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September 2014Moscow-Pullman Daily News

The Basics:Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Palouse living� | september �014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily news

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Moscow-Pullman Daily news | september �014 | �Palouse living

Homeowners who want to give their kitchens a brand-new look without the expense or

the hassle of a full-scale renovation often gravitate toward kitchen cabinet refacing.

Cabinet refacing is less expensive and more eco-friendly than a full replacement of existing cabinets, and experts estimate refacing costs roughly two-thirds less than a complete cabinet renovation. Refacing involves replacing the doors and drawer fronts of existing cabinets during which the cabinet boxes are veneered to match the wood color chosen for the refacing, while the structure and layout of the cabinets remains unchanged. Essentially the kitchen footprint will remain the same as it was before the refinishing took place.

Kitchens are popular rooms in the home and much of the renovation investment made in the kitchen can be recuperated at resale. Homeowners looking to put their homes up for sale soon may find cabinet refacing is beneficial, as it is a relatively quick renovation that can reap big rewards.

Homeowners have options when refacing their cabinets. While some projects, such as stripping off old paint and repainting, can be a do-it-yourself project, refacing cabinets may be best left to the professionals. Veneer work, which is often part of cabinet refacing, is not a skill one can learn overnight, and it often requires

the hand of a professional carpenter.Many cabinets can be resurfaced

successfully. Older cabinets are prime candidates, as they often are more sturdy than newer cabinets. In general, cabinets can be refaced as long as their substructures are sound.

In addition to providing a new look for the kitchen, cabinet refacing is an eco-friendly project. By not demolishing existing cabinetry, homeowners are preventing old materials from ending up in landfills while saving trees from being cut down to construct new cabinets. Refacing also reduces the amount of chemical products used in the building of new cabinets, including stains, adhesives and chemically treated wood.

Homeowners can choose among wood, veneer, metal, and even glass doors as replacements in the kitchen. Coupling cabinet refacing with replacement of old appliances can completely transform the appearance of the kitchen in relatively little time. Many refacing projects go as follows.

• Measurements are taken and technical drawings are made so that new cabinet materials can be manufactured to the kitchen’s exact specifications.

• Homeowners choose the type of finish they prefer for the new cabinetry.

• Manufacturing takes place, and homeowners will schedule a time

when the work will commence.

• Existing doors and drawer fronts will be removed and recycled or disposed of.

• If cabinet frames and boxes need to be repaired in any way, some refacing companies will take care of this.

• Cabinet boxes and frames are covered in a matching veneer or plastic laminate.

• The new doors and drawer fronts are installed, as are new handles, pulls and moldings to complete the look.

Many companies specialize in cabinet refacing. Homeowners should request estimates from potential candidates and review workmanship prior to hiring a particular company.

Cabinet refacing is often a fast, relatively inexpensive renovation

project. It can improve the appearance and functionality of a kitchen in a small amount of time, while also improving the value of a home.

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

Palouse LIVING

September 2014Moscow-Pullman Daily News

The Basics:Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

The basics of kitchen cabinet refacing

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Cabinet refacing can transform the look of a kitchen, and such a project costs considerably less than complete cabinet replacement.

Metro Connections

Palouse living4 | september �014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily news

Serving Latah County Since 1947

201 E ThirdMoscow, Idaho 83843

208-882-5531

For up to date listing information, please visit our website at www.moscowrealty.com

Minutes from Moscow!Classic country estate on 5 acres. Open kitchen with center island, stainless steel appliances, hickory fl oors and adjoining dining area with 2 bay windows. Spacious living room with fi replace, formal dining room with built in hutch and French doors. Master suite has large walk-in closet, jetted tub, separate tiled shower and double sinks.

1025 Chaney Road, Viola$495,000MLS# 63664 6 bed, 3.5 bath, 3,000+ sq ft

The allure of a spa-style bathroom is something few homeowners can resist. Such

bathrooms can make for a welcome retreat after a long day at the office or an afternoon spent chasing kids around the yard.

But as appealing as such a sanctuary may seem, the cost of creating a luxury washroom is more than many homeowners’ budgets can withstand. Fortunately, a dream bathroom does not have to break the bank. In fact, there are several ways to make a bathroom worthy of the most comforting spa without stretching your budget.

• Install a wall-hung mirror. If your idea of a luxury bathroom harkens back to a time before the advent of recessed medicine cabinets, then a wall-hung mirror can give the bathroom an entirely new feel without much of a financial commitment.

Flush-mount mirrors need not require the services of a contractor, but they can provide a sense of elegance that recessed cabinets cannot.

• Replace bathroom countertops. A countertop replacement job may sound expensive, but such an undertaking is not very costly in the washroom, where counter space is typically limited. Since the cost of countertop materials is by the square foot, you can replace bathroom surfaces for a relatively small amount of money. Granite countertops can be beautiful, but such surfaces do not create the warm feel that many prefer in a luxury bathroom. A material such as soapstone is warm and inexpensive and can quickly give the bathroom a new look.

• Embrace calm colors. Painting the bathroom is another inexpensive way to give the room an entirely new look. If the walls of your washroom

are currently a vibrant color, consider a more calming tone to give the room the luxurious and relaxing feel you’re aiming for. If your bathroom includes a clawfoot tub, you also can make it a two-tone tub to add a touch of relaxing elegance. Paint the tub’s exterior in a calming tone such as soft gray, and you will have transformed the washroom at little cost and even less effort.

• Transform your double vanity. Many homeowners prefer a double vanity in their bathrooms, as such a setup allows both men and women the space to get ready for bed or work without getting in one another’s way. But instead of a traditional vanity with a counter between the sinks, consider installing matching pedestal sinks to surround an antique washstand. This can give the washroom a feel of antique luxury, and such washstands can found for a few hundred dollars.

• Replace old fixtures. Though they are often overlooked, cabinet and door fixtures as well as towel racks can greatly influence the feel of a washroom. If the cabinet and drawer handles are old or outdated, replace them with more modern options. Such a job might be even more effective if you repaint or reface existing cabinetry. Neither task is terribly expensive, but both can give the washroom a more luxurious feel. The same goes for replacing old towel racks, which can be an eyesore if

they’re especially dated.Transforming a bathroom may

seem like a significant and costly undertaking, but savvy homeowners can give their washrooms a new and luxurious look without spending much money.

Budget-friendly bathroom transformation tips

Homeowners need not bust their budgets to transform their washrooms into modern, luxurious oases.

Metro Connections

Moscow-Pullman Daily news | september �014 | �Palouse living

Have you ever considered a career in Real Estate? A career in real estate can

be exciting and very rewarding both personally and financially. It offers freedom and flexibility and gives you the opportunity to give yourself a raise. Real estate agents become experts in the buying and selling of homes, land, commercial, and/or the new construction sales processes. Their interests extend beyond the actual transactions to the enjoyment that comes from working with people, helping families, and assisting communities to grow and prosper.

Do you have good people skills? Do you enjoy our local community? If so, real estate could be a good match for. The more versatile your people skills, the bigger your earning potential can be. The harder you work the more money you will make. It has been proven that people who

have been long time residents benefit greatly from their local expertise of the area. Our small town American real estate market holds strong and is waiting for you .

But the profession isn’t all signed deals and celebrations. Like other businesses real estate is subject to the ups and downs of the local, regional and national economies.

Expect to spend a good portion of your week working, and working hard. Real estate is a 24/7/365 business. You really do get back what you put into it. Selecting the right company is of utmost importance. There are many things to consider in selecting the right place for you, including a professional environment where you have the support of your Broker and fellow agents.

The best real estate agents in the business share some important attributes. They have a positive,

optimistic view of the world, are extremely knowledgeable about the local housing market, laws, rules, regulations, restrictions and the other details that go into residential real estate transactions, understand how mortgages work, and they are extremely intuitive. You often need to know what people are really asking for, no matter what they say.

To make money in real estate you need to either be listing homes, selling homes or building a referral network. At the same time, you may want to invest in advertising your business and

the listings you do obtain. You need to make sure you have money put away (or a secondary source of income) to get you through this initial period when you’ll likely be spending more money on your career than you are making.

A career in real estate can be rewarding professionally, personally and financially. Talk with new and seasoned real estate agents, visit with Brokers and get their suggestions and input. A career in real estate has a place for all types of people, ages, and walks of life.

So you want to be a REALTOR® on the Palouse? Written by: Debbie Spurgeon, Broker/Owner, Team Idaho Real Estate

Palouse living� | september �014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily news

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Some of Patti’s current listings:

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Patti has over 16 years of experience representing buyers and sellers on a variety of property types, locations, and price ranges. She works for you because “You Deserve Personalized Professional Real Estate Services”

Hosting a dinner party is no small task. First-time hosts tasked with hosting a dinner party for family and friends may not realize just how big a commitment such an undertaking can be. As a result, hosts often find their first dinner party to be somewhat overwhelming.

But dinner parties need not be an exercise in crisis management. In fact, first-time and even veteran hosts can put the following dos and don’ts of dinner parties to good use to ensure their turn as host goes off without a hitch.

DO serve your specialty. While experimenting with new recipes is part of the joy of cooking, such experiments are best avoided when hosting a dinner party. Instead of trying a new recipe, serve a dish you have prepared numerous times in the past. Making such meals is like second nature to home chefs, and

that can greatly reduce the stress of hosting a dinner party.

DON’T worry if it takes longer to serve a meal than you planned. Even if you are making a dish you have prepared dozens of times in the past, expect things to move a little more slowly when hosting a dinner party. This is especially true when hosting a large dinner party because you will have to prepare a much larger meal than usual. So don’t worry if the meal is served later than you had planned.

DO make a list and check it twice. In the days leading up to your party, make a list of ingredients you will need to prepare the meal. Once that list has been made, check your refrigerator and pantry to make sure you have enough of everything to prepare the meal on the scale it needs to be prepared. After you have made your list and checked your pantry, read

the recipes again just to make sure you didn’t forget anything before you head to the store to buy whatever you need.

DON’T ask guests to bring essential items. While guests will often volunteer to bring certain items, it’s best that hosts don’t ask guests to bring anything essential to the meal. That’s because guests might be late, which can delay the meal, or they might just forget, forcing hosts to make last-minute trips to the grocery store. Guests can bring items, but it’s ideal if they bring items you won’t need to serve the meal, such as a bottle of wine or even premade desserts.

DO ask guests if they have any dietary restrictions. Many guests, especially older guests who might be managing certain health conditions, might have dietary restrictions that govern what they can and cannot eat. Ask guests to let you know if they have any such restrictions, and if those restrictions are foods they can’t eat or simply foods they don’t want to eat. That’s an important distinction that can make a host’s job easier.

DON’T make meals that require a specific taste. Certain types of cuisine are destined to produce mixed responses, and hosts should avoid

such foods so no one is forced to dine entirely on appetizers and dessert. For example, Indian cuisine tends to be very spicy, and not everyone likes their food to pack such a potent punch. Stick to cuisine that is flavorful but not so extraordinary that it may upset the stomachs of your guests who don’t often indulge in such foods.

DO start early. In addition to preparing your entree earlier than you would when making dinner for your family, start preparing sides or other parts of the meal in advance when possible. Some recipes include storage instructions for chefs preparing meals in advance, so heed those recommendations to take some of the pressure off come the day of your party.

DON’T go overboard. While it may be tempting to stun your guests with a seven-course meal, aiming too high may lead to disaster. A simple meal with an easily prepared appetizer, a delicious entree and a light dessert

will make for a memorable evening for everyone, and your guests will appreciate both your efforts and the time they get to spend with you throughout the night.

Hosting a dinner party is a thoughtful gesture that should be fun. While hosting can be stressful, following a few tricks of the trade can make hosting duties that much more manageable.

Dinner party dos and don’tsMetro Connections

Moscow-Pullman Daily news | september �014 | �Palouse living

ingredients1/2 cup olive oil1 lg eggplant, cut in 12 slices (1/3”

thick)3 md zucchinis, cut in 24 slices (1/4”

thick)3 lg tomatoes, cut in 6 slices (1/3”

thick)3 md red onions, cut in 12 slices

(1/3” thick)3/4 cup ricotta cheeseSalt and pepper to taste2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced

1/4” thick6 sprigs fresh rosemary

DirectionsPreheat barbecue and set on low.

Brush vegetables with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill slowly until tender, turning once. Transfer the vegetables to a tray, arranging them in a single layer, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. The vegetables may be grilled a day in advance, and refrigerated after cooling. Bring the vegetables back to room temperature before proceeding.assembly

Stir together the ricotta, thyme, salt, and pepper in a

small bowl. Place one slice of eggplant on a lightly oiled grill sheet or foil pan. Spread 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture over the eggplant. Cover with 2 slices of zucchini, 1 slice of onion, 1 slice of mozzarella, 1 slice of tomato, and 2 slices of zucchini. Spread 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture over the onion, and top with another slice of eggplant. Repeat this procedure with the remaining vegetables to make 5 more stacks.

Insert a wooden skewer through the centre of each stack to create a hole from top to bottom. Remove the bottom leaves from each rosemary sprig, leaving one inch of leaves on the top. Insert 1 sprig into the centre hole in each napoleon, and return to the barbecue.

Heat for about 10 minutes on low, or until mozzarella is melted and vegetables are warmed through.

The real estate market in Moscow and Pullman remains strong! The national average

was down in July of 2014 but Latah & Whitman County median home sales prices are up! In July of 2014, the average home sale price in Latah County was $203,819, which is up 3% from 2013. The city of Moscow enjoyed a sales price increase of 9% - prices increased from $195,512 in July of 2013, to $213,226 in July of 2014. In the city of Pullman the increase was 11%,- average home sales price increased from $213,834 in 2013 to $235,817 in July of 2014. Meanwhile the average home sales price in Whitman County went from $188,597 in July of 2013 to $208,996 in 2014.

In the Midwest, existing-home sales jumped 6.2% to an annual rate of 1.20

million in June, but remain 2.4% below June 2013, according to realtor.org Existing Home Sales press release.

The current market as of August 21, 2014, has approximately 177 total active residential listings in the Latah County area (excluding condos and manufactured homes). 108 of these are in Moscow, with a median list price of $241,700 and an average of 140 days listed on the market. Whitman County has approximately 197 total active residential listings (excluding condos and manufactured homes). Ninety six percent of these are in Pullman, with a median list price of $239,450 and an average of 117 days listed on the market.

There are many reasons Moscow and Pullman continue to be sought after as a desirable place to live. We

are an education hub, the heart of the arts on the Palouse, we enjoy 4 distinct seasons and an abundant number of recreational opportunities right in our back yard. Recently Moscow was named #8 on the Top Ten best college towns of 2014, by livability.com.

Moscow and Pullman were both nominated in the “Top 12 College Towns for Commuting on Foot” by The Spare Foot Blog. This list is one where a significant percent of commuters benefit greatly from the choice to walk. Pullman made it in at #7, while Moscow

held strong at #11. If you know anyone who is

interested in learning about why real estate is a good investment financially and personally, stop by one of our local real estate offices, they would be happy to help.

**All data was reported from the Latah County and Whitman County Multiple Listing Services**

A stronger local market

Agents who listen, care & take the time... tttt &&&& tttt kkkkkkAA hhhh lllliiii

Brian LoomisID Licensed

C: 208.892.3160

Deann Billing ID/WA LicensedC: 208.596.8811

Danny HowardID Licensed

C: 208.790.1163

Tami QuezadaID Licensed

C: 208.310.2172

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(208) 882-9500204 S. Main Street

Carmen BruyaTeam Washington Real Estate

C: 509.553.9494

teamIDAHOrealestate.comteamWASHINGTONrealestate.com

Debbie Spurgeon ID/WA LicensedC: 509.336.3672

Peter WillitsID Licensed

C: 208.818.4583

Julie KetchumID Licensed

C: 509.330.4353

“We have a home for you!”

Written by: Francisco Aguilar, Marketing Director, Team Idaho Real Estate

Grilled Vegetable Napoleons

Palouse living� | september �014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily news

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