B2 • Friday, December 10, 2021
THE GARDEN ISLAND
thegardenisland.com
5 pet-friendly tips for outdoor living spaces BRANDPOINT Since the start of the pandemic, approximately 12.6 million U.S. households have adopted new pets, according to a COVID-19 Pulse Study by the American Pet Products Association. Simultaneously, the popularity of outdoor living spaces has spiked. To ensure your backyard is a welcoming retreat for your furry family members, follow these petfriendly outdoor living tips: w Stop the escapes. If your dog is a runner, installing fencing can help keep your pet from carrying out an escape plan. To eliminate the need for costly training, consider a traditional fence. With physical fencing, you’ll keep your pet from leaving the yard while also keeping other potentially harmful animals out - something electric fencing doesn’t offer. Plus, you can find durable and eye-catching fencing in a variety of colors and design options, from traditional to contemporary, to match your home’s style. w Make it a paws-itive experience. If you have a wood deck, consider upgrading to composite decking to get the look and feel of wood without all the upkeep. Made from 95% recycled content (including reclaimed wood scrap and polyethylene plastic film), Trex composite decking delivers a hard-to-scratch, splinter-free surface that doesn’t require any sanding or seasonal staining and sealing with
harmful chemicals. All it takes is a little soap and water to clean. Consider a dog bath at the same time for a quick and easy two-for-one wash.
Average US long-term mortgage rates hold firm another week ASSOCIATED PRESS SILVER SPRING, Md. — The average interest rate on a long-term mortgage in the U.S. held firm again this week. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year, fixed rate home loan ticked down this week to 3.10% from 3.11% last week. A year ago, the rate stood at 2.71%. The average rate on a 15-year mortgage also dipped slightly, to 2.38% from 2.39% last week. One year ago, that rate was 2.26%. Many economists expect U.S. interest rates to rise in coming months as the Fed pivots from the easy money policies it adopted after the coronavirus outbreak ravaged the U.S. economy in the spring of 2020. Last week, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that the central bank would shift toward tightening credit more quickly than it previously suggested. Powell said it would be “appropriate” for the central bank to consider accelerating the reduction of its bond purchases at its meeting next week. That could lead to the Fed hiking its benchmark interest rate as early as spring. The U.S. housing market has seen a surge in demand during the pandemic as people seek more space after spending a big chunk of the past two years working from home. Lured by low interest rates, many prospective homebuyers have been thwarted due to a limited supply of homes for sale and rapidly rising prices.
aesthetic - and are even available in easy-to-assemble kits for a fun and feasible DIY project. w Take care of business. To combat the impact of those inevitable potty breaks on your yard, consider planting tougher varieties of grasses, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass or Zoysia. Use w Prevent panting pups. create the look and feel of an wood chips in garden areas Most pets are more sensitive outdoor room while adding to prevent your pooch from digging to cover up their to heat than humans, so con- a distinct architectural elesider adding shade (and ment. Pergolas are available dirty deeds. w Keep décor out of style) with a pergola. in a wide array of styles and harm’s way. Avoid potted They’re the perfect way to colors to complement any
plants that can be tipped over or pulled out by a pet and, instead, consider a vertical garden wall or hanging planters. Put up some bird feeders to keep you and your pet entertained - just make sure they remain out of reach of curious cats and canines. Add stylish outdoor furniture made from durable materials like composite or aluminum that can withstand the weather, as well as claws and paws. For more outdoor design tips, visit www.trex.com.
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