Blog Archive - Page 4 of 10 - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Vincent Properties

SPRING INTO CLEANING SEASON!

It is finally Spring! Mountaineers are leaving their cabins and hermit ways to enjoy the warmth and beauty of the outdoors. With spring comes the age-old tradition of Spring Cleaning! “Out with the old and in with the new”, as they say. Spring cleaning is a chance to clean what may not get attention regularly, clear your space (and mind), and purge your home of things that are not useful anymore. Spring cleaning can be done quickly with little thought by utilizing these tips from your local home experts, Vincent Properties.

Break It Down

Spring Cleaning- ToDo List

Who wants to spend their ENTIRE day cleaning? An easy solution is to break it down to room by room or start a “spring cleaning calendar”. This is a great way to keep yourself on track to get your spring clean-finished, while still getting some free time in your day. After saving a small amount of time every day for the month, spring cleaning could be done with minimal effort! Click Here to view our Pinterest board of possible cleaning calenders.

Go Green for Spring Cleaning

There are many different cleaning solutions out there, but they are not made equal. As stewards of the earth, Vincent Properties urges you to think about taking a green approach to your spring cleaning. Eco-friendly cleaners such as Baking Soda and Vinegar, two extremely common items, can be used to clean drains, the oven, washing machines and more! Skip buying expensive eco-friendly cleaning products and create your own. Check out some of our favorite DIY ideas. Another earthly approach to cleaning is utilizing reusable cleaning materials such as washcloths and loofah scrubbers. These are great replacements to disposable paper towels or germy sponges.

Spring Cleaning Eco-Friendly

The Purge

This is one of the biggest steps and has the most benefits. By purging your home you will make it more accessible and studies have shown that it greatly clears your mind since you will not feel “bogged down” by your possessions. Now, exonerating your home of useless things can be difficult, especially if you are the sentimental type. Try to remember though, your home is a place to live your present-day life, not a storage facility for your past.

Start by creating a space for your sentimental items, like a designated box for cards you have received. These cards may have special notes from loved ones but can cause a lot of messy clutter. You can even decorate the box to fit your home décor.
Next, it may be helpful to have a third party help you realize that certain items aren’t worth keeping plus it can make things more fun! Even if nostalgia takes over, work to maintain a flow of cleaning and organizing.
Lastly, start a donation box. For items such as bedding and clothing, Vincent Properties highly recommends that you donate these to your local church or shelter. They will use it to directly help the underprivileged in your community, versus giving your stuff to a “mega-mart” thrift facility like Goodwill.

Wrap Up

Vincent Properties’ final word of cleaning advice is to make sure everything is boxed, clearly labeled and stored correctly. If you have a garage or basement, you should never sit anything directly on the floor in case of water issues. Grab some 2x4in beams and some basic bricks to raise your storage boxes a few inches. If you are using an attic make sure it is well vented to keep things from getting hot and dried out.

We hope you find these tips helpful by alleviating some of the stress of tackling your spring-cleaning projects. Remember, it can only be worse by letting your clutter get out of hand throughout the year. If you are prone to clutter then maybe adopting “spring cleaning” as a monthly or bi-monthly ritual would be best for you and your home.

Your High Country Concierge- Vincent Properties

Blog image: Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/Clker-Free-Vector-Images-3736/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=303265″>Clker-Free-Vector-Images</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=303265″>Pixabay</a>

Banner Image: Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/Clker-Free-Vector-Images-3736/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=303265″>Clker-Free-Vector-Images</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=303265″>Pixabay</a>

Image One: Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/Clker-Free-Vector-Images-3736/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=297195″>Clker-Free-Vector-Images</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=297195″>Pixabay</a>

Nutella Heaven

Smooth, chocolaty, hazel-nutty, goodness. Nutella has become a staple food in many households around the world and we can definitely see (or taste) why! Kid’s and adult’s alike love indulging in this heavenly spread, but some may come up short on ideas for how to consume it other than by the spoon. If you’re in need of some inspiration then check out these delicious recipes we rounded up!

Salted Nutella Blondies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 25 brownies

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup (13 oz jar) Nutella
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions:

-Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line an 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
-In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
-In a separate large bowl, mix together melted butter and brown sugar using a whisk. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir by hand just until combined.

-Pour half the batter into prepared pan and use the rubber spatula to evenly spread the top. Pour Nutella over the bottom layer of batter.¹ Spread evenly with an offset spatula. Pour second half of batter on top and gently smooth over with the rubber spatula.²

-Bake at 350° F for 35 to 37 minutes, or until the top is shiny and cracked, and feels firm to the touch. Sprinkle with sea salt immediately and cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 1 1/2 by 1 1/2-inch bars and serve.

Click here to see full article and recipe notes from Haley – A self-taught baker, food photographer and culinary writer.

Nutella Hazelnut Truffles

Ingredients:

1 and 1/3 cup good quality dark chocolate
1/2 cup thickened or heavy cream
1 cup Nutella
1 cup skinless hazelnuts

Instructions:

-Finely chop the dark chocolate and place in a small bowl.

-Next, pour the cream into a small saucepan and place on a low heat. Once the cream becomes warm to the touch, pour it over the dark chocolate and leave for two minutes.
-Then slowly whisk the chocolate mixture until it forms a lovely chocolate ganache. Add half of the Nutella and continue to whisk, then add the remaining Nutella and whisk until combined and smooth.

-Pour the chocolate into a deep bowl and pop into the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or until set.
-Crush your hazelnuts until they resemble fine crumbs. Then spoon out teaspoons of the chocolate truffle mixture, roll them in your hands until smooth and roll them in the crushed hazelnuts. Store truffles in the fridge.

Click here to learn more about Nutella truffles, Jess, and her delicious baking!

Nutella Macarons

Ingredients:

2/3 cup hazelnut meal*
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
2 egg whites, room temperature
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
¼ granulated sugar
Filling:
1/2 cup Nutella
1 cup powdered sugar, optional

Instructions:

-Separate your eggs and allow them to come to room temperature while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
-Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
-Mix hazelnut meal, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, espresso powder, and salt until combined. Sift into a medium bowl.
-When the egg whites are room temperature, add the cream of tartar. Beat on medium speed until frothy.
-Gradually add sugar, beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
-Add half of the dry ingredients and fold with a rubber scraper, then repeat with the other half of the dry ingredients, being careful not to over-fold and deflate the whites.
-Place the batter in a large piping bag fitted with a large round tip (Wilton #806), and pipe circles onto lined baking sheets. Tap each baking sheet against the counter once to remove any air bubbles. Let sit 15-30 minutes.
-Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
-Bake the macarons for 15-16 minutes, rotating the pans from front to back and top to bottom halfway through baking time.
-The macarons are done when they just begin to separate from the parchment. Cool completely on a wire rack.
-You can use straight Nutella for the filling, or mix the Nutella with powdered sugar for a thicker paste. Use an offset spatula or an icing bag to top one macaron, and then find a similarly sized macaron to complete the sandwich. Repeat with all meringues.

Click here to see full webpage!

Doggy Dress Up

One thing is clear here at Vincent Properties…we sure do love our furry companions! From play days in the snow, to dressing up for holidays, to being more photogenic than us, our pups have their bases covered. “A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” – Josh Billings –

Short Legs, Big Smile

Lindsay’s Corgi, Minnie, sure would have a bright future as a model pup!

Dapper Dogs

Melissa has a knack for capturing her pups best angles. Check out the king of Halloween and the duos first day of school!

Proper Paws

Liegha’s pups pull off these looks better than most could ever dream of!

Bow Tie Boys

Josh’s handsome boy’s look dashing in their bow ties during their kennel stay!

Quiller Costumes

Shalamar makes sure Quill is ready for any season. He’s growing like a weed and so is his closet!

Take a Hike

The first rule of hiking is always be prepared and Janey never goes without her trusty backpack. Who knows when you’ll need a chew toy or a treat…she even brings some water for her mom, Sara. (How thoughtful!)

Fur-Baby Snow Day

The first things that comes to mind when snow falls on the High Country are snowball fights, sledding, and something warm to sip on. Kid’s are out of school and no work means it’s time to break out the gloves and start building some snowmen. It is like nature is telling you to slow down and just enjoy the extra time with family. At Vincent Properties, a little snow doesn’t slow us down from keeping train moving on real estate deals. But every once in a while, the snow pours down and the office doors stay shut for a day. When this happens, we make the most out of a snow day play day – just like work!

A Day for Friends

Our Marketing Director, Shalamar, loves getting snowed in with friends at her parent’s house in beautiful Ashe County. They have a steep hill that’s perfect for sledding down, and the whole neighborhood comes running over, sleds in tow. Her mama, Jenny, cooks up big pot chili for everyone to snack on and they warm up playing Monopoly!

Corgi Life

Our newest agent, Lindsay, spends her snow days with her lovely family and their adorable furry friend. Snow tubing, sledding, snowmen, and shoveling snow are always on their snow day to-do list!

Dogs Day Out

This is Sly and he loves to go and play in the snow with his mom Leigha and dad, Nick. He would stay out in the snow all day if he could- it must hard for them to tell that face no!

Toddler Time

Melissa and her cutie Lincoln, love to venture out with their loyal companions and build snowmen! Melissa says she loves watching her little one be in complete amazement from the snow.

Photogenic Shepherd

Moses loves to watch and play with the squirrels while his parents, Jay and Lynn, try to wrangle him in!

Frolicking Finn

Not to be mistaken for Moses, Finn the Shiloh Shepherd had a blast jumping around in the snow with his dad Chad!

Good Things Come in Three

Little Jack has to follow in his big brother and sister’s (Tipper and Janey) footsteps, or else he might disappear! They sure do love to give their mom Sara a hard time.

P.S. Horses are just really big dogs and enjoy running in the fresh snow!

Doodling Around

Josh’s pup, Lincoln, looks like he’s been digging up a storm!

Did Someone Say Hot Chocolate?

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk
2 tbsp sugar *
4 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped (just under 1 cup measured)
splash of vanilla extract
whipped cream
marshmallows

Instructions

Combine milk and sugar in a small saucepan and place on the stove top over medium heat.
While the milk is heating place the chopped chocolate in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. Take the chocolate out and stir it. Return to microwave and heat for another thirty seconds, remove and stir. Continue to heat and stir the chocolate in 30 second intervals until just melted.
When the milk reaches the scalding point (180 degrees F, with bubbles on the side), turn off the heat and add the melted chocolate, whisking to combine. Add the vanilla extract now, if desired. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows if using, and enjoy!

Notes

Make sure you don’t overheat the milk. You want it to just have bubbles on the sides, about 180 degrees F. You do not want the milk to boil.
*If you use a sweeter chocolate such as semisweet or milk chocolate, you may want to reduce or eliminate the sugar altogether. You can always sweeten to taste at the end.
See full recipe from Joanne here!

Favorite Moments of 2018

It’s been a fantastic year here at Vincent Properties full of hard work, fun, and memories being made! Take a look back on our best times and laughs from 2018. Here’s to a great year and an even greater year to come.

A New Grandbaby

Jay and Lynn welcomed a new grandchild into the world!

Little Gillette

Lee and his wife, Liz, had their first child. A baby boy named Ben!

Lincoln’s First Birthday

Melissa’s son, Lincoln, had his first birthday and just look at how cute he is!

Home Sweet Home

Shalamar, and her boyfriend, Micheal, bought their first home this past summer!

Go Pioneers!

Josh coaches the men’s soccer team at Watauga County High School and they had an impressive season this past year!

21-6 Overall Record

2018 Mellow Mushroom Invitational Champions

2018 Conference Champions

Made it to the 3rd round of the 3A State Playoffs

Read about how he came to be Head Coach here!

A Holiday Engagement

Chad, proposed to his girlfriend, Tomie, over the holidays. Congratulations to the happy couple!

New Addition

Lindsay joined us here at Vincent Properties this year after earning her Broker’s License. Congratulations, we’re delighted to have you!

Better with Age

Sara has begun the long process of renovating the house she inherited from her father. Built by her grandparents, this 100+ year old house leaves her with MUCH to do!

Daddy Shark

http://https://youtu.be/bVJgZ9ZDRoY

Stephen really won Halloween this year with his Daddy Shark performance!

Fight Cabin Fever this Winter

When cabin fever begins to set in and you start running out of idea’s to keep everyone occupied, it may feel like the end of the world. The kid’s may start running wild soon and the lack of sunlight and fresh air is starting to feel like torture. What should you do? Perhaps going back to the basics would the best place to start and we have a rounded up a few ideas to pass the time!

Blast from the Past

Round up the kid’s and cuddle up with a warm mug of hot chocolate to look back at all the wonderful memories throughout the years. Our Marketing Assistant, Sara, loves to sit with her mother on snowy days to reminisce and laugh at the heart warming, awkward, and sometimes forgotten photographs taken (there are A LOT). Photo albums are a wonderful way to kill some time and keep everyone’s attention long enough to recharge those nerves!

Build a Fort!

So this might sound like a crazy idea but down the tech and get back to basics! Whether you have kids or not- building a fort is a fun, creative way to kick cabin fever. Embrace that inner child, grab the sheets and blankets- get to work! From the interior designers and bloggers at thekitchn.com, here are 8 great tips for creating the most awesome indoor fort. Don’t forget the snacks!

Meal Prep Time

Take advantage of this extra time of! You to-do list that keeps getting longer and when the snow melts, it will seem like you have less time to get it done- so how much time will you have to cook? Fast food meals are probably popping up on the menu but that can easily be avoided. Instead, try out this delicious recipe from Shalamar’s family cook book! Whip up a big batch of these to make multiple trays of tasty enchiladas that you can freeze and have a quick delicious meal handy whenever the clock is counting down.

Chicken Enchilada’s

Ingredients

3 Large bags of boneless chicken breast

1 Jar chicken base (8oz pudding type)

2 Cans chopped green chilies

9 Boxes cream cheese

50 Tortillas

3 Big bags Mexican shredded cheese

1 Onion

1 1/2 Sticks of butter

2 Cans diced tomatoes (drained)

1-2 Cans black olives (optional)

Directions

Cook chicken breasts with base – save 9-10 cups of broth for enchiladas – rest for soup

Pull chicken apart

Heat cream cheese and 9-10 cups of broth on Low heat – stir often – whisk after cream cheese is dissolved enough to blend well

Add 1 stick of butter and drained chilies to cream cheese mixture

Saute onions and 1/2 stick of butter for 2 minutes

Toss chicken, butter/onion mixture, drained tomatoes, black olives, 2 cups cream sauce

Spray pans

Stuff tortillas and pour remaining sauce over top – sprinkle jalapeno slices, cheese, and cover with foil

Bake 350 degree for 30-45 min or until bubbly – remove foil for last 10 min

Toast top (may turn on broil briefly)

Clean and Organize

Treat cabin fever by treating your cabin to a little love. Cleaning and organizing can help manage your stress (and teach kids some responsibility!) by giving it a little rhyme and reason to on going chaos. Crank up some oldie music tunes to get you in the groove, Jay likes to put on John Mellencamp whenever he cleans. Our blog Resolutions for Your Home is an excellent resource on how to manage your clutter and protect your home!

Smart Storage

Overflowing closets, unused attic space, and garages filled to the brim with tools. What better time than the start of a new year to throw out the old and organize the rest? Make the most of the space available in your home and start the new year fresh with a more spacious home!

Closets

One of the most forgotten and cluttered areas is one of the smallest as well. Closets tend to get over run with various items like coats and shoes, cleaning items, and old linens or towels. Make the most of the space available by incorporating new storage methods and getting rid of things you haven’t touched in months.

Start by sorting out what you actually need. Have you used it in the last month? Last year? If the answer is no, then it probably safe to say good bye. Store a donation box in a closet to keep the un-needed items in check and install towel holders to optimize that unused wall space. Wicker baskets and shoe racks also make an excellent use of space and can save you time while trying to get out the door for work in the mornings. Learn more here!

Photo credit: Dorsey Designs

Attics

Attics can be a little trickier when it comes to storage on account of ventilation and insulation. In order for the items being stored to be completely safe the correct insulation and ventilation needs to be in place. This will reduce humidity and prevent drastic swings in temperature during the summer and winter months. If that’s all in place then here are some great ideas to make the most of your attic space.

With different kinds of attic spaces there are various methods to create storage space and the first step is to figure out which one works the best for you. Gable walls provide the most surface area which is great for adding shelves and cabinets while under-eave wall space can have a knee-wall installed for additional shelving. It’s also best to avoid stacking heavy boxes and other items because when it comes time to check for pest, this can make the process much more difficult. Learn more here!

Garages

I think we can all agree that the garage is one of the most dreaded areas to clean and organize in the home. This tends to be where all the forgotten, old, and seasonal items end up. Alongside of tools and cleaning supplies the garage can get tight on space quick. The bright side is garages tend to have more space and options for storage if one knows the tips and tricks.

One area some tend to overlook is up. That’s right, look up and see all the possibilities with the ceiling space in your garage. You could add ceiling track storage to hold all those dusty bins up off the floor or install drop shelves to hold all of that seasonal clutter until it’s time to get them down again.

Photo credit: Family Handyman

If the ceiling isn’t an option for you then try out tall, skinny shelves that you can organize totes. Learn more here!

DISCLAIMER: the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.

Gifts and Gadgets for Your Home

Having troubles finding the perfect gift or simply trying to spruce up your home with the latest gadgets? It can be difficult with so many options available to us now, but Vincent Properties has narrowed it down some for you! This guide is perfect for tech enthusiast, décor lovers, and those who like to keep their homes fresh and welcoming.

Google Home Hub

A small, affordable, and very capable home display. You can use it for just about anything from streaming media, surfing the web, to controlling your smart home! An amazing gift for the tech enthusiast in your life. Click here to learn more!

Weber iGrill Mini

A Bluetooth-connected thermometer perfect to keep around the kitchen or for the grill master in your life! This little gadget will send notifications to your phone when the meat is cooked to perfection and will also give recommended cooking times and temperatures. Click here to learn more!

Oil Diffusers

Whether you choose a nebulizing or ultrasonic oil diffuser, you can’t go wrong with this gift! They would make a great addition to any bedroom, living room, or even bathroom. They smell amazing without being over powering and with all the styles available now you could find something for any taste. Click here to learn more!

Holiday Movie Guide

There’s one tradition that seems to be popular with most families, a classic Christmas movie. From “Home Alone” to “Love, Actually”, our staff here at Vincent Properties have a wide variety of holiday favorites. Grab those matching jammies and a bowl of popcorn because we have compiled a list of the best Christmas flicks!

Jay’s Pick – The Family Man

Lynn’s Pick – It’s a Wonderful Life

Melissa’s Pick – Elf

Chad’s Pick – The Family Stone

Stephen’s Pick – Christmas Vacation

Lee’s Pick – Love, Actually

Frankie’s Pick – Home Alone

Josh’s Pick – A Charlie Brown Christmas

Lindsay’s Pick – The Grinch (Jim Carrey version)

Leigha’s Pick – The Holiday

Shalamar’s Pick – Die Hard

Sara’s Pick – The Polar Express

Gremlins

White Christmas

Miracle on 34^th Street

The Santa Clause

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Frosty the Snowman

We hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Winterizing Your Home

Winter is well on its way and that means it’s time to winterize your homes! Doing so will help you save energy and money, prevent unnecessary repairs, and secure your home from potential disasters. Vincent Properties knows that sleet, freezing rain, snow, and wind are not to be taken lightly in the High Country. Be prepared and save yourself from preventable cost and troubles! Here are some of our best tips.

Complete a Home Assessment

Don’t know where to start? Then we recommend conducting a home assessment. This will help you figure out where your home is losing energy and what to prioritize when you start preapring for the heavy snows and chills of winter. You can hire a professional to perform the assessment or you can perform a DIY energy audit, learn how here. There may also be incentives available to you! Click here to learn more.

Caulk, Weather Strip, and Door Stop

Your home more than likely has small cracks or openings around doors and windows that allow cold to enter and heat to escape. This can amount up to 1/3 of your heating expense! Inspect windows, doors, baseboards, and junctures along your walls and ceilings then apply weather strips, expanding foam, or caulk to seal any leaks. You can also place draft blockers under drafty doors to help prevent inaccurate thermostat readings and help you save even more!

Change your Thermostat

Have you switched out your thermostat to a programmable version? If not, add this one to your list. A programmable thermostat lets you customize your heating so the system doesn’t run when you don’t need it. You can program the thermostat for one temperature when you’re at home and another when you’re away. Click here to see options!