Scholz Design

We're so excited for the homeowners of this house. They'll close on their home Friday, November 26! We're putting the finishing touches on the home today. The home is also a Scholz Design plan (The Westbury). Scholz Design plans are amazing and we're not just saying that because we're an approved builder. Interested in a home like this or maybe just any home? Don't wait to give us a call, we want to make your dreams come true too! (that might sound a little corny, but trust us - this is what we do and we love it and we think you will too)

Halloween

We won't tell you what staff member this is, but we will tell you to have a safe and happy Halloween. Remember you're never too old to have fun and celebrate!


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Energy Star

One of our Carriage Manor homes is currently undergoing an Energy Star test. Check out the picture of the blower door test. Looks like we passed with flying colors!!


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Great Article

Kitchen odors a problem? We came across a great article on yahoo that shows different ways to get rid of different kitchen odors.
1. Garbage disposal - pour a cup of boiling water through the disposal to clean the blades. Then grind up citrus peels like orange or lemon.
2. Refrigerator - soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract then put it in a little bowl on the lowest open shelf. Remove in a few days when dry.
3. Garbage Can - try simplehuman charcoal filters. They stick to the inside of the can lid and recharge in the sunlight. Simplehuman.com
4. Dishwasher - a half full dishwasher can stink. Run a light rinse with no soap. If the odor persists empty the machine and clean out the filters and parts in the bottom.
5. Stove - turn on the range hood before turning on the burner. Also regularly clean your range hood filter.


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Open House

This is the last weekend to check out our open house in Numidia. The home is 1,500 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two car garage and a full basement. It's located in the Countryside Development. We will be there from 12-3 on Saturday and Sunday!


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Getting ready for Spring

Spring has finally arrived! Its a great time of year for building houses (we think every time of the year is good for home building) and being outside and gardening. We decided to track down an article on gardening to share with you. While looking around HGTV's website we found Top 10 Rules for Spring Gardening and thought it was very timely and something you might find helpful! So here goes:

10. Work the soil only when its moderately dry. Tiling, walking on or cultivating soil when it is wet leads to creating something akin to adobe: the whole structure of the soil is destroyed

9. If your soil is too wet to work use raised beds to enable earlier planting in the spring. The soil in the raised beds drys out and warms up faster then the surrounding earth

8. Plant cool season plants such as peas, onions, Swiss chard, spinach and lettuce in early spring so they mature before hot weather arrives. Delay planting warm weather crops until you're safely past the last spring frost and the soil has warmed sufficiently.

7. Know your zone. Whether you use USDA or sunset zones, choose your plants not only for color hardiness but for heat tolerance as well. Peonies don't bloom where winters are mild.

6. Ease your transplants into your garden. If you've started seedlings indoors, expose them gradually to the conditions they'll have in the garden: start the pots off with only a few hours in a sunny place and then gradually increase the amount of sun before installing the transplants in the garden

5. The best amendment for your soil is one you can make yourself: compost! If you don't already have a compost pile, start one now.

4. Prune summer blooming shrubs such as abelia and butterfly bush in early spring. Buds form on the new wood that emerges that same year, cutting spend flowers on your butterfly bush will product more flowers

3. Hydrangeas are the exception to the pruning rules for summer flowering shrubs. They need to be pruned in the fall.

2. Rotate your veggie crops, growing them in different spots then previous seasons. Tomatoes are especially vulnerable to diseases that may linger in soil or in plant residue.

1. Stretch before you start gardening! Yard work is hard work and and you'll help prevent injury if you warm up and stretch before hand.

Come see us!

We're having two open houses, that's right TWO, for the next couple weekends! Our showcase home will be open in RiverHill on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-3 AND our second home is in Numidia and will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 12-3. If you want more information on our open houses and directions check out our website: www.ashfordhomes.com !!

Open houses

We're having two open houses today. One in Riverside and one in Numidia. Both run from 12 to 3 and will be open tomorrow as well. Directions can be found on our website. We hope to see you today! (or tomorrow)


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Open house!

We're having an open house this Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 3 at 28 Twilight Lane in Numidia. See our website for directions and stop by and visit us.


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2010 Already?!

It is already February 2010! Time has certainly been flying by. We've taken several courses and webinars regarding the new 2009 codes that were adopted on January 1 of this year and we're ready to go! Last month was also the International Builder show in Las Vegas. According the NAHB's chief economist things are turning around for the industry. That has been what we've been seeing too! We are lucky though because our area was not affected the way some other areas were. We promise to try to do better with updates this year. Last year got away from us, but we're working on that, honest!