Garden Plants Can Also Repel Bugs That Bite

Another Post By:  www.SaraHibbard.com.

Since I work for Better Homes and Gardens, I often receive great articles from them that I enjoy passing on to my clients in hopes that you will share with others and find it informative.

Chemical insect repellents are so 2009. They can be smelly, harmful and ineffective. You can do less harm to yourself, the environment and your garden by repelling biting, stinging insects the old-fashioned way – with plants.

Cats are the only ones who like catnip – this tried-and-true plant is also great for repelling mosquitoes. Scientists from Iowa State University discovered catnip’s repellent properties don’t know why catnip affects mosquitoes the way that it does, but they say that the plant “is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes as DEET, which is used in most commercial insect repellents,” according to sciencedaily.com.

But before you plant catnip, here’s a caveat - catnip can self-seed, meaning it can take over an area if not maintained. It can also grow to about 4 feet tall and drives neighborhood cats crazy, so plant it where you can control it.

Gomestic.com recommends adding a splash of warm tones of yellow and orange to your garden by planting marigold. Not only are marigolds delightful to the eye, the scent is known to repel mosquitoes. The marigold is also useful when planted as a companion to crops like tomatoes, cucumbers and squash, says ehow.com, because they also repel parasitic aphids and nematodes.
Another favorite of gardeners is lavender, which is among the most versatile and useful of all garden plants. Not only does it discourage fleas and mosquitoes, it protects your clothing from moths. Lavender flowers beautifully and smells divine, but it takes a little bit more dedication to get it established, says gardenguides.com. A good lavender plant takes about three years to root, but once it does, it’s virtually drought resistant.

There are many more plants that help deter stinging, biting bugs. Basil is a good companion to plant with tomatoes. It improves the flavor of the tomatoes with the added benefit of repelling both flies and mosquitoes, according to www.homeandgardensite.com.

From the mint family is lemon balm. Sprinkle lemon balm around squash plants to deter squash bugs, and you can also rub the leaves on your skin for a natural mosquito repellant.
By planting any of these you will be taking huge steps to make your time spent outdoors this year much more enjoyable. And before you know it your home will become the cool place where friends and family will want to come hang out and smell the…lavender.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the north Atlanta metro area.  Sara looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or the specifics regarding the buying / selling / relocation / short sale process.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind! 

Tips for a Healthy Georgia Lawn

Another post by: www.SaraHibbard.com

Want some tips for a healthy lawn?

* Water in the early morning hours (4am - 8am).  Early morning watering prevents water loss from evaporation.

*  Water slowly and deeply so the soil absorbs water 6" to 8" deep.

*  Generally, an established turf area needs only 1" of water every 7 to 10 days.  Over-watering encourages shallow root growth, which causes the grass to lose its ability to survive drought.

*  When possible, use more efficient irrigation systems, such as a soaker hose, or drip irrigation.

*  Use an automatic time controller and attach a rainfall sensor to turn off the irrigation system if significant rainfall has occurred.

*  Only irrigate turf in high-impact, visible areas of the landscape.

*  Design turf areas in practical shapes that can be mowed and irrigated easily -- avoid sharp angles and long, narrow strips.

* Fertilize less and use slow-release fertilizers.

* Reduce fertilizer application rate after establishment.  This is particularly important prior to or during dry periods.

* Leave grass clippings on the turf to help supply recycled nutrients and reduce the need for additional fertilizer.

* Raise the mower blade during dry weather.  Cutting the grass higher encourages deeper rooting, increases turf survival during drought and reduces water demand.

* Always keep the mower blade sharp -- dull blades shred leaf tips, causing the turf to use more water.

* Aerate when required to relieve soil compaction and increase air and water movement into the soil -- especially on slopes.

These watering tips were developed by the Cobb County - Marietta Water Authority in conjunction with the Georgia Water Wise Council, and the Cobb County Cooperative Extension Service.  These tips are also endorsed by: Georgia Green Industry Assn., Georgia Turf Association, Metro Atlanta Lawn and Turf Association, Paulding County Cooperative Extension Service and Marietta Council of Garden Clubs.

Sara Hibbard is glad to bring these watering tips to those who follow this blog.  Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the north Atlanta metro area and services Canton, Woodstock, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Acworth, Kennesaw and other north Atlanta metro area communities.  Sara Hibbard looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general and specifics regarding the buying / selling process when the time is right for you and your family to think about a move.  Call Sara with your many questions at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara's websites at www.SaraHibbard.com and
www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com.

Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind!

Your Friendly Yard and Garden

A few weeks ago, I celebrated a birthday.

Several of my neighbors and friends got together and surprised me with a party, my favorite cake and a generous gift card to one of Atlanta's most visited retail garden nurseries -- known as PIKE Family Nurseries!

Pike's has a catchy little jingle called "Playin' In The Dirt Again".  It's often heard frequently on the radio and TV this time of year.  Their great service and this jingle keep PIKE locations in and around the Atlanta metro area rather busy most of the year, but especially in the spring time.  As a result, last weekend, I did some shopping at PIKE's with my new gift certificate for some seasonal plantings.

Residential yards and commercial landscaping in Atlanta really "pop" year round.  Most peoples yards and every entrance for every bank, shopping center, retail establishment, building and businesses in Atlanta are highly landscaped year round.

With the onset of spring and summer, yards and gardens retake their rightful places at the center of attention.  With my gift card, I've added cascading Vinca and Dragon Wing Begonias to my front landscaping as well as a beautiful mix of other seasonal flowers to my backyard landscape too.  Vinca and Dragon Wing Begonias seem to do very well for me.  They are both droubt tolerant, require little watering and seem to enjoy full sun.  I'm a creature of habit and I often go with what I know has a history of working well for me! 

Additionally my Gardenias are in full bloom and the aroma they generate is simply Divine (I'm told as I don't have a sense of smell). 

Today, I received an e-mail from Pillar to Post.  Pillar to Post is an Inspection company that often offers good advice.  The e-mail I received today highlights several steps home owners can take to make their outdoor spaces and their home live compatibly.  So I share their tips as follows:

Keep water away from the house   
Be sure that the ground slopes away from the house all the way around the perimeter.  This ensures that any moisture from rain and sprinkler systems will be directed away from the foundation. 

The base of shrubs and other plantings should be kept at least 2" away from the foundation to avoid potential problems with roots and drainage.  In addition, window wells should be kept free of debris and lined with gravel to help water drain out of the well and into the ground.

Do not leave sprinklers on for too long.  Excessive water will not do plants and lawns any good, and may cause problems if there are drainage issues in certain areas.

The Right Plant in the Right Place
When a tree is growing very close to a structure, there can be potentially serious problems if the tree grows too tall or too wide for the space.  Damage to eaves and roofs can be caused by overgrowth, and there is even a danger of branches or an entire tree falling onto the home.  Existing trees should be professionally pruned to lesson the potential for hazard.  When planting new trees, homeowners should research potential "candidates" to find how large the tree will eventually grow and make decisions accordingly. 

Homeowners should also consider grouping plants that have similar water requirements to avoid over watering plants that don't need as much.  Not only will plants do better, but water bills will be lower over time as well.

Choose plants with maintenance in mind
Some plants end up requiring more maintenance than a homeowner expects.  When selecting new planting material, homeowners should seek advice from qualified personnel at a local nursery who will know what plants will do well in their area, their growth habits and maintenance requirements. 

Lawns should not be mowed too short or too frequently.  Allowing the blades of grass to shade one another helps with water retention and allows grass to grow in more fully.  Many newer turf grasses require less mowing than older varieties, and should be considered for new lawn installations.  In the Atlanta metro area for example, the turf of choice is typically Bermuda sod for its drought tolerance and rapidly growing nature.  Homeowners can find out more at their local agricultural or extension office.

These are just some of the ways that homeowners can increase the enjoyment of their outdoor spaces while ensuring that home and yard are in good shape.

Indigenous Plants To The Atlanta Metro Area 
Additionally, I'd like to add that if you are a new comer to the Atlanta area from out of state, the first thing you will learn as you prepare your soil, is that our soil is rock hard clay.  There are time saving ways to get your soil into a more manageable condition before you break your back trying.  Don't be afraid to ask your local nursery.  They'll be happy to offer suggestions.  Additionally, you'll want to ask landscapers and nursery's what plants do best under full sun and what plants prefer shade.  You'll want to investigate the alternatives and learn about the indigenous plants too.  Have fun and don't be shy.  There are plenty of landscapers and garden experts here who will be happy to help you as you get started "playin' in the dirt" this season! 

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works with buyers and sellers alike.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or www.SaraHibbard.com or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Sara looks forward to answering your many questions and assisting you throughout the process when the time is right for you.  Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is on Your Mind!

Happy Mother's Day!

Where would we be without our Mothers?  

In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases "second Sunday in May" and "Mother's Day", and created the Mother's Day International Association.  Anna was specific about the location of the apostrophe; it was to be a singular possessive, for each family to honor their Mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all Mothers in the world. 

Sure enough, Mothers are truly extra special people!

My own Mom is so extra special to me that sometimes I have a hard time adequately articulating exactly how special she is to me!  It shouldn't be this difficult.  But there isn't one word to describe her!  My Mom is perhaps the kindest, most virtuous women I have ever met.  I am truly PROUD of my Mom and I am truly thankful to be her daughter. 

M-O-T-H-E-R by Howard Johnson

M is for the million things she gives me
O means only that she's soft to hold
T for the things she tries to teach me
H is for her heart of purest gold
E for her eyes with love light shining
R means right and right she'll always be

Put them all together they spell Mother,
A word that means the world to me!

Today, families gather to celebrate their Mom with a special meal, gifts, perhaps a song or two too! Wherever you are today, whatever you and your Mother are doing today, celebrate your Mom this Mother's Day, ENJOY her company and your time together!  Have an extra special Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and Mother's everywhere including yours!  Have a wonderful day!

Sara Hibbard, CDPE, is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia.  Sara works closely with buyers and sellers in the north Atlanta metro area.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara's websites at www.SaraHibbard.com and www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com.   Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

Escape Your Unmanageable Mortgage: Getting free doesn't have to mean running away.

Another Great Post By:  www.SaraHibbard.com and www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com

Your Unmanageable Mortgage:

Getting free doesn’t have to mean running away.

Perhaps you have heard about it.

On the 6 o'clock news, a reporter tells a story about how the housing crisis has caused some homeowners to simply walk away from their homes. It sounds crazy, but many people are being led to believe that walking away from their home is a good (or even the best!) option.

It is called Strategic Default. For distressed homeowners who believe that they have no good choices left, the idea of walking away free of consequence may sound like a relief. The reality, however, is that choosing strategic default has serious repercussions on your credit and your life.

THERE ARE BETTER OPTIONS AVAILABLE!

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, my mission is to provide financially-challenged homeowners with options to escape from unmanageable mortgages without running away.  

Facing your problems head-on is always the best solution. Let me help you the same way I am helping a family right now in Alpharetta and two others in Woodstock.  In each case, their banks are working with them to negotiate a Short Sale.  All three home owners have buyers right now!  Let Me Help You Too!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works with families suffering a financial hardship and helps them avoid foreclosure.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or e-mail Sara at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara's websites located at www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com and www.SaraHibbard.com. 

The Seller's List of Easy Fix-Ups

Another Great Post By: www.SaraHibbard.com

The Seller’s List of Easy Fix-Ups

Historically, just as birds build nests, springtime tends to be the season where homeowners consider listing their home for sale.   If you’re thinking about taking the plunge, the condition of your home will have a huge impact on how fast it sells, and its eventual selling price.  Preparing your home for sale can pay you huge dividends.  Many fix ups cost very little and require only time and elbow grease.  Here are some tips to help your home show it’s very best and yield a huge benefit.

Indoors:

1.       Clean the entire home.  This means vacuum and shampoo carpets.  Vacuum and wash walls, remove cob- webs, clean window sills, blinds, and draperies.  Clean out and wash light fixtures.  Dust all wood surfaces and shelving.  Make 2-story foyers look inviting, spic and span.  Get detailed and do deep cleaning.

2.       Clean and remove clutter from all closets, cupboards and cabinets.

3.       Make your rooms look as spacious as possible.  This can be accomplished by removing unnecessary furniture and items that make your home look cluttered and crowded.

4.       Arrange furnishings so it is easy to walk through your home.

5.       Scale down the number of photos, pictures, portraits and posters hanging on walls.  Don’t forget to patch all nail and screw holes.

6.       Take Drapes and Comforters to the dry cleaners.

7.       Natural light is very important in showing off your home.  Keep your curtains, blinds and draperies open as a rule every day.  It’s important that buyers see your home as light and bright.  Find ways to screen any unappealing views.  

8.       Make your kitchen shine.  Remove all clutter from counter tops and cabinets.  Pack things up that you don’t need.  Remove coffee pots, toaster’s, blenders from counter tops.  Store appliances in pantry, basement or send to storage. 

9.       ALWAYS keep your kitchen sink clean and free of dirty dishes.

10.   Clean and organize your refrigerator inside and out.  Take all the little trinkets, kid’s drawings, magnets off the side of the refrigerator.  Clean off the top of the refrigerator.  Make sure you do simple things like placing an open box of Baking Soda inside the refrigerator and the freezer.  YUP.  Buyers will look in the refrigerator too.  They need to envision their dinner stored in the refrigerator.  If it doesn’t show well, this could cost you an offer.  I’ve seen it happen too often.    

11.   Clean your oven.  Clean around the burners.  Degrease it and keep it looking as good as new.

12.   Keep scented candles burning in the kitchen and bathrooms.  Pleasant fragrances will entice buyers to stay longer in your home. 

13.   Keep bathrooms scrubbed and tidy with fresh soap and neatly displayed towels.  Try to color coordinate your bathrooms and make them look inviting. 

14.   Keep all sinks in the home clean and repair any leaks or slow drains.

15.   Go through the entire home and paint and / or touch up spots that need attention.  Pay close attention to corners where there is high traffic wear and tear.  Touch up baseboards, trim, cabinets and cupboards.  Clean up scuff marks on hard wood floors, baseboards, and kickboards.

16.   Place plants or fresh flower arrangements in strategic parts of the home.   A splash of color from plants, flowers, pillows or small rugs can give your home some real flair and look very attractive to visitors.

17.   Use mirrors on walls if necessary to reflect light and make rooms look larger.

18.   Make sure that all door knobs and keyed entries are working properly.  Replace any worn knobs or handles. 

19.   Paint or replace any doors that show signs of wear, scuff marks, or holes.

20.   If you have a door that also has a cat door – replace the whole door.  

21.   After you have cleaned out closets, the kitchen, game room, bedrooms, basement, decide which items will be sold in a garage sale, distributed to Goodwill, or packed for the move.   Distribute these items accordingly, but get them out of the house.  

22.   Pack up items and store boxes in the garage, basement or rent a storage facility.  Begin transferring items now.  You have to move anyway, so start removing items now. 

Outdoors:   

23.   Clean up the yard.  Rake and remove leaves, weeds and other debris such as piles of wood, firewood, and landscaping debris. 

24.   Pressure wash the entire house. 

25.   Trim hedges.  Trim around mailboxes, planting beds, sidewalks, and driveways.

26.   Trim all hedges, bushes and shrubbery away from the house.  The buyer’s inspector will likely require that greenery is removed from touching the house.  Keep all garden beds weeded and mulched with either pine straw or wood chips.

27.   Keep all walkways clear, clean and in good repair.  This includes your driveways and any parking areas.

28.   Keep the front yard free of bicycles, skateboards, balls and other outdoor toys.

29.   Clean all exterior lighting fixtures.  Clean and polish front door kick-plates, brass door knockers.  Consider painting the front door and replacing the front door knobs and locks.

30.   Clean and paint the mailbox.  Clean your address numbers too.

31.   Keep all outdoor furniture clean and in good repair.

32.   Don’t leave ash trays or evidence of ash trays. 

33.   Clean your gutters, soffits and roof.  Keep gutters free of pine straw, leaves, sticks and other debris. 

34.   Repair any broken windows, screens, shutters, awnings or doors.

35.   Clean your garage area.  Remove clutter and organize the garage to appear spacious.  Your goal should be to have only cars in the garage.  Hang and store bikes, lawn mowers, trimmers/weed wackers, toys and sports equipment.    Buyers are often impressed by garage floors that have been painted and sealed.  Often something that simple creates a “WOW” factor!        

36.   Wash windows, screens.

By following these 36 fix up tips, you’ll increase the perceived value of your home and maximize interest.  If you follow these tips your home will undoubtedly stand out from the competition and yield a speedy sale.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works in the north Atlanta metro area.  Regardless of whether you are a buyer or seller, Sara looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the selling and buying process.  Sara is easily reached at 404-660-2481 OR via e-mail at sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara anytime at www.SaraHibbard.com.  Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!   

Thinking of Buying a Home With a Pool

Another Post By:  www.SaraHibbard.com

I must give the credit for this Blog to my colleague Tisha Gay.

As the spring season begins, buyers across the country are beginning to look around and swimming pools can be attractive. You may be tempted to buy a home with a swimming pool, but before you go off the deep end (pun absolutely intended), there are a few things to consider.
Swimming pools are both beautiful and lots of fun, but you should be ready for the amount of expenses and work it takes to maintain, as well as the increase to your liability. So should you buy a home with a pool or not?

As an outdoors trend, swimming pools have joined the ranks of backyard landscaping, fencing, walkways, decks, weather-proof kitchens, fireplaces, covered and open patios, arbors, ponds, and play areas. Pools are enjoyable, they promote fitness and they’re always a great place to entertain family and friends. Keep in mind though, only you can determine how much you’ll use it and enjoy it.

And although a pool is great fun, there are definitely some negative aspects to pool ownership. There are safety and compliance issues, such as having to put a (not-so-attractive) child-proof fence around the pool in some neighborhoods or counties where it’s required.

There’s required maintenance, which can be monthly and turned over to a pool service if you wish, but that’s yet another bill to pay. Pool water can be considered a living, breathing organism and needs to be constantly monitored for chlorine levels, leaves and to make sure your filters are working. Plus, a swimming pool uses lots of water and chemical treatments to keep it clean, attractive and safe, and it will increase your homeowner’s insurance. These are the costs of pool ownership, and you have to be ready for them.

Pools come in five styles, which I’ve ordered in least to most expensive:

• Above-ground pools are the cheapest construction option, as well as the easiest to build. They are available from a variety of manufacturers, but aren’t allowed in most subdivisions due to restrictive covenants.
• Fiberglass pools are made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which has been molded into a basin shape. Because of the material, they can only be up to a certain size. In-ground spas are generally fiberglass models.
• Vinyl-lined in-ground pools are a lot like above-ground pools, structurally. They look more like conventional in-ground designs, but liners need to be replaced every 10 years or so. This is much cheaper than the next two options and is quicker to install, but not as durable.
• Gunite pools are currently the most popular design in much of the United States, a highly durable sprayed mixture of cement and sand over a mesh grid. They can be built in any shape and size, and feature a variety of interior finishes.
• Poured-concrete pools are similar to Gunite pools, but they’re a lot harder to build. Instead of spraying concrete material around a rebar framework, concrete is actually poured into conventional wooden forms. Some pool builders feel that poured-concrete is the most durable option, but this is negligible with today’s materials.

So you’re looking at buying a home with a pool. If you’re wondering whether or not a pool is worth what you’re paying as an amenity of the home, consider the following:

• Are pools popular in your area? Is the pool going to be a good or bad thing when you go to sell the home?
• Does the pool complement the home and yard? Was it well-designed, or did it eliminate important space for a play yard?
• Is the pool being maintained as well as the home? Are there any visible cracks, broken tiles, or cloudy water that could possibly mean more expenses to you? How old is the pool and its mechanical components? How soon will they need to be replaced? Have the tile surrounds and concrete walkways need updating?
• Are there additional outdoor features that augment the pool area, such as a cabana, barbecue or outdoor kitchen?
• Something no one ever thinks of is where will people change their clothes and use the bathroom? Is there an outdoor room? Or will they be tracking wet footprints through the house?

Before buying, gather all of the maintenance and repair records the seller might have for the pool, and make sure to include the pool in the home inspection. Have your Realtor® put together comps for homes with and without pools, and obtain recent prices from local pool companies on similar pools to see if you are overpaying for the seller’s pool, especially if it needs updating. Many pool companies will be happy to help in order to possibly get the maintenance, repair, or redesign business from the new owner.

My advice is to be ready for pool ownership, and make sure that it’s what you want before buying. If it ends up being the right move, that’s great! I love my pool. It’s great for outdoor entertaining and is perfect for cooling off in the Georgia heat.

Thanks to Tisha Gay for this great blog! 

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia.  Sara is available to answer your many questions and assist you throughout the process of purchasing or selling your home.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara's website at www.SaraHibbard.com.   Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind!