How Can I Keep My Lawn Looking Great All Summer Long?

With the summer heat and humidity, it can really take a toll on your lawn.  But how can you keep your lawn looking great all summer? 

Control Weeds Early- Dandelions are usually the first weed to appear with hardier weeds showing up later.  Try using a herbicide to keep your weeds under control and be sure to tackle them when they first appear.  Leaving weeds in your lawn will only cause more damage later on.

Don’t Cut Too Much- Only take about 1/3 of the current grass height when mowing.  Mowing too much and taking too much off can dry out the soil causing your grass to become dehydrated.  Grass will also have a harder time growing if it is cut too short as it will develop deeper roots to get to hydrated soil.

Water in the Morning- Make sure you water your lawn often to keep it hydrated and prevent it from drying out.  A good rule of thumb is to water your grass in the morning, to allow it to stay hydrated all day in the heat.  

Forget the Bag- Leaving your clipping on your grass can not only save you time and money but it can help fertilize the soil.  It can even encourage lawn growth.  

Beat the Bugs- Beetles like to lay eggs in your grass during the summer months which can cause a huge mess for you! Treat your lawn with grub control and consider checking with a local agricultural extension office for the best time to place it on your lawn.

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What are 5 Landscaping Mistakes That Could Destroy Your Lawn?

Good landscaping can add over 20% to your home’s value, if it’s done right.  With the greenest of thumbs you still could be in for a disaster. If you go small the effect won’t be noticeable but if you do too much your plants could suffer.  Plant the wrong plant- your yard could be done!

Don’t plant too much mulch- Planting too much mulch could suffocate your plants causing them to die.  Mulch is ultimately designed to control the soil temperature and keep it moist.

Picking the wrong or “dangerous” plants- One of the biggest mistakes someone can make is picking the incorrect plant for their landscaping.  Make sure to do your research before you buy and plant your new landscaping.

Plan it out- Make sure you have a plan before you get started. Plan everything out on graph paper to ensure everything will fit and look right.

Too much gravel- Gravel ultimately saves water but it also reflects heat toward any plant and can damage all plants.  

Remodeling near trees- Thinking about adding an addition to your home or turning your garage into a man cave? If your yard features large trees you will need to protect them before you get started.  You will also need to protect your home from them if a storm hits causing your tree to crash into your home.

What are Seven Personal Items You Should Never Leave Out During an Open House?

When your open house is scheduled, you already know not to leave out any money.  You also know you should not leave any piles of dirty laundry. But there are a few items you may not think to put away.

Personal documents- Papers that list your full name and numbers like your social security card, checkbook, or credit cards should be put away in a locked cabinet or taken with you.  

Mail addressed with your name- The last thing you need is a potential buyer having access to your personal life and uncovering items about you.  Keep your identity secret and put away your mail.

Space heaters, fans, and more- Items you may use every day could give the buyer the impression something is wrong.  Your space heater could indicate your heater does not work as well as it should, or a fan could indicate you’re a/c doesn’t cool your home.

Your pets- Some people aren’t pet fan so putting away your pet snake or dog kennel could help sell your home.

 Political posters- You may be proud of your political posters but others may not agree with your views.  Putting them in the of your papers on your desk or filing them away until your home sells will be for the best.

Delicious food in your fridge- Guests may be tempted to help themselves to your food or snoop in your cabinets.  Try tidying up your fridge and pantry before someone comes to view your home so they aren’t tempted to help themselves.

What Renovations are Worth It?

If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, master, suite or more, you may want to check to see if your renovation will be worth it in the end.  Not all home renovation pay off like they did in the past so do your research to ensure you aren’t wasting your money.

Research has shown that in 2018 American should expect to make back only a little over half of the money they spend on their renovation.  That is down from previous years.

Current events such as new tax laws and property taxes might affect your home improvements and how much you can expect to make back from them.  Natural disaster can also increase the cost to do your remodel.

A new garage door might surprise you as the improvement that will pay for itself by earning 98.3% of your money back.  A new back patio will only allow you to earn back 48% of your expenses.  Minor kitchen remodel, siding replacement, window replacement, bathroom remodel and roof replacement will allow you to earn back well over half of your investment. 

Are You Afraid to Sell Your Home Too Early?

Selling your home for a profit is always ideal but what happens if you sell your home then it doubles in price a year or two later?  You may then kick yourself for not holding onto your property for a little longer. 

This feeling you may have is called seller’s remorse- a feeling most people get who have sold their home.  There’s no time limit to when seller’s remorse will hit after you sell your home. You may ask yourself, when is the right time to sell my home?

You can’t predict the housing market- Just like stocks, you never know what the housing market might do.  You can’t beat yourself up for selling your home when you did to find out it doubled in price a year or two later.  To snap out of your seller’s remorse always remember, home prices could drop in price.

Home prices could go up- You may get more money for your home; your new home could cost you more.  With the extra cash you are receiving for your home, you may have to invest more into your new home.

Sell your home when you have to- Chances are you aren’t selling your home just because, there is a reason you need to move.  Don’t hold onto a home that doesn’t fit your family or you aren’t comfortable in.  

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Real Estate Etiquette- How to Respect Others When Purchasing/Selling a Home?

If you are a buyer or seller there are certain “guidelines” you should follow to keep your experience positive and prevent any issues later like legal action.  Even if it is your first time buying or selling a home, you’ve had social interaction before. 

If you are looking for real estate- If you are wanting to purchase a new home but you aren’t quite sure where or what your budget may be- you should do research before contacting a realtor.  Once you’ve established the area and budget of your new home, contact your trusted realtor.  Once you’ve contacted your realtor consider asking them: their fees, if they work on a team, methods of communication, if they are familiar with the are you are looking in, what info they have to provide for the new area you are looking in like comparative market analysis, and your preference on open houses or touring houses

Honesty- Be honest, if you don’t like the home let your realtor know so he or she can find something in your style.  If you are selling a home, be open to feedback- taking personal pictures off the wall or removing personal items.

Respect Time- Time is something people don’t have enough of, try not to call at all times of the night and day with every detail you can think of. Jot your thoughts down and make one call or one email.

Making an Offer- If you fall in love with a property, make an offer right away.  Chances are someone else likes that property too but don’t except to hear back right away.  The seller may take some time to review your offer or other offers as they come.  If you are the seller, you should show the same respect.  When you are presented with an offer make sure you are aware of the amount of time you are given to respond.

Don’t forget to send your realtor a “thank you” note once you have found a house, make an offer, closed, and moved or if your agent has sold your home.

How to Declutter Your Closet

With spring comes spring cleaning and what better place to start than your closet! Decluttering your closet will not only make yourself feel good by accomplishing a task but you can also help those in need by donating your clothes.

Tackling your closet doesn’t have to be done all in one but can be spread out over a course of a few days or even weeks.  Start by focusing on one area of your closet and have a box to fill with the items you no longer need or want.  If you still can’t decide what you want to donate, establish a new rule “one in and one out.”  For every new item you purchase, you must donate one.

Establish another rule- if you haven’t worn the item in over 6 months or a year chances are you aren’t going to wear it ever again.  It’s time to get rid of that piece.  If you have holiday outfits you knew you were only going to wear once but still have them- toss those in the box as well.

The more items you can get rid of the better you will feel, and you may even reward yourself with a few new items!