil.
If you do fertilize, never mix fertilizer in the planting hole. It can burn the roots. Also don’t follow the old adage of adding bone meal. Modern bone meal adds little nutritional value. It can also encourage pests and even dogs to dig up your bulbs looking for bones!

Design Ideas

Plant bulbs in clusters. Don’t plant one bulb alone, or make a long thin line along the walk. Clusters give a concentration of color for greatest impact. Even if you don’t have enough bulbs for a big bed, small clusters can make a super spring show.
Plant low bulbs in front of high. This is a good general rule for bulbs that bloom at the same time. Our website will give you the height of the plant and it’s approximate flowering time. Of course there are times to break this rule. For example if the low growing bulbs bloom early and the tall bulbs bloom late, plant the tall in front. Their display will camouflage the dying foliage of the smaller bulbs!
Try a double-decker effect. You can plant small bulbs in a layer right on top of large bulbs. If you plant bulbs that flower in the same period you can create an interesting double-decker effect (picture bright pink tulips blooming above cobalt blue Grape Hyacinths). Or you can stagger the bloom time by planting mid- and late-season bloomers together, creating a spring display that blooms in succession, for a whole season of color!

In the end, what you do with spring bulbs is limited only by your imagination. A few hours one brisk autumn afternoon can yield months of colorful excitement in your yard or garden next spring.

If your thinking of building a new home in Michigan, give us a call. We build energy efficient homes in new home communities or on your land.

Posted in Around the house, New Homes For Sale | Tagged Grand Rapids, new home community, new homes for sale, planting bulbs, sable homes, spring flowers, west michigan builder | 2 Comments

Rosewood…Preserved for Natural Areas

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Ursula

Villa’s of Rosewood in Rockford MI
When Sable Developing first looked at the rolling hills, wooded acreage, and wetlands, there was no question this was a site that called out for preservation and protection. There are 62 acres of land with approximately 23 acres preserved for natural areas, and wetlands.

The Villas of Rosewood is a single-family home, detached condominium community situated on 62 acres in Rockford. What makes the 105-unit development so unique is the careful planning and engineering devoted to protecting its natural environment and allowing its residents to connect with nature. To ensure continuing protection of the natural areas, all lawn care will be serviced by professionals using organic methods. The goal of Villas of Rosewood is to make the site as beneficial to the environment after development as it was prior to development.

The community includes multiple rain gardens, ponds, and connecting stream beds combined with native species of trees, shrubs, water plants, and wildflowers. In traditional developments, retention ponds are built to capture runoff from pavement and roofs, often resulting in stagnant water that invites mosquitoes and flies. The Villas of Rosewood has an innovative ecosystem using a series of three bio retention ponds, connected by 1,700 feet of streambed, and surrounded by several rain gardens. This system will protect nearby wetlands by continuously cycling and filtering surface water. The ponds have aerators to provide water movement and oxygenation, and special plants known for their removal of organic and inorganic materials. These plants, which are all historically native to northern Kent County, will produce flowers, seeds, and fruit beneficial to wildlife. The rain gardens include several native plants, including pickerel weed (which produces beautiful spikes of purple flowers and removes heavy metals), switch grass, spice bush, water talla, and blue lobelia.

The landscape in the Villas of Rosewood provides a beautiful setting for the European cottage-style homes built according to Energy Star specifications. Conditioning costs of the homes is 40% less than non-Energy Star homes. Benefits include minimizing runoff into the community storm drains, and preservation of wetlands and wooded areas. This preservation permits the continued growth and sustainment of wildlife and vegetation.

Integrated storm water management early in the site planning process
Microscale techniques to manage precipitation
Natural features in landscape
Fewer pipe and underground infrastructure
Flowing streams with water falls and retention ponds
Preserved and improved wildlife habitat
Enhanced wetlands and wetland protection
Rain gardens and bioretention

Posted in Community Events, New Homes For Sale, Rockford | Tagged new home community, new homes for sale, nieghborhood, preserved for nature, rockford, wooded acreage | 5 Comments

High School Sports

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Ursula

Did you know?

If you are interested in any high school sport stats and new you can go to this website…..

http://www.highschoolsports.net/

On the home front according to The National Association of Realtors:

Median home sales price increased .08% from one year ago
1st & 2nd Mortgage defaults decreased by 2.02% & 1.4%
Mortgage applications increased from May to June

Give us a call today and check out one of our energy efficient homes. We usually see a fall time SPIKE in home sales and this is a great time to sell or buy!

Click here for Sable homes for sale in Grand Rapids suburbs.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

GR “Top 100 Places to Live”

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Ursula

Annual listing from RelocateAmerica

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – It has made the Top 100 but could become a Top 10 nominee with your help.

RelocateAmerica has named Grand Rapids as one of the Top 100 Places to Live in 2011. This is the organization’s 14th annual listing of top communities in the United States.

“We are thrilled to rank in RelocateAmerica’s Top 100 Places to Live. Such a designation speaks to our community’s pride, diversity, innovation and remarkable quality of life not found in most cities,” Experience Grand Rapids President Doug Small said in a news release.

Now residents can post content, photos and videos that showcase the city for the Top 10 application process. The deadline for submissions is July 31 and the results will be released August 2.

“I encourage you to participate by submitting content that highlights our great city and why we deserve the recognition,” Small said.

“West Michigan is quickly becoming a national and international destination for growing businesses and talent,” said Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “The innovative companies and talent of the future are locating in cities that are engaged, vibrant and unique. RelocateAmerica is providing the Grand Rapids community with a platform to speak to the special quality of life that is Grand Rapids.”

Rick Baker, president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, recently relocated to Grand Rapids from Illinois.

“As a newer member of the community, it makes perfect sense to me that Grand Rapids would earn a spot on this list,” Baker said. “Our business community is strong, we have a diverse mix of industries in the area, and our cultural and civic institutions are thriving. We have a lot to be proud of in this city, and I’m sure that will come through in process of voting for the Top 10.”

“Community pride is a good indicator of great leadership and a mark of what makes it a great place to live, work and play,” said RelocateAmerica President Steve Nickerson.

It’s a great time to buy or build on or Sables New Energy Efficient Homes.

Posted in Community Events | Tagged Grand Rapids, Great place to live, Top 100, West Michigan | 1 Comment

Help your lawn beat the heat

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Ursula

Dry, hot weather negatively impacting local lawns.

The continued hot, dry weather we are experiencing is taking its toll on area lawns. Using a summer fertilizer will promote the health of your turf by providing necessary nutrients along with weed and insect control. It’s helpful to continue with a regularly scheduled application and following the provided dry weather tips.

During dry weather, professional lawn care is more important than ever

It’s important that you adhere to a regularly scheduled program. A delayed or skipped application will deprive your lawn of essential care it needs during this stressful time. At TruGreen, we’re working to ensure that your lawn survives this weather, here’s how.

Fertilizer. We will adjust your fertilization program to accomodate current weather conditions and make sure your lawn is receiving the right amount of nutrients, at the right time. As moisture levels improve, your lawn will recover more quickly if properly fertilized
Weed Control. During hot, dry conditions, weeds are often more visible because their deep root system allows them to survive longer than your grass. Using a weed control fertilizer will help prevent this and may require several applications as directed.
Insect Control. Damage from some insects, such as sod webworm and chinch bug, is more severe in dry weather because the lawn is growing at a slower rate or not at all. This makes your lawn less able to recover from their damaging effects. Because insect damage can be hidden by or mimic drought conditions, you may want to consult with a local grass specialist.
Consultation. Your specialist will evaluate your lawn’s condition and determine its needs at each visit. He/she is also available to answer questions to take the guesswork out of caring for your lawn.

Dry weather tips

WATERING - Watering is critical to the health of your lawn especially during times such as these. It is important that you follow one of the two watering plans listed below. Your choice will depend on local watering restrictions and/or your expectations for your lawn. Once you pick one of these plans – stick with it. If you alternate between the two or fail to water correctly, it could result in damage to your turf.

Plan 1. To maintain a green, healthy lawn

Apply 1 inch of water to all areas of your lawn once or twice a week. To measure, set a container that is at least one inch tall (such as a tuna can) in the sprinkler’s pattern. Move the sprinkler only after the water reaches the one inch mark, not before.
If you have an automatic irrigation system, follow this procedure to determine the correct time to set each station.
Please pay special attention to sunny and high use areas, and along curbs, sidewalks, and slopes. They require more water than other parts of your lawn.

Plan 2. To protect your lawn from permanent damage

If watering restrictions or bans do not allow weekly watering, or if you choose not to water regularly, a light watering or rainfall of one half inch every two weeks will minimize permanent damage to your lawn. This should supply just enough moisture to keep the grass plants alive without greening up the lawn.

MOWING – Mow only if the grass is growing.

Mow in the evening to reduce stress on your lawn. Mowing wilted grass during the hot part of the day can cause additional damage to the lawn.
Make sure the mower blade is sharp and set to its highest setting.

USING YOUR LAWN – If possible, minimize the use of a severely wilted or brown lawn to reduce damage to the already weakened grass plants.

Posted in Around the house | Tagged green grass, healthy lawn, lawn care | 1 Comment

Things to do in Rockford MI

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Ursula

Rockford….

Farmers Market, Every Saturday, 8am-1pm, Corner of N Main & W Bridge (Ends September 29th)

Harvest Fest Starts September 23rd and lasts 3 weekends until October 9th

Rockford will celebrate the harvest three weekends with its annual Harvest Fest. It will be three weekends packed with fun and activities for the entire family. The three weekends – Family Fun, Heritage and Children’s Weekends – each have their own line up of events sure to help families discover the fun of a good old fashioned celebration. Be sure to check out all the new activities this year! Some of the events for all three weekends include the popular Make-It-And-Take-It Scarecrow Building and hay rides.

Click here for the Harvest Fest Brochure

Family Fun Weekend, September 23, 24, 25

Heritage Weekend, October 1, 2

Children’s Weekend, October 8, 9

For a calendar of events go to

http://www.rockfordmichamber.com/index.php?option=com_zcalendar&view=calendar&Itemid=242

Posted in Community Events | Tagged art, events, farmers market, jazz series, rockford, things to do | 4 Comments

Here are the “7 Commandments of Credit”:

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Ursula

1. Know Thy Score.
Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and the higher the score, the better you are. They’re based on whether you’ve paid your mortgage, car loans, credit cards, and other debt on time in the past. You’ll need a score of at least 620 to qualify for a home loan and 740 to get the best interest rates and terms.
You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report annually. Access all three versions (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) of your credit report at http://www.annualcreditreport.com. Review it annually to ensure the information is accurate.
2. Thou Shalt Correct Errors.
If you find mistakes on your credit report, write a letter to the credit reporting agency explaining why you believe there’s an error. Send documents that support your case, and ask that the error be corrected or removed. Also write to the company, or debt collector, that reported the incorrect information to dispute the information, and ask to be copied on any materials sent to credit-reporting agencies.
3. Thou Shalt Pay on Time.
Even a few late payments can really damage your credit score. The easiest way to make a big difference in your credit score, without altering your spending habits, is to pay all your bills on time.
4. Thou Shalt Use Credit Wisely.
If you have the ability to pay your credit card bills in full every month, do it. If you can’t do that, pay as much over the required minimum payment as possible to begin chipping away the debt. Stop using your credit cards to keep your balances from increasing, and transfer balances from high-interest credit cards to lower-interest cards.
5. Take Care With Thy Length.
Credit rating agencies also consider the length of your credit history. If you’ve had a credit card for a long time and managed it responsibly, that works in your favor. However, opening several new credit cards at once can lower the average age of your accounts, which pushes down your score. Likewise, closing credit card accounts lowers your available credit, so keep credit cards open even if you’re not using them.
6. Don’t Use All Thy Credit.
Credit scores are also based on how much credit you use compared with how much you’re offered. Using $1,000 of available credit will give you a lower score than having $1,000 of available credit and using $100 of it. Occasionally opening new lines of credit can boost your available credit, which also affects your score positively. Keep running balances on credit cards below 20% (i.e. $200 balance on a $1000 card).
7. Have Patience.
It can take time for your credit score to climb once you’ve started working to improve it. Keep at it because the more distance you put between your bumpy credit history and your current good payment record, the more your credit score will continue to improve.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Greener Lawns for All!

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Ursula

Providing information to help you get the most from your lawn.

It’s June and our lawns are in their active growing season. But, you may also begin to see pest activity and disease development that can negatively impact your lawn’s health.

Chinch bugs may become a problem. They feed on grass blades causing the grass to turn yellow and eventually brown if feeding continues.
Certain turfgrass diseases may develop as our weather changes.
Be on the look-out for Red Thread. This turfgrass disease will appear as light pink or red patches of grass and the leaf tips may be covered with fine, pink to red threads.
Dollarspot causes small circular straw-colored spots in your lawn. Some spots may fuse together to make big blotches.

Thick, Health Lawn

The best defense is to have a thick, healthy lawn that can withstand these unwanted nuisances.
You can have your lawn inspected to ensure that it receives the proper amount of fertilizer and nutrients needed to keep your lawn healthy and strong and aid in quicker recovery if damaged.

What You Can Do To Help

Mow regularly and mow high. Our grass types should be mowed at 3-3-1/2″. Avoid scalping (mowing short) – which will hurt the color and health of your lawn. The general rule is cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one cutting.
Remember to water your lawn regularly and provide at least 1-2 inches each week to promote deep healthy roots.
Early detection is key to chinch bug control. If you think you have chinch bugs.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments