MERRILLVILLE, IN…

For the many people who live in a climate with four seasons, fall can mean any number of things. Football. Foliage. Frost. And the one “f” homeowners dread most, fixing up your home in preparation for winter. DirectBuy, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, has some suggestions for the top of your to-do list this fall.

“From a home improvement standpoint, fall projects really are about getting ready for winter, namely making your home more energy efficient and thereby cost-effective,” said Sara Butler of DirectBuy. “Ideally, you would replace furnaces, windows and other higher ticket items but that’s not always realistic. There are some things you can do in the interim to improve efficiency.”

For starters:

Furnace – Test your heating system now before you actually need to turn the heat on in the house. If there’s a problem, get your furnace serviced now before it gets cold and other people have the same idea. Be sure to replace the filter on your furnace prior to turning on the heat in the fall. Filters come in a number of different makes—30, 60, and 90-day, as well as ones you don’t replace but occasionally clean. It’s important to know which type you have in your home if you’re considering changing these yourself.

Weather stripping – You’ll find weather stripping around most doors and windows. The elements can do a number on weather stripping over time and you’ll want to do a quick inspection in the fall to determine if any stripping needs to be replaced before the cold weather hits. Your local hardware store should carry replacement stripping that you can use to replace any deteriorating sections.

Winterize your hose bib – The hose bib is the part of the outdoor faucet where you attach the hose. If you do not turn off the outdoor water source from the inside of your home, you run the risk of the pipe leading to the hose bib freezing and bursting—even if it’s only been for a few days of sub-freezing temperatures. So, be sure to turn that water source off before the frost begins.

Painting – Fall is also a great time to paint, both indoors and out. As long as it’s not too cold or, obviously, raining, paint goes on and dries better in the fall. If you’re painting the outside of your house, paint actually has a sealant quality. So, in addition to giving your exterior a fresh look, you’re also preparing it for elements associated with winter.

“The beauty of most fall projects is that, for the most part, they are not huge undertakings but the benefits can be plentiful. The key is planning and prioritizing what’s important to your home and your household,” said Butler. “By simply creating a small checklist of projects you want to do this fall, you can still make a difference in your home without overwhelming yourself.”.

DirectBuy offers everything you need for your fall fix-up projects—windows, water heaters, insulations, ladders, you name it—at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if a fall fix-up project is a bit aboveyour skill level or you don’t have the time, you have professionals at your service who can get the job done and help get your home ready for the winter months.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Anyone can refer friends and family to DirectBuy and earn big rewards in the process. Visit refer.directbuy.com today for all the details.

Checkpoint…The fall home improvement projects that should be on your list.Read More

Remodeling your kitchen is one of the more expensive home improvement projects you can undertake. It’s also a project that recoups more of its cost at resale than most others. And with a few extra touches–like a chalkboard area, exhaust fan and sliding kitchen cabinet doors — your investment in a kitchen remodel can dramatically improve your quality of life while you’re in your home and put more in your pocket at resale.

Back to the drawing board

The kitchen has become the hub of activity and an information center for many households. But rather than forcing a dry erase board into an existing spot once you’ve remodeled your kitchen, why not make it part of the plan from the get-go.

For example, many new kitchen remodels include wall space painted with chalkboard paint. This gives families a great space to keep important lists and dates and is very easy to maintain since chalkboard paint is easily cleaned with an eraser or damp cloth. You also don’t have to concern yourself with fitting in a drab white dry erase board. And, last but not least, your little ones will finally have a place to draw their favorite pictures without causing permanent marks.

Exhausting your new kitchen’s possibilities

Adding an exhaust fan to your kitchen is another nice touch to a kitchen remodel. Exhaust fans not only help eliminate obnoxious smells from your kitchen; they can be a beautiful design accent as well. 

Besides being functional, exhaust systems are available in different materials such as wood or stainless steel, which can coordinate nicely with your cabinetry or countertops. So in addition to getting rid of unwanted smells from last night’s seafood dish or the peas you accidentally burned, you further accentuate the beauty of your remodel.

Letting your kitchen cabinets slide

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, especially the cabinets, it’s easy to get hung up on looks. But you also want your new cabinets to be functional. To that end, sliding cabinet doors are a functional and attractive alternative.

Sliding kitchen cabinet doors work in a similar fashion to sliding patio doors—on a grooved run–only on a smaller scale. So, if you’re sick of bumping your head or other body parts after somebody left a cabinet door open, it’s an option with great functionality.

In terms of looks, kitchen cabinetry with sliding door fronts tend to work best in contemporary, modern, or Asian-inspired designs. While available in a number of attractive wood styles, sliding cabinets are also offered with clear glass doors. This gives you not only a stylish design, but an opportunity to display your dinnerware or barware.

With or without these extras, remodeling your kitchen is a major renovation that can dramatically improve the quality of your day-to-day life. Take your time, get several opinions and don’t forget those little extras that can elevate a good remodel to a great one.

Sara Shragal is a staff writer for DirectBuy. For more information or other helpful tips for your home, or to submit a question, please visit www.directbuycares.com or write us at questions@directbuycares.com.

Tips for Creating Your Dream Space: Back to the drawing board and other extras for your kitchen remodelRead More

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK…

Just when Kelly Clarkson thought her life was caving in around her, she got a second chance to change everything.

That second chance was a letter from DirectBuy, the second such notification sent by the company, notifying Clarkson that she was the winner of the DirectBuy’s $50,000 Home Makeover promotion. And, thankfully, she called DirectBuy’s corporate headquarters just in time to claim her winnings.

“When I received the first letter, I thought someone was playing a trick on me and completely disregarded it, but I’m so glad they sent a second notice and I called,” said Clarkson.

DirectBuy, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, named Kelly Clarkson of Moore, Oklahoma as their 2^nd national Home Makeover winner this year. Over the past few years, DirectBuy has distributed more than a half million dollars in prize money to both members and non-members as part of their Home Makeover Program, designed to help consumers learn more about DirectBuy, and in the process, help them create the home of their dreams.

On September 10, 2009, Clarkson visited the company’s Oklahoma City location for the formal check presentation. 

Weeks prior, Clarkson was summoned to court in a foreclosure dispute on the home she is currently renting. Clarkson, who is disabled, and hasn’t worked for more than two years, didn’t have the finances to purchase the home from the bank and was preparing for a move this year.

But, with a little luck and a second chance, the Clarkson family can now make their current residence a permanent home.

“Just as quickly as things turned for the worst in my life, they just as easily made a turn for the better,” said Clarkson. “I truly feel so blessed!”

Clarkson’s children, 15-year-old Tyler and eight-year-old Samaya, are looking forward to the comfort of knowing they will be staying in their current home and school. And three-year-old Yzabella is thrilled that her mom can now afford to buy her the pink PowerWheels jeep she’s been wanting.

DirectBuy of Oklahoma City franchise owners Brandon and Adriana Parker were excited that their club was able to help someone from their community.

“Having a chance to present a family with a check for $50,000 is one of the most exciting events I have ever participated in,” said Adriana. “There couldn’t have been a more deserving family than the Clarksons, and I am truly happy that DirectBuy could help turn their luck for the better.”

DirectBuy of Oklahoma City, located at 8330 Glade Avenue, offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting and design club where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Oklahoma City employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children’s play area, café and a member’s lounge to relax while shopping.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Oklahoma City are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuycares.com.

Area resident wins $50,000 grand prize from DirectBuy. Kelly Clarkson, of Moore, Oklahoma, plans to use winnings to purchase first home.Read More