Annual Flowers

To ensure your annuals live to their full potential, as a gardener, you must follow these basic steps.

• Plant your annuals as soon as spring has finally arrived for good.  Putting them in too early can cause harm if they get too cold, and waiting too long may not give them enough time to thrive.
  
• Annuals also do their best if they are planted in well-drained, loose, loamy soil.  If you have sandy soil, you should add two or three inches of organic soil amendment, which is compost, ground bark, or peat moss.
  
• You must water your annuals regularly.  The soil can dry out in between watering, and you do not want the soil to be excessively wet.
  
• Good gardeners also apply a monthly application of fertilizer to their annuals.  It can be liquid or dry fertilizer.
  
• To ensure that flowers continue to bloom all summer, you need to remove all of the dead flowers with shears or by pinching.  This will help your plant to produce as many flowers as it can.

Get a Great Looking Lawn

1. Find out what nutrients your lawn needs.  The easiest way to find out is to take soil samples from 2 to 3 sections of your lawn.  The samples can be taken to a local university where they can analyze it and let you know the results.
   
2. Aerate your lawn.  Aerating is very important because the roots require oxygen to grow, to absorb nutrients, and to absorb water.  An easy way to do this is to buy liquid aeration products that can be attached to your hose.
   
3. Mow and rake your lawn regularly.  How often you mow your lawn depends on the type of grass you have, and you should never more than one third of your leaf blade.  Raking removes the leaves and dead grass that can block sunlight and eventually damage your grass.
   
4. Most grasses require a one-inch watering and deep watering once a week.  If your lawn has been newly seeded, then it should be watered every day.
   
5. To keep you law looking great, you must always be looking for insects, weeds, and colored patches in your grass that can be damaging to your lawn.  If you notice insect damage, use an all-purpose lawn insecticide.  Weeds should be pulled immediately to prevent them from spreading.
   
6. Periodically, your grass will require a feeding.  You should choose a fertilizer that is slow reacting, so your lawn will absorb nutrients over time and not all at once.  Fertilizer will help your lawn to grow and continue to form roots.  It also reduces the stress caused by water and heat.
   
7. If your lawn has bare spots or patches from pets or heavy traffic, you  may  need to apply some grass seed to fill in the patches.  Sprinkle some grass seeds in the area that need a little extra help.

3rd Bathroom

Staging Tips

• Lots of color can be added to the decor by using inexpensive and colorful accessories such as rugs, flowers, matching towels, curtains, and so on.  This works better than trying to add color with paint, carpet, tile or counter tops.
• Make sure the doorbell or door knocker works and is in new condition.  Many buyers have commented on how a non-working doorbell with something like: "I wonder what else in this house isn't working."  Their problem-finder radar switches to high beam immediately.
• You never want a buyer to pause and wonder if something is or can be a problem.  Clutter tends to make buyers think defensively and wonder what all that stuff is hiding.
• As one experienced home decorator put it: making a home attractive to the buyers is 1/3 de-cluttering, 1/3 cleaning, and 1/3 prep work.
• When you use terms in your advertising like discounted, best offer, moving must sell, and so on, all you do is attract price shoppers who make low offers.  Your client will net more money if instead you show them how to make their home more attractive and highlight the home's desirable features in your ads.
• If you are working with upscale properties, most sellers will interview agents not only on their selling skills, but also your showcasing skills so you can walk through their home and list the problem areas and help them get the most for it.

Interesting Websites for Decorating & Showcasing Ideas

www.interiordec.about.com

www.hgtv.com

www.getdecorating.com

www.homeandgardenmakeover.com

www.cozylighting.com

www.housekeepingchannel.com

Two Home Re-dos Customers Crave

Amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life, home has become a personal refuge.  “We live in a crazy world,” said Marc Three of March-Michaels Interior Design in Winter Park, FL.  “Our home should be a sanctuary.”  Disorganization takes away from the tranquility of a space.  Thee suggested two upgrades that enhance the feeling of order:

Separate Laundry Room

A well-organized space is “the gift that keeps on giving,” Thee said.  Sellers or recent buyers can enhance laundry room space by installing shelving and cabinetry surrounding the washer and dryer.  It doesn’t have to be expensive; it’s the perfect DIY project.  Consider what can be stored in that place: laundry detergent, other household cleaners, an iron and ironing board, towels, bedding, and of course, dirty laundry.  Add bins or baskets for instant clothes sorting.  A big enhancement, if there’s room, is the addition of a rolling table for folding laundry or doing arts and crafts projects.

Smart Storage

Thee suggested dedicated towers or cubbies for each member of the family – even one for pets.  Add names to them and place them near a widely used entrance.  They’re great for creating a convenient system for sorting jackets, backpacks, mail, keys, and leashes.

Source: Realtor Magazine – March/April 2012

Bathroom Decluttering

Countertops	Remove all personal items from the counters and make sure they are spotless.
Medicine Cabinets	Leave only minimum items in the medicine cabinet. Buyers usually don't peek in, but it happens.
Shelves	Leave no personal items on shelves, but replace with a couple of knick-knacks that give the room a friendly look.
Under the Counter	Same as under the kitchen counter - everything must go. Use a scented stick-on to get rid of musty smells.
Tub / Shower	Get rid of the soaps, shampoos, and everything else that is cluttering the shower nooks and tub rims. You want the bathroom to look like one you would expect to find in a five-star hotel.
Shower Curtain	Remove or replace it, especially if there is mold growing on it.
Towel Racks	One or two towels only; more racks and towels make the room look smaller.
Kitty Litter Boxes	This is a difficult one for cat lovers, but the litter box has to go somewhere out of sight. Many times, buyers will enter the home, smell the litter box and make a u-turn out the door. Getting a friend or neighbor to take kitty when you're showing the home can help.

Bedroom Decluttering

Bed	Make sure the bed size fits the room. A wall-to-wall bed is a sure turn-off for most buyers. Store it and rent a smaller bed, if possible.
End Tables	Put them in storage, if they crowd the room. Otherwise, remove everything off the top, but a lamp and an alarm clock.
Dressers & Chest of Drawers	Put them in storage if they crowd the room. Also, clean everything off the top.
Armoires, Chests & Wardrobes	All have to go into storage.
Chairs, Rockers & Other Furnitures	Remove and store.
Bedspread & Pillows	Use a nice matching set that compliments the room's decor.
Drapes	This depends on the room size and decor. Most bedrooms with both drapes and blinds will look larger without the drapes.
Kids' Bedrooms	This is where having your home on the market will test your endurance. Yes, pick up the toys, dirty clothes, and make the beds. These rooms do count with buyers too. You may want to box up all the toys and leave a few they play with daily.
Teenagers' Bedrooms	True, getting cooperation on keeping their bedroom presentable can be like trying to climb a steep, muddy slope. But the ceiling and wall posters need to go and the dirty clothes need to be picked up. Unfortunately, their room isn't an alternate universe where you can close the wormhole!
Closets	They're so important - that we will address them separately!!!

Kitchen Decluttering

Eating / Dining Area	All hutches, curio cabinets, small tables, and other furniture in the eating are or nook have to go - leave the dining room table only. You want this area to appear as big as possible.
Counters	This is a biggie: No coffee machines, appliances, cookbooks, or anything on the counter top. Not even crumbs from a breakfast muffin.
Refrigerator	All the magnets, calendars, original school artwork your kids created have to go. Leave nothing but a clean showroom surface.
Cupboards	Clean out all the cupboards and leave only what you need for day-to-day living. Buyers open cupboards not only to be nosey, but also to see if their dishes and china will fit. Spilled Cheerios does not leave a good impression.
Cabinets Beneath the Counter	Like the cupboards, clean out and leave only what you absolutely need. Be sure the area beneath the sink is clean, with no leak stains, spilled cleaner stains, or other problems. Leave only a container or two of cleaner and dishwasher soap. If there's a musty smell, use a stick-on air freshener.
On Top of Cupboards	If your cupboards don't go all the way to the ceiling, it's likely this space has become a curio parking place. You guessed it! It all has to go.
Plants	Some homeowners like lots of plants in the kitchen, but too many create a clutter problem - two or three plants should be enough. If you're a plant collector, consider asking family or friends to plant-sit while the home is on the market.
Dining Tables	Remove any extension leaves so the table takes up less space. Also, keep only the number of chairs you actually need. A large table with more than four chairs can make a dining space look smaller than it is. Also, putting a tasteful floral arrangement in the middle of the table does add a nice touch of color to the area.
Pantry	Ah yes, for many homeowners the pantry is the repository of unfettered clutter. Since you're moving anyway, box it all up and move it out. It is fine to keep a few survival items, but nearly empty is the best. Many buyers like to check out the pantry, so let them imagine their clutter on the shelves.
Drawers	Occasionally, buyers will check out drawers to see if there are dividers or organizers they like. Leave the fewest utensils you can survive with.

Living Room & Family Room Decluttering

Furniture	Remove all furniture but a couch and loveseat, one or two lamp tables and an overstuffed chair or rocker. If it's a smaller room, leave only the love seat.
Pictures or Photos	Leave only one or two that will blend in with your decor. Even though you may have an extensive art collection you're proud of, your goal is to sell your home, not to wow your buyers who come through. Putting them in storage can be a good security move.
Carpets	Make sure your carpets are professionally cleaned and there are no sports or worn areas. Using plastic runners can keep traffic lanes clean. If carpets are badly worn, replace with a light, neutral color.
Hand Railings	Railings are high profile. If they are made of wood and in good condition, wax may be all you need. If they are worn, sand and refinish, so they look like new. Metal can be spray painted to look new.
Trophies	These are emotional items with many sellers. Yes, you did spend a lot of time, talent, and money getting them. But they're a big distraction with many buyers. The big trophy you caught in Baja may alienate a buyer who might otherwise make a full-price offer.
End Tables	One lamp and maybe one or two smaller items. No framed photos or large figurines. Groups of three items (rule of three) seem to resonate the best - that is, two chairs with an end table between them. Flower vase and two small figurines on an end table and so on.
Mantels	Fireplace mantels are great collectors of distracting memorabilia. Clear them off and depending on the material, clean them thoroughly and replace a few small items so you don't get a stark, bare look.
Drapes & Blinds	Some sellers have drapes, sheers, and blinds. In many rooms, it's best to remove the drapes and sheers and leave only the blinds up. Clean the blinds and replace damaged parts. Heavy drapes often make a room look smaller and darker. The more light the better!
Potted Plants	If you have many potted plants, leave only a few that are in perfect condition and scaled to the room - that is, not too big. Absolutely no dead, dying, or wilted plants
Curio Cabinets	If you have valuable crystals, figurines, antiques, or other collectibles, pack them up and put then into secure storage or the garage. This not only removes a distraction, but also gives you some security in case thieves were posing as buyers.

Update a Kitchen For Less

How can you remodel a kitchen while keeping an eye on the bottom line?  Today, a variety of products and remodeling methods help homeowners change or update the look of their kitchen for far less than the thousands of dollars it may cost to gut a kitchen.

When contemplating a kitchen remodel, one rule of thumb suggests never spending more than 15% of a home’s current value on the project.  In fact, spending less while creating a more functional and elegant room is possible if the project is researched and budgeted carefully.

One way to dramatically change the look and style of a kitchen can be accomplished by resurfacing kitchen cabinets.  In fact, some manufacturers offer peel-and-stick veneer for do-it-yourselfers to make the job simpler.  No matter if it’s peel-and-stick veneer or cut to size, it’s always better to measure twice and cut once.  The job can also be outsourced to professional kitchen remodelers.  In this case, carpenters remove doors and drawer fronts and cover all exterior surfaces with a veneer of prefinished wood.  The new doors and drawer fronts are made to match.  With this method, costs may range from $100 to $300 per linear foot of cabinetry.

Thermofoil doors are another relatively inexpensive option.  These doors are created by using heat and pressure to seal a thin layer of plastic coating to fiberboard, resulting in an incredibly durable door.  The doors can be made to match any interior design or décor.

It is also possible to replace just the panels on cabinet doors, while leaving the boxes intact and in place.  Filler panels available today include glass that can be clear, etched, tinted, or patterned.  Metal doors are also becoming popular and can be made from stainless steel or patterned tin.  Even replacing cabinets altogether is less expensive than gutting a room and moving plumbing and electrical lines.

A smaller change that can leave a big impact is concentrating on one major upgrade in the kitchen – such as new window treatments or adding colorful pendant lights to create a stunning effect.

New countertops can also provide a dramatic change in a kitchen, and prices can range from very inexpensive to costly, depending on the materials chosen.  Laminates are among the most economical of countertop surfaces, and are considered stain and heat resistant.  Solid surface countertops made from acrylic are stain, moisture and heat resistant, and inhibit the growth of bacteria.  Because this material is molded, a sink can be integrated into the countertop for a seamless installation.  Granite continues to be a popular, although a more expensive choice, because of its strength, stain and scratch resistance, and the visually pleasing effect of natural veins, specks, and swirls.

A change in flooring color and material can make a kitchen feel brighter and even larger, often for surprisingly less.  Vinyl flooring is affordable, moisture-resistant and durable.

For a larger investment, ceramic or natural stone floors are also a good choice for a kitchen.  Ceramic tiles are produced by firing of clay in a kiln at high temperatures.  Different types of clay are used to produce different textures and colors.  Tiles made from natural stone are also a popular choice, including marble, granite, and slate.

To finish the remodel, bold colors can make a statement and tie various kitchen accents together.  Rather than using color sparingly, it can be spread across the entire kitchen.  Some of today’s most popular colors include teal and mushroom.

Courtesy of Nashville Home Inspection, John Watkins

Make the Switch!

Incandescent bulbs are out, more efficient options are in.  Find out how a small change can make a big difference on your energy bill.

In January, the Energy Independence Security Act began phasing out production of general-purpose incandescent bulbs, starting with 100-watt bulbs.  Exceptions will be made for some incandescent, however, including 3-way, appliance, and ceiling fan bulbs.  Fortunately, the alternatives are more energy efficient, better for the environment and provide similar - or better - light quality.

Home Buying & Selling Process

Gardening Green

Free and green ideas for your garden:

• Glass jars, after washed and thoroughly dried, make great containers to save seeds.
• Popsicle sticks are an awesome way to mark plants and organize gardens.
• Old spoons and forks are fantastic ways to save and transport tiny plants.
• Clear plastic containers should be saved for covering plants and digging through soil.
• Wooden or cardboard boxes are a great way to harvest and transport delicate vegetables.
• Paint trays can be saved and used as seed trays.  Just don’t forget a drainage hole.
• Save hedge clippings.  Chop and spread them around shrubs and fruit trees to keep moisture in.
• Food waste is essential in compost, which will improve structure, providing nutrients for plants.
• Yogurt pots are the perfect homes for re-potting seedlings.  Just don’t forget to add a drainage hole.
• Leaky buckets are great ways to harvest small quantities of potatoes and carrots.

Take it easy on your pocket and the environment.

Floors For All Walks

Decisions, decisions.  When choosing a floor, you may find yourself torn between wood and laminate.  And with more color style options than ever – including alternative woods such as cork, and laminates created to mimic materials as diverse as oak and stone – it’s easy to get tripped up.  Below are the benefits of both floor types to help you select the one that’s right for you and your home.

Why wood?

BEAUTY – the rich, warm grain of wood brings the outdoors in.

TIMELESSNESS – unlike some floor types, wood won’t cycle in and out of style.

DISTINCTION – since no two trees are exactly alike, you can be sure your wood flooring is one of a kind.

VALUE – wood floors add value to your home

LONGEVITY – wood flooring is durable, long-lasting, and often comes with a lifetime warranty.

Hardwood floors come in more species, widths, and colors than ever before.  In addition to solid wood (nail-down installation) and engineered wood (glue or staple installation), new locking wood floors feature an easy-to-install tongue-and-groove system.  No messy glue or nails needed.

Why laminate?

VARIETY – laminate floors come in a wide range of colors and capture the look of an array of materials, including wood, stone, and tile.

LOW MAINTENANCE – no sanding or refinishing is required to keep your floors looking great.

AFFORDABILITY – laminate offers great value and costs less to purchase and install than wood.

DURABILITY – have children or pets? Laminate floors take them in stride by resisting scratches and stains.  Laminate also stands up to dents.

EASY TO INSTALL – simple locking construction makes laminate floors easy to install in a weekend – even by a novice do-it-yourselfer.

Locking planks make all laminate flooring super easy to install.  Use an underlayment for moisture protection and soundproofing.

Friendly Flooring

These materials make a big impact on your home – and a small impact on the planet.

CORK – the soft, cellular structure of cork – harvested as bark from living trees – adds natural, eco-friendly insulation.

BAMBOO – while technically not wood (it’s a wood-like grass), bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that makes a beautiful floor.

Courtesy of Lowe’s Creative Ideas for Home and Gardens

5 Low Cost Kitchen Re-dos Buyers Will Love

Kitchen remodeling sales were up 36% in the 3^rd quarter of 2011 compared with the same time a year earlier, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association.  It’s no wonder: The kitchen is the focal point in many homes.  And it’s one of the features buyers compare most closely when they’re shopping for a home.  Here are cost estimates for some of the low-cost kitchen upgrades that are often recommended:

1.   HARDWARE

Replace cabinet hardware, such as handles, knobs, and hinges is  quick, DIY way to enhance kitchen space.  According to Houselogic.com, an average kitchen is 200 square feet with 30 linear feet of cabinetry, which equates to about 40 handles & knobs.  Averaging between $2 and $20 per knob or pull, a home owner can expect to spend from $80 to $800 for this enhancement.

2.   FAUCET

There are myriad of options today in terms of height, spouts, pullout hoses, and folding necks, with quality faucets starting at around $200.

3.   LIGHTING

Adding an LED under-cabinet light can have a dramatic effect for about $40.

4.   ORGANIZATION

Buyers today choose functionality over elaborate decoration, says Jamie Goldberg, a National Kitchen & Bath Association certified designer.  Practical storage in the kitchen will go a long way.  Over-the-door nooks, baskets in the pantry, drawer organizers, wall hooks for pots and pans, and stackable shelves for cabinets will add appeal, typically for less than $100.

5.   COUNTERTOPS

Laminate can mimic the contemporary look of granite at a significant discount.  The cost for an average kitchen with 30 linear feet of laminate countertop is roughly $1,575; the same space in granite would be about $2,400.

Protect Your Home from Spring Showers

Don’t let the rain bring you or your home down – take a few simple steps to prepare your home, then sit back and enjoy the first signs of spring!

Prepare your trees for the storm.

·     With new trees, avoid planting too close to wires or the house.

·     Begin an annual pruning practice. Dead or weakened limbs and excessive branches can do severe damage during rainstorms.

·     For trees that hang over your home or otherwise threaten it, hire a professional arborist to strengthen a tree by installing cabling.

·     Keep trees healthy by watering and fertilizing.

Secure your outdoor property.

·     With rain can come heavy wind. Tie down all patio furniture, or store inside to protect your home and neighboring homes. Move other large items such as trash bins and plants inside as well.

·     Have a pool? Contrary to popular belief, you should not drain it. Properly installed pools are equipped with overflows to drain excess water, and the water in your pool serves as a kind of shield, protecting your pool's finish from the effects of flying debris.

Check your home’s perimeter.

·     Make sure drains and gutters are cleared to avoid backup and flooding.

·     Seal leaky windowsills or doorframe cracks with caulking. Cracks in old caulking will tell you that it is old and needs to be redone.

·     Wood doors exposed to the elements may also need a new coat of waterproof varnish to avoid soaking up water.

Don’t forget the basement.

·     Protect basement walls by sealing them with a cement or concrete sealer.

·     If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, avoid storing important documents or other valuables in your basement or first floor. Use a waterproof box to store photos, documents and other valuables.

Think of the environment, and your bottom line, as rain approaches.

·     Turn off automatic sprinkler systems as rain approaches, a best practice that will also lower your water bill.