Kitchen Recycling Solutions

iStock_000014092864XSmallIf you think recycling is a hassle, it may be that you don’t have the right tools to sort things out in your new home. McKinney TX offers a convenient curbside recycling program that lets residents combine different materials, such as paper, steel and glass in one bin. Of course, you still need to separate your trash from recycling before putting the goods out on the curb. Here are a few handy kitchen tools to handle that chore:

1. simplehuman 2-Bin Recycler – Separating trash from recyclables is a breeze with this handy unit. The space saving device features two inner containers that you can line with special “simplehuman” bags (sold separately). Or you can save money and just use regular bags in the container. A built-in lock holds the lid open for hands-free access. You simply press on the wide pedal at the base to access the bins. The lids open and close smoothly and quietly.

2. Square Step On Recycling Bin – This two-in-one bin is twice as deep as the simplehuman model, but is also 8 inches shorter. It features separate foot pedals to open the trash and recycling containers. Each compartment holds 2 liters and pulls out, so it’s a cinch to empty. The pull-out bins even have built in handles.

3. Hidden Recycling Center – Another option for sorting trash and recycling in your new home in McKinney TX is to build a recycling center right into your counter top. This ingenious project uses wooden plates and little doorknobs as the lids. What’s great about this hidden recycling center is that it provides easy access to under counter recycling bins, but you don’t have to sacrifice your counter space.

4. Folding Recycling Bags – Gaiam has a clever way to encourage your children to recycle. Their set of three leak-proof brightly colored plastic pags use handy graphics to make it extra easy for little ones to sort. Plus, the bags are low enough to put recycling in your child’s reach. Velcro tabs keep the bags in a row, and handles make the lightweight bags easy to carry.

When you’re looking for a new home in McKinney, TX to buy, one community you should consider is Shiloh Lakes by Landon Homes. Located just north of Virginia Parkway off Custer Road, Shiloh Lakes includes some of the largest homesites the area has to offer. A family friendly neighborhood, Shiloh Lakes features miles of hike and bike trails, 2,000 acres of parkland, and is located right across the street from the exemplary rated J. R. Wilmeth Elementary School. Visit the website to view Landon Homes available to build floorplans. 

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Home to Sell, No Problem!

Couple planning future.Do you long to buy a new, energy efficient home, but feel stuck because you can’t sell your old home? If you have a home to sell in Dallas, TX, there’s good news. Landon Homes can help. Our Trade In Program offers several options for home buyers who need to sell or lease their homes before they buy a new property.

Option #1: Trade In

If you want to buy a new home and move in as quickly as possible, this option will be your best bet. Landon Homes agents will simply buy your current home at a mutually agreed upon discounted price, and you purchase a new Landon home.

Option #2: Listing Program

Another option for those who have a home to sell in Dallas, TX involves letting Landon Homes and its agents list your property at a reduced commission in order for you to purchase a brand new Landon home.

Option #3: Lease Program

A third possibility that you may consider is our lease program. Under this plan, Landon Homes and their agents set up guaranteed lease assistance for up to three years on your current home with no management fees, when you buy a brand new Landon home.

Our Preferred Agents have several programs available to our clients based on your personal needs. Landon Homes and its agents strive to find a solution that you are comfortable and confident with. Our programs have helped many clients get into their beautiful new Landon Home. The sooner you can get out of your old home and into a new Landon home, the more money you’ll be able to save…Lowest interest rates in the last 40 years, lowest energy bills with the Landon energy saving features, and great Landon Homes pricing.

Even with no equity in your present home, or even negative equity, you can still have an opportunity to buy a new Landon home. Our staff will help you explore all of your possibilities for free.  Please contact us at 866-898-3603 or visit any of our sales offices to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales agents if you have a home to sell in Dallas, TX.

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Bring the Outdoors In During Winter Months

The Riverside - The Enclave at LakeviewLook outside your window during the winter months, and things probably look a little brown and bare around your new home. Little Elm will turn green soon enough when the weather starts warming up, but until then, there are some ways to add a touch of spring to your living space now. Plants are one solution, although there are some other simple ways to bring the outdoors in too.

1. Add natural fibers, textures and patterns – Choose natural materials such as wicker, rattan, hemp and jute for your furniture and décor items like baskets, rugs and lampshades.

2. Use natural flooring – Achieve a warm, natural and inviting atmosphere with wood, cork or bamboo flooring materials.

3. Say it with color – One good way to bring the warmth of the outdoors inside is with color: green for grass and plants, blue for the sky and water, yellow for the sun and fresh flowers. Plus, neutral tones such as white, tan and beige will make your interiors feel natural and clean.

4. Enhance décor with natural elements – Incorporate rocks, sea shells, jars of beach sand, wood and/or straw into the décor of your new home. Little Elm is right on the banks of Lake Lewisville, so you could also hang photos of the lake on your walls, if you don’t have the other elements on hand.

5. Entice your senses – Outdoor cues in the form of scents and sounds are an effective way to bring the outdoors in. Woodsy incense and floral potpourri, as well as sounds of rain, wind and the beach can help you relax and get in tune with nature. You can also use lemons, limes and mint as decorations for a true visual and aromatic outdoor inspiration.

6. Let in natural light and air – Replace heavy drapery with lighter fabrics and/or sheers to let the natural light into your home. Take advantage of the mild winter temperatures by opening your windows and letting in some fresh air too.

7. Choose eco-friendly materials – Feel closer to nature by using earth friendly varieties of bedding, towels, cleaning products, and even paint. The earth will thank you!

If you’re still in the market for a new home, Little Elm has some quick move-in houses for sale in Dominion at Lakeview. This Landon Homes community features four amenity centers with pools, parks, trails and more, and is served by Frisco’s newest and best schools. Visit the Landon website for more information.

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Organize Your Drop Zones

Family Watching Television TogetherDo you have one or more drop zones in your home? These are the areas, such as a dining room table, kitchen counter, front door area or coffee table, where you drop your mail, car keys, books, etc. after walking into the house. The trouble with drop zones is that they tend to multiply, and soon, you have clutter accumulating everywhere! If you plan to buy a new home in McKinney soon, here are some tips to create organized drop zones, so you can keep the clutter at bay:

1.  Keys  – Install hooks or keep a small decorative container near your front door to store your house and car keys when you come in. This way you’ll never have to scramble at the last minute looking for them!

2. Mail Drop – Set aside an area near the front door, such as on a counter or table, where you can place your mail. Immediately sort out junk from bills, and other important mail that needs to be dealt with in a timely manner.

3. Closet – If you have a closet near the front door, make sure it’s cleaned out, and then hang sweaters or jackets immediately upon entering your new home in McKinney. You can also set aside a place for shoes in the closet and store them here as well.

4. Out the Door Box – Place a container in your drop zone that is easy to carry in and out of the house. Place items in it that you need to take with you when you leave, such as things for your children, library books, etc. When you’re ready to walk out the door, grab the container and place it in the car.

5. Charging Station – Set up an electrical strip so your phones and other devices can be plugged in to charge as soon as you walk in the door.

You can also have a basket or cube for each member of the family to drop all their stuff in your new home in McKinney, if they don’t want to separate out each item. When you’re looking for exceptional homes to buy that feature some of the largest homesites in the area, check out Shiloh Lakes. This Landon Homes community is surrounded with rolling hills, miles of hike and bike trails, and 2,000 acres of parkland. Come see why Shiloh Lakes should be your first choice when choosing the home of your dreams.

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Apps That Make Moving Easier

iphone5Looking for a new home in Richwoods? This gated community in southeast Frisco offers residents a peaceful, secure place in which to raise a family. Once you find the perfect home, it’s time to get ready for your move. With today’s mobile phone technology, it’s never been easier to get organized for the big event. Here are a few apps to make the moving process go smoothly.

My Things – Where Are They?

This free iPhone and iPad app is a handy tool for storing the locations of things that you use in the house, garage, attic or anywhere else. You can add up to 8 photos per location or thing, and even add fun markers to pinpoint specific items in the photos. You can export data to a CSV file or backup and restore using iCloud or Dropbox.

Box Organizer

The Box Organizer iPhone and iPad app allows you to quickly and easily manage all of your storage items and boxes in various locations. You can sort by locations, boxes or items; add labels, descriptions and a photo for each storage item; and search through all your items to locate just what you want when you’re ready to unpack.

Moving Checklist Pro/Moving Planner

Keeping track of everything you need to do before moving into your new home in Richwoods is a breeze with this app. Moving Checklist Pro for iPhone and Moving Planner for Android each come pre-loaded with more than 210 house moving related items, so you’ll save time on list making, avoid expensive mistakes and be stress free. You can customize the list to your preferences by adding, editing, deleting or rearranging items. You can also create multiple lists for different moving needs.

My Things

This Android app helps you create a record of all your belongings right at your fingertips. It stores pictures, serial & model numbers of TVs, computers, etc. for easy viewing.  The app makes it easy to keep records for insurance purposes.

Landon Homes has four different villages in Richwoods, with homes of varying size, style and price available for sale.  The common factor all of the homes share is that they were built with uncompromising quality and provide exceptional value for the money. When you need help finding a new home in Richwoods, visit the Landon Homes website to view the different models of homes for sale in this exceptional gated community.

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Frisco named one of America’s Friendliest Towns in new survey

By Valerie Wigglesworth/Reporter

Frisco’s neighborly hometown feel is getting a boost from a new national survey out this week.

Frisco has been ranked one of America’s Friendliest Towns in the survey by the San Francisco-based social network Nextdoor.com and Forbes magazine. Frisco finished sixth among the 25 cities selected for the honor. Frisco is the only Texas city to make the list.

The rankings looked at neighborhood engagement of cities with populations of less than 150,000. Points were awarded based on crime rates, percent of college graduates, percentage of houses that are owner occupied and charitable giving. The top 50 towns were then researched for their community centric activities, availability of such things as parks, volunteer groups, community events, parades, holiday activities and other neighborly activities.

“This rapidly-growing suburb centers around sports. There’s an athletic center for residents and several venues host professional teams in hockey, soccer, minor league baseball and D-league basketball,” the magazine writes. “Still, 80% of residents own their homes and the community has a large Neighborhood Watch Group dedicated to improving quality of life and reducing crime. The Parks and Recreations Department hosts a 5K ‘Frosty Run’ and Breakfast with Santa and neighborhoods plan events like July 4th parties and Easter Egg hunts, according to Nextdoor.”

Read More: http://friscoblog.dallasnews.com/…/frisco-named-one-of-americas-friendliest-towns-in-new-survey.html/

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Holiday/New Year Events in McKinney TX

The holidays are a wonderful time to invite family and friends to your new home in McKinney, TX. If you have overnight guests, there are a few easy things you can do to make them feel right at home. First, make sure that the guest room is comfortable and inviting. Get rid of any clutter, but keep useful things, such as a clock and calendar.

A great accessory to have on hand is a luggage stand. They’re easy to store when not in use, but oh, so helpful for your guests. It’s no fun stooping over a suitcase to get out a pair of socks! If you don’t have a stand, use a small table or bench instead. Clear some space in a couple of drawers, make room in the closet, or buy an over-the-door hook to accommodate hanging clothes. Make sure you include a supply of hangers too.

Another nice touch is to add some decorative accessories to the guest bathroom, such as a holiday themed tissue box, soaps or a vase of silk or real flowers. Remember to get rid of anything from the bath and guest room in your new home in McKinney, TX that you would not find in a fine hotel. Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

One way to make your guests’ visit memorable is to invite them to participate in holiday events in the area. A popular treat for young and old to visit is the Holiday Trail of Lights at the Heard Natural Science Museum in McKinney. Ever year, the half mile Heard nature trail is transformed into a twinkling wonderland, with thousands of holiday decorations and lights – many synchronized to holiday music.

Another way to create special holiday memories for family and friends is to host a dinner party.  You can make it formal – with seating around your dining room table – or keep it casual with a buffet. Just don’t try to do everything yourself! If you get overstressed, no one will be happy, especially your guests. Encourage family and friends to get involved with decorations or meal preparation so they feel more at home.

The holidays will be extra special when you purchase a new home in McKinney, TX from Landon Homes. For more than two decades, the “Landon” name has been synonymous with uncompromising quality, commitment to customer satisfaction, cutting-edge designs and exemplary value. Visit the website to learn about the beautiful, energy efficient homes that are available for quick move-in right now.

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Creative storage solutions for your new home

One reason apartment dwellers decide to buy a new home in McKinney, Texas is to have more room, especially if they plan to start a family. Sometimes, the opposite is true. A couple may decide to downsize once their children grow up and move away. If that’s the case, you may want to check out these creative storage solutions for your new home, to maximize the space you now have.

Storage While You Sleep – Need space to stash some bulky blankets? No problem. Consider buying a mattress foundation that has a hidden compartment, instead of the standard box spring.

Overhead Room – Take advantage of the space over your head. Install floating shelves and cabinets in places like narrow hallways. This trick can supply up to 2-1/2 square feet of extra storage space.

Pretty and Practical – Hang baskets from towel rods to create more storage space in the pantry or laundry room of your new home in McKinney, Texas.

Seasonal Stash – Keep wrapping paper handy, yet out of the way, by suspending it from your closet ceiling on a simple cradle of wire. The paper won’t get torn or creased, and it’s still easy to reach when you need it.

Eliminate Kitchen Chaos – Maintain an orderly kitchen by using lazy Susan carousels in space-wasting corner cabinets. Install pullout shelves or baskets in deep cabinets. And hide small appliances like can openers and coffeepots under the cabinets to leave extra room on your countertops.

Hidden Litter – No one likes to see or smell kitty litter. Keep it under wraps in a storage cabinet that contains a small framed opening for your cat to enter and exit. You can find them at furniture stores like IKEA or pet product suppliers.

When you’re looking for a new home in McKinney, Texas that’s suitable for empty nesters or a growing family, Landon Homes can provide the new home of your dreams. As one of the premier home builders in Texas, Landon has a variety of floor plans to suit your personal style and taste. Visit the website to discover what homeowners are saying about the Landon home buying experience.

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7 Décor Tips to Make Your Fireplace a Focal Point

One feature that buyers appreciate in new homes in McKinney, TX is a fireplace. Not only does a fireplace keep you warm in the winter, but it can be an attractive focal point for the entire room. Here are a few ways to accentuate the fireplace in your new home:

1. Create a statement – Hang a bold piece of artwork over the mantle to draw attention. Create cohesion by finding a piece that pulls together decorative elements from the rest of the room.

2. Paint the mantle – Add some pizzazz to your fireplace by painting the mantle a color that makes it pop from the rest of the room.

3. Fill it with objects – When the fireplace is not in use, fill it with unexpected objects to maintain it as a focal point. Spherical balls, for instance, provide a nice contrast to the fireplace’s rectangular shape.

4. Select an unusual fire screen – There’s no reason why you can’t combine style and function in a fire screen. Keep your family safe with a decorative fire screen that adds to your décor, regardless of whether the fire is lit.

5.  Add eye-catching wall treatment – Many new homes in McKinney, TX feature wallpaper or paint on the wall surrounding the fireplace. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick with that format. Liven things up with a textured wall treatment instead.

6. Think symmetry – Add a classic touch to your mantel with a symmetrical arrangement of items, such as a pair of wall sconces mounted on each side of the fireplace, with a round mirror in the middle. Similar shaped objects placed on the mantel will maintain the orderly look.

7. Double reflection – For a new spin on the mirror-above-the-mantel look, try layering a small mirror over a larger one. Hang a large, plain mirror above your fireplace mantel and then place a smaller, decorative mirror in front.

When you’re looking for the best new homes in McKinney, TX, visit Shiloh Lakes by Landon Homes. This quiet community features some of the largest home sites for sale in the area. Every Landon home includes the builder’s signature 24/7 energy efficiency package featuring 2×6 exterior wall construction, tech-shield radiant heat barrier, and much more. Visit the Landon website to learn more about the beautiful, eco-friendly homes for sale in McKinney, TX.

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Preparing for holiday guests at your new home

The holidays are a perfect time to entertain guests, especially if you’ve recently purchased one of the new homes in McKinney, Texas. Preparing your new home for guests may seem like an overwhelming task. But it doesn’t have to be, as long as you have a plan in mind. Here are a few tips to keep you organized and stress-free during this holiday season:

1. Prepare a check list – Before any of your guests arrive, come up with a list of things to do to make sure nothing gets overlooked. It’s easy to lose track during the holidays. But a list will help you stay focused.

2. Take special needs into account – Entertaining guests who use a cane or walker may require rearranging your furniture, so they won’t have any problems getting around. If small children will be visiting, make sure electrical sockets are covered and sharp edged furniture is covered so no one gets hurt.

3. Swap bedrooms – New homes in McKinney, Texas frequently include a spare bedroom. But if you think your guests will be more comfortable in the master bedroom, the polite thing to do will be to swap rooms for the time being. Your guests will appreciate the gesture, especially when you take the time to make the room extra comfortable for their stay. This might include storing away photos and personal items, and replacing them with a lovely holiday flower arrangement, or a basket of books and magazines.

4. Spruce up the bathroom – Make sure your guests’ bathroom is spic and span before they arrive. Supply fresh towels, soap and toiletries. Consider clearing out a drawer so your guests have a place for their grooming items. Make a festive statement by including holiday soaps and hand creams in a container for actual use or decoration.

5. Prepare special food – Ask your guests ahead of time if they have any particular food preferences. You’ll be sure to impress them when you have a few of their favorite breakfast or snack items on hand. Consider treating them to a distinctive holiday coffee or tea as well.

Keep in mind when entertaining holiday guests that it’s also a good idea to have some downtime. Stock up on holiday movies and festive music, and take time to relax and enjoy one another.  Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness and enjoy a happier stay.  They might even decide to take a look at some of the new homes in McKinney, Texas to buy too. If they do, have them take a look at Shiloh Lakes. This quiet Landon Homes community offers some of the biggest yards in the area. Visit the Landon website to learn why our homes are better built, by design.

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