Volume 90

Energy-Efficient Home Trends for 2015 and Beyond

One of the top trends driving today's housing market is the demand for energy-efficient homes that don't sacrifice comfort for quality. If you're looking to purchase a new home, green features can save money both now and in the future, with numerous earth-friendly benefits. Here's what is trending for 2015 and beyond.

Functional Spaces

Homebuyers are looking to get more functionality out of less space and often discover downsizing is a viable option for both young families and empty-nesters. Modular or manufactured homes, like those from Clayton Homes, are gaining popularity. Homebuyers enjoy thoughtful modern designs that maximize space and functionality, plus the waste from building an entire house in a controlled environment is minimal - typically fitting into just two 30-gallon drums or less.

ENERGY STAR

Many of those on the market for a home are seeking ENERGY STAR certification, meaning the home meets stringent requirements from the Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR certified homes from Clayton Homes cost less to heat and cool, are quieter, more durable and have better indoor air quality. Learn more at www.claytonhomes.com/energy_star.cfm. Energy savings options available on Clayton Homes include low-e windows, additional insulation and advanced heating and cooling options.

AGENT NAMEEquity Real Estate(555) 555-5555email@email.com

Inside This Issue1. Energy-Efficient

Home Trends for 2015 and Beyond

2. Add A Signature Style to Your Home

3. Nutrition Choices Made Easy in the Grocery Aisle

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

14 Ways To Make Your Home – And Your Life - EasierLife is busy. Everyday, so many

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Low-E Windows

Windows are an investment that pays dividends for many years to come. Buyers are demanding at least double-paned options with low emissivity, also known as low-e, advanced window coatings that help retain heat during winter and keep it out during summer. This microscopic layer also blocks damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furniture.

Effective Insulation

Homebuyers are asking about extra insulation in homes, including the walls, roof and flooring. Properly installed insulation that meets or exceeds national code requirements helps better regulate a home's temperature so the furnace and air conditioner don't have to work harder than necessary. The result is lower utility costs and a quieter, more comfortable home.

Advanced Heating and Cooling Features

According to a 2009 RECS Survey conducted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, space heating accounts for 41.5 percent of the average household's energy consumption, which is why homebuyers seek atmosphere controlling features that can cut this number dramatically. More efficient and properly sized heating and cooling systems, such as a heat pump, use less energy, which makes the home much more energy efficient throughout.

Smart Lighting Alternatives

Homebuyers are demanding energy-efficient options to save money and energy. According to the EPA, CFL light bulbs use less energy than many other types, which makes them a smart option for an energy-efficient home.

Tight Construction

It's not just what you can see that makes a house green, it's the process itself that can make a big difference. That's why tight construction and tight ducts are a must when building a home. Builders must pay close attention to detail by sealing all holes, cracks and seams in ducts and construction assemblies. This helps to eliminate drafts, moisture, dust, pests and pollen, plus boosts comfort while lowering maintenance costs.

With today's advanced technology, homebuyers can reduce their energy use and expenditure with an ENERGY STAR Clayton Home. A wide variety of energy efficient models and options are available and homes can be easily customized to suit a family's specific needs.

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things to do. Finding a few shortcuts is key to keeping on track – and keeping your sanity. Employ a few of these tricks to make your life easier (and better!)1. Put it on the listIt stinks to be driving home from Lowe’s only to remember…Home Renovations To Invest In And Avoid in 2015Conventional wisdom tells us that any home renovation is a positive thing: money in is money out. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Some remodeling projects are a better investment than other, and the projects that yield the best return on investment…

Ingenious Storage Options That Will Change Your LifeMost conversations about storage, and about moving up, for that matter, make us think about George Carlin. If you haven’t seen his “stuff” rant, you should definitely check it out (there may be a bad word or two). He has a point, and yet….we still need more room to put our stuff. And since we don’t see…http://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice1Small, Exterior Home Improvements to Offer Best ROI in 2015Homeowners often consider various remodeling and replacement projects as a way to add value to their homes. Some projects add more value and better recoup their costs than others, according to REALTORS who rated small and exterior projects as the most valuable home improvement projects in the 2015 Remodeling Cost…

Smart Home Upgrades for about $300Baby, it’s cold outside! As temperatures dip, many homeowners are looking at ways to save on energy costs…

When Couple’s Ideas Clash on Home Decorating, Compromise is Key

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Add A Signature Style to Your Home

To satisfy homeowners seeking to add a signature style to their indoor living spaces, more and more design professionals and builders are going back to basics and rediscovering the versatility, durability and good looks of cypress.

"There's really nothing quite like it," says Hal Mitchell of the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association, www.CypressInfo.org. "It's an exceptional wood that offers variety and lasting performance to any home, anywhere. And for interior applications, as paneling, millwork, cabinetry, or flooring, cypress delivers a unique look that complements practically every architectural style. So whether in the woods or ocean front, rustic to contemporary, with cypress, the possibilities are endless."

Bring Warmth to Modern Design

When it comes to material selection for architect Jody Beck of Traction Architecture in Tampa, Florida, Beck chooses cypress to "warm-up" her designs. Despite the influx of trendy building materials, cypress is her go-to material. So much so that she featured it in a beach house she recently designed for her family on Anna Maria Island, Florida.

"Almost all of the wood in the home is cypress," Beck says, "including cypress flooring in the bedrooms and awesome, built-in cabinetry. This consistency from room to room, coupled with cypress' natural warmth and wonderfully subtle glow, sets off the rest of the home's material palette, offering a nice juxtaposition to the clean, modern spaces."

A Horse of a Different Color

Craig Carver, owner of Greenville, South Carolina luxury home builder, The Carver Group, favors cypress because it's user-friendly and offers great variety. He recommends it to clients wanting to add pizazz to otherwise lackluster

(TNS) – Moving in with someone means making sacrifices. Couples have to adjust to each other’s schedules, surrender some privacy and come up with a fair system to decide who will take out the trash…

http://rismedia.com/category/home-owner-news

Movie TriviaWhich one of these talented actors did not star in the 1989 movie “Family Business”?

1. Sean Connery2. Matthew Broderick3. Dustin Hoffman4. Tom Cruise

Clint Eastwood gave us the immortal line. “Go ahead…make my day”, in what film?

1. Dirty Harry2. Magnum Force3. Sudden Impact4. Tightrope

What was the name of the island on which King Kong was discovered in the original 1933 movie?

1. Ape Island

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ceilings and walls.

"Cypress is really easy to work with," Carver explains. "It readily accepts paints and stains and can be used as exposed beams, cabinetry, and other decorative elements. Most importantly, because of its natural color, which ranges from honey to light chocolate, you can better engineer a desired finish. I haven't found a comparable product that gives as nice of a finish.

"We recently built a custom bathroom vanity out of cypress that was on the darker end of the cypress color spectrum. We applied a stain to accentuate the natural color and created a stunning look that couldn't have been duplicated with another wood species. We also are getting ready to do an entire family room with cypress. Paneling, ceiling, and molding - it's going to be absolutely beautiful."

Spotlighting the Grain

For Tampa, Florida award-winning builder, Marc Rutenberg, Marc Rutenberg Homes, its cypress' texture and rich grain that separate it from other species, and make it especially desirable for a home's unique, architectural details.

"Appearance is number one," Rutenberg says. "And while cypress is usually seen with a flat grain, showing intriguing figure, some homeowners are requesting vertical-grain cypress, which has a fine grain that has an almost delicate appearance. The tight pinstripes are bone straight and they bring a fantastic texture to the surface without being busy. It achieves a wonderful look."

Show Your Signature Style

For your new home or next remodeling project, be sure your design professional is specifying cypress. Because when it comes to versatility, durability, good looks and style, cypress is hard to beat.

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2. Borneo3. Monster Island4. Skull Island

In the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which pair of genetically similar characters perform a piano duet?

1. Bambi and Bullwinkle2. Donald Duck and Daffy

Duck3. Garfield and Sylvester4. Speedy Gonzalez and

Minnie Mouse

Julie Andrews won the Academy Award for best actress in what film?

1. Mary Poppins2. The Sound of Music3. Victor/Victoria

Poached Eggs with Serrano Ham and Garlic AsparagusRecipe Courtesy of egglandsbest.com

Total Time: 25 MinutesPrep: 10 MinutesStand: 15 MinutesYield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

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Nutrition Choices Made Easy in the Grocery Aisle

Should you buy eggs instead of cereal? Popcorn in place of pretzels? For consumers seeking "better-for-you" foods at the grocery store, these types of decisions can feel overwhelming, and for some, time-consuming.

With the help of the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System, making healthier decisions at store shelves becomes easier and quicker. Developed by a team of recognized experts, led by Dr. David Katz of the Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center, the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System was created as a direct response to America's rapidly rising rates of obesity and diabetes in both adult and child populations. This team advocated the development of an independent and simplified nutritional scoring system to help improve public health.

The easy-to-use NuVal Nutritional Scoring System provides foods throughout participating grocery stores with a score of one to 100, 100 being the most nutritious. Scores are determined by an independent team of nutrition and medical experts who analyze more than 30 nutrition factors such as vitamin D, omega 3 fatty acids, saturated fat and calories. The experts do the research, so consumers can feel better about their food choices.

"Choosing the right foods at the grocery store can make or break your healthy meal plan for the week," says registered dietitian Tammy Lakatos Shames. "When walking the aisles, pick up wholesome foods that are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. For example, Eggland's Best eggs are the highest-scoring egg on the NuVal scale and the only egg I recommend to my clients and serve my family due to their superior nutrition!"

Check out the foods Tammy recommends for your shopping cart next time you hit the grocery store:

8 Eggland's Best Egg, large

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

3 large cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced

1 1/2 pounds medium asparagus spears, trimmed

1/2 cup chicken broth Sea salt and coarsely

ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 tablespoon salt 4 large slices from round

loaf of crusty Italian bread, toasted (3/4-inch thick)

4 ounces very thinly sliced Serrano ham

1/4 cup finely shredded Manchego cheese

1 tablespoon minced fresh Italian parsley

Ground Spanish paprika

Directions:1. In large skillet, heat 2

tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute or until very lightly browned. Remove garlic with slotted spoon; reserve for later use. Add asparagus and broth to hot oil; simmer 3 minutes or until crisp-tender, turning asparagus occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Fill a large pot halfway with water. Add white vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low. Break Eggland's Best eggs into custard cups, one at a time. Gently slide eggs into hot water, in 2 to 3 batches. Poach eggs 3 to 4 minutes or until egg whites are firm and yolks are slightly thickened. Remove eggs with slotted spoon.

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* Fruits and vegetables top the list

With a score of 100, vegetables like broccoli and asparagus receive a perfect score due to their nutritional benefits. They provide important nutrients including vitamin A, which helps protect against infections, dietary fiber which helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease, and folate, which helps the body form red blood cells.

* Seafood catches top scores

Fishing for healthy foods? Try wild Atlantic salmon filets, which have a score of 96 on the NuVal scale. This fish selection offers calcium, which helps build strong bones, and phosphorus, which helps with digestion. Fish is also a great source of minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium and potassium.

* Eggs crack the NuVal Code

Eggs are a complete protein that keeps you full to prevent snacking and also include important nutrients your body needs throughout the day. Out of 56 brands of eggs reviewed, Eggland's Best eggs scored the highest at 85. Compared to ordinary eggs, Eggland's Best eggs contain four times more vitamin D, 10 times more vitamin E and double the omega 3s.

Find fresh and nutritious recipe ideas, including this Poached Eggs with Serrano Ham and Garlic Asparagus, at www.egglandsbest.com or www.pinterest.com/egglandsbest.

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3. Place toast on 4 serving plates. Top each evenly with Serrano ham, asparagus spears, asparagus broth and 2 poached eggs. Sprinkle with cheese, parsley and reserved garlic. Drizzle plates evenly with remaining 2 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with paprika.

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