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How long have you worked in real estate? 3 years What did you do before that? My main gig before real estate was working as a sound engineer. After getting off the road, I had a couple of other jobs as a cabinet installer and in insurance before getting into real estate. Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? I’m proactive and I prospect for buyers and sellers every day. I also follow up and keep
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property you’ve listed or sold? The most unique property I’ve sold so far is a 5-unit property with an unfinished efficiency in the backyard. It’s actually for sale again. It’ll be good for a local investor willing to manage a property with lots of upside in a challenging location.
in touch with clients after the sale. I can always refer someone to help if they ever need anything fixed. My goal is to earn their business for life – not just one deal.
What tips do you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home? Buying: get pre-approved with a reputable local lender and know what it is you’re looking for. Selling: get your home in the best possible shape. Also price it to sell and not sit on the market. It’s also crucial to have an honest and aggressive agent to market your home.
What is your specialty? I specialize in anyone ready to buy, sell, or invest in real estate. A big part of my business is working with investors, and I really enjoy that because they don’t hesitate to make a decision when they find a good opportunity. What designations do you have and what does that mean for the people you work with? I’ll be working on a CCIM certification starting next month. This means that I’ll be able to better serve investor clients and start selling more multifamily property. What are the most gratifying and most challenging aspects of what you do? The most challenging part of real estate for me is finding a stopping point. That’s probably common among many people who are self-employed. The key is to get started early and maintain intense focus on what you’re doing during the day so you don’t work all night.
at its
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What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? I enjoy hanging out with my family, music, golfing, fishing and cook-outs.
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Greg Brownd
Why do you live in the Lubbock area? What do you like most about it? We moved back to Lubbock after having a couple of kids. We enjoy being closer to our families and love Lubbock. There’s plenty to do here and the people are great. Most of them even wave when you’re driving down the highway.
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Greg Brownd, Keller Williams Realty
The most gratifying part of selling real estate is being able to help a wide range of people – from the first-time homebuyer to the experienced investor. I’m very fortunate to have met a lot of people that I wouldn’t have met if I weren’t in real estate. Also, it’s grati-
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fying knowing that there’s unlimited opportunity in real estate. We earn our keep. If we don’t help anybody, then we don’t get paid. We get paid in direct proportion to how many people we help. What is the most unique
What do you see in the future for real estate sales? As long as the population of Lubbock keeps growing at 1-2% per year and we don’t overbuild, prices will increase. Based on April’s numbers, some price ranges are actually back to under 6 months supply of inventory, which indicates a seller’s market in those ranges. What is the most interesting place you have been? New Orleans is a pretty interesting place. There’s not another place like it, and you’ll always have a good time when you go there.
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Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors
Do you know what you’re paying for every month? BY Debora Perez Ruiz, President Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
When you decide to buy a new home, a good first step is to determine how much mortgage you can afford. After talking to a mortgage broker or using a mortgage calculator, you may find a payment amount that’s well within your monthly budget. But keep in mind that the mortgage payment is only one of the monthly expenses you are responsible for with a new house. So, what else are you Ruiz paying for? Where the Money Goes Your monthly payment is typically made of four components: principal, interest, taxes, and insurance—often referred to as PITI. • Principal. Principal is the amount you originally borrow. Early in your mortgage’s term, your payments will be applied mostly to the loan’s interest. As the loan progresses, you’ll pay off more principal. • Interest. Interest is money the lender charges to take the risk on your loan. The interest rate on your loan has a direct correlation to the size of your payment. That is, a higher interest rate leads to higher monthly payments. For most homebuyers, higher interest rates reduce the amount of money they can borrow, and lower interest rates increase it. • Taxes. Property taxes can account for a significant amount of your monthly payment. These taxes for local schools, city and county services, and other local entities are based on the tax rate for each of those taxing authorities and the appraised value of your property. Instead of a large tax bill coming due at the end of the year, many property owners pay their property tax as part of their monthly payment. The annual amount is divided by the total number of payments in a given year. The lender collects these payments and holds them in escrow until
they are due, and then the lender uses the money to pay the bill. • Insurance. There are two types of insurance coverage that may be included in your monthly payment. The first type, property insurance, protects your home and possessions from fire, theft, and other events your policy outlines. The second type of insurance is private mortgage insurance (PMI). When a homebuyer does not put down at least 20% on the home, most lenders require PMI. This insurance offers the lender some protection in the event the borrower is unable to repay the loan. PMI coverage can be dropped once you attain 20% equity in the home. Taking responsibility for taxes and insurance
While these four components make up a typical monthly payment, some lenders allow homeowners to pay taxes and insurance on their own. In this scenario, you’ll have a lower monthly payment, but you must make sure you have the money available to pay property taxes and insurance when those bills come due. Amortization breaks it down An amortization schedule shows how much of your monthly loan payment is being applied toward interest costs and how much to reduce the outstanding balance of your loan. The amortization chart details the month-by-month progression of your mortgage payments from mostly covering interest to mostly covering principal. Many lenders allow you to pay extra each month to pay off principal early and pay less interest over the length of the mortgage. Add it all up So, how much mortgage can you afford? Factor in the principal, interest, taxes and insurance to get a true picture of the cost of a home. Your Lubbock Realtor and your Lubbock lender can be great resources to help you understand these components plus other costs of homeownership. To find a Lubbock Realtor and Lubbock lenders affiliated with the Lubbock Association of Realtors, or to learn more about buying real estate in Texas, visit LubbockRealtors.com.
Pending home sales decline in April but up strongly from a year ago WASHINGTON – Pending home sales retrenched in April following three consecutive monthly gains, but are notably higher than a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, declined 5.5 percent to 95.5 from a downwardly revised 101.1 in March but is 14.4 percent above April 2011 when it was 83.5. The data reflects contracts but not closings. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said a one-month setback in light of many months of gains does not change the fundamentally improving housing market conditions. “Home contract activity has been above year-ago levels now for 12 consecutive months. The housing recovery momentum continues,” he said. Yun notes home sales are staying well above the levels seen from 2008 through 2011. “Housing market activity has clearly broken out at notably higher levels and is on track to see the best performance since 2007,” he said. “All of the major housing market indicators are expected to trend gradually up.” The PHSI in the Northeast rose 0.9 percent to 78.9 in April and is 19.9 percent higher than April 2011. In the Midwest
the index slipped 0.3 percent to 93.0 but is 23.0 percent above a year ago. Pending home sales in the South fell 6.8 percent to an index of 105.7 in April but are 13.3 percent higher than April 2011. In the West the index dropped 12.0 percent in April to 94.9 but is 5.1 percent above a year ago. The housing forecast has been upgraded, with existing-home sales expected to reach 4.66 million this year, compared with 4.26 million in 2011. The outlook for 2013 is now 4.92 million, but could vary significantly depending on two scenarios. If lending returns to normal, the 2013 outlook for existing-home sales would measurably improve to 5.3 million. Because of measurably lower inventory supplies, the forecast for home prices has been upwardly revised with the median existing-home price projected to rise 2 to 3 percent this year and 4 to 5 percent in 2013, with wide local market variations. Miami and Phoenix will easily achieve double-digit price growth by year end. Though the proportion of distressed properties is still high, the numbers have been falling over the past two years. “The diminishing share of distressed properties is another reason for higher home prices in upcoming months,” Yun added.
Christi Salyer, Rhonda Vanderburg join team at RE/MAX Lubbock Christi Salyer and Rhonda Vanderburg, longtime residents and professionals in the Lubbock community have joined RE/MAX Lubbock as “The Home Girls Team”. Salyer and Vanderburg have been together as a team working as educators since 2004. Their hard work and dedication as a team will now be brought into Salyer a new Endeavour as they join RE/MAX Lubbock. They are excited and driven to exceed the real estate needs in our community. “We chose RE/MAX Lubbock because of
its national recognition, its high integrity, and the amount of success and dedication within the Lubbock office. We are extremely eager to be a part of such a highly successful team. We are anxious about forming new relationships and exceeding the real estate needs of the community and beyond.” they said. RE/MAX Lubbock is located at 4703 S. Vanderburg Loop 289 in Lubbock, Texas. For more information you can visit The Home Girls Lubbock at www.thehomegirlslubbock. com, or call Christi at 806-777-1822, or Rhonda at 806-441-4596.
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Do your homework when hiring a lawncare professional Many homeowners hire a lawncare professional to tend to their lawns and gardens. To hire a quality service or individual, homeowners need to do a little homework. • Compare prices. Professional landscapers offer an array of services and, as a result, those services
vary in cost. Ask neighbors and friends what they pay for routine maintenance and any other special services. Get recommendations for companies that do work you admire. • Interview prospective companies. Set up appointments or price quotes from three different lawncare
services. Compare the offerings and the prices. Ask questions about whether pricing is “per week” or “per cut.” Determine if services such as edging, blowing away debris, trimming, and clean-up are included. • Find out about extras. Some services will offer
How to maintain fresh-cut flowers Fresh flowers serve many purposes. A bouquet of flowers can be a gift on a special holiday or birthday. Some people apologize with flowers, while others use flowers to convey feelings of love or appreciation. Many people like to display fresh-cut flowers in their homes because their beauty can brighten the mood indoors. Others plant rows and rows of flowers in a garden with the express purpose of cutting them and bringing them into the home. While outdoor flowers can remain beautiful and bountiful outside, once they are cut, there is a limited amount of time before they begin to wilt and wither. But there are ways to prolong the life of cut flowers to enjoy their beauty as long as possible. • Cut correctly. Creating a large enough surface area on the stem for the uptake of water is essential. Florists recommend cutting the stem on a slant to expose more area to the water. • Place flowers in water immediately. Some people advocate cutting the stems By following a few strategies you can keep fresh-cut while they’re actually subflowers lasting longer for enjoyment. merged in water. However, you will probably be fine if you simply recut the stems on flowers you brought inside and immedifor nourishment. Many florists send home ately put them in a vase of water. The key a packet of water additive to alleviate some is not to let the tip of the stem dry out or problems in the indoor environment. The close up with an air bubble, sap or other packet will contain a biocide that kills bacsubstances, preventing the uptake of water. teria and fungi. There will be an acidifier Be sure to use lukewarm water so as not to as well as sugar. The acidifier makes the shock the blooms. water more acidic to allow better absorption • Remove leaves. Take off the leaves of of water up the stem. The sugar is a food the plant that would end up underwater in source for the flowers. Homeowners who cut the vase. Exposure to the water could cause flowers from their gardens can purchase the leaves to rot and fall off, creating algae these additives or create their own variaor sludge in the vase water. It also may tions from items around the house. It has breed extra bacteria or attract small insects been said a penny in the water will kill the to the water. However, do not to remove the microorganisms because copper is a fungithorns from roses, as this tends to shorten cide. An aspirin can make the water more their shelf life. acidic. You can also try small amounts of • Choose young flowers. Mature flowbleach, lemon-lime soda or even antiseptic ers may have peaked and begun to make mouthwash. room for a new round of blooms, so try • Don’t place cut flowers next to fruit, to choose young buds or blooms that just which gives off gases as it ripens, causing opened so that you’ll have an opportunity to flowers to age faster. Also, keep the flowers enjoy them longer. away from direct sunlight and try to keep • Create a viable water atmosphere. them in a cool place. Once a fresh flower is cut and a stem is • Change the water. Keep on top of placed in water, bacteria and fungi can water maintenance by changing it at least start to grow almost immediately. These every 2 to 3 days to maintain good water microscopic organisms can clog the small health. Be sure to replace the additives tubes inside the stem that suck up water each time you change the water.
National Homeownership Month in June highlights opportunities to support homeownership The National Association launched ProtectHomeownof Home Builders (NAHB) ership.com, a website that wants current and future educates the public about homeowners to know about the threats to the American the many opportunities dream of homeownership, they have to show including propostheir support for als to scale back the American or eliminate the dream of hommortgage intereownership during est deduction and National Hommake mortgages eownership Month and small busiin June. For anyness loans unafone looking to buy fordable and even their first home, more difficult to or to move up to a obtain. space that is bet- Rutenberg The site empowter suited for their ers visitors to current lifestyle, market make sure their support conditions make it a great is heard with an online time to buy a home. And a petition that urges policynew website from NAHB makers to keep housing a — ProtectHomeownership. national priority, and inforcom — helps the public take mation about how to particiaction to protect the many pate in homeownership ralbenefits of owning a home lies that are being held in a that are being threatened number of communities in by legislative and regula2012. There are also links to tory proposals. stay informed by joining so“Anyone thinking of buycial media communities on ing a home shouldn’t wait Facebook.com/ProtectHomany longer,” said NAHB eownership and Twitter. Chairman Barry Rutenberg. com/4Homeownership. “Housing markets around Even with the recent the country are improving, economic downturn, Amerihome prices have stabilized, can families still value the there is a great selection American dream of homof available homes for sale, eownership. A January 2012 and interest rates are at study conducted on behalf near historic low levels.” of NAHB found that 96 Current and future percent of homeowners said homeowners can also take they are happy with their action to protect homeowndecision to own. Nearly ership. In May, NAHB seven out of 10 American
adults who are not currently home owners said it was a goal of theirs to buy a home. “Homeownership remains a core value to American families,” said Rutenberg. “Even more important than the financial advantages of homeownership, is that first and foremost, a home is where your family can relax, spend quality time together and build lifelong memories.”
packages for spring and fall clean-up, and homeowners should inquire about any special offers
during the initial comparison stage. • Who does the work? A company may farm out
work to other landscapers. Figure out who will be arriving each week and base decisions accordingly.
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Creating an attractive dog run Millions of dogs share the homes and hearts of people across the country. Dogs can provide companionship, affection and joy. But when dogs spend time outdoors and cause damage to lawns and gardens, that cute and cuddly appeal might dwindle. Although dogs are beneficial in numerous ways, their tendency to create unsightly messes in the yard have many homeowners wringing their hands in frustration. Erecting a dog run or using other strategies may help to alleviate any damage the dog causes. A dog run is essentially a fenced-in part of the yard where dogs can play or be trained to relieve themselves. As most pet owners know, dogs, particularly females because their urine is concentrated to one spot on the lawn,
can create unsightly urine burns. Looking at patches of burnt, straw-like grass where a lush lawn used to be can be aggravating. The same can be said for finding dog “presents” all over the yard. All it takes is stepping in or sliding in a pile of joy to raise blood pressure. Plus, there’s the extra work of tracking down such presents and having to clean them up. This can be time-consuming with a big yard, not to mention messy and smelly. Containing your dog to a run will keep messes all in once place. When the dog cannot be supervised by you, a dog run will be a way to let the dog spend time outside in a way that he or she won’t get into trouble. The run can be constructed of any material you desire, whether chain-link fencing, wood slats, lattice material, or
tightly spaced shrubbery. Pea gravel is a good material to use on the floor of the dog run. Not only is pea gravel aesthetically appealing, but it also allows urine to run through into the soil below and will be able to keep feces above for easier clean-up. It also can be hosed off and topped off when gravel is depleted. Avoid landscape fabrics or artificial turf that is not designed for pets. It may collect waste and lead to the proliferation of bacteria, which can create odor and unsanitary conditions for the dog. Many people like to camouflage dog runs from the rest of the yard. Trailing vines of ivy or other upward growing plants may suffice. Avoid planting any poisonous plants next to the run so they are not accidentally
It’s possible to cohabitate in the backyard with a dog. Follow some tips to set aside areas for people and pets. consumed. It is also best to keep sweet nectar plants away to minimize bee and wasps from flying close to the dog. If you do not want to segregate your dog from the rest of the yard, find ways to prevent him or her from getting into places you’d rather keep off limits. Cobble rock is often difficult for dogs to walk
on. Use it to form barriers of 3 to 5 inches in width to prevent access to certain parts of the yard. Border planting beds with thorny bushes or big rocks that don’t allow traction. Do make a dog running path by the fence where there is a lot of foot traffic. This way your dog can run back and forth and watch the neighbors go by. Again,
pea gravel is a good choice here so that it will mask paw-trodden grass. Dogs will behave like dogs, so pet owners should learn the best way to enjoy the backyard together. Training the pooch to relieve himself in one spot and creating places that are safe for him to urinate may alleviate destructive behavior.
Top-rated vacuums to clean up pet hair People regularly welcome pets into their homes. While they may love the affection and companionship the animal provides, they may not enjoy the fur and dander left behind inside the house.
Around 65 percent of American households have one or more pets, according to the American Pet Product Association. New generations of pet owners are willing and able to
Your precious pooch may be leaving unsightly fur behind on your carpet.
pay top dollar for premium services and products. They may be more interested in a vacuum that is designed for pet fur than previous generations. It can take no time at all for fur to accumulate on a rug or upholstered furniture. The nature of pet fur allows it to get stuck in the fibers and it is not easily removed, and it can be timeconsuming to use sticky rollers to clean up pet hair. Some pet owners actually have resorted to running a wire slicker brush or shedding blade over rugs and furniture to collect the hair. Many find that pet fur is more easily cleaned with a vacuum designed specifically for that purpose or one
that boasts strong suction power. Several vacuums get high ratings for their ability to clean up pet fur and smaller debris easily and efficiently. For those in the market for a new vacuum, consider these brands and models. Comparison shop retailers to find the best deals. • Miele Bolero Upright Vacuum Cleaner: This product features an Active HEPA filter and springloaded, self-sealing dust bags that are ideal for those hoping to keep dust and dander out of the air. Air passes through a multilayered HyClean™ bag and a secondary electrostatic filter. This is the most expensive vacuum on the list.
• Dyson Animal, various models: Dyson claims to be an innovator in vacuum design, with cyclonic power that ensures the vacuum will not lose suction. Based on the popularity of their regular upright vacuums, Dyson created a line of vacuums specifically designed for pet hair. Most generate the strongest suction at the turbine head and feature a brush bar for capturing and sucking up fur and dander. Dyson vacuums are on the high end of the cost spectrum. • Hoover Platinum Collection Bagged and Bagless: Hoover didn’t specifically set out for this to be a pet fur vacuum, but through personal use, many people
found it to be one of the more effective vacuums at collecting pet hair. These vacuums are moderately priced. • Eureka Boss Smart Vac: This vacuum was designed with strong bristling action and powerful suction that will go a long way toward trapping pet fur. It is also lightweight and easily maneuvered. It is also among the more affordable options. • Hoover Tempo Widepath: This is one of the least expensive vacuums and also very lightweight. A powerful, 12 amp motor provides ample suction and doesn’t leave anything behind. The smaller profile makes the vacuum easy to maneuver under and around furniture.
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Featured Floorplan – Tim Green Homes
4116 124th Street – Brooke Heights
T
im Green of Tim Green Homes is a Lubbock native and has been building homes for more than 20 years. Realizing a need for a pleasant, enjoyable, and more efficient home building experience, customizing your new home means face to face interaction. It is not surprising to run into Tim on a job site working alongside his sub-contractors to make sure your new home meets the highest standards of quality and elegance. Tim is a well-respected member of the Lubbock home building community and a past president and current member of the West Texas Home Builders Association. He has won many achievement awards and currently resides as a lifetime board member on the Texas Association of Builders. Tim’s achievements in the industry add to his knowledge, guaranteeing the best possible experience moving into your new home. Your new home is located at 4116 124th Street in familyfriendly Brooke Heights, a new sub-division on Quaker Avenue and 124th Street. This 2,016 square foot home boasts all of the luxuries and amenities that any busy family needs and is conveniently located minutes away from Lubbock’s newest shopping and dining favorites. At $239,900, this Featured Home has been designed with family in mind! The eye-catching exterior features stone accents and inviting landscaping. Inside, tile floors will add to the home’s casual yet elegant appeal. Plush carpeting in the cozy living room and four bedrooms create a relaxing place to come home to after a busy day. Three full baths create privacy and convenience for everyone in the home. A functional kitchen, including all of the luxuries and amenities needed to prepare meals for today’s busy family, will delight chefs of all levels. The magnificent outdoor patio is an amazing retreat perfect for enjoying morning coffee or a beautiful West Texas evening. Imagine owning a home that fits your lifestyle and your family. Upgrading your family’s home is a very rewarding experience. What an amazing investment! Know that you are putting your hard-earned dollars to work for you by investing in this Featured Home sponsored by the West Texas Home Builders Association in cooperation with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. This home will be open for viewing Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. To view this home, or to visit with Tim about this and other fabulous Tim Green Homes, please contact him at 794-4400.
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Decorating a screened-in porch A screened-in porch or a three-season room can be a welcome space that adds viable living area to a house. Oftentimes, these rooms serve as a bridge between the indoors and outside, and they can offer the creature comforts of any other room in the home. Just as they would a bedroom or family room, many homeowners prefer to decorate this area so it doesn’t look like an extension of the backyard, instead showcasing the homeowner’s personal style. Homeowners can add many accents to a screened-in porch. Keep in mind that because this three-season room will likely need to endure the weather, including moisture and sunlight, decorating should be planned accordingly. Turn a screened-in porch into a welcoming space with a few different ideas. Here are some things to consider. • Think about adding sheer curtains to create privacy and keep sun out on hot days. It is important to choose fabrics that are fade-resistant but also resistant to mold and mildew. Muslin or even mosquito netting in different shades can be draped to add some visual interest. • Look for outdoor furniture that is both comfortable and attractive. Wicker, wood and wrought-iron are popular materials for outdoor designs. There are also cushions crafted from weatherproof materials that can add a pop of color and comfort to the space. • Enhance the area with some wall art. Hang an anchor for a nautical theme, or some whimsical accessories to create a kitschy country feel. • Spruce up the lighting so it’s not sterile outdoor flood lights. Install a ceiling fan to circulate the air and add some aesthetic appeal. Or consider hanging a chandelier made of materials that are impervious to the weather, like seashells or bamboo. • Just because you’re adjacent to the yard doesn’t mean you can’t bring some plant life inside of the screened room as well. Potted plants will soften the room and add color and a homey feeling to the space. Just be aware that outdoor plants have to be watered more frequently than indoor plants because of their tendency to dry out in the sun. • Define the entertaining space with a throw rug made from outdoor fabric. Essentially you can create a mini living room right outside. • Be sure there is an electrical outlet available on the porch so that you can plug in a radio or even a tabletop lamp if you enjoy reading in the twilight areas. An outlet can also make it possible to plug in a small fountain or water feature. The creature comforts of indoors can be extended to a three-season room or screened-in porch to provide another space in the home in which to entertain or relax.
Successful container gardening (NAPS) – Container gardening lets you add character and color to your patio or balcony. If you’re really hurting for space, then a window box can give you the splash of color you’re looking for. “Container gardens let you bring interior design components to outdoor spaces,” said Lance Walheim, co-author of “Landscaping for Dummies” and gardening expert for Bayer Advanced™. “It allows you to express your creativity.” The National Gardening Association says that more than 26 million households have container gardens – that’s the equivalent of the total number of households in California, New York and Texas.
• What to grow: You can try just about anything as long as the pot is big enough. Options: Japanese maples, azaleas, camellias, roses, dwarf apples, lemons, peaches, pears, blueberries, strawberries, impatiens, marigolds, geraniums, daffodils and tulips. • Match the plant to the container: You also want to have one consistent style of pot, such as clay or wood. Snap a photo of your outdoor space with your smart phone and let your garden center guide you on options. Make sure the pots have drainage holes. • Buy packaged potting soil, not gardening soil: Potting soil is well aerated and holds necessary mois-
ture and nutrients for successful container gardening. • Plant flowers like you arrange a bouquet: Taller plants or flowers go in the middle. Place smaller ones around that and cascading flowers around the outside. Mix plants with the same sun requirements. • Keep it moist: Stick your finger deep into the soil. Water the plants if the soil is dry. You’ll need to water often to keep the root ball wet. • Feed your container garden: Frequent watering washes nutrients from the soil, so you’ll need to fertilize more often to keep your plants blooming.
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Things to consider before adding a greenhouse Many men and women with a passion for gardening hope to one day have a greenhouse they can call their own. Though greenhouses are a great place for gardeners to hone their crafts, they can also be quite expensive, and there are some things gardeners should consider before building a greenhouse. • Size: A greenhouse can be grandiose or small in stature. The size of a greenhouse depends on the gardener and the amount of property available. Larger greenhouses can be breathtaking, but you might not want a greenhouse to dominate your entire property. In addition, if your planting plans are relatively modest, a bigger greenhouse probably doesn’t make much sense. • Cost: Greenhouses can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Price should not dictate which greenhouse you buy, so if you want a large one but can only afford a small one, then it might be best to keep saving money until you can afford one that meets your needs. • Use: If you plan to use the greenhouse just during the standard gardening seasons, then you won’t need to heat it. However, most greenhouse owners want to use the greenhouse year-round, in which case you will need to heat the interior. In addition, those want to keep gardening during the dog days of summer will have to ventilate the greenhouse. Consider the use and the potential cost a year-round greenhouse before making your decision. • Location: The greenhouse will need to be in a place on the property that gets lots of sun. Before buying or building a greenhouse, choose an area on the property where plants will thrive. If that area is currently used for something else, ask yourself and those who share the home with you if converting that part of the property to a greenhouse is something they can all live with. You don’t want the greenhouse to be a burden or negatively impact your family’s quality of life.
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