JULY 12, 2017 • Volume 12 • Issue 28
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Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 12, 2017
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 12, 2017 • Page RE3
Realtors, do you want to reach a wider group of potential buyers? Advertise in the RE Weekly. In print and online.
Call Ali Eernisse 515-663-5956
Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 12, 2017
DEAR MONTY
Buyer questions the value of a home inspection
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: We are going to be buying another home soon. In the house we sold, the buyer’s inspector missed some items of which we were unaware. It created a few problems after they moved in, but we worked with them, and all turned out well. He also suggested the buyer bring in contractors on a couple of different items. We think that this time around we will skip the home inspection and arrange for the component inspection points by a contractor that handles the particular part. Is this a good idea? Monty’s answer: Every home has its history and circumstances. The answer to your question requires a qualification to suggest there is a “not-one-answer-fits-all” component. Generally speaking, a home inspection of some sort is a smart move. According to the American Society of
Home Inspectors (ASHI), the largest of several home inspection trade associations, there are near 5 million home inspectors in the country, and a significant percentage of all home purchases today include a home inspection. ASHI also reports the vast majority of consumers that bought a home inspection felt they received a good value. In the above-described setting, those 5 million inspectors do not have the same motivation, training, and observation skills. Further, their inspection protocols, presentation, and integrity levels are also different. The home inspection service becomes more complicated with the expectations of the homebuyer and home seller. For these reasons, understanding what a home inspection is, and is not, and qualifying the home inspector by checking out several of them will make a difference in the outcome. For a homebuyer who instead chooses to hire an expert for individual components of the home, the effort involved increases exponentially. Vetting the candidates, coordinating the appointments, attending each inspection, and collecting and reviewing a written report a dozen times takes time. Send Richard Montgomery questions at DearMonty.com.
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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 12, 2017 • Page RE5
Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 12, 2017
A plant of many notColeus just for
COLORS
containers or shade
[BETTY MONTGOMERY PHOTOS]
By Betty Montgomery More Content Now
C
oleus is considered the “comeback kid.” When I was growing up, it was a popular plant, but then you did not hear much about coleus for a long time. Today, it is almost a different plant. Coleus plants can have brilliantly painted edges or be splashed and spotted with color. There are solid colors and others that have margins and veins of color. I have seen lovely chartreuse colored leaves with ruffled edges, and others with patterns of orange, yellow, pink and green. There also are varieties that have deeper shades of purple, burgundy and red. It used to be that coleus was only for shade gardens but today you can fine “sun coleus” that will tolerate more sun than ever before. The dark colors take more sun, and the light colors will do best in a little shade to minimize leaf scorch. Morning sun and afternoon shade is a great combination, but do not give them too much shade or the stems will become weak and the plant less vigorous. Coleus is a great plant for containers. The eye-popping colors will get your attention from the time it is planted until frost. With the scalloped, frilly or tiny leaved plants, it will make any pot a showstopper.
Coleus are not just the filler in a container. There are varieties of coleus that can be the spiller, having a more horizontal branching habit, which will spill over the sides of planters, or hanging baskets. You can also find some varieties of coleus that grow taller and will become that thriller of a plant when you need height. Paring coleus with other plants is one of the beauties that make coleus such a great plant to add to your border. Study the colors you presently have and then chose the coleus that contains some of those same colors, making your garden blend together and give it a finished look. I have seen many displays of coleus, often being one particular variety. If you choose to do just this, remember the darker colors will take more sun and you can fill a bed with these dramatic darker leaves. There are many named varieties available today. Visit your garden centers and see for yourself what wonderful plants they have to offer. You might be amazed like I have been these past few years of the progress that has been made. To keep plants nice and bushy, pinch back the tips of the leaves to encourage branching. To pinch back a plant is to remove the tip of each branch. If you take off too much, take the piece and put it in the moist soil in the shade and it will take root and give you another plant. The trailing stems of coleus will root where they touch the ground. It is one of the
easiest plants to root that I have ever grown. I cannot say enough good things about these wonderful newer varieties of coleus. With the kaleidoscope of colors available today, there is a coleus that will be just right to tie your garden together. They are really worth planting and enjoying in your garden until the first freeze. Betty Montgomery, a master gardener and author of a “Four Season Southern Garden,” can be reached at bmontgomery40@gmail.com.
Coleus care • According to National Garden Bureau, this plant is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions, but overly damp soil can encourage disease. You should plant coleus after your last frost date when soil and evening temperatures are above 60 F. • It can be planted in a container if given an adequate volume of well-draining soil mix, drainage holes, reasonable nutrients and proper sun exposure. • While the blooms of coleus aren’t as visually stunning as their colorful foliage, pollinators like bees, butterflies and the occasional hummingbird find them to be a quite attractive food source.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 12, 2017 • Page RE7
TIPS OF THE WEEK Hate weeds? Start mulching
Mulch is more than just an attractive aspect of landscape design. Mulch is a lawn and garden powerhouse that supports the plants you want while limiting the weed growth you don’t. Just 2-4 inches of mulch can substantially retain soil moisture, slow evaporation and protect roots from overheating, according to WaterUseItWisely. isisespeciallyhelpfu com, a nationwide water conservation campaign. This is especially helpfull to ornamentals and vegetables. What’s more, mulch can reduce weeds that compete with landscape plants for moisture, nutrients and sunlight.
HOME-SELLING TIP
Make moving day a breeze
Getting a new home is exciting, but it also comes with stress. Get organized for the big day with these pro tips from Realtor.com: • Do yourself a big favor and purge before you pack. Anything broken, stained or unused should be tossed, sold or donated. • Invest in several plastic bins for closet and basement items. These can pull double duty for moving and storage. • Have your new place painted and professionally cleaned before moving day. That way, everyone will be happier and more motivated to get settled in.
REAL ESTATE
Upgrade faucets before sale
If you’re looking to replace a dated or worn kitchen faucet with one likely to appeal to buyers, the experts at American Standard offer some suggestions: Pull-downs are popular for their versatility and clean visual appeal. Multi-spray functions are welcome for their flexibility and utility. Some options allow you to select and set water temperature without touching the faucet every time. A faucet with a lower flow rate, such as 1.5 gallons per minute, can help conserve water and lower water bills.
GARDENING Make your garden a natural habitat with native plants
Thinking of going with native species in your garden? The National Wildlife Federation offers these benefits: • Native flowers and plant species thrive in your climate. For you, that means less watering and fertilizing. • Native plants support local wildlife. For example, they may attract caterpillars and insects and give songbirds a ready food source. • Native species have deeper root systems, making the soil healthier, less compacted and less prone to runoff.
OUTDOOR LIVING Simple steps to create an outdoor oasis
To start your backyard improvement project today, follow these tips from the experts at Lowe’s. • Five-piece dining sets are perfect for more intimate gatherings, while larger crowds will appreciate the table length a seven-piece set up provides. • The sofas and armchairs in your living room are popular sitting destinations during any indoor event, and you can create the same environment outdoors with sectional patio furniture. • Patio umbrellas are affordable options that provide ample coverage for large gatherings. To keep the awning a popular destination into the evening, look for an umbrella outfitted with LED lights.
Realtor.com launches new blog to share insights
Realtor.com, an online source for homebuyers and sellers, and the offical site of the National Association of Realtors recently launched a blog, “Home Made,” to share insights and guidance regarding the home buying process. Readers can find the blog at www.realtor.com/homemade.
HOMEBUYING Budgeting a home renovation project
To make the most of your home improvement budget, follow these tips from Frugal Village: • Efficiency beats size. Instead of going for the biggest, save money by going for the most efficient. • DIY demo. A little demolition can be fun, so why pay someone else to do it? • Scope out auctions. Building supply auctions can be a goldmine for finding the pieces you need. Check them out.
BACKYARD BIRDS Fun facts about blue jays
Blue jays are a familiar sight in many backyards and parks. But here are some little-known facts about these intelligent birds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: • Blue jays are often villainized for eating other birds’ eggs. But one study suggests they rarely raid nests for food; their diet is mostly nuts and insects. • In late summer, blue jays sometimes go bald. While molting, they may lose all their head feathers at once. • Blue jays are extremely social, and scientists think small variations in the markings on their face and throat help them tell each other apart. — Brandpoint
Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 12, 2017
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