News on the House Easy-to-update items to make your new home

News on the House
February, 2014 - Monthly Newsletter
A H O M E WA R R A N T Y S E R V I C E F R O M F I R S T A M E R I C A N
Easy-to-update items to make your
new home yours
A Home Warranty Service
From First American®
an entire room,-create a bold accent wall or incorporate glossy
white trim, paint is an affordable fix for any home.
This year more than 5.4 million homes were sold by the end of
August, according to the National Association of Realtors. Are
you one of these millions of new homeowners? If so, you’ve most
likely felt the urge to settle in immediately. However, before
making any major renovations, it’s a good idea to live in a new
home a while to see how the space is meeting your needs. Here
are a few swift swaps that will have a big impact in making that
new house feel like home sweet home.
You can easily and quickly bring your design ideas to life with
Shape Tape from FrogTape. Available in three on-trend patterns:
Wave, Chevron and Scallop, Shape Tape makes it simple to
achieve unique, repetitive decorative painting styles. Each roll of
tape features a pre-cut repeating pattern, so all you need to do is
simply unroll, apply and get painting to create your desired look.
From delicate, narrow waves throughout a bathroom or nursery,
to bold, wide chevron patterns in the living area or bedroom, this
tape can be used in any room of the house.
Personalize with paint
Fabulous frames
It may be the most obvious update but painting is an easy solution
to change the look of a room in an instant. Whether you paint
When moving into a new space, the things you love should take
center stage. Once your home reflects who you are, the rest will
slowly fall into place. Photo frames are the ideal choice to add
a decorative and personalized touch to any room. Bring this
common decor pick into the modern age by creating a personal
gallery and displaying frames of varying shapes and sizes. To do
this, plan the layout of the frames before hanging, either with
paper on the wall or by arranging them on the floor. Or, you can
simply purchase pre-arranged frame galleries at home decor
retailers.
Faucet focus
Kitchen and bath makeovers tend to have the biggest impact on
a home and its resale value. However, new homeowners who are
strapped for cash may not have a large budget for a full-scale
bathroom remodel. Fortunately, there are several basic swaps
that can quickly change the look and feel of a bath.
Service, value, integrity,
and a little peace of mind.
A HOME WARRANTY SERVICE
from First American Home Buyers
Protection Corporation
www.firstam.com/warranty
The easiest way to remodel your bathroom is to replace its
hardest-working fixture - the faucet. This is a project new
homeowners can tackle themselves at a reasonable price. Moen
offers a wide variety of faucet options like the new single- handle
Boardwalk bathroom faucet, to add a fresh, elegant look to the
sink. Available at Lowe’s, Boardwalk fits almost any decor and
comes in Moen’s Spot Resist Brushed Nickel finish, which resists
fingerprints and water spots, so the faucet will stay looking clean
as you show it off to family and friends. For a polished look,
Phone Orders: 800-444-9030
News on the House
February, 2014 - Monthly Newsletter
swap out old hardware with affordable, coordinated accessories
including robe hooks, towel rings and towel bars.
your homeowner’s insurance. But until now, a perception of high
cost has overshadowed those positives.
A new study reveals that the price of residential fire sprinkler
systems has dropped significantly, creating an opportunity for
safety-minded homeowners to tap the many benefits of sprinklers.
In 2008, the average per-foot cost of a residential fire sprinkler
system was $1.61; in 2013, the average per-foot cost has plunged
to $1.35, according to a report by the Fire Protection Research
Foundation. Multipurpose systems that use a home’s cold-water
supply, rather than a separate piping system, are even more
affordable - just $1.23 per square foot, the report found.
Energy-saving essentials
Wasting energy means wasting money. When you go from a
renter to a home owner, it’s important to recognize and fix energydraining areas before bills pile up. Caulking around windows and
spaces between the floor and baseboards in attics and sun rooms
will help prevent drafts. Consider purchasing a draft stopper
for the bottoms of doors so wind or heat doesn’t slip through.
Additionally, service your furnace annually, so it produces more
heat while using less energy.
Let there be light
Lighting is a great way to add warmth to a sparse space. If you’re
looking to create an intimate atmosphere, place several table
lamps throughout the room. -You can also amp up energy savings
by switching to LED bulbs - these bulbs don’t cause heat buildup
and last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents and 20
times longer than incandescent bulbs.
It’s very easy for decorating to become overwhelming for new
homeowners. By starting with these few swift home decor swaps,
your new home will be a comfortable and welcoming environment
in no time.
Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent.
Reprinted with permission.
Cost of home fire sprinklers at
all-time lows; benefits still high
When it comes to the safety of your home and family, you would
probably say money is no object. Yet cost (real or perceived) has
long deterred many homeowners from considering a residential
fire sprinkler system to protect their homes. The systems cut the
risk of dying in a home fire by 80 percent, have broad support
from safety experts and can even qualify you for a discount on
www.firstam.com/warranty
And costs are likely to drop even lower, one expert says.
“More communities are considering, or have already implemented,
fire sprinkler requirements for new, single-family homes,” says
Eric Skare, a volunteer firefighter and fire safety systems product
manager for Uponor North America (www.uponor-usa.com),
an Apple Valley, Minn.-based sprinkler system manufacturer.
“Growing demand has resulted in increased competition and
lower installed costs for these systems. Manufacturers competing
for market share continue to develop lower-cost products to
ensure the cost-effectiveness of residential fire sprinkler systems.”
The lower cost is good news for anyone interested in protecting
their home with a fire sprinkler system, Skare says. The benefits
of such systems are many:
* Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in residential fires. While
functioning smoke alarms reduce the risk of home fire fatalities by
50 percent, sprinklers slash the risks by 80 percent, according to
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
FIRST AMERICAN HOME WARRANTY PLANS
AVAILABLE FOR:
» Current Homeowners
» Buyers and Sellers
» Portfolio Managers
TYPE OF HOME WARRANTY PLANS:
Basic Plan, Premier Plan, Additional Options
Phone Orders: 800.444.9030
firstamrealestate.com | Service: 800.992.3400
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News on the House
February, 2014 - Monthly Newsletter
* Multipurpose systems - like those provided by Uponor - reduce
the amount of piping needed to supply sprinkler systems because
they tie into a home’s existing cold-water plumbing system.
Instead of two piping systems - plumbing and fire- sprinkler - the
builder need install only one, reducing material, labor costs and
jobsite-scheduling hassles, saving 35 percent to 65 percent in
installation time over standalone, rigid CPVC systems. That, in
turn, should result in a lower cost to the home buyer.
* Homeowners insurance companies provide an average premium
discount of 7 percent to homes with fire sprinkler systems,
according to the Fire Protection Research Foundation.
For more information on residential fire sprinkler systems, visit
www.uponor-usa.com.
Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent.
Reprinted with permission.
Chase the mid-winter blues away
with wholesome comfort foods
The colder weather of winter has many looking for some
comforting wholesome meals to share with friends and family.
This winter try delicious recipes that will create tantalizing smells
in the home and warm everyone sitting around the table.
If you’re serving a smaller crowd like your immediate family or
planning a large gathering with friends to chase away the midwinter blues, you’ll want to serve savory foods that will have
mouths watering. The seasonings of Tuscany in Central Italy are
one delicious way to introduce everyone to new menu items, and
you might just have everyone clamoring for more.
* Home fire sprinkler systems act quickly to reduce heat, flames
and smoke from fire, giving families valuable time to safely get
out of a burning home. “Sprinklers extinguish most home fires
in seconds, before the fire department arrives and before major
damage can occur,” Skare notes. In fact, sprinklers are far less
damaging than fire hoses used by firefighting teams. One study in
Scottsdale, Ariz., found the average fire damage loss for a home
without sprinklers was more than $45,000; with sprinklers, losses
shrink to slightly more than $2,100.
Often the hearty and comforting recipes that are ideal for this
time of year include some not-so-healthy ingredients like butter
or shortening. The following Tuscan-inspired recipes have a
wonderful substitute - Carapelli Olive Oil - which is naturally
cholesterol-free, making it a healthy alternative. Plus, this premium
olive oil will enhance and lighten the taste of dishes, giving your
family and friends the best flavors with better health options.
First American Home Buyers Protection
has home warranty plans for buyers,
sellers and current homeowners!
* Sprinklers enhance home value. Forty-five percent of
homeowners prefer a home with fire sprinklers and nearly 75
percent say the presence of sprinklers increases a home’s value,
the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition reports.
Perhaps the most compelling argument in favor of sprinklers is
the cost-to-value ratio. The average total cost for installing a
multipurpose fire sprinkler system is around $6,000, according to
the Fire Protection Research Foundation report.
“That investment could buy your family the extra time they need
to escape a home fire,” Skare says.
www.firstam.com/warranty
Call 1-888-547-5448 today
and protect your home!
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News on the House
February, 2014 - Monthly Newsletter
The following two side dishes infuse delicious Tuscan ingredients
and premium Carapelli Olive Oil, giving everyone a warm and
hearty feeling. Start the meal off with fresh Brussels sprouts and
caramelized onions:
Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
10 8-ounce potatoes (about 5 pounds) peeled and cut in half
3/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 cup Tuscan Herb paste (recipe follows)
1/2 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup heavy cream, warmed
Directions:
Boil potatoes in salted water. When cooked tender, mash
potatoes. Mix salt and pepper with Tuscan Herb Paste, olive oil
and warm heavy cream. Fold into potatoes.
Tuscan Herb Paste
Ingredients:
Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and
Prosciutto
1 tablespoon fresh basil
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
1/2 cup packed fresh Italian parsley
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts
2 tablespoons fresh sage
4 tablespoons Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 onion, julienned
3/4 cup Carapelli Extra Light in Taste Olive Oil
1 1/2 ounces prosciutto, sliced into 1/2 inch strips
1 cup Carapelli Premium 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
Sea salt
Directions:
Fresh cracked black pepper
Blend herbs and crushed red pepper with light olive oil using a
blender or food processor, then stir in extra virgin olive oil.
Directions:
Trim stem end of Brussels sprouts. Discard wilted outside leaves.
Boil in salted water until cooked through (about 7 minutes) and
just tender. Shock in ice water. Quarter the cooled sprouts. In
large skillet over medium-high heat, caramelize onions in olive
oil for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from pan.
Place in bowl, mix with prosciutto. In the same skillet, over high
heat lightly brown Brussels sprouts. Add onion-prosciutto mix
and toss. Deglaze by adding white balsamic vinegar and scraping
bottom of pan. Season with salt and pepper.
Potatoes are another favorite mid-winter food, and the following
Olive Oil and Herb Mashed Potatoes not only tastes delectable it also looks pretty in the serving bowl as well.
When serving your mid-winter meal featuring these delicious
recipes, be sure to warm up the home in other ways as well.
Bring warmth to the decor by lighting candles or starting a fire in
the fireplace, add a couple of soft rugs under tables or couches
and toss some throw blankets over the backs of furniture, giving
everything a cozy look.
For more comfort-food recipes to try this winter season, visit
carapelliusa.com/recipes.
Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent.
Reprinted with permission.
First American Home Buyers Protection Corporation makes no express or implied warranty respecting the information presented and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. First American, the eagle logo, firstam.
com, and First American Home Buyers Protection are registered trademarks or trademarks of First American Financial Corporation and/or its affiliates.
©2014 First American Home Buyers Protection Corporation. All rights reserved.
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