Hickory Living March 2022

Complimentary March 2022

Home DESIGN pages 25 - 32

On the Cover

page 10 HICKORY LIVING • MARCH 2022

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contents

MARCH 2022 FEATURES 10 •

30

COVER STORY RE/MAX LEGENDARY Award Winning Real Estate Brokers Here to Serve You

MacAdam Smith Publisher mac@oasisluxuryhomes.com (484) 769-7445

18 • BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT KILLIANS Relationships, Family, and Community

HOME DESIGN 26 • Tackling Home Renovations

Kathy Wheeler Design & Advertising Sales kathylivingmagazine@gmail.com (828) 238-3224

28 • 2022 Pantone Color Of The Year 30 • Decorating Your Home 32 • Preparing Your Home for Sale Advice from Local Realtors

IN THIS ISSUE 6 • Welcome To The March Issue

Hickory

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LIVING 10225 Hickorywood Hill Ave., Unit A Huntersville, NC 28078 (484) 769-7445 HickoryLiving@gmail.com

www.HickoryLivingMagazine.com 4

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36 • What’s Cookin’ Irish Coffee And Skillet Cottage Pie

Hickory Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Hickory Living assumes no responsibility or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Sharon Simpson Advertising Director sharon@lncurrents.com (704) 677-9159

contributors

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristie Darling • Kathy Wheeler

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

by Shane Greene Photography

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Welcome to the

March Issue

By Kathy Wheeler

©iStockphoto.com | Simotion

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here is so much to celebrate in March! Women’s History Month’s theme this year is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” It’s a good opportunity to recognize those women in the medical field and frontline workers who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic.

On the first of March, many around the world celebrate Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday. It’s held the day before Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent. It’s a celebration of spring and fertility and an opportunity to indulge in fun, food, and spirits before you start the 40-day fast leading up to Easter.

Whether you celebrate Irish heritage or just leprechauns and the color green on St. Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17th is just a good excuse to have some fun.

The first day of spring is Sunday, March 20th. It’s always a season of new beginnings and renewal, a promise of warmer weather to come, and a time to start planning our gardens.

Now that the days are getting longer, don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 13th.

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I can’t think of a better time of year to start home renovations and spring projects! This month’s theme is Home Design. You will find articles in this issue to help with your renovations, decorating, advice from Realtors before listing your home, and advertisers who offer services and products you might need during the process. The Home Design section begins on page 25.

Our cover story features RE/MAX Legendary. If your renovations are too extensive, it might be the time to purchase a new home instead. RE/MAX Legendary’s team of real estate agents are here to help you find the perfect home or sell the one you have. Read their story on page 10.

March’s business spotlight features Killians Hardware. This family-owned business has been serving the community for 69 years, across four generations of customers and owners.

They are most known for lawn equipment, but offer so much more. Flip over to page 18 to read their article.

We hope you take advantage of the mild temperatures of spring. Get outdoors, celebrate some of the holidays, and start planting your gardens! Thank you for reading the March issue of Hickory Living.

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on the cover

Award Winning Real Estate Brokers Here to Serve You

By Kristie Darling | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

In real estate, a seller’s market is when the interest in buying is met with a low volume of homes for sale. That is the current environment, and many people are considering selling and either downsizing or purchasing a home that is more suited to their needs. Where do you start? Choose a great agent! You want someone who will answer all your questions, offer good advice on preparing your home to list in order to reap the largest return, and help you through every step of the process.

Trae and Amanda Stokes, owners of RE/MAX Legendary, want you to know that each of their Realtors go the extra mile for their clients.

Whether you are listing or buying a property, or both, Legendary agents offer sound advice, accurate research, and tech-savvy marketing to reach the right buyers for your home. “There are multiple steps in the process, and we are here to offer knowledge and help,” says Amanda. “Our goal 10

HICKORY LIVING • MARCH 2022

Photos:

On the cover–RE/MAX Legendary Broker/Owners Trae and Amanda Stokes Above–RE/MAX Legendary team Front row: Kamie Pitts, Trae Stokes, Amanda Stokes, Dale Sharpe • Middle row: Claudia Vargas, Karen Abernathy, Sandi Dingler, Ashley Carmichael, Michelle Gallaway, Danielle Stone, David Berry Back row: Wendy Flynn, Sarah Stansfield Turner, Sarah Moretz, Josh Ritchie, Judy Stansfield, Kristen Knox (not pictured Cory Klassett and Shawn Mullen).

is to make the process go smoothly to ensure a pleasant experience.”

WHY HIRE A REAL ESTATE AGENT? Some people start out thinking they will put their home on the market and try to sell it themselves, but this is one area where do-it-yourself is not advised. You have an emotional attachment to your home and can easily become offended with buyers’ comments, requests, and offers. “People don’t realize that they could be leaving a lot of money on the table when trying to sell it themselves,” said Trae. “We can maximize your return by as much as 20%. We carry the liability, work only with pre-approved buyers, troubleshoot, and we’ll quickly get your house sold.”

There are many steps in listing and selling a home and many potential pitfalls. A Legendary agent can navigate you through each step.

WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH? The market really determines your asking price. You want one that is competitive, fair, and will get you what you want. While online estimates can be helpful, an agent can suggest a fair value based on local trends, the condition of your home, similar homes in the area, and more. Your agent will pull valuable comps on what has sold and what is currently on the market. The first week after listing your home is critical, so it’s important to get the accurate listing price right from the start.

HOW TO PREP YOUR HOME FOR SALE First impressions are everything! It’s important to take steps to prepare your home prior to listing it. Here’s where to start: • Declutter. Pack up, put away, or get rid of anything you won’t need every day while your house is on the market.

• Clean your home from floor to ceiling. You want the buyer to feel confident that you’ve taken great care of your home, and a clean house reflects that.

• Repair what’s broken. A RE/MAX agent can help you determine what’s necessary, what’s optional, and what will add value. Updated fixtures, fresh paint, a landscape makeover can mean more and better offers.

• Let your Legendary agent help you stage your house, set it up so it shows its finest face.

If you need help, RE/MAX Legendary Realtors can offer referrals to regional contractors and vendors who can

Photos, Above, top to bottom:

• Brokers Sarah Stansfield Turner, Dale Sharpe and Sandi Dingler review paperwork to help you price your home right the first time.

• Brokers Michelle Gallaway and Josh Ritchie measuring a home to prepare accurate measures in order to market and list your home!

• Kamie Pitts is taking photos of a home during the listing process, one of the many things RE/MAX Legendary does prior to showing your home to the world!

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help you do the work. These referrals are based on relationships and prior, excellent results.

LISTING AND MARKETING RE/MAX Legendary brokers don’t just put your house in MLS (Multiple Listing Service) with thousands of others, they use appropriate marketing tools for your specific situation. For instance, if you’re selling a lake house, they will put your listing on lake house-specific websites. “We can set up your own private website featuring your home and have photos and videos made to show it off to the world,” broker Josh Ritchie told me. “We have digital strategies and multiple outlets to leverage your sale. Technology is our friend, and we use it to your advantage,” SHOWINGS Lenders can pre-qualify buyers letting them know what they can borrow and afford. Legendary agents won’t show your home to buyers who are not qualified. They also represent plenty of buyers looking for homes in your selling price range. This cuts down on unnecessary showings that won’t produce results.

NEGOTIATING THE SALE Legendary agents will handle the details, negotiations, and challenges. During the due-diligence period — between signing the purchase agreement and your closing—your agent will make sure you understand the conditions, provisions, and obligations of your contract.

Communication is key and a top priority. They explain everything in a timely fashion. Legendary agents are here to answer all your questions and negotiate your terms.

In today’s market, it’s possible you could sell before you’ve purchased your next home, so be prepared.

Legendary agents can discuss possibilities, options, and

Photos:

Left, top to bottom: • Left to right: Wendy Flynn, Sarah Moretz, and Danielle Stone – during the listing period RE/MAX Lengendary agents will walk through your home and take notes on your features and upgrades.

• Judy Stansfield enjoys spending time with families while she learns more about your home at the listing appointment.

• Claudia Vargas and Kristen Knox work to stage your home and offer suggestions at the listing appointment.

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creative ideas to make any situation work for you. Selling your home—moving across town or across the country— can be overwhelming. “We manage the business side of things so you can manage the family side of things. If you need support, we’re here for you. Our clients readily refer us to their friends and family because of our level of support.

Legendary agents are legendary because we care,” said RE/ MAX agent Danielle Stone CLOSING Once the seller and the buyer reach an agreement, your agent will schedule a time for you to sign the contract.

All the legal aspects are taken care of with as little inconvenience as possible. “Our agents are problem solvers and effective filters between a seller and everyone else involved with the sale. From the buyers, to the lenders, appraisers, and attorneys, they put out fires,” Amanda explained.

WHY RE/MAX LEGENDARY? RE/MAX is #1 in sales globally and #1 in average transactions per agent. In 2020, the average number of transactions per agent was almost two to one to the #2 real estate franchise average. This global network, level of success, and expert training is why the Stokes chose to purchase a RE/MAX franchise. They wanted to bring that level of success and professionalism to their friends and clients in Hickory.

“We choose our agents based on their professional interest in listing and selling all types of real estate. This is our career—our calling, not just a job,” said Amanda. “Each Realtor is an independent contractor—they own their own businesses—so they’re fully invested in your successful outcome, and they know their stuff. We love helping each other and our agents be successful,” Amanda shared. “They are the backbone of this firm, and we’re always ready to bring in more agents who would like to do more…to become Legendary.”

“Real estate transactions involve big money,” Trae said.

“We’ve done our homework ahead of time and have qualified buyers ready to go. We’ll market your home immediately and effectively…just ask some of our recent sellers. We can give you many references and success stories.”

One client shared, “From the get-go, Dale Sharpe (a Legendary Realtor) handled everything. He was knowledgeable, professional, and the entire process was easy. He not only made sure my sale went smoothly, he gave

Photo:

Ashley Carmichael placing a for sale sign in the yard once you have made the right decision to sell.

me moving and storage referrals that worked perfectly. He went above board. I never had a worry once I listed my house with RE/MAX.” Get in touch with the RE/MAX Legendary folks when you need the best agent to help you sell or buy. They will work hard for you, so you don’t have to…and remember, questions are free.

828-855-1055 3244 Springs Road, NE, Hickory, NC 28601 legendary-102032803.remax.com HICKORY LIVING • MARCH 2022

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Helton, Cody & Associates, PLLC

With the merger of law offices, Lyndon R. Helton and Blair E. Cody, III now offer a broader range of law expertise.

AREAS OF PRACTICE: • Divorce • Personal Injury • Workers Compensation • Criminal Defense • Traffic Violations • Social Security Disability • DWIs • Wills & Estates • Child Custody and Support

Thank you

for voting us Best Law Firm of the Foothills!

Pictured: Blair E. Cody, III (left) Lyndon R. Helton (right)

828-328-9966 827 Highland Ave. NE Hickory, NC (located near Lenoir-Rhyne University)

www.HeltonCody.com HICKORY LIVING • MARCH 2022

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business spotlight Photos,

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Left–Third and Fourth generation of Killians– Sharon Killian Radke, Jennifer Gott, and Susan Killian Kirby. Family owned and operated since 1953.

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H E R I T A G E

S I N C E

1 9 5 3

By Kristie Darling | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Imagine walking into a store and feeling like you are visiting friends and family. That happens more often than not at Killians Hardware. They have been a family-owned business since 1953 and are in their fourth generation of Killian owners. “It is our goal that each generation brings something new to the business, while honoring the core values that have served our business and community for 69 years,” said Sharon Radke.

Owners Susan Kirby, Sharon Radke, and Jennifer Gott have such a sense of community. They make a point to know their customers, value those relationships, and support many organizations throughout the Hickory area. You will often hear, “How are the kids?” or “Is your mom feeling better?” while they help customers find the right equipment and hardware. Each year Killians hosts Pro-Day for professional landscapers. During these events, landscapers can earn credentialing, meet with product reps, and socialize with others in the industry. Home owners can get advice on everything from the best grass seed to when to apply fertilizer. Santa Claus shows up near Christmas for the families with children, and their museum of antique cars and nostalgic items is periodically open to the public.

HICKORY LIVING • MARCH 2022

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“We wouldn’t be successful withoutsince an incredible “Better Service, Better Prices 1953”team,” said Susan. “We all work together like family. All depart3790 Springs Road • Hickory 828-256-2147 ments support each other to offer excellent customer Mon.-Fri. 7:30 to 6:00; Sat 7:30 service.” “I value and respect our customers,”to said2:00 John, www.killiansinc.com • www.husqvarna.com hardware manager. “The way I demonstrate that respect

Relationships, Family, and Community

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RZ3016 Price...$2199.95

is by providing them with a clean and organized store, great brands, excellent prices, and by helping them with all of their needs and projects.”

Killians has the largest parts inventory in the southeast, offers commercial servicing in as little as 24 working hours and a drive-through service option for their products. When you buy from Killians, you can be assured of excellent service for that product for years to come.

Recently, Killians added two new members to the service department team. Brothers Jordan and Adam used to come to Killians with their grandfather. “I remember coming in as a young kid to pay my grandfather’s bill while he waited in the car,” said Jordan. Adam remembers sitting on the bench outside while his grandfather shopped and visited with the Killians. “We have always been treated like family,” said Adam. “And as employees, we still are. Jordan and I see a great opportunity for our future here at Killians.” “We are blessed to have them want to work with us,” said Sharon.

“In our business, relationships are so important on all levels,” said Sharon. “Not only do we value our customer relationships, but also those with our vendors and within

REASONS TO BUY FROM A TORO DEALER

10. Factory-Trained Service Technicians 9. Genuine Toro Parts and Accessories 8. Products Professionally Set Up, Serviced and Ready to Go

our industry.” Sharon has served on the Dealer Counsel Board with Toro. She is a member of the American Supply Association (ASA) Women in Industry (WII) and Equipment Dealer Association (EDA). “The only way to affect decisions in the industry is to be involved.” Killian’s team leaders are also very active in industry training.

The store is best known for quality mowers and lawn equipment with an extensive selection of Toro, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, Stihl, and Echo products.

Their showroom amazes homeowners and professional landscapers alike. In addition to mowers, they have everything you need from pluggers, blowers, trimmers, and spreaders to grass seed,

lime, and fertilizers. You’ll find the best selection of 60V battery products.

And for the gardener, look for tillers, sprayers, and garden seed. Need pressure washers, generators, propane, and chainsaws? Killians has it! In addition, they offer full lines of hardware, electrical, and plumbing.

“Spring is our busiest season AND the best time to buy,” Sharon said. “Our most competitive pricing and best financing options are now. And we’re ready to serve you just as we’ve served generations.” Your spring to-do-list should start with a visit to Killians!

OPEN M-F 7:30 - 5:30, Sat 7:30 - 2:00

7. Competitive Financing Options 6. On-Site Product Demonstrations 5. Best Selection of Products to Fit Your Needs 4. Delivery Available 3. Competitive Prices 2. Experienced, Knowledgeable and Courteous Staff

And the # 1 Reason...

1. Locally Owned and Operated

Killians 828-256-2147 3790 Springs Road • Hickory www.killiansinc.com www.toro.com

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home

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our environment affects you in many ways. It can inspire you OR make you feel overwhelmed and stressed. Designing the spaces you live and work in serve both an esthetical and functional purpose…setting the stage so to speak for your life. It’s worth investing both time and money into those spaces that influence you every day.

Customizing your home to live in can be different than renovating to sell. See the article in this

Photos: ©iStockphoto.com | ucpage | alabn | Peter_visual

DESIGN

section where local Realtors advise you on how to prepare your home and the renovations that give you the most return on investment.

Whether you enjoy doing things yourself or prefer to hire a professional to complete your home improvement, you find advice, inspiration, and people to help you get the job done on the following pages. No better time to get started than spring!

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Tackling Home Renovations

By Kathy Wheeler ©iStockphoto.com | Feverpitched

When you watch TV shows and videos about home renovations, they make it look so easy; however it never is. One change affects everything else. A friend of mine said that she was just going to change the hardware on her kitchen cabinets, and it turned into a $250,000 home renovation!

Recently, I decided to replace my 22-year-old, bisque-colored appliances with stainless steel. It changed everything! With stainless throughout, my kitchen was dark and dreary, leading me to undertake a kitchen renovation.

I knew I wouldn’t be selling my home anytime soon, so my decisions on what products to use were based on durability, function, and an updated aesthetic at an affordable price. I researched countertop materials for about a month.

Stone increases the value of your home and is a good investment if you plan on selling. Even if you aren’t selling, some people wouldn’t consider using anything else. It’s very beautiful but expensive. I had used laminate for over 20 years, and it served me well. It still looked good and had required no maintenance—it was just the wrong color.

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Plus, I don’t have a large kitchen, so you don’t see that much countertop anyway.

I decided to use custom laminate counters and a tile back splash. Laminate has come a long way in design, giving you the look of stone at an affordable price.

There’s a lot to choose from in patterns and custom edging. Beware of the sales pitch that says installed in two weeks.

It doesn’t apply to anything custom. My install took two months from the time I ordered.

Seven months after my appliance purchase, I’ve removed the wall paper.

Luckily, it came off easily; however removing the glue is a mundane task I wouldn’t wish on anyone! I had big plans to paint my cabinets myself and eventually hired someone else to do it.

The cabinet hardware was changed from a single knob to bars that required two screws. That process took my husband hours of straightening the cabinets and lining up the hardware. The counters, sink, and faucet have been replaced. A bout of COVID left me without a sink and dishwasher for a week. Whew, what a process! I’m waiting for a tile backsplash install and don’t have all the

glue off the walls yet, and I still need to paint. Almost there! All I really want to do is make my kitchen curtain, but no point until I get everything painted.

If you are tackling your own renovation, the product options are limitless. Take the time to research what works best for you or hire an interior designer to help with your choices. Susan Guest, a member of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and owner of Guest Interiors, says, “Through a personal relationship, we work closely together through the design process to achieve a remarkable finished project that is timeless, elegant, yet very liveable.”

Susan’s goal is to incorporate your style and personality into your environment while creating an atmosphere that is warm, nurturing, and functional.

If you are handy, you can do some of the work yourself or hire your own subcontractors. It will probably take you longer than hiring a contractor or designer to take care of the whole renovation for you. It just depends on what you want, how much time you have to dedicate to the project, and your budget.

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2022

Pantone

COLOR OF THE YEAR

Very Peri

©iStockphoto.com | Scovad

The color that inspires Very Peri

17-3938

CREATIVITY In lighter shades, it is

SOOTHING TO THE SOUL An equal mix of the energy of red and the calming attributes of blue, Very Peri is Pantone’s 2022 color of the year. Look for accessories, paint, upholstery, and drapery fabrics to add this color to your decor. You can use it as a pop in your accessories or paint a wall for a more dramatic effect.

©iStockphoto.com | igoriss ©iStockphoto.com | Scovad

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Decorating Your Home

By Kathy Wheeler

©iStockphoto.com | FollowTheFlow

T

here are so many variables that go into designing a room. If you have a definite style, you may make a lot of decisions without even putting much thought into it. However, each piece placed in a room affects the way the room feels.

A number of years ago, I was designing a showroom in High Point for the furniture market. When I say a showroom, it was about 80 rooms within several large spaces. One room in particular was meant to appeal to an obvious modern esthetic. It was filled with hard lines—a sleek white leather sofa, glass and gold rectangular coffee table, marble floors, and a few modern pops of geometric art.

All those hard lines and surfaces made the room feel very cold and sterile. Who wants to live in a museum? I added one accessory that looked aged and worn, and it warmed the whole space up. It

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amazed me how one seemingly insignificant piece could do so much to change the way the room felt.

Over the past decade, a neutral color palette has been popular in home design with white, grays, and warm wood tones. Depending on the way you style the room, this color palette, or lack thereof, can go from stark and cold with hard surfaces, to warm and cozy by using more textures and textiles. While color alone does not make a room design, it can add so much.

Today, I like starting with a neutral palette before adding color with rugs, accessories, and fabrics. Styling a room differently can take the initial bland palette from light and airy to warm, dark, cozy, and everything in between.

Light and airy is great for a kitchen, but dark and cozy are my favorites for a bedroom or den. This allows you to

change things up without taking on a major project like painting the walls.

The painting isn’t so bad; it’s the prep work leading up to it.

Painting walls are a cost effective way to change a room, but it’s a lot of work if you are doing it yourself, and not so inexpensive if you are paying someone to paint it for you. On a smaller scale, paint can be used to customize or upcycle furniture and old accessories to update those pieces.

One of my favorite ways to add color is through fabric. Upholstery, throw pillows, window treatments, and bedding can act as a piece of art in the room with its color and pattern, or pull all the colors used into one piece. It can be as simple as using a solid color to add a pop, or using multiple patterns to add an eclectic, collected over time, style.

Starting with a patterned fabric as your

inspiration piece can be one of the easiest ways to develop a color palette for your room.

Recently, my son needed a bedroom redesign. He and I love to shop together, and I like to paint and upcycle things. I had purchased a coverlet and shams in a dark blue/green color, made him a tailored bed skirt, and we bought a used nightstand for $25 at Safe Harbor’s ReSource Warehouse. It had good bones...the right size and ample storage, but the finish wasn’t our taste and was worn. We couldn’t find a paint to match his bedding. Navy was too blue—it needed some green—so I bought three samples of paint and mixed a color to match. Added some Floetrol to minimize the brush strokes, changed out the hardware, and had a new piece that worked perfectly with his bedding. Shown is the finished nightstand with one of the pillow shams.

We have an emotional attachment to color. There is a science behind why you might like a particular color over another.

Each color evokes certain emotions. For example, red is the color for passion. Yellow evokes happiness and optimism.

Green represents stability and growth. Dark blue promotes security, whereas light blue trust and tranquility. This could become a consideration in the rooms you want to relax in versus a room you want to work in.

DIY is great but some may need help reimagining and updating their home. Where you may not have a pulse on what is current and tend to fall back on what you know, a designer can update your space to bring longevity to the design. They can introduce you to new products, color samples, and help you define your style. A good interior designer has the ability to visualize all the variables together to give you a cohesive design before investing in expensive pieces that may not work. Trial and error is fine for inexpensive accessories, but not so much for larger purchases like art and furniture. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation. In the long run, hiring an expert could save you time and money on your home design, make the process more enjoyable, and give you a cohesive design that you will be happy with for years to come.

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Preparing Your Home for Sale Advice from Local Realtors

Contributors: Lake Hickory Realty Owner and Realtor Nika Werner RE/MAX LEGENDARY Owner and Realtor Amanda Stokes and Realtor Sarah Turner Realty Executives Realtors – Michelle Hrin, Elizabeth Franklin, Carolyn McMurray, David and Cynthia Tupman, and Annette Abernathy. ©iStockphoto.com | Feverpitched

Are you thinking about putting your home on the market for sale? I spoke with local Realtors to see which upgrades offer the best return on investment and some of the projects you should tackle before listing your home.

Curb Appeal Nika Werner, owner of Lake Hickory Realty, suggests that you look at your home from the street and inspect the view as a buyer. “Especially in the winter months, homes can look drab. The first thing buyers are going to see is probably the mailbox. Is it clean and shiny? Does the sidewalk need a good power wash? Fill any cracks, too,” says Nika. “Are the shrubs pruned and lawn edged? The bushes against the home shouldn’t be touching the exterior of the home. Make sure all hoses and lawn tools are neatly put away—you don’t want anyone falling and getting hurt on your property.”

“Some of us never use our front doors, and they get covered with bird nests and spider webs,” Nika continued. “Does the front door need a coat of paint or staining? Does the light fixture need updating or a new bulb? A home inspector will mark a light fixture as broken if there’s no bulb. Place a big pot of flowers, like pansies or an evergreen at the front door to welcome guests. Make sure your front entrance is presentable and welcoming. Your goal is for the buyer to find a wellcared for and cherished home, so make it picture perfect.”

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Sarah Turner with RE/MAX LEGENDARY recommends power washing the exterior of your home if it’s needed. “Adding fresh mulch, planting some colorful flowers, a new rug and wreath at the entryway can go a long way to improve curb appeal,” said Sarah.

Michelle Hrin with Realty Executives says that exterior updates such as paint, garage doors, lighting, gutter cleaning, and pressure washing for curb appeal are essential for a good first impression.

Staging When it comes to staging your home, less is more. Amanda Stokes with RE/MAX LEGENDARY says that staging starts in the entryway. “Move furniture out of the foyer so when the agent, along with the buyer and their family enter your home, they don’t have to maneuver around furniture that makes the space feel cramped.”

Along those same lines, Sarah adds that it’s important to get the right balance on how much furniture to use in each room.

“I’m always amazed how much larger a room can look with the right furniture placement,” she said. “Outdated or wornout furniture and décor can give a great space a bad rap.” She suggests you go shopping in your home and rearrange things

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you have to make it feel fresh and new, or shop at a local consignment store to replace out-dated items.

Amanda believes that even if a buyer decides to repaint to make the home their own, they appreciate the move-in ready feature of a freshly painted home!

Elizabeth Franklin with Realty Executives offers some good advice about decluttering. “Declutter accessories and counter top appliances to make rooms look as spacious as possible. Lots of agents say to take down personal photos, but in my opinion, I think it is fine to leave up favorite family photos, as long as there isn’t a ton. It helps clients visualize themselves and their family living there.”

Carolyn McMurray with Realty Executives adds that cleanliness goes a long way. “A deep clean of blinds, the tops of ceiling fans, door frames, woodwork, and baseboards is in order,” said Carolyn. “Declutter your personal items and accessories in closets, cabinets, tables, and countertops. You want to show off your home, not your belongings.” She also recommends using greenery or flowers in each room. “One can easily cut greenery from the yard, like Leland Cypress, to add a small touch of life to each room. You want your home to look as close to Pinterest-perfect as possible.”

To Paint or Not to Paint I asked if sellers should paint interior walls before putting their home on the market. Buyers may repaint to suit their tastes, so how beneficial is it in the selling process?

Sarah says, “Even if a buyer desires a different color palette, a fresh coat of paint freshens up the space and prevents them from thinking, “This house needs too much work.”

“Paint it! It will increase the buyer’s financing options and increase your odds of a top return. It is called turn key!” say David and Cynthia Tupman with Realty Executives.

“Light neutrals instantly brighten rooms and allow buyers a clean slate to envision their personal decorating ideas. Paint is a low cost investment that goes a long way,” said Michelle.

Carolyn thinks painting is a good investment but can get pricey if you are painting an entire home. “Neutral colors are always best, so if a client has one room that is orange, then by all means paint just that room,” she said. “Your online photos will show much better with neutral colors. When done carefully, Magic Erasers are great to remove dirt and scuff marks from walls.”

Elizabeth offered that if walls are scratched up, painted an unusual color, or have outdated wallpaper, then she’ll suggests that sellers paint. “If they are neutral and in good shape, I think that’s an expense they don’t have to incur.”

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Best Renovations We’ve all heard that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. It makes sense that all the Realtors agreed that putting your money and effort into renovating those rooms produced the most return on your investment. David and Cynthia advise bringing those rooms into the 21st century with new appliances, sinks, cabinets, and counters.

Sarah says, “High-end materials like quartz, marble, hardwoods, and even luxury vinyl planks in trendy colors are much more likely to lead to a bidding war than linoleum or bubble gum pink tile.”

Elizabeth said that outdoor living was another good return on investment, and Michelle, Carolyn, David, and Cynthia are in favor of adding a home office. Also, replacing tired carpets and dated light fixtures were mentioned.

Carolyn warns that in this market, renovations may take a while because of labor and supply chain disruptions. ”It may take longer to renovate than to list your home and get it sold,” she said.

Annette Abernathy, with Realty Executives, suggests repairing rotting decks, purchasing new matching kitchen appliances, adding a bath if there is only one, and finishing unfinished or partially finished basements.

If your home is out-dated or needs repairs, getting it ready to sell can be a lot of work, but your effort will make it much more appealing to buyers. Here’s hoping you get multiple offers!

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HICKORY LIVING • MARCH 2022

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What’s Cooking?

Irish Coffee

Ireland is known worldwide for the phrase, “Céad Míle Fáilte.” Its literal translation is, “one hundred thousand welcomes.”

If ever a drink could symbolize this sentiment of Irish hospitality, it would be Irish Coffee. Made from only 4 ingredients, this coffee beverage will warm and comfort you from the inside out!

Not only is it delicious, it will leave you wanting more!

Irish Coffee has become one of the most popular drinks in the world, but you may not know that the recipe only came about thanks to a wicked Irish storm in the 1940s.

The year was 1943 when a Pan Am flight to New York City had to turn back around to the Foynes Airport, in County Limerick. In light of the horrible weather, local chef Joe Sheridan, was asked to prepare hot food and drinks for the passengers.

Joe did as requested, deciding to add some good Irish whisky to the coffees he served. It is said that he was asked if it was Brazilian coffee and replied, “No, this is Irish coffee.”

And so, the now world-famous drink was born.

If you asked Joe, this is how he described the recipe of a true Irish coffee: Cream - Rich as an Irish Brogue Coffee - Strong as a Friendly Hand Sugar - Sweet as the Tongue of a Rogue Whiskey - Smooth as the Wit of the Land Here is how you can make your own Irish coffee!

Sláinte!

Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of the food blog, The Tasty Bits.

For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits.

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Irish Coffee Serves: 1 Ingredients Hot water 4 oz. black coffee - freshly brewed 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1.5 oz. - Irish Whiskey 1 oz. - lightly whipped heavy whipping cream

Directions • Warm the mug with hot water. Discard water.

• Pour the brown sugar and then the coffee into a warmed mug.

• Stir until dissolved.

• Add the Irish whiskey and stir again.

• Float the cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon. (Simply whisk cream in a bowl for about a minute to get the proper consistency to pour.)

• Do not stir again. Instead, drink the coffee through the cream.

Skillet Cottage Pie Servings: 6 Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 48 minutes Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 1/4 pound ground beef 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 large onion - finely diced 1 clove garlic - minced 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 package dry onion soup mix (1.9 oz. - such as Lipton’s) 1 cup beef broth (low sodium) 2 cups (10 oz.) frozen veggies (medley of peas, carrots, green beans and corn) 1 (24 oz.) package store-bought Mashed Potatoes (such as Bob Evans)

Cottage Pie I love the simplicity of Irish fare - rustic food that is the epitome of hearty and comforting, and prepared with the most basic ingredients. This Cottage Pie checks all of those boxes, and will be a perfect dish to serve your family on St. Patrick’s Day! At its heart, Cottage Pie is simply sauteed ground beef and vegetables, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes, and baked until golden brown. That’s it! So simple, yet so comforting, which explains why it’s a classic.

You may have heard of Cottage Pie, and assumed it was an actual pie, with a pastry crust, similar to the American classic, Chicken Pot Pie. However, this traditional Irish dish is prepared as a savory casserole, featuring ground beef and a potato topping. (No pie crust here!) Fun fact: Essentially the same recipe is called Shepherd’s Pie when ground lamb is used instead of beef!

In this version, I took a few shortcuts that add great flavor, while saving you time! Check out the recipe below!

Directions • Preheat the oven 350 F degrees.

• Prepare the meat mixture: Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet (or large oven safe skillet) over Medium heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet, season it with the salt and pepper and cook it for about 5 minutes or until it’s no longer pink, breaking it up as you go along.

• Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 more minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, onion soup mix, beef broth and stir. Stir in the frozen veggies and cook for a couple more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

• Meanwhile, prepare mashed potatoes per package instructions.

Then, spread the potatoes over the meat mixture and smooth with a spoon. Take a fork and rough up the top a bit. Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown on top.

• Garnish with chopped parsley and pepper and serve warm.

Time Saving Tips: Cottage pie is easy enough to make, but you can simplify your life even further with these shortcuts!

• Season your beef with onion soup mix - adds the perfect amount of flavor!

• Use a frozen veggie medley - not only are you saving time in chopping, but frozen vegetables are cheaper, and are frozen at peak ripeness - Win-win!

• Buy store-bought mashed potatoes - Homemade mashed potatoes are lovely, but really, who has the time?

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