Lasagna Weed Prevention

Should we order a bottle of Chianti too?

I had heard of this method of choking out weeds before but just stumbled on a Fine Gardening*that gave this rather amusing name to the proceedure. It is similar to using a fabric shield to prevent weeds but if you have moved in the last ten years you probably have card board boxes languishing in your attic and free beats most any other price. Also some authorities seem to think the fabric can be problematic. Plus cardboard is so much more GREEN !

Removing the mulch to reveal the card board

The Cardboard was deteriorating after a month...

I did a modicum of weeding but by no means got all the yucky stuff out. I then started placing cardboard on the two beds I was working on. Ok I even used a small real estate sign but don’t tell Steve my partner! Then I began to liberally water down the cardboard until I got tired of doing that but probably the more water the better. Then I laid down about 3” of mulch. I used Cyprus but pine straw or anything that is appealing will work. My plan was to wait for several months to let the cardboard decompose. Generally that takes about 6 months. Not going to happen! Have those beds look like that for six months no way!  So after about 2 weeks could not stand how it looked and went into phase 2 get those plants in the beds….

Showing the loosened area around plant....this will be recoverd with mulch!

I removed the mulch in the areas the plants were going to live and then used a box cutter to make large X’s to pull back the cardboard. Piece of cake the cardboard was pliable and the ground was easy to dig into…..I first made sure to unwind any roots that were knotted in tight circles pulling  those out to allow them to grow and smoothed soil around them gently. Final step was to smooth the cardboard around the plant leaving a bit of space and then covered the area with mulch…..

I have since learned in another article that planting immediately is ok too! Whew! So let’s all have a glass of Chianti and watch our garden grow!



Lorapetulum



Juniper

For any type of Realty Issues please go to http://www.greatercrestviewhomes.com/ or http://www.theguthrieteam.com/

Realtor / Counselor .....NO WAY !

We all need someone we trust to give us advice .....

Just read the latest newsletter from FAR (Florida Association of Realtors). My eyes immediately went to an article discussing how this down market had changed Realtor's responsibilities. Probably the general public would be amused to find out the main difference is the amount of counseling this market requires agents to do.

We just returned from a listing presentation very different from the ones we would have given 5 years ago. Back then the emphasis was on service and pricing the house right. Today it is about comforting someone who is upside down in their mortgage but makes too much income to qualify for a short sale. Talk about donut holes…this is a big one!  It is more about making the client know he is not the only person in this situation. Trying to convince someone whose pride revolves around keeping the financial agreements they made and choosing options that would be best for their future.

Also, it is about covering yourself legally by making sure that they get proper financial (CPA) and Legal advice (Real Estate Attorney.) We try and keep ourselves as informed as possible about all the aspects a client may be faced with but it is always wise to send a client to the source for the complete story……and make them aware of the complete ramifications of what their actions might bring ( IRS for instance!)

The feel good part of this new role  is that you leave that client and you feel so grateful that you are secure enough in your own business that every client you meet you do not feel you just have to get them to list their home and that they have to do it right this moment. Yes it is a good feeling leaving someone knowing while you were there you told then exactly what you felt was the best thing for them to do……….

for further information on Real Estate go to http://www.greatercrestviewhomes.com/ or http://www.theguthrieteam.com/

Dream Makers Grant

And you thought all the housing incentives were gone?

Your Dream Home?

　

 First time home buyers grants are still out there if you know where to go to look .....

 Thank Goodness there is still a program that is for the folks that defend our freedom on a daily basis and have a modest income. In actuality it is a down payment for your first home. This is a grant through the Pentagon Federal Credit Union but you do not have to be a member you can apply to any financial institution.



You're eligible for a Dream Makers grant if:







1. You're Military (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard or Veteran), a Department of Defense employee or a Department of Homeland Security employee.
2. You're a first-time home buyer, or you have not owned a home for the last three years, or you have lost your home through divorce or disaster.

3. The gross household income, including allowances, that you use to qualify for your mortgage loan is:


·A maximum of $55,000 per year, or
A maximum of 80% of your community’s median income based on your family size

This is not a free program you must contribute something …the minimum is $500

Dream Makers will match your contribution 3 to 1 up to a maximum of $5000..............Estimate the size of your mortgage …decide what you can contribute plus the dream makers contribution so that the total contribution you and Dream Makers will be 3% to qualify for your loan. Below is a link that will explain more of this advantageous program. This is something you will want to talk with your lender about . There are many loans where you do not have to put anything down . But remember the more you put down the lower your mortgage payment will be and when you are ready to resell the less you have to get for your home. No Repayment of the loan is recquired if you live in the home for 5 years. Certain restrictions do apply so please go to the link below to find out all the details. Happy House Hunting My Friend! 
　



http://www.pentagonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dream_index

For general Real Estate Information, Easy Pathway to Local MLS and all manner of other information please go to www.greatercrestviewhomes.com also www.theguthrieteam.com