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People may croon about “Springtime in New York,” but those living in Charleston, SC, know there is a lot to sing about in the Holy City as well. This article’s host of Spring festivals is just one of the reasons to feel so upbeat.

The season starts with the annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens. This multi-week event enjoyed its 75th year in 2022. Hosted by the Historic Charleston Foundation, the festival gives visitors to the city as well as those living in Charleston, SC, a rare opportunity to go inside some of the more historic, private homes and gardens. The foundation also holds two-hour Morning History Walks and “Live Like a Local” events during the festival.

The Flowertown Festival is another way to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Charleston. This April arts and crafts festival is a fundraiser for the local Summerville YMCA. Jury-selected artists from throughout the country display their work for sale and there are fun activities and rides for kids. The Taste features fare from Charleston restaurants. Plus, there’s a Farmer’s Market to enjoy too.

See top tips to Make your Charleston Home your Canvas.

Another big draw for those living in Charleston and the many tourists that come to this culturally rich city? The annual Spoleto Festival USA. Billed as “America’s premier international performing arts festival,” Spoleto takes place from May 27-June 12 this year. In 2023, it’s scheduled for May 26-June 11. Over its 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto fills Charleston, South Carolina’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with opera, theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music performed by artists from around the world.

More Arts Please

If a focus on music is your jam, you’ll want to check out the city’s Colour of Music Festival in May. Since 2013, this festival has highlighted “the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on American and world culture.” The performances are held in various city venues, and the festival has even expanded to play in other cities too. In 2022, the Charleston performances are May 19 and 21.

The North Charleston Arts Fest is a sampler of regional and local dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and literature. Started in 1982 as a one-day event, the festival has grown to a four-day event with free events and modestly priced performances throughout various venues. This year’s Arts Fest is May 4-8.

For a focus on visual arts, take in the Charleston Gallery Association’s May 3, 2022 art walk. Over 40 galleries participate in this free evening event that happens every first Friday of the month.

Food & Culture Festivals

Another reason to enjoy Charleston? The food of course. The annual Lowcountry Cajun Festival has already been held this year, but keep it in mind for 2023. This annual festival brings Louisiana to the Lowcountry. Enjoy Zydeco music, Cajun and Creole foods, children’s activities, and even a Rajun’ Cajun crawfish eating contest. The festival fun is all at James Island County Park.

The Annual Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival in Mount Pleasant is another way to sample seafood. There’s also a boat parade along with the ceremonial blessing of the shrimp/fishing fleet in Charleston Harbor. While not savoring the tastes of fresh fare offered for sale by local restaurants, you can enjoy live music, a craft show and art exhibition, Shag, and shrimp-eating contests, and family-friendly activities. The 34th annual blessing is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 28, 2022.

Athletic Options Too

The Cooper River Bridge Run is a big draw for those who want to run up (and much happier, down) The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River. With a main span of 1,546 feet, this is the third longest among cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere. The 10K takes runners from the Mount Pleasant starting line to a finish festival with food and music in downtown Charleston. Race day is April 1, 2023 (no fooling).

In Charlotte and want to prep for the next Bridge Run? Check out these best running trails.

If tennis is more your game, you’ll (ahem) love the Open. In 2022 it was known as the Credit One Charleston Open, but it’s been the Volvo Car Open and the Family Circle Cup. This April event is a WTA Tour-affiliated professional tennis tournament for women. Held every year since 1973, the city’s Open is the oldest professional all-women’s tournament in America.

Living in Charleston, SC

Of course, living in Charleston, SC doesn’t just have this kind of perks in the Spring. There’s always something to see or do in this beloved Southern city. That’s why Saussy Burbank takes such pride in building its high-quality homes in and around Charleston. Find out what’s available today.

 

 

A new home is like a blank slate for design. You have all those empty rooms to furnish and decorate. Even when bringing in your old belongings, you can’t help but want to take a fresh approach. Knowing the top home trends for 2022 according to designers can help you make a unique statement with your new home interior.

The following seven trends are gleaned from roundups from designers both here in the South and nationwide. Obviously, you won’t want to incorporate all of these at once, but picking one or two that speak to you can help you add flair to your new home interior.

#1 Do away with gray

Zandy Gammons and Liles Dunnigan of Miretta Interiors in Raleigh, North Carolina tell Southern Living they’re seeing a gray backlash. “People are overseeing interiors marked by light gray, dark gray, and more gray around every corner!” The alternative?

“Rich chocolate browns and lighter camel colors,” the designers advise.

Vogue’s surveyed designers concurred although that magazine predicts the “rise of the enveloping, earthy color of brown.” Not just on walls either, which leads to our next trend.

#2 Embrace nature-inspired surfaces, accents

Maybe it’s a response to the pandemic and having to spend so much time inside, but we’re seeing more nature-inspired interior design in 2022. This can include brown fabric or leather furnishings. Or accent tables made of natural wood.

Athena Calderone tells Vogue, “think stoneware, terracotta, marble, and travertine being used across the board from backsplashes to bathtubs, furniture, and decorative objects. The raw, porous, imperfect nature of these organic materials adds depth, soul, and visual intrigue while also mimicking the calming, restorative ambiance of the outdoors.”

#3 Collect curves

As part of the desire to make home cozier and bring the outside in, expect to see more furniture shaped with soft curves.

“A curved form is subconsciously read as safe, friendly, and welcoming. With everyone feeling a bit precious I think those softer shapes and angles will still be a big trend in 2022 in furniture as well as architecture,” designer Sarah Sherman Samuel told Vogue.

That mushroom-inspired accent table or the curve of your new couch is part of the trend to regain “our connection to the natural world through the use of biophilic design principles.” HGTV expects “an emphasis on creating calming environments with natural lighting and ventilation, incorporating plants and creating a visual connection with nature.”

#4 Combine colors and prints

You might also join others moving in the direction of colors and prints. Vogue suggests “the all-white minimalism that may look crisp, yet provides little visual comfort” has seen its moment. Meanwhile, HGTV’s roundup also predicted more vibrancy.

“I see people embracing fun colors and unique prints in their everyday furniture,” said Mimi Meacham of Marian Louise Designs. “Utilizing colorful printed fabrics, custom upholstered sofas, chairs, and window treatments will be fun, fierce and another way to bring personality into the space. Walls, doors and millwork will get a colorful facelift with greens, blues, mauves and yellows to uplift and frame the prints.”

Similarly, Jenna Gross of Colordrunk Designs tells Southern Living, “2022 is going to be a playful year. People want to have more fun at home, and they are willing to use bolder combinations of colors, patterns, and decorative elements than we have seen in years.”

#5 Amp up lower level spaces

The lower level of the home is getting a makeover too. In HGTV’s description of this trend, a designer cautioned these spaces “are not your parents’ basements.” People are getting creative with multi-purpose, lower-level living spaces to “allow for more family fun and safer entertaining with small groups.” This is especially true when you’re in a multi-story townhome.

Even without what was formerly known as the basement level, you can take part in this trend when you create multi-purpose spaces. Amy Leferink from Interior Impressions told HGTV she expects to see more multifunctional spaces. “People are starting to understand that they can live with less,” she says, and becoming “creative with how their spaces can be multifunctional. For example: having your living room be part office. Or office/workout rooms.”

#6 Incorporate antiques, vintage

There are many reasons for this resurgence in interest in vintage items and antiques. The current supply chain issues have made buying new more challenging (assembly may not be required, but patience is). Plus, there is greater interest in sustainability. HGTV points out, repurposing old furniture or vintage items can be budget- and environment-friendly.

Joy Williams also tells Southern Living that defining your home in 2022, “will lean more towards incorporating reworked vintage finds and heritage furnishings into the home, as well as incorporating more custom furniture pieces to make your home uniquely yours.”

#7 Add room for reflection

You’ve heard of a panic room, but both Vogue and Southern Living call for a quiet place where you can unwind and relax. With the continuation of hybrid working, and our increasing bombardment by digital technology, a place to read, draw, or simply “be and reflect” is appealing in 2022.

Whether a meditation room or calm room, this designated space is designed as somewhere to “retreat to process our day and recharge our internal batteries,” says designer Rachel Cannon of Baton Rouge.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t have your gadgets in other parts of the home. There’s a lot happening with smart home technology in 2022 too.

Do your design best

All your design inspiration doesn’t have to happen indoors. There are lots of ideas to share about exterior home design too. We’ll cover that in an upcoming blog too.

In the meantime, if you’re still looking for the custom home where you can explore your design aesthetic and these top trends, contact us at Saussy Burbank. We have quality homes available in the Carolinas in Charlotte, NC, around Charleston, SC, and soon at Myrtle Beach too.

If you’ve ever thought about buying a townhome, now is the time to do it. Townhouses have been around for more than a century, yet they’re enjoying a resurgence. Townhouse construction jumped 28.1% in 2021. These top tips for buying a townhome can help you not only find a place you love but also happiness with the overall purchasing experience.

Townhouse construction had been declining, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). However, between the fourth quarter of 2020 and 2021, “townhouse construction starts totaled 146,000 units — 28% higher than the prior four-quarter total (114,000).” The association also reported, ”the market share of new townhouses increased to 13% of all single-family starts.”

Townhomes are appealing to “the growing numbers of home buyers looking for medium-density residential neighborhoods, such as urban villages that offer walkable environments and other amenities.” The NAHB suggests this is  “particularly true for prospective first-time buyers in high-cost metro areas.”

So, how do you find your townhouse? These tips for buying a townhome can help.

#1 Review your budget

The real estate markets in both North Carolina and South Carolina are hot right now. Plus, more townhomes are going up because there is demand for them. So, expect townhouses to cost more.

When determining if you can afford a townhome, include:

With the market so tight right now, you might also want to prepare for a possible bidding war.

#2 Make your must-haves list

Obviously, the location and the look of the property will matter. Still, it will be easier to narrow your search if you first think about what you must have in your new home. Maybe you want to have an owner’s suite on the main floor. Or a home office. Or you need to be near running trails. You might want a community with a pool or fitness center. Or a security gate at the community entrance.

#3 Think townhome living

When you live in a townhouse you will share a wall with your neighbors. Maybe on both sides of your home. So, you’ll want to listen closely when you’re touring to get a sense of the volume next door.

You’ll also want to visit the common areas. Remember living with that one roommate in college who drove you nuts leaving their dishes in the sink? This is larger scale, though at least it’s all outside your doors. You’re going to be sharing spaces with many other homeowners. So, you’ll want to know what that gym or games room look like and how they are kept up.

#4 Talk to potential neighbors

It’s always useful to talk to your prospective neighbors before settling on your new home. However, it’s even more important when buying a townhome. After all, you’re going to share adjoining walls and you’ll be living in closer proximity.

If you have the opportunity to talk with members of that townhome community, ask:

Getting a chance to talk to neighbors is one reason to visit the property at different times of the day. You’ll get a better sense of the community and be able to explore the neighborhood too.

#5 Read the HOA’s rules

If there is a homeowner group, make sure to read its rules for residents. You can learn a lot about what it will be like to live in this community. They may have rules about where you can park, what you need to do with your trash, how you need to keep your exterior looking, and more.

If there’s an HOA website that’s another good thing to check out. You may be able to find out about neighborhood events and affinity groups (book club? Bunco night?). Further, if there are board minutes or newsletters you can gain insights into the community dynamics.

#6 Think long-term

Today you may be OK with taking the stairs between the levels of your townhome. Yet, if you want to live in this house long-term, you may want to think instead about a location where you can age in place.

Additionally, when you buy a townhome, you’re buying the house as it is. There is less room to add value or differentiate your home for resale as you will have a nearly identical floorplan to others in the community. There will likely also be HOA regulations regarding external uniformity.

#7 Get a home inspection

Don’t overlook this step. Having someone inspect the interior and exterior is as important in a townhouse as at any other property. You’ll want to find out who is responsible for what. In townhouse communities, the HOA may be responsible for any exterior problems.

Your home is attached, so pay close attention to the state of your neighbors’ townhouses. If they aren’t keeping their exterior up that can have a negative impact on your resale value. Even if you aren’t thinking of reselling, you could have issues with your roof or siding if they are lax on maintenance.

Find your townhome with Saussy Burbank

Since 1989, Saussy Burbank’s commitment to our craft, style, and detail has set us apart. Our designs reflect the rich architectural heritage of the Carolinas while fitting within the context of our modern cities.

 

 

Location is critical in real estate. So much so that we often need to say it two more times for emphasis. So, seeing Charleston, SC, and Charlotte, NC, make the top 10 of Southern Living’s The South’s Best Cities 2022 makes us happy. Really, we’re “happy, happy, happy.” Though, of course, we already knew these were great places to be.

Southern Living’s “The South’s Best 2022” celebrates “the people, places, and communities that make our home more vibrant than ever.” The publication lets readers vote annually in several categories and shares the results in splashy spreads in the magazine and online. In the sixth annual roundup, Charleston and Charlotte come out looking stunning — as we’d expect them to.

Charlotte, NC, earns #8

Southern Living describes the South’s Best Cities as “hubs of excitement and entertainment,” and notes, “there’s so much to do in each one of these cities, you might just have to stay a little while longer.” We’d suggest moving here!

The Queen City is a “city with charm to spare,” readers are told as the magazine highlights:

Some of the city’s best neighborhoods get overlooked in the focus on nature and the arts. We’d add:

Charleston, SC, ranks #1

Southern Living readers admire “its picturesque streets and vibrant dining scene.” Visitors are recommended to

We’d add to that list. We’ve written about:

There are many reasons to move to Charleston, including:

Moving to Charleston lets you enjoy Lowcountry living while choosing a quality home with a chic, modern design.

Myrtle Beach makes the rankings too

Myrtle Beach, SC, earned the #4 spot on The South’s Best Family Getaways 2022. The magazine credits this new Saussy Burbank location with access to “miles and miles of beaches with room to roam.” The writers also note, “Myrtle Beach has as its calling card a beachfront boardwalk with eateries, arcades, a Ferris wheel (one of the tallest in the United States), and an old-fashioned amusement park called Family Kingdom.”

That’s part of the appeal for Myrtle Beach residents too. They know they’re finding their new home in an area where friends and family will want to visit them!

Not used to seeing Myrtle Beach on Saussy Burbank’s blog? Well, we’re excited to be among the three builders selected for SayeBrook, a new community encompassing nearly 730 acres two miles from the Atlantic Ocean.

SayeBrook’s 1,700 homes are being developed as a “true community – a legacy for the family and the Grand Strand.” Construction is set to begin this year, so we’ll be sharing more about that along the way.

In the meantime, check out our high-quality craftsmanship and available homes in our gallery or take a virtual tour. Contact one of our agents today!

 

We all know that the American population is aging. It’s estimated that by 2050, over a fifth of our population will be over 65. That’s up from 15.6% in 2021. The shift is having an impact on many aspects of American life, including housing. Age-restricted community living is growing more common. Here are the top things to know about this housing option for the older generations.

#1 Age-restricted communities come in all shapes, sizes

There is no single type of home you’ll find in an age-restricted community. Expect to find:

You also can’t have any preconceptions about the type of age-restricted community. You might find one with a golf course, walking trails, and a clubhouse. Maybe even beachfront property here in the Carolinas. But, you could just as easily find a more urban community with amenities such as a community game room and computer lab — or none at all!

#2 Age-restricted communities are for 55+

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Fair Housing Act makes it clear that “the housing must include at least one person who is age 55 or older in at least 80 percent of the occupied units.” If you are under the age of 19, you cannot be a qualifying permanent resident of one of these communities.

You might also hear about age-targeted or leisure communities. The difference is that the age-targeted community aims at adults 55 and older, but doesn’t exclude other residents. Meanwhile, leisure communities are aimed at empty nesters and have no age restrictions.

#3 Design promotes aging in place

Homes designed for older residents have particular features that make it easier to age in place. These may include:

#4 These communities are built in prime locations

These homeowners typically still want to live active and independent lives so age-restricted communities are typically built in prime locations. These neighborhoods are often developed in areas that are appealing also to the residents’ children. So, you can expect to buy your home within close proximity to:

There may be emergency call systems in the housing, but these communities do not have healthcare providers onsite. If you know you will want nursing care services, you might want to look instead at a continuing care retirement community.

#5 Regular planned activities are the norm

You can expect the community to host events intended to bring like-minded people together. These might be educational experiences or day trips. Residents can also expect onsite activities such as golf or tennis clubs, water aerobics or swimming, or maybe clubhouse game nights. There are also volunteer opportunities and affinity groups of all sorts are organized.

These communities conveniently locate residents together to make new acquaintances. After all, most everyone is in the same place in life and has moved to a new neighborhood. So, it can be easy to make new friendships.

#6 Outdoor maintenance is covered in your fees

The individual homeowner takes care of their own interior maintenance and upkeep. Yet these communities typically offer low-maintenance or maintenance-free exteriors. The retiree or other active over-55-year-old often doesn’t want to waste time and energy on doing the lawn or cutting back shrubs. So, any yard or other landscaped area is maintained by monthly fees to the homeowners’ association (HOA).

That means residents don’t need to worry about the things on our Winter Home Maintenance Checklist.

#7 You’re not just buying a home, it’s also a lifestyle

These master-planned communities focus on offering particular amenities to appeal to particular groups. You’ll want to research the type of community beyond what the homes look like and where it’s located. If you’re not into golf, you may not want to live on a golf course as all your neighbors could be into that. Find out what kind of events and activities they organize to inform your decision.

As U.S. News and Reports observes, with active-living communities “you’re buying into a lifestyle the community promotes, and you want to make sure it will make you happy for many years to come.”

Saussy Burbank’s age-restricted community

Age-restricted living is coming to Saussy Burbank’s repertoire. Since 1989, we’ve been building some of the most distinctive neighborhoods in the Carolinas. We are currently building in the Cottages at Marvin Gardens, an age-restricted community just outside of Charlotte. Learn more about us!

It used to be that high-tech homes were a thing of sci-fi films and futuristic television series. Then, with Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, gadgets for the home became a realistic option. Today, it’s even more affordable to install smart home tech. This round-up of top smart home devices for 2022 can help you find the right fit for your needs.

Before we give you a glimpse of some of the top smart home devices you may want for your home, let’s quickly go over smart home IoT. This trend refers to the automation of devices in your home to electronically control them using Internet-connected apps. Options abound from setting alarms remotely, starting your oven from your phone, and setting lighting and heating from your connected device.

Even despite the supply chain shortfalls that the world is experiencing, IoT Analytics “expects the global number of connected IoT devices to grow 9%, to 12.3 billion active endpoints. By 2025, there will likely be more than 27 billion IoT connections.” Of course, that’s not all smart home devices. Not even close. But, with ongoing advances in this technology, you can transform your ordinary (or not so ordinary, if it’s built by us) house into a smart home. You’ll want to keep an eye out for some of these top smart home devices.

Smart home security

Smart home security cameras and smart doorbells help you see what’s happening at your home without you having to be onsite or open the door. These affordable electronics can often be self-installed easily too. These cameras and doorbells begin broadcasting when motion is detected. You can set alerts to get notified if something happens. Or, if you miss something, you can review the footage later.

Smart locks are a newer innovation. Apple got there first with its near-field communication (NFC) HomeKey in 2021. Now other lock makers are entering the field. Schlage has introduced its Encode Plus Wi-Fi deadbolt offering a keypad, traditional lock, and an NFC receiver for Home Key compatibility. Masonite also has its new PWR smart door which integrates a Yale smart lock and Ring video doorbell, plus motion sensors and lights. There are also plenty of contenders to take on Ring’s doorbell dominance.

Smart home appliances

Smart thermostats were one of the first gadgets to be widely adopted in homes. They let you not only program schedules but also adjust the temperature remotely anywhere your phone has a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. There are also voice-operated options.

Or you might control the temperature in one area with the Frigidaire Gallery Inverter Quiet Temp Smart Room Air Conditioner window unit. It can be voice-controlled by Alexa or Google Assistant or via your mobile phone app.

Still cold but tired of having to draw your own bath? That’s so old school. Kohler has launched a smart bathtub that fills itself in response to your voice commands. Put that in alongside your Numi toilet, which connects to Amazon’s Alexa, to let you “enjoy your preferred temperature, cleansing pressure, and ambiance, every time you use the bathroom.”

In the kitchen, if you’ve yet to join the Instant Pot community, you can purchase a Smart Wifi one that lets you cook, schedule, adjust, and monitor the meal’s progress from the app. Or you might try a smart toaster with an image-based touchscreen or an Alexa-connected microwave.

For a full-on Wow factor, Samsung’s WiFi-connected Family Hub refrigerator lets you keep a grocery list on the fridge (literally) and even shop for groceries and find recipes. At the same time, you can control other smart devices in your home, stream your favorite apps on the massive touchscreen, and even call an Uber (to go out to eat when the fridge is empty).

Smart home fun

Surely the manufacturers of these top smart home devices see them as more than fun additions to the home. Yet, it is entertaining to be able to change the color of the lights in a room to suit your mood. The Philips Hue smart lights, which can be hooked up to voice assistants if you buy the Hub, are also a great alternative to the stick-on LED lights that are so popular with teens today.

It’s also more fun to have a smart home device do the vacuuming and even mopping for you, without you having to clean the gadget anymore. Ecovacs is offering the Deebot X1 Omni and Roborock is delivering the S7 MaxV Ultra. Both empty themselves and clean and dry their own mops.

Get high tech with Saussy Burbank

Want to take advantage of technology while shopping for homes? Take a virtual walk-through of some of our homes. We can help you find a forever home and hook you up with smart home installation teams to see your smart home devices up and running when you move in.

When it comes to steps to building a house, the one that gets the new home buyer most excited is putting in the finishing touches. It’s the stage every homeowner eagerly anticipates. Well, besides move-in day, that is.

If you were watching on Home and Garden television, this is when the homeowners would be told to stay away until the big reveal. That’s because these final steps to building a house truly transform the home into a place you can see yourself living.

As we’ve discussed before, you’ve picked your location, found your builder, and witnessed them put the bones up. This last step saw the foundation poured, framing done, and plumbing, electrical, HVAC and insulation installed. At the end, the drywall was up and you were left looking at a blank canvas. The house had taken shape, but the style? That was still to come with these finishing touches.

The interior finishes

First up is adding the home’s interior features. You’ve probably met with the builders’ design team already to make the many choices regarding:

Your builder may do floor installation and some painting at this point. But, that can also be done later on if there is any risk of damage during continued construction. This will depend on what’s left to do and what kinds of flooring options you’ve selected in your builders’ design center.

Hardwood is a common flooring choice, and you’ll get to choose from a variety of finishes, color tones, patterns, and styles. You may also select from numerous colors of carpeting, tile, and LVP/SPC products.

The exterior finishes

The outside of the home will start taking shape too. This is where the focus is on your home’s curb appeal. The builder will finish driveways, walkways, patios, and final grading to direct water away from your home.

The landscaping and exterior decorating will happen now too. So, if you don’t have much of a green thumb, this is when you plead with the builder to please only put in shrubs and other greenery that is low maintenance and has a strong will to live.

Installing fixtures

As the house nears completion it comes time to put in the toilets and faucets, light switches, heat register covers, hot water heater, electrical panel, and actual HVAC systems. (Thought we put the HVAC in when putting the bones up? That was installing the ductwork and wiring).

Shower doors, mirrors, shelves, closet doors, and light fixtures will go up at this stage too. If you’re making your home into a smart one, this is when your installer’s crews will come in to set up all your gadgetry and gizmos.

When it comes to lighting fixtures, lighting experts suggest it is a good idea to:

Flooring installation

If your builder didn’t already install your hardwood flooring or carpets, that’s going to happen now. If you do try to pop by and see the house in progress, make sure you contact the builder first before stepping on those floors. You don’t want to risk damaging them by accident.

Where are my keys?

Once all this is done, your builder is going to invite you in for a final walk-through to make sure everything is as you envisioned it. You can point out any areas that need a paint touch-up and expect the home to be cleaned one last time. This is the last step before closing and collecting the keys to your new home. You’ve waited patiently, now you get to enjoy it.

Want to build a house with a high-quality builder with decades of experience in the Carolinas? Or find out about the homes we have already started building that are just waiting for you to add your imprint. Contact us today.

Here in the Carolinas, winter snow isn’t always an issue. Still, as the seasons change, there are things to be done around your home. Keep your investment in tip top shape with this winter home maintenance checklist.

Heat is the first consideration. You’ll want to ensure that your heating system is in working order. One way to do this is to invest in a HVAC maintenance plan. The goal of these plans (often paid in monthly installments) is to prevent costly repairs. To avoid you having to deal with costly repairs and unexpected downtime, your HVAC company schedules your system for regular tune-ups. These plans can also make you a priority for the company if something does go wrong.

The type of check will depend on the heating system:

A fireplace may be another way to heat your home. This is the time of year to get your chimney inspected and your fireplace cleaned. You don’t want to ruin your cozy night on the couch by starting a fire and having your living room fill with smoke.

Overall, you want to keep your home heated to at least 55 degrees to ensure pipes, which are colder in the walls, don’t freeze. It’s also a good idea to “open doors to unoccupied rooms to keep an even temperature throughout the house.”

Get the ladder out

You’ll also want to get up there and clean your gutters of all the leaves that might have fallen. You may not think there is enough debris in there to justify climbing up the ladder, but you want to make sure the gutters are clear for heavy rains or snow. Blocked gutters can mean overflow which damages the home exterior or interior.

While you have your ladder out, take it inside to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You’re more vulnerable to a gas leak in the winter when the air is dry and your windows are tightly closed against the frigid air outside.

You’ll also want to reverse your ceiling fans to run clockwise. This change in direction forces the rising warm air to return down to the living area.

Check for escaping heat

No one wants to be paying an energy bill only to see the heat escape the house. That’s also not energy efficient at all.

“The Energy Department estimates that you can reduce your heating and cooling needs up to 30 percent by properly insulating and weatherizing your home.” In a Washington Post guide, the top trouble spots to check included:

You might try the dollar test to confirm your weatherstripping is doing its job. Close the door or window and position a dollar across the weatherstrip.  If it falls out, the gap is too large. If you can’t pull it out, the weatherstripping is stopping air leakage or infiltration.

If you have a pet door, insulate that too to avoid letting air in and out with Fido or Spot.

Walk the land

If you’re living in a city townhome, this may be a short walk. No matter where your home is located, get outside and survey your property for any potential threats. Snow and ice put a lot of weight on trees and plants. Look for any vegetation that is leaning or rotten branches; these could jeopardize your home or power lines.

Again, as we suggested in the previous checklists, you want to survey your roof for any damage too. Ensure that your driveway, walkways, and stairways to the house are in good condition too. Repair any broken handrails and fill any holes as they can cause falls in slippery weather.

You’ll also want to turn off any outside water faucets and pipes and clear the lines of water to prevent leaks.

While you’re out there, clean out your dryer vents too. Removing build up can help cut the risk of a dryer fire and improve energy efficiency.

Protect your winter home

Winter weather is only growing more erratic. A single heavy storm can cost more than $1 billion in damages (not to your one home of course). With this winter home maintenance checklist, you can protect your house and improve your energy efficiency. Learn more today about our high-quality homes.

Charlotte, North Carolina, boasts many vibrant neighborhoods, but one to get to know is Elizabeth. To help you get to know your Charlotte neighborhoods, this article shares some of Elizabeth’s history as well as what you can expect of this charming area today.

Founded in 1891, Elizabeth is the city’s second-oldest streetcar suburb. Just outside of 277 and bordering Uptown’s First Ward, this neighborhood developed around the Elizabeth Avenue-Hawthorne Lane-Seventh Street trolley line. This Charlotte neighborhood is named for the Elizabeth college that was founded in 1897 where you’ll now find Presbyterian Hospital.

Today, Elizabeth is recognized as “a really charming mostly residential area that is very walkable and just a short drive to pretty much everything Charlotte has to offer,” according to Saussy Burbank agent Kim Claxton. She’s responsible for our two upcoming properties going on sale soon in the neighborhood. But more on those later.

Why Live in Elizabeth

Charlotte’s Got A Lot describes Elizabeth as “warm and welcoming, striking just the right balance between hustle-and-bustle and a low-key, relaxed energy.” It’s also “an inviting enclave known for its distinct character.” The proximity to Uptown on one side and Plaza Midwood on another helps this “quaint and historic neighborhood” feel even more vibrant.

Independence Park is a sprawling 24-acre park in the neighborhood and the city’s oldest municipal park. The park was actually the idea of Charlotte Observer founder D.A. Tompkins. Elizabeth itself is also very pedestrian-friendly, but you’ll also find a lot of biking paths through this Charlotte neighborhood.

That means there are many ways for kids to get to school at Elizabeth Traditional or Piedmont International Baccalaureate Middle School or the nearby Eastover Elementary, Chantilly Montessori, or Randolph Middle.

Residents also enjoy close proximity to the main campus of Central Piedmont Community College. Any fans of comic books and graphic novels will certainly be happy to be able to walk down Pecan Avenue to Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find which has been in business since 1980.

Out & About in Elizabeth

Let’s start with your stomach. If you want to get out to enjoy good eats, you’ll want to visit some of these Elizabeth favorites:

Regrettably, the beloved Earl’s Grocery recently closed its doors, but it’s due to be replaced by People’s Market. Just down the road now you can find the new location for the English Pub, Big Ben’s. Another option? Claxton’s fine dining favorite in Elizabeth is The Fig Tree; she recommends the grouper.

For nightlife, you’ll want to check out the Visulite Theatre’s calendar of events. This live music venue hosts a wide range of bands throughout the year.

The neighborhood boasts a number of fun annual events too. These include:

Yet, Elizabeth is best known in Charlotte for its Halloween tradition. The Great Pumpkin Wall draws visitors from throughout the city to see all of the pumpkins carved by neighborhood residents.

Saussy Burbank in Elizabeth

Saussy Burbank has been building in desirable neighborhoods throughout the Carolinas since 1989. So, of course, we have properties in Elizabeth too.

Our Vail Towns project is already under construction and the homes in the two duet buildings will be released for sale in early 2022. These nicely appointed townhomes will each have three bedrooms and three baths. On the upper level of one set of these three-story townhomes, we’re also building a loft space along with the homeowner’s suite, a laundry room, and a second bedroom.

The Seventh Street townhomes will be a bit smaller, but they are also three-bedroom and three-bath plans. Construction of the 10 townhomes in this project is due to start at the beginning of 2022. The three-story townhomes with covered porches and two-car garages will go on for sale in 2022 too.

Find out more about what goes into building and buying a Saussy Burbank home. Check out our Steps to Building a House series or learn more from our Ask an Agent articles.

One joy of buying a newly built house? Being the very first person to live in that home. Everything is new! That’s also why Saussy Burbank invites its homeowners to walk through the home with a field manager and their sales agent. The home walk-through is an opportunity to get a sense of the new house. In this edited Q&A, agent Kim Claxton answers some common questions about the home walk-through experience.

Q: What happens in a home walk-through?

The walk-through happens about a week before closing. Its purpose is to orient you to your new home and go over the final details about the house. We’ll show you where things are and how they work in both the interior and exterior.

Inside the house, we’ll show you how all the appliances work, where the circuit breakers are, and where to turn off the water in case you want to go away on vacation or there’s an emergency and you want to quickly shut it off. We also like to spend some time going over the warranty details.

We’ll go up into the attic and/or crawl space, depending on the home, to show you the heating and cooling units and where to change the filters. If you have smart home technology, we can show you how some of that works. But, if it’s a whole automation system, we’ll encourage the homeowner to set up a different appointment time to focus exclusively on that. We don’t want them to be overwhelmed with all the stuff they’re learning.

Outside, we’ll point out where the condensers are, where the exhaust fans exhaust from the house, where the gutters are, and inform them of anything they might need to know about where things are. We’ll point out how the drainage is established and explain that they don’t want to change the grading of the lot as it would change the path of the water flow and could void the warranty.

Q: What kinds of things might the homeowner notice in the walk-through?

We have cleaning crews come through before the homeowner walkthrough, but if you go into a house one hundred times you will notice different things each time. So, we’ll have people point out places where paint needs to be touched up or caulking could be cleaned up, or potentially a ding on a cabinet door. If you go into a house, no matter when it was built or who it was built by, you’re going to notice something.

The walk-through is really the homeowners’ time to point things out and blue tape things before the close. Think about it, you want to be happy: is there something that is going to bother you? Together with the field manager, we will make a list of things to address in that final week. It’s our job to have complete customer satisfaction and make it as perfect as we can. After that, it’s going to be your responsibility as the homeowner.

Q: Is the walk-through the last time to get anything done to the home?

After the new home orientation, we will also meet briefly at the home the day of close to go over any of the items created in the walk-through. If anything had to be ordered and we couldn’t get it in, that will be noted before the actual close.

Q: Does the homeowner need to do anything to prepare?

If the homeowners have any questions about the house, this is the time to ask.

This is their chance to make sure that everything is to their satisfaction.

Q: You mentioned going up in the attic; should they come prepared to climb around?

I suggest bringing some shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy in case it has just rained. Also, wear something that you are comfortable in going up attic stairs. You don’t have to do that but we recommend it.

Q: Are there typical questions that someone comes in with?

I do get a lot of questions about cleaning the hardwood floors or questions about the appliances.

Q: How long does a walk-through usefully take?

It depends on the size of the home and the homeowner and what type of questions they may have. Typically I budget 90 minutes to two hours. We want to take full advantage of this opportunity to go over the details of the home and answer questions and make sure the buyers are prepared for living in their home.

Q: For first-time homebuyers, the walk-through must be a real eye-opener.

Yes, it’s a lot of information. We really try to make the walk-through an educational new home orientation. We really want to make sure that they are familiarized with their new house.

Q: Finally, why buy with Saussy Burbank?

The home walk-through is just one of the ways in which we prioritize customer satisfaction. We have a third-party survey homeowners during and after the home buying process. We’re proud to have been honored with the Guildmaster Award, the organization’s highest honor for customer satisfaction, 10 times since 2011.