Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Video Tour - 4913 Bob Wills, Fort Worth

Video Tour - 4913 Bob Wills, Fort Worth
Offered for sale by the Grove Team 
$424,500




Welcome home to 4913 Bob Wills Drive, located in the acclaimed community of the Bluffs within the Heritage subdivision.  We are glad you have taken the time to visit the wonderful executive home especially built for entertaining and privacy. 
You will appreciate the unobtrusive intimacy of the backyard.  You can easily add a pergola on the east side of the home with an outdoor fireplace to escape and spend peaceful evenings in a creation of your design.  The stone wall has been professionally designed to allow and redirect rain water away from your home. 

This well designed custom Toll Brothers home allows easy and smooth flow through the open living areas and kitchen.  Entertain all of your family and friends at once as a small dinner party or large holiday gathering.  This home has accommodated parties of up to 100 guests with its ample space to separate the adults from the kids so everyone has a wonderful time. 

Homeowners are happy to pay the reasonable HOA dues for the privilege of living in the Bluffs because they know the money is well allocated for the benefits and peace of mind they receive.  After visiting Heritage for the first time, you will quickly find there is no reason to leave this exceptional master planned community. 
Feel safe as you walk, jog or bike through the Bluffs on the thoughtfully planned parks and trails in this urban oasis.  Enjoy movie night with the family at one of the seven pools found in the 10-acre world class aquatic park.  Not into jogging or biking?  Stay fit and save on a gym membership with access to the state of the art exercise facility.  Abundant amounts of retail, exceptional medical care and facilities along with access to trusted babysitting services help to complete the package. 

Children who live in Heritage attend schools in the highly acclaimed Keller Independent School District.  Heritage boasts three on-site elementary schools and KISD has been consistently ranked as one of the highest school districts in Texas. 
Take this opportunity now to own this impressive home and lifestyle in this fabulous community.  You won’t be sorry that you did. 

Looking for homes in Heritage?  Visit our website for more information today!

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership.  (817) 337-0000 or find us online, www.groveteam.com

 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Experts warn of cyber threats during peak online shopping season

 
Consumers often associate holiday shopping with long lines, crowded stores and overpriced goods. In recent years, many have turned to e-commerce as an easier alternative - holiday shopping without the headache. This year e-commerce sales are projected to reach $262 billion, a 13-percent increase over 2012.

This growth is due, in part, to the rising popularity of online "shopping holidays" like Cyber Monday, which is celebrated annually the Monday after Thanksgiving and accounts for more online sales than any other day of the year. Last year, Cyber Monday sales reached $1.46 billion - a record for online spending in one day.

Hampering celebration of this stress-free alternative to in-store shopping is the rapid growth of cybercrime. Cyber thieves are to blame for $113 billion in consumer financial losses in the last 12 months. That's enough money to host the London 2012 Olympics nearly 10 times over. An equally alarming statistic is the rising average loss per victim, which doubled from 2012 to 2013 to $298.

Despite the aforementioned dangers, many online shoppers are unaware of the risks associated with online shopping and don't believe they'll become one of the 556 million annual victims. Forty-eight percent of smartphone and tablet users do not take even the basic precautions such as using passwords, installing security software or backing up files from their mobile devices.

As the popularity of online shopping continues to rise, so do the opportunities for hackers to steal personal information. Online shoppers need to be aware of the risks associated with online shopping and take proactive steps to protect themselves.

The following tips for consumers to protect themselves from cyber attacks:

* Boost password strength: Weak and ineffective passwords enable identity theft. The first rule of password construction is to go long. Short passwords can be uncovered by high-speed programs built to steal password combinations.

* Ditch the debit cards: Debit cards are the least secure option for e-commerce purchases. PayPal and credit cards offer much better consumer protections including dispute resolution and fraud prevention.

* Use the most secure network possible: Wired networks are always preferable to wireless. If a wired network is not an option, make sure to use a secure wireless network that requires an encryption key. Be especially wary of accessing public Wi-Fi services at places like airports and coffee shops.

* Don't store personal finance information: Don't store credit card details online. Storing any payment information online exponentially increases the probability of a cyber attack.

* Shop on reputable sites: Scammers often begin fake URL's with names of reputable companies to lure consumers in. To avoid accidentally clicking on an infected site, look for the SSL certificate and ensure the site starts with https:// and has a padlock icon.

Cyber Monday is the most active day of online theft. Consumers should follow these tips all year long but should remain extra vigilant during the holidays to avoid the increased risk of falling victim to cybercrime.

(BPT)

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Top trends in kitchen cabinetry

A kitchen provides physical and spiritual nourishment, and for many a home is now the heart and soul of family life. The kitchen's central importance in most households means that Americans are paying more attention than ever to the design and decoration of this vital space - a search for functionality, comfort and beauty that's reflected in current trends in hardwood kitchen cabinetry.

There is an increased demand for rift-sawn white oak cabinets. The reasons for rift-sawing oak are not just practical (it produces very stable boards that are especially resistant to warping and shrinking, an important consideration in moist kitchen environments) but also aesthetic. It results in a distinctive grain - tight, straight and even - that takes neutral or light stains exceptionally well.

Today it's creating kitchens that are sleek and modern but also warm and inviting. Treated this way, the venerable hardwood gives contemporary homeowners the best of both worlds - cabinetry that's clean-lined, efficient and durable yet still exudes a natural, organic quality. 

Many customers are also requesting white oak cabinets that have been either cerused (limed) or wire-brushed, two textured finishes that produce an understated rustic. In fact the impulse to keep things light and simple is another watchword with today's kitchens. Not as austere as the minimalist look that was trending a few years ago, light-and-simple refers to the design as well as the finish or color of the hardwood cabinetry: shaker-style recessed-panel doors in blond beech or white-painted maple are the classic example of this turn toward a bright, uncluttered kitchen environment.

The trend toward simplicity and understatement can be seen in more elaborately embellished kitchen cabinetry too. While add-ons such as carved feet, undercounter corbels, and crown moldings, or decorative flourishes like turned legs, raised panels, and fancy cutouts are still in demand, they are noticeably more constrained and smaller-scaled than they would have been a decade ago. Carving is quieter and less ostentatious; lines are simpler and less convoluted.

Another way Americans are making the kitchen an even more central part of their homes is by installing cabinetry that looks like fine furniture. This style can range from totally freestanding pieces to kitchen islands that resemble tables to fitted cabinets that use furniture-emulating details. A current favorite is the stand-alone armoire, with drawers for storing silverware, table linens and serving pieces, and an upper portion ideal for housing a flat-screen television. Made of painted maple, it will exude an easy country vibe; fashioned in stained cherry or black walnut, it will become a handsome heirloom-quality piece.- A bulky kitchen island can be transformed into an open, airy worktable by removing the base and replacing it with elegantly turned legs. And furniture-style drawer pulls and door handles on wall and base cabinets bring the atmosphere of the living room into the kitchen.

The pleasing visual diversity normally found in a living room can be introduced into the kitchen by using different finishes on different pieces of cabinetry. Many homeowners are using this strategy when faced with the classic kitchen layout in which a central island is surrounded by walls of cabinetry:  And of course it's always possible to highlight an individual piece or a particular section of cabinetry by using a distinctive stain or paint color.

No matter what style of kitchen you favor, from the warmly traditional to the sleekly modern, American hardwoods in all their diversity will allow you to realize that vision perfectly.

(BPT)

Friday, November 8, 2013

Trophy Club Open House - Sunday

Trophy Club Open House - Sunday
3:00 - 5:00pm


Looking for a new home in Trophy Club?  Join the Grove Team, Keller Williams this Sunday, November 10th from 3:00-5:00pm at 6 Round Rock Court. 

This lovely four bedroom, two bath home offers a funcational floorplan and over 2,100 square feet of living space.  Built in 1986 there is so much to offer from the house to the town of Trophy Club - truly a package deal!

Enjoy the small town feel that offers an active lifestyle strategically situated between Dallas and Fort Worth.  Featuring over 1,000 acres of parks and trail systems, a 36-hole world class golf course, Frisbee golf course, a community swimming pool or a Splash Park and so much more. 
Award winning schools and a little bit for everyone - 6 Round Rock Crt. is a great find in a fantastic location.  Visit our website to view more homes available for sale in the Alliance Corridor

For more information on this home or any other listed in the area, call the Grove Team-Keller Williams, (817) 337-0000 or find us online, groveteam.com
Visit us on Facebook!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

VIDEO TOUR - 5208 Coventry Place, Colleyville

VIDEO TOUR - 5208 Coventry Place, Colleyville
 
Are you looking for a home in a quiet, established neighborhood that is turn key and ready for your furniture?  Stop the hunt now and check out 5208 Coventry Place in Colleyville.  Expertly re-designed by TK Homes, this home is situated on an expansive half acre lot. 

No detail has been left undone - brand new vinyl, low-e windows, custom cabinets in the kitchen and two of the three baths, new interior and exterior paint, newly installed hand scraped hardwood floors, updated fixtures, updated electrical and new pool equipment.  The kitchen has been completely re-designed with upgraded granite, stainless appliances complete with double ovens! 

The floorplan has been updated and redesigned offer a fantastic layout for entertaining, split bedroom concept and two living areas.  Be sure to check out the fourth bedroom - featuring a private entrance, this room can easily be used as a private study or home office. 

Plenty of room to run on the expansive lot complete with a deep in-ground diving pool. 

For more information about homes for sale in Colleyville, or for additional information about this home, visit our website, groveteam.com
 
Find us on Facebook or call us at the office, (817) 337-0000

DIY decorating that lasts all season long

As the holidays roll around, it's natural to want to spread good tidings and cheer with festive decorations like wreaths, candy canes and Santa Claus figurines. But this year, instead of digging out the same old holiday decorations, why not create some new looks that will last the entire winter season, even after you put away the gift wrap and ornaments?

Stimulate the senses

Nothing says winter like the fresh smell of pine and the soft, warm glow of candle light. Repurpose simple glass bottles into an outdoorsy candlescape with a stone textured finish spray paint. It goes on easy and gives you the natural beauty of stone and an elegant, professional-looking appearance. Once dry, wrap artificial garland with pinecones around the bottle's neck or let the garland cascade down the bottle. Place pine tree-scented white taper candles in the bottle openings, light and enjoy for a fresh look and smell that will stimulate your senses well into 2014.

Color works wonders

Another easy way to excite the senses during a drab, gray winter is with pops of color. For a decorative display that lasts all season, avoid the red and green color combination associated with Christmas and branch out with more contemporary choices like teals, blues, purples and pinks. Metallics like silver and gold are also a great way to glitz up the season without looking like the North Pole in overdrive. Spice up old ornaments, vases, frames, centerpieces and more in no time at all. Group spray-painted ornaments or pine cones in a hurricane vase or glass bowl and display on the mantel for added ambiance to any living room.

Deck the halls

Looking for a way to display the abundance of holiday cards from friends and family? Repurpose an old window shutter to create a unique display. Start by spray painting it with a festive shade, such as green or burgundy, which adds a touch of holiday spirit. Once dry, hang the shutter in the kitchen or entryway and place holiday cards in the slats of the shutter for a creative way to stay organized. Once the holidays have passed, you can still use the shutter to display birthday cards, thank you notes, party invitations and more all year long.

Outdoor decor

The inside of the home isn't the only space you can be creative. Make a lasting statement before houseguests even step inside your home by focusing decorative attention to the outside. Line walkways and driveways with lights or faux miniature pine trees, and place white flameless candlesticks on each windowsill to add a simple touch of holiday spirit without going overboard. Prop a vintage snow sled outside the front door to welcome guests.

So, this year instead of the same decorations, consider some fun and easy ways to re-beautify them into pieces that you'll be proud to display throughout the winter season.

 (BPT)