1-29-20 Real Estate Weekly

JANUARY 29, 2020 • Volume 15 • Issue 5

RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa

OPEN SUNDAY, 2/2 12-1:30 PM 5731 Quarry Drive, Ames

Open floor plan perfect for entertaining 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms Features include 2,700 finished sq ft, granite countertops, fireplace, master suite & laundry room on the main floor Close to Ada Hayden Park and walking trails

$339,000

MIKE PURCELL

mpurcell@friedrich-realty.com

515-231-6083 Licensed in the State of Iowa

Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly

Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Green thumb

101

So you want to try your hand at houseplants

By Carole McCray

one choose a houseplant? I look for ones with interesting texture, foliage and form. More importantly, does it appear healthy? Here are some tips when shopping for a houseplant and for maintaining it.

• CHOOSING A PLANT — Look for plants with healthy green foliage and dense, bushy growth. One with an abundance of closed buds is a better choice than one in full bloom. Always check for insects at the tips of new branches, at the places where the leaves join the stems and on the underside of the leaves.

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H

ouseplants can have us gardening year-round. They add a decorative touch to a home, and they emit oxygen and help remove toxins to purify the air.

Shopping for your first houseplant or adding more to your collection can be an exciting experience. How does

• LIGHT — Plants grown only for attractive foliage require less light.

Succulents or cacti and flowering plants require direct sunlight. Succulents and cacti do make ideal houseplants since indoors the humidity is dry, and they prefer that kind of environment.

• SPACE — Plants grow at different rates. For immediate gratification in a small area, Norfolk Pine, Dracena Marginata, Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, Schefflera and Rubber Tree are some serious contenders for making a statement in a small space.

• INDOOR TEMPERATURE — Many houseplants are tropical in origin, so they prefer high humidity. If you are in a climate where humidity is low indoors,

you can raise the humidity several ways.

Misting plants, keeping pots on waterfilled trays or grouping plants near one another to trap existing moisture can help raise the humidity for houseplants.

• WATERING — The biggest problem is overwatering houseplants. Choose a container with good drainage. Add water to the top of the soil surface until water comes out the drainage holes. Or watering can be done by placing the pot into a container filled with water and leave it remain in the container for fifteen minutes. Tepid water is best for watering to avoid shocking plants and causing them to wilt.

• FEEDING — Read the care tag on the plant for fertilizing and keeping your plant healthy. If you are unsure about the feeding of a particular houseplant, experts at your local garden center or floral shop should be able to provide answers to your questions.

• MAINTENANCE — Plant foliage should be rinsed under a gentle stream of tepid water about every two weeks to remove dust or dirt. Larger plants may be harder to rinse, so with a soft, clean cloth, gently wipe the foliage. As you wipe the leaves, use your other hand to support the undersides of the leaves.

▼

English Ivy (far left), Dracaena (right) and Sanseveria (background) are low maintenance and good for beginner houseplant gardeners. [W. Atlee Burpee]

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Januar y 29, 2020 • Page RE3

Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 29, 2020

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In print and online.

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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 29, 2020 • Page RE5

DEAR MONTY

How best to fund a startup?

eader question: I am pursuing a business startup that complements my family’s existing construction business. I have a little funding myself and some customers. I need to raise additional capital to grow and deliver the best service possible.

My family business has shown interest

Monty’s answer: This type of financing works best when the parties involved have successful businesses, substantial reserves and play in markets that will be around long into the future. We will assume your family’s business is in this category. There is a substantial risk with

RE WEEKLY STORY

COUNTY

CIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT

Y STORTY COUN

• FARM • COMMER RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE 317 5th Street, Ames State of Iowa 515-233-3299 • S® licensed in the

Your purchase price has to be below the market because you do not want to have negative cash flow, which defeats the purpose. You want to use the money in the startup, not siphoned off to support the real estate. If you utilize conventional financing, your family has the remaining equity from the sale to fund their new venture. This method is not risky for the company, but dangerous for you.

Consider looking at other alternatives.

Do you need that much new capital?

Overspending is one reason startups fail.

Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money — An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” Find him at DearMonty.com.

® are REALTOR All REALTOR ads within

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ALWAYS ONLINE

un.com

www.StoryCountyS

RE WEEKLY

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 39

RE WEEKLY

SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 36

a startup. While we continuously hear about the success stories, the startup field has many smart, well-meaning people who had a good idea, yet failed.

Your family’s interest in helping you is the first lead to run down. Is the loan or investment they would make dependent on you buying the company properties?

You and your family are both looking for capital to fund new ventures. The equity in the real estate the company intends to sell may have to be substantial to satisfy both of you.

Will your family sell you the properties at a below-market price? Can you negotiate a mortgage that does not prohibit you from taking a second mortgage? The second mortgage is a method to raise fresh capital.

Always Available Online SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 37

R

RICHARD MONTGOMERY

in investing/loaning me some funds for developing this startup. I currently manage our family’s rental properties. I am curious if there are ways to obtain cash through owner financing of two company-owned properties. The company wants to sell them to fund a separate venture. I was trying to think outside of the box for ways to capitalize my venture through means of owner financed property. Is there any tactic for something like this?

RESIDENTIAL • ACREAG E • FARM • COMME RCIAL • AREA DEVELO 515-233-3299 PMENT • 317

5th Street, Ames All REALTOR® ads within are REALTO ® RS licensed in the State of Iowa

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om

ALWAYS ONLINE

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• AREA DEVELOPMENT • FARM • COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE 317 5th Street, Ames State of Iowa 515-233-3299 • S® licensed in the ® are REALTOR All REALTOR ads within

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When you’re ready . . . and it’s time to look beyond Online photos . . .

Visit a Real Open House!

See This Week’s Complete Open House Schedule with Ames Open Houses Mapped for your convenience!

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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 29, 2020 • Page RE7

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HOME HELP HOME RENOVATION

HOMEBUYING

GARDENING

TOP PROJECTS OF 2020 FOR HOMEOWNERS

HOW MORTGAGE RATES ARE PREDICTED TO CHANGE IN 2020

MORE TIPS FOR KEEPING HOUSEPLANTS HAPPY

The new year is here, and home improvement never stops. These renovation projects will be the most popular this year, according to BobVila.com: 1. Surface improvements, such as carpets, floors, paneling and ceiling tiles.

2. Home wellness-focused improvements, including water and air purification systems and circadian lighting (homeowners will also opt for nontoxic materials).

3. Projects linked to cost savings, like energy-efficient lighting, home insulation and improved roofing.

According to the Houston Chronicle, forecasters predict low mortgage rates for home loans will continue through 2020.

Mortgage company Freddie Mac said the rate for 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 3.72% in the first week of 2020, down from just below 4% during the same week in 2018. Freddie Mac and real estate listing site Realtor.com forecast mortgage rates to rise slightly in 2020 (3.8% and 3.9% respectively).

4. Small-scale projects with big impact, like the installation of new sink fixtures.

5. Painting, which can liven up a room and increase home value.

Going stir-crazy this winter? Check out these gardening tips to keep indoor plants healthy and happy from The Country Today: • If you have poinsettias or other holiday plants, keep them near a bright window and be sure to water them in case the top of the soil becomes dry.

• Increase the humidity around your plants by placing them near each other on a pebblewater tray or near a humidifier.

• Check for root rot, tender flower bulbs, excess moisture or shriveling, removing any damaged material.

• Repot overgrown plants.

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6. DIY projects, which have become more accessible with resources like YouTube and Pinterest that empower homeowners.

7. Climate-proofing, spurred by recently extreme weather patterns.

8. Projects incorporating emerging brands that offer custom features, which are gaining market share.

9. Nonnegotiable projects, like emergency plumbing maintenance.

10. Home tech projects, such as the installation of robotic devices smart lighting and smart systems with voice recognition.

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