look closely you can see the sweet yellow flowers



Curb Appeal and Real Estate is Like bread and Butter or Salt and Pepper/ Peanut Butter and Jam….you just have to have both or there is no way to get the optimal effect... in Real Estate the bottom line is you are not going to get TOP DOLLAR.  You absolutely will not attract buyers or  if you do get someone in the front door  evenutally it is going to cost the seller in concessions for not doing something to make the property show as best as it possibly can.....When we list we try to a put  a fair amount of weight on landscaping. It doesn’t have to be professionally landscaped but there is so much more that can be done with just a tiny bit of help from your local garden center or if you are lucky and have a Realtor who is a gardener you really are one step ahead of the competition.  Something that will be hitting the garden world with a bang is a new ground cover that just might replace turf grass in low usage areas……..And for you home improvement devotees please take note :



Loves Full Sun But Isn't Fussy in Shade



What is this magical new wonder plant?

THE PERRENIAL PEANUT!      

Doesn’t sound too sexy does it ?….but it is emphatically a wonder plant…..Never heard of it until Master Gardener Kay Rutherford told me about it…..It is commonly used in highway medians, shoulders and interchanges, and for closed land-fills. Not to mention it is growing in use to stabilize soil on inclines, around culverts and other structures. In Studies done in Bartow, Florida it has held up favorably against St Augustine grass…much more drought tolerant and because it is a legume it produces its own phosphorus (no fertilizing required!) How does a peanut lawn sound?

Well I am not sure I am advocating that, although the Greenies of this world will be when they hear of this environmentally sound little gem. When I can, I will do the green thing but there is no way in God’s green earth Annie Guthrie would even be writing about an ornamental peanut if it was not a really beautiful addition to my garden …And there is no way I am digging up my St Augustine lawn! You might really love it too, especially when you are trying to get a sad front yard in shape this little plant could be just a wonderful ground cover for those sunny areas that need some

Close up of Lush Foliage

TLC...Mine has been  blooming  all summer with the most adorable yellow flowers imaginable….And at night it closes it's little leaves as if it is saying its prayers. ….Apparently those prayers work….the one container I was gifted by Mrs. Rutherford has taken off like a race car. Wish I had been pushier and asked for more….I have thought of countless places I could use this plant warrior. The only locations we have found them commercially sold is at Tallahassee Nurseries…Crestview Nurseries says they MIGHT have them next spring…..

But from what I am learning the ideal time to plant is January….Although like most things if watered enough it will make it . Mine was planted in June.. The upper leaves will not survive a freeze but it is a perennial so it will come back……I called it a Warrior not a Super Hero…..Ask for it at your nursery and perhaps we can get some of these stubborn nurseries to start stocking it…..And if you find anyone who has it let me know!
For tons of Real Estate Information go to http://www.greaterpensacolahomes.com/ or TheGuthrieTeam.com

Planning on Renting?

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Don't Be Left Out In The Rain !

Great News if you own a home in the Crestview area and are planning on renting it out in the near future.....When I checked the MLS (Realtor's Source for Listing Homes) today there were less than 115 Rentals....Not such good news if you are one of the 7 th Special Forces Group and were planning on renting for a while as your leisurely looked for a home to buy.

There were just 50 single family residences listed...less apartments...1 mobile home....and only 22 Town Homes. ...Going...Going....Gone ! Not everyone who has a home or an apartment to rent list it with the MLS but this is an indicator of how things are going on the rental front......

The Message is do not procrastinate. Now is the time to be looking for your home in Crestview. Homes are available, interest rates are uncharacteristically low, and there are plenty of builders out there just waiting for you to say YES ! Do not neglect the resale market either. ...great values abound.

I am not a fan of short sales or foreclosures for someone who has limited time to look. VA also has certain standards that homes must be met and often homes in the distressed category have been abused. Homes inspections are absolutely essential in this type of sale.

For more specific real estate information my favorite source is :http://www.greaterpensacolahomes.com/

RULE #1 : GET PRE-APPROVED

 

After looking at $175,000 homes this is what $150,000 home looks like..............

The most wonderful thing in Real Estate is to get a referral from a previous client. Your credibility has already been established...all you have to do is get to work and find them the perfect home.

Wait a minute what if they went around RULE #1? What if they already talked with a loan originator and were directed to find a Realtor,find a house, and call back at that point? SERIOUSLY? Yes there are still some mortgage folks that still do that. Are they just lazy? Do they have too much business? I am going with option one.

....I was absolutely stunned when I heard my prospective client tell me that her contact at the bank had advised her to do exactly that. Even this first time home buyer was skeptical. Regardless, how much the client is raring to get out and look for a home this is when a good Realtor say OK we need to have a heart to heart talk.

It is all about establishing buying power. Or in real people speak "How much can I afford?" Speaking of the heart how sad is it to see someone who has fallen in love with a $175,000 home only to be told we will only finance you up to $150,000.

It is absolutely cruel to do this to someone. ...And what a waste of their time and emotions.......Each incremental jump seems to have a certain amount of amenities attached to them ....The difference of $25,000 could mean a better school zone...a better neighborhood....extra square feet.....

So repeat after me Please: " I will get pre-approved, I will get pre-approved, I will........."

For furhter information go to my  favorite source for real estate information :http://www.greaterpensacolahomes.com/

It's Back ...the dirty little secret is all about wall paper

When we first bought our home I was stunned by the wall paper……1980’s colonial prints…..so adorable back then but not so much in 2000……As a realtor the kiss of death has been the listing you got with that god awful metallic paper and of course it just had to be in the foyer so it hit the client in the face when you walked in the door…….

For many years the days of neutral walls have been essential if you Really wanted to sell your clients home…….but hold on to your hats it’s back ….and it is coming on strong! The first hint I got was when Candace Olsen ,the undeniable  Diva of Design on HGTV, started using it here and there ….and now you cannot pick up a design magazine without at least one designer who is using it………And in the Designer Show Cases you better believe it is the rigor……

Albeit many are subtle but with the coming change of color palette, sorry I said that! The new colors are whole other posting….. Color and intense color is back as well…..Some of the new forward looking, edgy designers are going out of the box with just as intense papers as some of the new  intense colors…..So as the design world turns it will be turning in gorgeous new wall papers….Calm down change is a good thing!



Both of these swatches are from Candace Olson's Collection

This Blog Submitted by Annie Guthrie

For more information on any Real Estate Topic Go To:http://www.greaterpensacolahomes.com/