Home Trends

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It’s not too late! 10 crops you can plant in late July

With all the social distancing these days, what’s better than rediscovering your own back yard? Even making your own garden or filling a few pots with dirt and getting your hands a little muddy?

As we are in the middle of the hottest months of the year, you might be thinking there is nothing that will grow in this Tallahassee heat, but guess again. I’ve compiled a list of plants that you may be able to fit in before your start your fall garden.

Here’s the list:

basil
beans
cilantro
cucumber
squash
sweet corn
zinnias
sunflowers
watermelon
and even pumpkins!

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “In order to have pumpkins in time for Halloween, they should be seeded in your garden by July 4. “Howden” and “jackpot” are the two best varieties for jack-o-lantern pumpkins in Florida.”

If you missed the July 4th timeframe, you can still start smaller watermelon and pumpkin varieties.

Don’t forget the flowers, they will attract the bees to pollinate your vegetables!

To view the Orlando Sentinel’s article, click here.

Gardeners need to think ahead… is Halloween too far away?

Most Expensive Items New Homeowners Buy

Furniture, appliances, and remodeling projects are among the biggest expenses for new homeowners, who spend an average of $10,600 in the first year of homeownership, according to a recent analysis by the National Association of Home Builders. New owners spend an average of $3,778 on furnishings alone, according to NAHB’s analysis.

Here are a few common expenditures recent homebuyers made:
– Living room chairs and tables: $687
– Dining room and kitchen furniture: $345
– Window coverings: $215
– Sofas: $700
– Property alterations and repairs (particularly outdoor additions and alterations such as a new driveway, walkway, or fence): $3,729
– Appliances (particularly washers and dryers, lawnmowers and other yard equipment, and computer hardware and systems): $3,094

“The high level of spending by new homebuyers may seem surprising– considering that many new homes come with installed appliances – but suggests that these purchases are nevertheless more frequent among these households,”

– the NAHB notes on its blog, Eye on Housing.

A survey conducted by Home Innovation Research Labs shows that two-thirds of new homes built in 2015 came with no washer or dryer; 36 percent had no refrigerators. Most new homes, however, did come with cooking stoves, ranges, and ovens.

Source: “What Do Home Buyers Buy After Moving,” National Association of Home Builders’ Eye on Housing blog (July 13, 2017)

Top Entryway Decor Ideas for 2017

via Katherine Medlin of Realtor.com

The entryway is a significant space within a home — it’s the first thing a potential buyer sees, and it sets the stage for the whole vibe of the home. Buyers can form opinions on a home within seconds of opening that front door. Your clients can make a few simple changes to their entryways to make that important first impression. Here are some hot trends for 2017.

Make the front door a focal point.

The door is the first thing visitors focus on at any home’s entryway, so make it impactful. Whether you advise your clients to paint it a bold color or add gorgeous greenery via a seasonal wreath, they can complement the home’s style and make a statement within a reasonable budget.

1) Invest in stylish but functional furniture.

2) Add art to the space.

3) Illuminate the entryway with bold lighting.

4) Make a statement with striking wallpaper.

Fixes for Tight Spaces From Desperate New Yorkers

Sweaters in the oven. Shoes in the kitchen cabinets. Books in the freezer. New Yorkers pay a median $3,400 a month for their tiny apartments, so they’ve learned to get mighty creative when it comes to maxing out every square foot.

Although your house may be much roomier than the typical NYC studio (thank God), you can banish clutter once and for all by pledging allegiance to these six savvy strategies.

Read the rest at HouseLogic.com

Curb appeal projects can max out your home’s value

Step back and really look at your yard – what’s your curb appeal?

See a few things that can be updated or maintained a little better? Maybe a few design basics like color and texture can be relatively inexpensive. Maybe a new deck or patio? Don’t forget to maintain what you have, regularly caring for your yard, raking leaves and watering plants in your yard can help your curb appeal.