JULY 31, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 31
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Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Lilies are a good way to brighten your garden By Betty Montgomery More Content Now
P
eople often ask me what my favorite flower is. I love so many that I guess I would have to answer, “The one blooming at the moment.” I have many, many favorites, and right now oriental lilies are blooming, and I have to say, they are one of my favorite flowers. They take little effort to plant, the show I get is spectacular and the fragrance is divine. I plant different varieties of lilies so that I have some blooming most of the summer somewhere in the garden. True lilies are members of the genus “Lilium.” There are a number of plants that are called lily, but are not true lilies. Names such as daylily, calla lily, peace lily, toad lily, voodoo lily, stink lily and surprise lily are not true lilies, and these are not the ones I am talking about. I like to grow some of them, but the ones that are a real favorite are the ones I will describe. Luckily they do not all bloom at the same time. Asiatic hybrid lilies are the first lilies to flower, starting the first of June. They are the hardiest ones; they mature and reproduce rapidly, making them a good choice for the beginner gardener. They come in shades of red, white, pink, orange and yellow and are quite dramatic, but have no fragrance. Some feature solid colored petals, while other varieties are speckled. Tiger lily hybrids are part of this group, and they bloom a little later than some of the Asiatic lilies I grow. Chinese trumpet lilies were an introduction in the early 20th century giving rise to a lily with a spicy fragrance. These statuesque beautiful lilies should be planted in a less windy spot since they grow quite tall. They look terrific in the back of a perennial border and are great for cut flowers where you can enjoy their delicious fragrance in the house. Orienpet lilies are a cross between Oriental and
Trumpet lilies. These exotic lilies embody the best of both parents: the stature and trumpet-shaped flowers of the Chinese Trumpet lily and the exotic beauty and fragrance of the Oriental lily. Born on incredibly strong stems, Orienpet Lilies have substantive, huge, waxy flowers with slightly recurved petals and a subtle, fruity fragrance. Oriental lilies are the classic late bloomers. These stunning flowering bulbs bloom after the other lilies have faded. Give them plenty of sun and good drainage and you will be rewarded with some of the most magnificent flowers in the lily family. Casa Blanca is the most prized of this group, flowering blizzard-white with just a hint of green in the center. Others have a white background with colors like rose-pink, raspberry-pink, pale yellow starburst that blend to apricot-raspberry at the end of the recurved petal tips. How could you not fall in love with these gems? All lily varieties grow from bulbs. These true lilies have relatively narrow strap-like leaves along the length of their stiff upright stems. Some of the blooms face downward while others face upward. Some have a bell-shape with recurved petals, meaning they curve back toward the stems. It is good to remove the spent flowers as they fade, to prevent the plants energy from producing seeds rather than building up the bulb. I want my lilies to return, so I only cut stems 1/3 to ½ of the way down the stem. If you cut them to the ground, they will not return. Like daffodils, they produce their next year’s flowers from the foliage that is left after the flower has finished blooming. The bulb needs the leaves on the stems to keep growing to produce food for the bulb. If you would like to bring the lilies into the house as I do, the best time to cut them is when the buds are not quite open. They will open over the next day or two and will last for at least two weeks in the house if you
have them in a cool place. However, if you cut them after they have opened be sure to avoid the pollen on the stamen. Lily pollen will stain your clothes if you are not careful. When I do get pollen on my favorite blouse, I vacuum it off rather than rub it. This method seems to help. If you have a vole problem, I hate to say that lilies are one of their favorite things to eat. You can plant lily bulbs in pots and put the pots in the back of the border to be able to enjoy them and to trick the voles. I use black pots that come from the garden center when I buy 3 gallon plants. Put a little piece of screen wire over the holes of black plastic pots. Then, pot up the bulbs and you can sink them in the garden or place them in the back of the border on top of the ground, out of sight from the front of the border. Lilies are a fantastic way to bring color to your garden. You will be glad you planted them for years to come. Betty Montgomery is a master gardener and author of “Hydrangeas: How To Grow, Cultivate & Enjoy,” and “A Four-Season Southern Garden.” She can be reached at bmontgomery40@gmail.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 31, 2019 • Page RE3
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Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Equipment you’ll need
Sink or sunk?
• Work gloves • Safety glasses • Tape measure • 3-foot straight edge • Painter’s tape • Pencil • Power drill • Saber saw or jigsaw • Hole saw • Silicone adhesive caulk • Flashlight • Long, thin flathead screwdriver
BIGSTOCK
Is kitchen sink installation a DIY project?
By Laura Firszt More Content Now
K
itchen sink installation can be a surprisingly doable DIY job … if you know what you’re doing. Choosing the right type of project and careful preparation are your keys to
success. Top mount or “drop-in” sinks, typically installed in laminate countertops, are generally the easiest type to work with. Undermount and apron front sinks, usually installed in granite or other solid surface materials, tend to be more difficult. Cutting and polishing of the sink cutout in a granite or quartz countertop is best left to professional countertop fabricators. New kitchen sink installation is likely to be easier than replacement. Replacing a sink sometimes brings unwelcome surprises, including: • Cutout problems. You might find that the cutout from the previous install is off-center, the lines are not straight, or the cut is jagged or notched along the edge.
That means the new sink may expose gaps. • Space restrictions. With a larger sink, you could encounter restrictions in the cabinet base that limit your ability to cut wider or provide less room to secure mounting hardware. Also, your ability to cut into the countertop may be impeded by the backsplash. Installing a new sink into new countertops, on the other hand, allows you to control the accuracy of the cut. It also eliminates the need to work upside down in a tight space, as you can install the sink before the countertop material is added. (This assumes we’re talking about a drop-in sink. Installing an undermount sink is a much more involved job, which should be handled by a professional.)
Tips for successful installation Investigate your current sink installation, if you’re planning a replacement: • Peek underneath. If you spot any water damage, call a plumber for repair. • Examine where the hardware is located and where
you might be tight on space. • When you plan to install a larger sink, check that you have enough room. • Avoid an emergency trip to the hardware store in the middle of your installation. Read the install instructions provided with the sink and ensure you have all necessary equipment on hand. • Turn off the water supply before starting to work. • Use the sink manufacturer’s template as a placement guide for new kitchen sink installation.
Reasons to replace your sink • Scratching. Stainless steel sinks may become severely scratched if subjected to excess wear and tear, and you may wish to replace them for purely aesthetic reasons. • Chipping or cracking. Quartz and fireclay sinks, as well as other alternate materials, may chip or crack if subjected to traumatic stress and may need to be replaced at the homeowner’s discretion. • Outdated design. Replacing an older kitchen sink, especially an inexpensive generic brand, allows you to choose from improved features, such as thicker steel for sound deadening, a scratch-resistant finish or a more modern design with tighter corners. • Ho-hum curb appeal. When you’re selling your home, an attractive kitchen adds curb appeal galore. A new sink with improved features will refresh the look of your kitchen, similar to the effect of a new coat of paint. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 31, 2019 • Page RE5
TIPS OF THE WEEK TIP OF THE WEEK
RENOVATION
HOME SELLING
FRONT DOOR APPEAL
TOP WANTS FOR NEW KITCHENS
THE APPEAL OF WHITE
Not only is a welcoming front door a hint to outsiders that yours is a happy home, it’s also an easy way to improve your home’s curb appeal.
Outdated designs and non-functional spaces are the top two reasons driving homeowners to remodel kitchens, according to Fixr’s 2019 Kitchen Remodeling Trends Report.
Keep it classic and make a statement with a door in dark black or a powerful red. Both colors go well with a home painted in neutrals, HGTV says. Blues, yellows, dark browns and purples are also solid choices. Also, be sure the door color complements the home’s exterior color as well as the landscape.
With the benefits of convenience and energy savings, it makes sense that smart devices and appliances are trending. While smart coffee makers and smart dishwashers are making the list of devices people are installing in their kitchens, most homeowners are interested in smart lighting.
Some paint colors can help sell a home, and white is appealing to many buyers. One easy way to give a space a larger look and feel is to work with lighter colors. White gives off a bright, airy feeling, experts say. While you may not want to go all white, singular white focal pieces such as a sofa, coffee table or rug will help accomplish your goal. — More Content Now
DEAR MONTY
Avoid permit bombshells when remodeling, buying, selling
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: Back in 2001-02,
we remodeled our home without a permit. We didn’t know it was required. Now we want to sell, and the question is on the seller condition report. Is there any way to overcome that issue now?
Monty’s answer: Permits can be a challenge for several reasons: ordinances
change over time, homeowners and contractors are unaware or deliberately avoid them, the language they contain can be confusing, they can be expensive, there is no set standard. A permit may be required to apply new siding in one municipality and not needed in a neighboring community. Some cities will issue “retroactive permits” that can be expensive, some will grandfather the work after an inspection that requires a fee, others will require modifications if the work does not meet existing code.
Safety and health Municipalities are primarily concerned with electrical, plumbing and enlarging a home’s footprint, but permit requirements vary. The codes protect homes from fires, disease and unsafe conditions. They are an essential part of every community, and permits are
the key to controlling orderly and safe construction and remodeling.
Selling your home In your situation, first consider contacting the municipality and determine whether a permit for the work is required. Once you understand the steps to take, implement them. The city may want to review plans, inspect the property and, in some cases, open up walls.
A buyer alert Contact the municipality of the home you are considering to obtain a copy of the code. You may want to obtain copies of any permits issued on the property. Real estate agents, home inspectors and appraisers do not, as a rule, take this step. If a lender checks because they notice a remodel on the data sheet, and no permit was issued, it may affect the
closing.
Remodeling? Check with the municipality to make sure you know what the code requires. Do not depend on the contractor. Additionally, you should have a written document from the city stating they need no permit for the work you propose, and if a permit is required, obtain it. The best way today is to communicate by email so you have something in writing. Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money — An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” He is a real estate industry veteran who advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estate advice. Find him at DearMonty.com.
Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 31, 2019
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RE WEEKLY Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 39,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale. STORY TY COUN
PMENT ERCIAL • AREA DEVELO GE • FARM • COMM RESIDENTIAL • ACREA Street, Ames 99 • 317 5th ® licensed in the State of Iowa 515-233-32 are REALTORS ® within All REALTOR ads
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JANUARY 11, 2017 Volume 12 • Issue 2
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Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, July 31, 2019
2018 Marketing Plan
2019 Marketing Plan
Because hope is not a marketing plan. Start your year oǺ strong with a guided plan from ThriveHive. 515-232-2160 | www.amestrib.thrivehive.com
515 432 6694 | www newsrepublican thrivehive com