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Where did you grow up? I was born in Lamesa, then

grew up at Morton, where I graduated high school. I then attended Texas Tech University here in Lubbock and graduated with BS degree in Agriculture.

Why do you live in the Lub-bock area? What do you like most about it?

I live in Lubbock because West Texas is home – most of our fam-ily members are in the area, and Lubbock is the best place to be for the work I do. Lubbock has so much to offer in that it has everything we need – there are work opportunities, educational and medical facilities, farm-ing, and many other industries that support our economy. And although it is a large town, it is also a friendly place to be – it is not in every large town where you can know your neighbors like you can here.

How long have you worked in real estate?

I have worked in real estate since 1992. I was licensed then and have been working at Coldwell Banker Rick Canup, Realtors since that time.

What is your specialty?My specialty is residential real

estate, which will include single family homes, existing and new, and duplex properties, etc. I have also sold land, residential and farm, but homes make up the biggest part of the business.

What designations do you have?

I have CRS, GRI, and e-Pro designations. These are profes-sional designations awarded upon completion of the educa-tional requirements. Studying and learning is an ongoing pro-cess in this business, and it helps me be my best

What are the most gratifying aspect and the most challeng-ing aspect of what you do?

The most “challenging” aspect of my business is keeping up with technology today. It moves so fast, and it seems there is something new coming along almost daily. It is crucial to learn and include this in my busi-ness in order to do my best, but nothing seems to wear out these days, it just gets replaced with something newer and better. I am fortunate to have good advi-sors and training for this – that helps me out a lot. The most “gratifying” aspect of my busi-ness includes several things, but high on the list is doing a good

job for homeowners that need to get their home sold and home buyers that need to find a home for their family.

What tip would you offer someone looking to buy or sell a home?

Home buyers – know up-front

what you can buy and engage a professional to help you. Loan pre-approval takes only a short time, then you can focus bet-ter and enjoy the home search process. Home sellers – prepare your home well before putting it on the market. Time will be lost if you don’t, and in this busi-ness, time can be money. You also need to consider the marketing expertise and connections of a real estate professional – good guidance is invaluable.

What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?

I cannot predict the future, but I do know this – change is inevitable. We have had and will continue to have changes in home values, mortgage lending rules and rates, and changes in the number of homes for sale. And, there are always homes that need to be sold and families that need to buy homes. Lubbock has a lot of industries supporting it and responds well to change, so I believe this city is always going to be a winner.

Why should someone select you as their Realtor?

I believe that I know this business well, I put a lot of effort into doing a good job, and I have great resources and support where I work. I want clients to benefit from the services I provide, I want them to know that I care, and I want them to know that their satisfaction is of utmost importance to me.

Real estate Produced ByAdvertising Editorial Staff

lubbockonline.com homes.lubbockonline.com LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Inside Real Estate: WTHBA Featured Floorplan - Page 7Local Real Estate News - Page 8 On The Web: Check us out on Facebook & Twitter

View Full MLS Listings & Open House List

Mike O’BrienColdwell Banker riCk Canup, realtors, inC.806-781-3235 or 806-781-3292mobrien@coldwellbanker.com

Realtor Revealed

Mike O’Brien, Coldwell Banker Rick Canup, Realtors, Inc.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011saturdaY

Home Showcase - Page 10Homes.lubbockonline.com - Page 10

CRS, GRI, e-Pro

Photo by Misty Setzler

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Home Call

Josh Horsey806-766-8653

Katie McKinney806-766-8646

Jason Whittle806-766-2196

2 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL homes.lubbockonline.com

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Are you ready to downsize and really enjoy the good life? Come and see this Featured Home of the Week in Wilshire Estates!

Wilshire Estates is a perfect community to build your empty-nest and get the most from a mainte-nance-free, yet totally independent lifestyle. Living your life on your own terms is a unique philosophy that defines the character of Wilshire Estates. This is a unique development where security, wellness, family and friends are part of everyday life.

Developed specifically to meet the needs of home-owners who are 50+, Wilshire Estates is a 68-acre master planned community located at the corner of Erskine and Milwaukee Avenues in northwest Lubbock. Homeowners here share a neighborhood of single-family homes lining quiet streets in a

park-like setting. Neighbors will quickly become friends within this secure, gated community.

#8 Wilshire Blvd. is the newest addition to Wilshire Estates and this week’s Featured Home. With more than 2,000 square feet, three bedrooms, two baths, and a separate office, it is a must see! Hardwood flooring in the formal living and dining area, custom cabinets throughout, and a granite kitchen are standard in this house.

This model home is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tues-day through Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. To learn more about Wilshire Estates, please call Laura at (806) 786-7164. This home is sponsored by the West Texas Home Builders Asso-ciation in cooperation with the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has re-leased its first NAHB/First Amer-ican Improving Markets Index (IMI), a new economic index re-vealing metropolitan areas that have shown improvement for at least six months in three key eco-nomic areas – housing permits, employment and housing prices.

The list of metropolitan areas includes: Alexandria, LA; Anchor-age, AK; Bangor, ME; Bismarck, ND; Casper, WY; Fairbanks, AK; Fayetteville, NC; Houma, LA; Midland, TX; New Orleans, LA; Pittsburgh, PA; and Waco, TX

“Despite the challenging condi-tions in the national economy and housing sector, there are areas throughout the country where

we are seeing pockets of improve-ment” said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen. “Housing conditions are local, and do not always reflect the national picture. We created this index to shine a light on those housing markets that have stabilized and have begun to show signs of recovery.”

“By examining key indicators of home prices, employment and housing permits, we are using a comprehensive, but conservative method in determining which markets are improving,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Last year at this time, there was not a single market that showed improvement using these criteria, and now we can point to 12 examples of growth.”

“It’s not surprising that many of the states represented are en-ergy rich areas,” Crowe contin-ued. “Those are the regions still experiencing relatively strong employment, supporting housing demand.”

The IMI measures three sets of independent monthly data to get a mark on the top improv-ing Metropolitan Statistical Ar-eas. The three indicators that are analyzed are employment growth, house price appreciation, and single-family housing permit growth. A metro area must see improvement in all three areas for at least six months following their respective troughs before being included on the improving markets list.

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#8 – Wilshire Estates

Two Texas cities on Improving Markets Index

Featured Floorplan – Strong CuStom BuilderS

REAl ESTATE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL 7homes.lubbockonline.com

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Brett Rodgers, Kent Hebison, and Steve Rogers – three real estate sales professionals in Lubbock – have joined the Keller Williams Realty Market Center. This comes on the heels of the announcement that 40 other as-sociates have also joined Keller Williams Realty since Jan. 1, 2011.

“We are blessed to have Brett, Kent and Steve join us here at Keller Williams,” says Doug Dun-can, Team Leader/CEO. “Keller Williams Realty brings together all aspects of high achieving real estate agents. From personal growth, accountability, business development, models and sys-tems, KW is reaching heights never seen before in Lubbock!”

Brett Rodgers has an exten-sive background in new home construction and has been in the real estate industry for nine years. Brett’s previous broker-age was Real Living, Greg Gar-rett Realtors.

“I chose KW for the full knowl-

edge base and freedom to grow my business at my pace,” he says.

Kent Hebison also comes to Keller Williams from Real Liv-ing, Greg Garrett Realtors. Kent has been in the real estate in-dustry for three years.

“I chose Keller Williams Realty because I wanted an educational and technological advantage to reach my true potential,” says Hebison. “I want to grow my real estate business, and Keller Williams Realty has opened the door to reaching my goals.”

Steve Rogers has a background in ministry and has been in the real estate industry for three years.

“At a time when I needed more flexibility in my work hours, KW offered me options that let me run my business my way,” says Rogers.

“Adding Brett, Kent and Steve to the KW office brings added di-mension of real estate expertise to clients,” says Duncan. “With

their individual backgrounds, skills and interests, each of these new agents will do very well im-plementing the new systems and models we teach at KW!”

Keller Williams Realty has put its mark on the real estate industry by offering comprehen-sive educational resources and technological tools. These advan-tages, coupled with additional benefits such as profit sharing, team building and great cul-ture have attracted some of the most talented owners, brokers and agents in the business. With these tools and benefits, the company has continued to grow despite the well-publicized tur-moil in the real estate industry, and just this year became the 2nd largest real estate company in the U.S., surpassing Century 21.

Brett, Kent and Steve are more than ready to serve the needs of clients and new-comers to the Lubbock area. Contact them to-day at Keller Williams Realty.

Pending home sales declined in July but remain well above year-ago levels, according to the Na-tional Association of Realtors®. All regions show monthly de-clines except for the West, which continues to show the highest level of sales contract activity.

The Pending Home Sales In-dex, a forward-looking indica-tor based on contract signings, slipped 1.3 percent to 89.7 in July from 90.9 in June but is

14.4 percent above the 78.4 in-dex in July 2010. The data re-flects contracts but not closings.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said sales activity is underperforming. “The market can easily move into a healthy expansion if mortgage under-writing standards return to nor-malcy,” he said. “We also need to be mindful that not all sales contracts are leading to closed existing-home sales. Other

market frictions need to be ad-dressed, such as assuring that proper comparables are used in appraisal valuations, and streamlining the short sales process.”

Pending home sales in the South fell 4.8 percent to an in-dex of 94.4 but are 9.5 percent higher than July 2010. In the West the index rose 3.6 percent to 110.8 in July and is 20.6 per-cent above a year ago.

Sam Striker, Vice President Cen-tury 21 Real Estate LLC, recognized John Walton, Broker/Owner of Cen-tury 21 John Walton Realtors, for 35 years of exceptional service to the Century 21 System and real estate industry. Mr. Stricker noted that “Mr. Walton has supported the Century 21 vision and leadership that has led this organization in its growth and success.”

Walton stated, “We feel as if we are a part of the foundation starting the Century 21 System, which has become the largest residential real estate organization in the world. We have enjoyed the support of the Cen-tury 21 System and push forward for continued growth in the future.”

You can find Century 21 John Wal-ton Realtors at 4718 S. Loop 289 in Lubbock, or online at www.Centu-ry21Lubbock.com. Their phone num-ber is 806-793-8111.

Agents Brett Rodgers, Kent Hebison and Steve Rogers join Keller Williams Realty

Pending home sales slip in July, up from 2010

Century 21 Real Estate LLC honors John Walton for 35 years of dedication, service

John Walton, Broker/oWner oF Century 21 John Walton realtorS, iS reC-ognized For 35 yearS oF ServiCe and dediCation By Sam Striker, vp oF Century 21 real eState llC.

loCal real eState neWS

REAl ESTATE8 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL homes.lubbockonline.com

Did you know that filing a four-page applica-tion with your appraisal district could knock $15,000 off the taxable value of your home? If you qualify for a residential homestead exemption, you’ll receive a reduction on the part of your home’s value used for school taxes, which will lower your tax bill.

Do I qualIfy?To qualify for the exemp-

tion, your home must meet the definition of residence homestead: the owner must be an individual, not a business entity and use the home as his principal residence on Jan. 1 of the tax year. (The Jan. 1 deadline doesn’t apply for disabled homeowners or homeowners who are 65 or older.)

What proof must I provIDe?A new law that went into effect Sept. 1 re-

quires applicants for all homestead exemptions to provide a copy of their Texas driver’s license or state ID card and vehicle registration receipt. The documents must show the same address as the property for which the exemption is request-ed. Applicants who don’t have a vehicle can use a utility bill with the correct address in place of the registration receipt.

Can I move aWay temporarIly? You can temporarily move away from your

home and still use the exemption if you don’t establish another principal residence and you

plan to return. Renting part of your home or using part of it for a business does not disqualify the rest of your home for the exemption.

What kInDs of exemptIons are there?If you qualify for a homestead exemption,

you’ll receive a $15,000 reduction on the value of your property for school taxes. Counties that assess a special tax for farm-to-market roads or flood control may offer a $3,000 exemption for this tax. There are exemptions for some dis-abled U.S. veterans and surviving spouses and children of members of the armed forces killed while on active duty.

All taxing entities, like school districts, cit-ies, counties or special districts, can offer an optional exemption for up to 20 percent of your property’s value. This percentage exemption is on top of other homestead exemptions for which the homeowner qualifies. Taxing entities may also offer additional homestead exemptions to homeowners who are age 65 or older or disabled.

hoW muCh Does It Cost to fIle a homesteaD exemptIon?

Nothing. There is no fee for applying for a homestead exemption. You may receive an offi-cial-looking letter asking for a fee to take care of your homestead exemption application. This is a scam. These letters usually start appearing in mailboxes during the first few weeks of the year.

for more InformatIon …Visit the Texas Comptroller of Public Ac-

counts’ Web site, www.window.state.tx.us, and go to the Property Tax heading in the Texas Taxes section. You can also visit the Lubbock Central Appraisal District’s website, www.LubbockCAD.org.

You can lower your home’s taxable value by $15,000

murFee

BY Joe L. Murfee, III, PresidentLubbock Association of REALTORS®

REAl ESTATE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL 9homes.lubbockonline.com

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(ARA) – Call the family and grab the toolbox. Do-it-yourself projects can become a family affair this fall.

According to a recent survey by econ-omists at the University of California, there is a trend of parents looking for ways to spend even more time with their children. A DIY project offers the perfect activity mix for spending happy, productive, cost-effective time together to accomplish a common fam-ily goal.

DIY projects can be as rewarding as the results: a brighter bathroom, an updated living room or a dramatic touch to any room in the house. The possibilities of easy home improvement projects are seemingly endless.

“Improving and updating your home doesn’t have to be a chore,” says Erinn Valencich, a Los Angeles-based inte-rior designer and blogger for HGTV’s Design Happens. “You don’t have to renovate to create a big impact; just a few small changes will do the trick and you can get the whole family involved.”

One of the easiest ways to update a room is by refreshing the floor, says Valencich. “Floors set the tone of the room,” she says. “A floor adds so much to the look and feel of the room.”

Hard surfaces, including laminate, are once again dominating home floor-ing options. Laminate flooring is a popular option and the fastest growing flooring material around, according to HGTV, because of its practical benefits including durability, beauty and last-ing wear.

While the thought of installing your own floors can be daunting, Valencich assures homeowners that the installa-

tion of laminate floors is fairly simple. In fact, according to flooring industry experts, new floors can be installed in a weekend.

“Laminate floors, like Quick-Step, can be installed directly on top of existing wood, tile or vinyl flooring and Quick-Step’s Uniclic design needs no glue, nails or staples during installa-tion,” says Valencich. “Planks simply click together, for a lasting connection. Because of the ease of installation, older children can get involved with putting in new laminate floors.”

Following these easy tips from Floor-ing Trends.com will make your room look like a million bucks.

• To help reduce moisture, mold, mil-dew and a hollow sound when walked on, put down a quality underlayment first.

• Order 7 to 10 percent more product than you think you’ll need to allow for cuts and custom fits.

• Order matching or coordinating molding and trim. “This finishing touch will set you apart,” says Valencich.

• Acclimate your laminate floor products before installation. Put un-opened cartons in the room they will be installed in for 72 to 96 hours. This is important if you live in a very dry or humid climate.

• Make sure the concrete or wood subfloor is level before you start your installation.

Additional simple DIY projectsIn addition to installing a new floor,

there are other simple DIY projects that will add to the beauty and comfort of your home.

• Add attic insulation. If the insula-

tion in your attic is not up to par, the house can lose almost 30 percent of its warm air. Properly insulating an attic can save anywhere from 10 to 30 per-cent off your monthly heating bill, U.S. News & World Report’s My Money blog says. Batt insulation – rolled fiberglass insulation – can often be added for 70 cents to $1 per square foot.

• Lighten up your bathroom. The bathroom is a great place for a do-it-yourself project. Try adding can or recessed lighting. “Recessed lighting becomes part of the architecture,” says Valencich.

• Replace that kitchen faucet. Update your kitchen faucet to refresh your sink area, and younger children can help with the removal and replace-ment of the old faucet. Installing a new faucet can be an economical decision, too. “A new faucet can help lower your water and energy costs,” says Valen-cich.

• Go green. You don’t need to install solar panels or a wind farm to go green and save money. There are several small things you can do to help save the planet and your wallet, from seal-ing drafts and air ducts to installing a programmable thermostat. Caulk and spray foam are inexpensive and can be used to seal drafts, saving up to 20 percent on a monthly heating bill. Use a programmable thermostat to turn down the heat while you’re at work and to turn it back up right before you come home.

To make floor selection even easier, Valencich has curated her own collec-tion of Quick-Step “Designer’s Choice” floors, which can be viewed at quick-stepstyle.com.

(ARA) – When winter approaches, do you stow the grill and cover the patio furniture, wishing there was some way you could continue to enjoy your outdoor living space all year? If so, you’re not alone.

More homeowners are seeking function and efficiency from their outdoor living spaces, according to a recent survey by the American Society of Landscape Archi-tects. Demand is growing to make outdoor spaces unique and usable year-round. Experts say one of the first ways to create this personal year-round oasis, is by bring-ing the indoors outside.

“A great outdoor space serves as an extension of your home,” says Dan Berger, expert landscape designer, HGTV.com con-tributor and owner of LandPlan Landscap-ing in Pleasanton, Calif. “When planned properly, your backyard can provide you extra square footage of living space and serve as an inviting retreat throughout the year.”

Berger offers some design hints to help turn your backyard living space into a multi-functional, multi-season oasis:

1. Define your space with a base“You need to define your space based on

function,” Berger says. “Once outside you need to feel cozy, enclosed within your new space while oriented to other rooms within your house and yard.”

You can start with an existing porch, deck or patio, or build new ones, to estab-lish boundaries for your space. Consider how you will use it – for living, dining or entertaining – and include features that

will make the space easy and efficient for those intended uses.

2. Use natural materials that compli-ment the outdoors

Eco-chic – materials that are environ-mentally friendly and beautiful – remains a hot outdoor living trend. “I always like to use natural materials as they just make me feel more connected to nature and more relaxed,” says Berger. Natural, organic, eco-friendly materials create a warm, inviting feel and are better for the environment.

Fortunately, some tried-and-true materi-als, like Western Red Cedar are spot-on with this trend. This versatile material holds a finish for an extended period of time or weathers beautifully naturally, making it a green choice for everything from decks to flower boxes and furniture. You can learn more about Western Red Cedar and locate a retailer or distributor in your area, by visiting www.wrcla.org.

3. Add dimensionPergolas, gazebos and trellises add

height and dimension to your outdoor environment, and can enhance the feeling of privacy whether in an outdoor kitchen or entertainment space. Consider building outdoor walls to help achieve that feel-ing of privacy, coziness and orientation. Explore walls made of real wood, rock or fabric.

For extra detail and shade, drape a thin veil of papyrus or other vine over a per-gola to create an intimate lounging area. Consider adding a tall plant in the corner

or edge of the deck to balance the space and add height. During the holiday season, wrap tall plants with string lights to brighten the space. For more how to tips, visit “WRCLA’s Channel” on YouTube.

4. Simplify the installationChoose materials that are easy to install

over alternative, composite building prod-ucts.

Durable materials last longer by avoid-ing the damaging effects of mold and mil-dew, and can save you money long-term. They are also lighter than man-made products, making it easier to design and create an ideal space. Instead of spending the last days of summer fixing material that splits, breaks or crumbles, you’ll have more time to relax in your outdoor oasis.

5. Update seasonallyAs the seasons change, so should the

look of your outdoor accessories and fur-nishings. Berger recommends decorating your outdoor rooms as you would inside. Add holiday decorations in the winter and pictures to your walls in the spring. From summer barbecues to enjoying fall colors or even gathering around the fire pit after the big football game, select accessories and furnishings that will facilitate year-round use.

“The most important thing to remember is to have fun,” Berger says. “Enjoy turning your plain backyard into the outdoor oasis of your dreams. Take your time and make choices that are right for you and your family, and you will enjoy the space for many years to come.”

(NewsUSA) – Wallpaper can be a beautiful addition to the home, but some common misconceptions deter people from buying the prod-uct. Before purchasing wallpaper, consider the following information from the Wallcoverings Association (www.wallcoverings.org):

MYTH 1: Wallpaper is not a good choice for kitchens and baths.The truth: Kitchens are in fact ideal places to decorate with

wallcoverings. They look great, and the protective coating on most wallpapers make them washable; many are even scrubbable, so maintenance is a snap.

Because today’s wallpapers can mimic any surface – tile, stone, metal – and are designed to coordinate with cabinetry and appli-ances, they’re an affordable way to update a kitchen. Wallpaper is the best way to spruce up guest bathrooms where there’s no shower, and even in bathrooms with a tub or shower, most wallpapers work well. Just use the proper adhesive according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it stays put.

MYTH 2: Wallpaper is a hassle to hang and remove.The truth: Today’s high-performance, easy-hang wallpaper (many

known as “non-wovens”) are easy to hang and remove – a great alternative to ordinary paint. Installation is quick and requires less patching and sanding, fewer coats and less waiting time between steps than paint. When it’s time to redecorate, most wallpapers come off easily.

MYTH 3: You get tired of wallpaper very quickly. The truth: People are often so pleased with their selection that on

average, they keep the same pattern up for many years (paint has about a three-year life span). And there’s a vast selection, whether you want to highlight one wall with an attention-getting wallpaper or give an entire room a beautiful look.

MYTH 4: Wallpaper is a big commitment.The Truth: If you fear commitment, self-adhesive, temporary wall

decor products are great options. These peel-and-stick products can be mixed, matched and layered, and they’re repositionable and removable, therefore perfect for rentals or dorm rooms.

Nor is wallpaper off-limits if you live in a rental. Many lease agree-ments stipulate that walls must be in move-in condition when the lease is up. Fortunately, today’s easy-hang wallpapers may protect walls from everyday scratches and gouges, so landlords will likely grant permission. No special removal tools are required; simply tug at a corner, and entire sheets are down in minutes without marring walls.

NAPSI – For many people, the change in seasons can bring dis-comfort from seasonal allergens, and managing airborne aller-gens in the spring and fall can be challenging.

Along with weather changes, each season brings different al-lergens to the forefront-pollen from trees, flowers and grass in the spring and pollen from ragweed in the fall. Add these to common allergens that may be trapped in your house, such as pet dander, mold spores and dust, and the result can be stale, poor-quality indoor air.

Following are three simple tips to reduce indoor air allergens:

1. Help keep outdoor allergens from entering your home. When coming in from outside, take off your shoes to prevent tracking in pollen, mold spores and other allergens. If you’ve been outside for a long time, consider taking a shower and changing your clothes. Pollen can easily col-lect on clothes and in your hair. Wipe off pets when they come in to reduce pollutants that collect on their fur and feet. In addition, keep your doors and windows closed to stop outdoor pollutants from blowing inside.

2. Do a thorough cleaning. This can help get rid of outdoor air pollutants that find their way indoors and help reduce airborne allergens already pres-ent in the home. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter on rugs and hardwood floors, wash bedding and curtains regularly, scrub bathrooms and fix moisture leaks to help eliminate mold and mildew. Wipe miniblinds and shades with an electrostatically charged cloth to trap dust or use a vacuum attachment designed for dusting.

3. Use an effective air purifier. Using portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in rooms where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom, family room, liv-ing room, den or home office, can help you clean and freshen the air in those rooms. Highly effec-tive air purifiers can capture up to 99.97 percent of microscopic pollutants and particles (0.3 mi-crons and larger) from the air that passes through their filters, including allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores and smoke. These air purifiers can even capture certain germs and help reduce common house-hold odors.

Fast, simple and amazing DIY projects

Ways to create a year-round oasis in your own backyard

Busting 4 myths about wallpapers

Simple ways to help reduce allergens

FLOORS SET THE TONE OF A ROOM, so one of the easiest ways to update a room is by refreshing the floor. Hard surfaces are once again dominating home flooring options, and laminate flooring is a popular option because of its durability, beauty and lasting wear.

A GREAT OUTDOOR SPACE SERVES as an extension of your home, and when planned properly, your backyard can provide you extra square footage of living space and serve as

an inviting retreat throughout the year. Start with a good de-sign foundation and use natural, durable materials to create a warm, inviting feel.

REAl ESTATE10 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL homes.lubbockonline.com

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2 is better than 1

homeS.luBBoCkonline.Com’S piCkS oF the Week

This week’s featured picks from homes.lubbockonline.com highlight two story homes in the Lubbock area. These homes vary in price, style, and location.

1. A great four bedroom, three and a half bath, two car garage home awaits an owner at 8824 14th Street. With two living area, two dining areas, a kitchen island, breakfast bar, spacious room sizes and closets, abundant storage and a large yard on a cul-de-sac you will fall in love at first sight. This home has been immaculately maintained and boasts many upgrades. Sitting only two blocks from an elementary school, this 2,466 square foot home is priced at $175,000. MLS# 9981566

2. If you are looking for space, you found it! Built in 2009, this home is basically brand new. This house has everything your could want in a home – four bedrooms, three and a half baths, two living areas, a two car rear entry garage, tile flooring,

arched entry ways, large living room and upstairs game room, Jack and Jill bath, and an isolated master. A beautiful stone fireplace in dining area makes this kitchen ideal for entertaining. The home is located at 2626 112th Street and lies in the Cooper school district. There is 2,961 square feet of living space for only $234,950. MLS# 9979286

3. This is an absolutely stunning home in Vintage Township with a basement and a study! The living area has soaring ceilings and a wall of windows in the back. The gourmet kitchen is wonderfully bright and has granite, an island, professional appliances, and a walk-in pantry! The master suite has a separate exercise or nursery area, as well as a huge bath suite with distressed cabi-netry and marble countertops. An oversized yard and an attached rear entry garage complete the home. It’s located at 11804 Topeka Avenue, has 3,400 square feet, and is priced at $385,000. MLS# 9982705

4. Enjoy beautiful sunsets and spectacular canyon views from this home with four bedrooms, three and half baths, three living areas, an office and nursery, plus a hot tub room and dry sauna. New granite and appliances have been placed in the kitchen, which includes a butler’s pantry. This home has stor-age galore, plus a three-car garage, a circular drive, and new sod in the backyard. It’s a perfect 10! This home at 17 N. Rim Road is priced at $425,000 and is 4,125 square feet. MLS# 9979873

5. This lovely, two story home has a beautiful grand staircase, tall ceil-ings throughout, a large formal din-ing and living room with built-ins, and a fireplace in the great room. 9502 Winston offers five bedrooms, six and a half baths, a media or workout room in the basement, an office, game room, a balcony over-looking the pool, and a three-car rear entry garage. The home is very detailed throughout and has been

reduced to sell; ask about the spe-cial financing available or a lease option. At 6,429 square feet, this home is priced at $749,000. MLS# 9975861

6. A beautiful European designed, custom built home awaits you at 10701 Orlando Avenue. There are stunning finishes throughout the home. It is very bright and looks onto a beautiful pool area with a new pergola. Scraped wood floors as well as stone adorn the unbelievable gourmet kitchen and entry area. Breathtaking is the only way to de-scribe the master suite. The master bath has a negative-edge tub and unbelievable closets. Her side of the master suite has a relaxation room with a fireplace! This magnificent home is $869,000 and 5,700 square feet. MLS# 9982135

For more information and pictures about these and other homes, go to homes.lubbockonline.com and enter in the MLS# provided.

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(ARA) – Of course you love your pets, but let’s face it: Whether you’re hosting guests or trying to sell your home, the last thing you want visitors to remember is an odor. Luckily, there are a number of ways to eliminate odors and let your home’s personality shine.

hIt the floor

The biggest source of your home’s objection-able smell could be right under your feet. As anyone who has house-trained a pet knows, they don’t always get it right, and sometimes those accidents go unnoticed and cause stains to inevitably set in. To remove odors of any age, scrub bare floors with white vinegar and water or an odor-neutralizing cleaner, and thoroughly wash carpets and rugs using an odor-neutral-izing shampoo. You can also hire a professional to clean the carpets and provide extra deodor-izing treatments. If stains or smells remain, you’ll likely need to replace the carpet and padding. If this is the case, be sure to scrub the floor beneath before laying new carpet down. After the carpet has been thoroughly cleaned or replaced, regularly use carpet deodorizer

formulated for pet odors when vacuuming.

refreshIng Walls

Paint is one of the most dramatic and cost-effective ways to give your home’s interior a new look, and now it can also give your home a new fresh scent. Dutch Boy’s Refresh paint features odor-eliminating technology from Arm & Hammer. It reduces odors caused by pets and other sources, keeping your home smelling as good as it looks. Proven to reduce household smells, a coat of Refresh paint will prevent bad odors from lingering for months. By trapping and neutralizing odor molecules, this paint doesn’t cover up unappealing smells, but actually reduces them. And Refresh paint is available in Dutch Boy’s broad range of colors, so you can reduce unpleasant smells without compromising your decorating taste.

Clean WIth steam

Even if your pet isn’t allowed on the furni-ture, your home furnishing fabrics are hold-ing onto unpleasant scents. Though you may vacuum regularly, animal hair and dander are

trapped in the fibers of your cushions, curtains, sofa and other decor. Using a steam cleaner is the best way to eliminate bad smells in upholstered furniture and other items that cannot be laundered. Hire a professional service to treat the common areas in your home, or purchase a steam cleaner specifical-ly designed for pet hair removal. Deep-clean common area fabrics several times each year, and to help maintain a fresh smell day to day, use an odor-neutralizing fabric spray regularly.

sCenteD aCCessorIes

Tie a ribbon on your odor-free home with strategically placed candles and air fresheners. Choose classic scents that com-plement your decor, and use a variety throughout the home to avoid an overpowering result. Many candles and fresheners offer odor-neutralizing technology as well as pleasant scents, ensuring unfavorable smells are not only covered up but eliminated.

Keep your home pet-friendly and fresh

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL 11homes.lubbockonline.com

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Let Us Help You Place Your Ads! Call Today 806-762-3333 B10 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

EReal state

ClassifiedsTO PLACE AN AD, CALL KATIE OR GO ONLINE

REAL ESTATESell or rent your home or apartmentHomes.LubbockOnline.comForRentInLubbock.com

Katie806.766.8646

Real Estate For Sale

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Large lot in Vintage! 4-4-3 home with formal dining,office, & work-out room! Foam insulation, soaring

ceilings hardwood flooring, humidifier, granitecounters, 2 fireplaces! Loaded! Built in 2010

Call Westfall Realty, Inc.785-8293 l 632-8293

$352,500

11701Topeka

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4 Bedroom, 4 Bath, 2+ Garage HomeCompletely updated with granite, stainless steel,hard surfaces in quiet cul-de-sac neighborhood.

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Updated home on Private lake in RansomCanyon. Located 6 miles E. of Loop 289 on 50th St.

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OPEN HOUSE SUN. 2-4PM

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83 Bedroom82 Bath8Double CarCarport8Double WideSolitaire MobileHome w/ Land@81 Bock W ofUniversity & 1Block S. of FM 1294

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u6010-100th Street, 4/2/2,sprinkler system, shutters, 1992 sf. $149,900

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u Call for list of HUD Homes*

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Beautiful Country HomeNear Anton, TX

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Your local source for Garage Sales, Pets for Sale, Homes, Cars for Sale,Antiques and More Classifieds in this area.

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