CNA-SS-10-25-2013

Your Home 1628 Dogwood, Creston Your tour begins with the drive by for this 6.2 acre lakefront property located one mile west of Creston. Built in 1999, this 4 BR 3.5 bath energy efficient custom home, built by Brad Waltz Construction, has the feel of home with the open kitchen, hand built cabinets, huge living room, and numerous easy living innovations. Three car attached garage and two large outbuildings. Drive-by! See Stewart Realty Agency on page 3.

821 Grand, Afton Owner moved and must sell. Available now. Here is another house you can just buy it and move in. It has lots of nice features. 2 bedrooms, dining room, large living room, panty and house has lots of closets and storage. Full 1st floor bath and basement 1/2 bath. Full basement ready to finish to your preference. Nice part of town, level lot excellent yard. Priced for sale $95,000. See Carter Agency on page 7.

Look inside to see what these following businesses have to offer:

620 N. Poplar, Creston Great house with nice landscaping, new updated kitchen, main floor laundry, finished basement. See Monday Realty on page 5.

Akin Building Center Boyd Appliance Center, Inc. Callahan Real Estate Carter Agency Cook Video & Appliance Creston Chamber Creston Mobile Home Sales First National Bank

October 25, 2013

Green Valley Realty ISSB J&A Flooring Monday Realty Stewart Realty Waltz Construction Winterstien Construction

Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, October 25, 2013

How to invite more natural light into your home A dark home can be dreary and drain residents’ energy levels rather quickly.

Natural light has the power to make a person feel more energized, and it also can buoy spirits. As a result, many homeowners want to increase the amount of natural light in their homes.

Increasing natural sunlight in a home reduces reliance on interior lighting.

This reduces energy bills and lowers the home’s carbon footprint. Natural light also can help people in a home feel happier and more content.

According to the National Institutes of Health, some people experience serious mood changes during the winter months. Dubbed seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, this condition may be effectively treated with light

therapy. Exposure to more light can alleviate fatigue, loss of interest and sad or anxious feelings. Homeowners looking to increase the natural light in their homes, be it for medical or aesthetic reasons, can do so in a variety of ways.

• Keep the drapes open.

Opening blinds and curtains as far as they will go allows as much light to shine in without having to do major home renovations or spend any money at all. Homeowners concerned about privacy can install a window film that allows viewing from the inside only.

• Clean the windows.

Dirty windows obstruct sunlight from entering the home. They also can make a home appear unkempt.

Spend a free day cleaning the windows so that they’ll

let ample light in.

• Install seamless or lowprofile windows and doors.

Seamless sliding doors enable a large amount of light to enter the home. Such doors can replace an entire wall to brighten up a dark area of a home. The more windows and doors a home has, the brighter it will be.

• Take inventory of dark spots. A room may be dark because it simply does not have a layout conducive to brightness. Is a wall blocking light from reaching a portion of the room? Think about changing the room’s layout or even making structural changes to improve light distribution. The addition of a small window on a south- or west-facing wall can greatly improve natural light. Using mirrors can also reflect light where it is needed.

• Invest in skylights or solar tubes. Both skylights or solar tubes enable light to enter a home from above.

Skylights are larger and require considerably more work to install, while solar tubes are more low-profile and can be put into rooms that do not abut the roofline, such as those obstructed by attic space. The tubular cylinders are installed between the roof and the ceiling and carry light through a reflective tube to the room below. Diffusers on tubular daylighting devices scatter the rays so the light doesn’t cast harsh shadows, and UV filters can help protect furniture from discoloring.

• Trim shrubs and trees. If trees and bushes are blocking light from entering your home, trim them to enable dappled light to come

through. Deciduous trees that will naturally lose their leaves come autumn can be planted on sunny areas of the property. This way in the summer months they will shade the house and keep it cooler, while in winter more sun will stream in when the leaves are shed.

• Create a three-season

room. Make a spot in the home where sun will be at a premium. A solarium or greenhouse attached to the home can be a warm and sunny spot.

Increasing natural light in a home can improve feelings of well-being and also reduce energy consumption during daylight hours.

“Building Dreams” THIS MODEL FEATURES: • 1951 Total Square Ft. • Garage • Two or More Stories • First Floor Laundry Room • Kitchen Peninsula • Pantry • Dining Room • Whirlpool in Master • Great Room • Adaptable for Office • Adaptable for Fireplace • Adaptable for Guest Suite • Front Porch • Side Load Garage • Split Bedrooms • Sunroom/Screen Porch

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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, October 25, 2013 — Page 3c

“The REAL ESTATE People”

Crest Plaza/701 W. Townline, Creston Office 641-782-7197 Broker: Stew Stewart www.stewartrealtyia.com “the Real Estate People”

Delmer Brown...........641-340-1447 Becky Barker..............641-202-6655 Jane Lowe.................641-344-6252 Donna Marlin............515-401-8057

Jewel Baseley.............641-344-6058 Gay Lynn Owens.......641-782-0077 Roger Saxton.............641-202-1260 Stew Stewart..............641-344-1347

NOTE: Mortgage interest rates are very, very low!

Talk to your mortgage specialist now!

Let us show you the way to your next home!

— Residential Homes — 418 Wyoming Ave. • Creston

NEW LISTING 1 1/2 story, 3BR with full bath upstairs, 1/2 bath main floor with bedroom or den, laminated kitchen and dining room floor, several updates, GFA, CA, no basement, two lots.

3BR 1 bath home with a large living room, large kitchen and dining area. Starter home, fixer or rental.

PENDING Move-in ready, well maintained home with beautiful woodwork, flooring and landscaping. This home has been transformed from its original state and is a very charming and comfortable home.

109 S. Jarvis St. • Creston

404 N. Poplar St. • Creston

1003 N. Birch • Creston

704 N. Cedar St. • Creston

208 N. Sumner • Creston

917 W. Howard St. • Creston

202 W. Temple • Lenox

302 Elm Dr. • Creston

$

stewartrealtyia.com

Store front property on Adams Street with approximately 4000 square feet. Great location with about 40’ of frontage.

Priced to sell and ready for new owners!

REDUCED

89,000

101 W. Taylor (Highway 34 East) • Creston

Premium location on Hwy. 34 with 6000 sq. ft. finished. Currently with 3 retail businesses with 3 bathrooms, commercial doors and large parking lot. In-floor heat with CA units and divided electric services. Insulated and heated rear storage building with 1560 sq. ft. and 2 overhead doors.

117 W. Montgomery St. • Creston

118,000

100 N. Douglas • Afton

$

Building can have 2 store fronts or one store front and one apartment on the main level. It also has 2 full apartments on the second level with one studio apartment. There is also a studio apartment on the main level. Basement has been redone to accommodate another apartment.

88,000

$

62,900

44,000 $

SOLD

Main Street Creston property for sale.

Great location, 40’ storefront with many improvements. Large display area with new commercial entrance door. New furnace and central air, roof coating and tuck-pointing already done for the new owner.

485,500 $

See all our listed properties, pictures and details at...

Come and look at a beautiful custom built home, overlooking McKinley Lake in the Ryan addition. This 4 bedroom 4 bath home has a large kitchen, walk-in pantry and dining area that opens to a large screen room with a great view. Three car garage with its own entrance to the lower level, walkout basement and ground source heat and air. Call now for your showing!

PENDING

$

104 N. Maple St. • Creston

1445 Marks Way • Creston

685,000

REDUCED

3BR, 2 bath, move-in ready! Open kitchen. Dining room opens to deck.

Master bath with oversized tub and dual vanities. Kitchen appliances included. Garage & carport. Senior living complex provides mowing, snow removal, water, sewer and garbage. Owner anxious make offer!

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES 203 & 205 W. Adams St. • Creston

3BR 2 bath, 3-car garage in N. E. Orient.

Appliances included, full basement, sunroom and walk-out...almost country living!

$

Your tour begins with the drive by for this 6.2 acre lakefront property located one mile west of Creston.

Built in 1999, this 4 BR 3.5 bath energy efficient custom home, built

by Brad Waltz Construction, has the feel of home with the open kitchen, huge living room and hand built cabinets and numerous easy living innovations. Three car attached garage and two large out-buildings.

44,900

375,900

$

658,500

1628 Dogwood • Creston

828 Quiet Harbor • Creston

3BR, 3 bath home with modern kitchen open to family room with fireplace.

Ground source heat & cooling, newer windows.

Large barn and machine shed. 60.8 acres m/l of REDUCED pasture and crop.

SOLD

$

138,000 $

$

1830 US Hwy. 34 • Creston

Country Living at it’s best!

NEW LISTING 3BR 2 Bath ranch home with large open floor plan. Appliances included. Large family room, office and storage area in basement.

Large rear deck with mature trees and landscaped areas.

— Manufactured Homes —

1690 Dogwood St. • Creston

3BR, 3 Bath ranch with fully finished basement. Open floor plan.

Private, rear deck. Newer carpet on main level. Full kitchen and dining area + large family room or rec in lower level.

$

$

PENDING

ACREAGES & FARMS 3BR, 2 bath new home with country living.

Open floor design. Rear deck. Scenic valley. Two-car attached PENDING garage.

$

Ranch home on large lot. 2-car attached garage with storage space between home and garage with overhead door. Selling as is. Appliances included.

SOLD

SOLD

114 N. Sunshine Lane • Orient

167,500

$

2BR home with main floor laundry and lots of storage. Nice breezeway between home and single car garage with patio doors on both ends. No steps.

SOLD

59,900

$

$

119,000

63,000

$

4BR 2 bath home with full finished basement and whirlpool tub. Open front porch and screened rear porch that overlooks the oval pool. Large dining room with built in hutch, butlers pantry and remodeled kitchen. One-car detached garage.

79,000 $

$

1405 N. Elm • Creston

1502 N. Elm St. • Creston

$

115,000

NEW LISTING Great income potential! 2 apartments to rent, one up, one down, both with separate entries. Some remodeling started and you can finish your way. Off street parking.

27,900

110,000

REDUCED 3BR 1 1/2 bath ranch home w/finished basement with large deck. Newer roof, windows, CA, water heater, wood floors in living room. New sump pump w/backwater valve.

84,500 $

3BR home with yard space, patio, newer 2-car detached garage. Hardwood floor in dining room, newer vinyl in bathroom. New sump pump in basement.

70,000

REDUCED 3BR, 1 bath with walk-in shower, main floor laundry, sunroom w/deck, fenced yard and 2-car detached garage, small basement for utilities.

204 N. Sumner Ave. • Creston

PENDING 2BR 2 bath ranch with 2-car attached garage and full basement with large family room. New windows, furnace/CA and garage doors. Beautiful front porch with lighted railing.

189,500

NEW LISTING Fixer upper, some work started, finish the way you would like. Close to schools, uptown. Great investment property or owner occupied. Near new storage shed in back yard.

$

98,500

PENDING 3BR, 1300 sq. ft. home with 2-car garage.

Huge living and dining room. Lots of improvements and renovated basement.

PENDING Clean well-kept home with open floor plan, beautiful builtin leaded glass hutch in living room. Lots of upgrades with vinyl siding, new windows, furnace and new roof.

703 W. Prairie, Creston

116,500

604 N. Birch • Creston

$

$

72,500

23,500

506 S. Pine • Creston

$

$

$

35,000

302 E. Adams • Mount Ayr

86,500

201 W. Prairie St. • Creston

FOR SALE

Excellent business space with all new siding.

Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, October 25, 2013

Tips for unclogging drains Clogged drains can be a nuisance. And if left untreated, that minor nuisance can turn into an expensive repair.

A number of different things can cause drains to clog. Food particles, hair, grease, soap residue, oil, and even a foreign object lodged in the drain can each cause a drain to clog. Before you have to call a plumber, there are steps to take that may get water flowing once more.

Bubbles Galore Baking soda has many uses in the home. This versatile product can be used dislodge items in drains. It is better to try baking soda when clogs are minor and water drainage is sluggish rather than waiting for the clog to get so bad that water is impenetrable.

When baking soda and

common household vinegar are mixed together, they form a new chemical called carbonic acid. This acid immediately begins to degrade into carbon dioxide gas, which produces foam and bubbles in the process. This bubbling action can upset the source of a clog in a pipe and dislodge particles that may be causing the water backup.

Keep your face away from the drain as the smell of vinegar mixing with the baking soda may be unpleasant.

Baking soda also can be mixed with salt and boiling water to break down grease that may be clogging drains.

Repeatedly washing this mixture down drains can gently scour pipes and keep water moving steadily.

Plunge ahead If a clog is especially stubborn, you may need to use a

plunger. A plunger works by forcing the energy you push on the plunger into the surrounding water, which then applies pressure against the clog. Repeatedly forcing water against a clog can move it along until it frees

up the drain. Plunging can be messy, so wear old clothes when plunging. Make sure the head of the plunger is filled with water; otherwise, your work will be for naught.

You may want to keep a separate plunger handy for sink

work so you are not transferring bacteria and waste from a toilet plunger into the sink, especially in the kitchen.

Pop and fizz Colas are loaded with phosphoric acid, which is more acidic than lemon juice and is also corrosive. This acid will fizz in the drain and break through any greasy, stubborn residue. It’s even effective at dissolving calcium deposits, which may be a byproduct of hard water.

Snake it Some clogs are more stubborn and require some extra elbow grease to fix. A pipe snake can push hair and other debris through the pipes until water can run free.

They also can be used to pull the obstacle back up out of the drain. While there are snakes of various lengths, sometimes a small one that

makes it just to the bend of the elbow trap can be sufficient. A snake is essentially a flexible piece of wire that is inserted in the pipe. It may have a coarse or wound end to ensnare a clog.

Call a plumber Unless you feel confident taking pipes apart to check for and clear out clogs and then reassembling everything, you may need to call a plumber if the clog will not relent. It may be lower in the system than at house level, especially if there are clogs in multiple sinks or appliances in the home. Multiple clogged drains may be indicative of a more serious problem.

Many clogs can be alleviated with simple household items. Serious clogs may require the expertise of a plumber.

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Hwy. 34 East • 641-782-5112 — Creston —

Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm • Sat 8:30am - 2pm

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, October 25, 2013 — Page 5c

Prep work important before painting Painting a home’s interior can give it a completely new look and feel. A fresh coat of paint can make a room feel more vibrant and up-to-date, creating a whole new attitude within the room without breaking the bank.

Whether creating an accent wall or painting each wall within a room, painting is a relatively easy and inexpensive home improvement project. But that doesn’t mean painting does not require a little prep work before the project can begin.

• Address any holes or bumps on the wall. Holes or cracks in the wall will need to be patched with spackle, which then must dry before the wall can be given a new coat of paint. In addition, sand down any bumps until the walls are smooth and free of any unsightly abnormali-

ties.

• Wash the walls. Walls can get dirty, and that dirt may or may not be masked by paint.

Before adding a new coat of paint, wash the walls and inspect them for dust. Dust can collect on molding, especially in rooms that get little natural air. When dust has collected on the molding and around doorways and trim, use a damp cloth to wipe it away before adding any new paint.

• Apply primer. Primer can serve many functions, not the least of which is its role as a bonding agent between the wall and the top coat of paint.

Primer can also help conceal dark colors, prevent stains and increase the life expectancy of the paint job you are about to undertake.

• Prepare your paint. Preparing the paint is a simple

Monday’s REALTY

task, but one novice painters may not be aware of. When opening a new can of paint, stir the paint before using it. In addition, even if you don’t plan to use a roller when painting, do not paint straight from the can, which can be heavier to hold than a small bowl, and a light bowl is less likely to be spilled than a potentially heavy can of paint. In addition, once paint has been removed from the can, replace the lid so dust and other impurities do not settle in the can.

• Purchase painter’s tape.

Painter’s tape can be especially valuable to novice painters. Painter’s tape makes it easier to paint smooth and clean paint lines, giving a room a more professional looking coat of paint without the cost of hiring a professional painter.

Lois Monday, Broker/Owner 609 W. Adams • Creston, IA 641-782-2310 office 641-202-1776 cell 641-782-8666 fax www.mondayrealestate.com

Financing

Simplified.

Our experts are here for you with simplified financing for your home. Contact us today and allow us to provide the lending service you deserve.

Paul or Randy | 782.5599 Staci | 347.8423 www.fnbcreston.com

We Need ListiNgs!

Member FDIC

CommerCiAL

Give us a chance to market your property

315 W. montgomery West Adams St. Lots 409 N. elm

620 N. Poplar

604 S. Park

1104 N. oak

308 N. Cherry

Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, October 25, 2013

How to prepare your yard for winter Changing seasons can be tough on a lawn. Always exposed to the elements, lawns can fare especially poorly upon the arrival of winter, a season known for its harsh and unforgiving weather.

Even the most perfectly manicured lawn can suffer at the hands of winter weather, causing homeowners to sit idly by and hope spring arrives that much sooner.

But as punishing as winter weather can be on a lawn, homeowners are not without recourse. Much like homeowners can take steps

to help their lawns survive sizzling summer heat waves during the warmer months of the year, they also can take steps to help their lawns make it through the often stormy weather synonymous with winter.

• Don’t procrastinate.

Putting off the process of winterizing a lawn can put that lawn in jeopardy. Lawns will turn dormant the closer you get to winter, and they may reject the nutrients found in fertilizer as a result.

Those nutrients will prove valuable once spring weath-

er returns, so start the winterization process in early fall so the lawn has sufficient time to absorb nutrients and strengthen itself for the seasons to come.

• Treat trouble spots.

Summer can be even harder on a lawn than winter, especially for those lawns located in regions where heat waves and drought are common.

In such instances, certain spots on the lawn seem to be hit harder than others, and those spots should get special attention when winterizing the lawn. Check

the soil’s pH levels before fertilizing or applying any treatments. Such a test will reveal which spots need the most attention, and treating trouble spots now will make spring lawn care that much easier.

• Aerate the property.

Aerating can help a lawn recover after a long summer and help it survive the potentially harsh months that lie ahead. Aerating, which involves puncturing the soil or removing cores of soil from the ground, can restore a lawn to health by improv-

ing its drainage and allowing more water and air to reach the roots of the grass. Aerating also makes it easier for nutrients to penetrate the soil, which encourages a healthier lawn over the long haul. Aerators can be purchased or rented, but homeowners uncomfortable with the process may want to enlist a professional to tackle the job. Parents of small children who spend lots of time in the yard may need to aerate their lawn more than most, as heavy lawn traffic compresses the soil, a poten-

tially harmful process that can be reversed via aeration.

• Take steps to strengthen the roots. Aerating promotes stronger roots, but homeowners might also want to find a winterizing product with potassium and phosphorous, both of which can strengthen roots. Different types of lawns will respond differently to certain winterizers, so discuss your options with a lawn care professional who can help you find the right fit for your property.

Selling and Installing ALL types of flooring!

Your Home Directory

Commercial • Residential Joe Andy

Clara

World Floor Covering Association Certified Professional Armstrong Certified Certified Floor Covering Installers

Our Prices Will FLOOR You! 804 S. Mulberry • Creston (on the south side of Hwy. 34 by Cook Video & Appliance) 9 am-5 pm • Mon thru Fri — 8 am-1 pm • Sat

641-278-1044

Check out all our listings at www.southwestiowahomes.com!

Green Valley Realty

105 S. Sumner Avenue • Creston Bill Callahan - Owner/Broker

641-782-2332 www.callahanrealestate.us Korina Loudon Broker/Owner

Pat Loudon

1016 W. Montgomery • Creston

RealtorTM

641-782-5134 641-782-5134

Member National Association of Realtors & Bluegrass Board of Realtors

Celebrating 43 Years Beautiful Built with Care Affordable ...that’s what you’ll find in a home!

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Creston Mobile Home Sales, Inc. 1446 Hwy. 34 West • Creston • 641-782-4548 Monday-Friday 8-5 • Saturday 9-3 • Anytime by Appointment

Don Irelan • 641-782-5405 Ken Callahan • 641-202-0406 Randy Miller • 641-782-2331 Kim Whittington • 404-909-9327 Aaron Finch • 515-370-1592 Gary Borcherding • 641-344-7455 Bill Callahan • 641-782-2404

Creston...

A Great Place to Live CRESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 208 W. Taylor/Hwy 34 • 641-782-7021 www.crestoniowachamber.com chamber@crestoniowachamber.com

AKIN

BUILDING CENTERS 604 Sheldon • Creston • 641-782-3310 M-F 7:30-6 • Sat 8-4 • Sun 10-4 Member of Creston Chamber We accept Creston Bucks!

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, October 25, 2013 — Page 7c

Safely clear gutters of grime Cleaning gutters is a household chore that many homeowners associate with both spring and autumn.

Cleaning gutters prevents water damage on the roof while protecting your home’s siding and foundation. In addition, cleaning gutters in the fall gives homeowners a chance to ensure they are firmly secured to the house, an important precaution when potentially harsh winter weather is just around the corner.

Unlike many household chores, cleaning gutters can be quite dangerous, as it often requires homeowners to climb up and down on ladders or spend ample time on the roof. As a result, safety should reign supreme when cleaning gutters, and homeowners should take the following precautions before

gutting their gutters of grime.

• Don’t try to be a hero.

If you are afraid of heights, then it’s perfectly alright to hire a professional to clean your gutters. Men and women with a fear of heights cannot predict how they will react when climbing a ladder, so play it safe and hire a professional if the thought of climbing up and down a ladder frightens you.

• Inspect the stability of your ladder. Ladders play a key role when cleaning gutters of leaves, dirt and grime, so homeowners should inspect their ladders before they get to work. An unbalanced ladder may not be reliable and should be replaced. You will be moving and swaying somewhat while cleaning the gutters, so you will need a secure ladder that does not teeter back and

forth each time you reach for the gutter.

• Keep the ladder on stable ground, and ask a friend or family member to hold it.

The ladder should always be planted on a flat and secure surface before you climb up to clean the gutter. And much like you might have a spotter when lifting weights, have a friend or family member hold the ladder as you climb up to ensure the ladder remains stable.

• Move the ladder frequently. It can be tempting to reach as far as possible when you’re on the ladder, as you can save time by covering more ground on each trip up the ladder. But overextending yourself is a considerable safety risk, so move the ladder frequently, even if the job is taking more time than you had expected.

We would like to sell your house....

Let us teLL you Why!

Ready to move in house. Remodeled with mostly all new or update inside and outside. Nice size kitchen, utility room, large master bedroom, dining area, living room in center of house and very nice. Siding is updated and very attractive.

Good location close to town, level lot off street parking. Let us show it to you, take a look and then make an offer and see what happens. Priced low at $39,900.

Owner moved and must sell. Available now. Here is another house you can just buy it and move in. It has lots of nice features. 2 bedrooms, dining room, large living room, panty and house has lots of closets and storage. Full 1st floor bath and basement 1/2 bath. Full basement ready to finish to your preference. Nice part of town, level lot excellent yard.

Priced for sale $95,000.

208 N. Maple - PO Box 306 - Creston, IA 50801 Ph. 641-782-8516 / 888-828-8516 www.carteragcy.com

Truckload Inventory Reduction Sale Some exclusions may apply

Financing available Pending aPProval

B

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Page 8c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, October 25, 2013

Budget-friendly outdoor renovation ideas Homeowners are increasingly extending their living spaces outside the walls of their homes. Expansive and intricate stonework patios and decked-out outdoor kitchens are the kind of additions many homeowners dream of. Those with unlimited budgets can enjoy just about any look they desire, but many homeowners may not have the money to go all the way with their outdoor living spaces. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to create budget-friendly spaces that are functional, fun and eye catching.

Decks and patios are popular gathering spots outside a home, and homeowners have numerous inexpensive options at their disposal when choosing patio materials.

And those who can do their own labor when installing a

patio can save a substantial amount of money. Instead of higher-priced composite or resin decks, homeowners can go with standard wood, which will need to be stained periodically. Scaling back the size of the deck means less materials to buy and less labor involved.

The cost of patio blocks depends on the material and style. Poured concrete patios will cost less than placed blocks or stones because concrete is less laborintensive. For those who desire the look of patio blocks without the cost, stamped concrete can mimic the look for less.

Homeowners may not need to replace patio furniture, even if chairs and tables have seen better days. A can of spray paint can cover up any rusted areas or spots

where paint has peeled off due to exposure to the elements. Updating cushions and purchasing a coordinating umbrella can revitalize the patio’s entire look. Also, very often stores run sales to clear out merchandise for new displays.

Defining edges of planting borders and refreshing the landscape may be all that is needed to improve the yard.

This is easily achieved with inexpensive mulch and some vinyl edging. While cleaning up the yard, use a pressure washer to clean stains off of siding and patios and create a like-new appearance.

End-of-season sales can also be the ideal opportunity to purchase big-ticket items like a pool, a hot tub or an outdoor fireplace/fire pit. Shoppers can learn when stores discount their mer-

chandise to make room for new inventory and then use these sales as opportunities to save.

Sometimes saving means repurposing antiques or items found at garage sales.

Thanks to the Internet, people can easily advertise items they no longer need or desire. A person can search for backyard items they need at a deep discount if they are fine with previously used materials. From patio furniture to masonry blocks to aboveground pools, patient homeowners can find just about any item they may need to upgrade their backyards.

Though not all homeowners can afford to create the backyard of their dreams, with a little ingenuity and some sweat hard work, A little spray paint or some new cushions can refresh homeowners can still create older patio furniture and give the outdoor space a coman outdoor oasis. pletely new look.

let us help you BECOME A HOMEOWNER

Visit us today! 504 W Taylor St, Creston • 200 North Main, Lenox • 1-800-508-0142

NMLS# 421412 Member FDIC