the real estate Advisor
HOW TO PLANT YOUR OWN FLOWER GARDEN
Starting a flower garden in that empty space in your yard is a great way to increase the curb appeal of your home and an opportunity to apply some of your personality to your outdoor area.
First, find an area you could use for your flower garden and try to identify if the space gets direct sun, partial sun, or shade. The amount of sunlight that your garden gets determines what kinds of flowers you can grow. For example, chrysanthemums and sunflowers need about 6-8 hours of sun per day, so they would not last very long in a shady nook, while fuchsias or begonias would thrive.
The next step is to decide whether you want to plant seedlings or buy your flowers from a nursery. This really depends on how much time you have to spend and it won’t affect how nice your garden is. Once you have selected flowers that will grow well in your garden space, take some time to make a diagram for where they will all be placed.
One of the last steps before planting is to mix manure or compost in your soil a week before planting. Now it’s time for the best part, planting your flowers! You will need a shovel, rake, and trowel for this step. The goal here is to loosen the soil and create snug holes for your flowers. Depending on how many flowers you have, this process should only take a day or two.
Finally, enjoy your flower garden and see if any butterflies come to enjoy your creation too!
PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM PET DAMAGE
Pets bring so much joy to our lives, but over time they can also cause a lot of damage around the home. Even the most well-behaved pets can create some mischief every now and then, but there are many ways to diminish the damage that your furry friends can cause.
- One of the biggest homeowner pet peeves is their cats or dogs scratching floors, doors, or furniture. Besides training your pets early in their life, one of the most efficient ways to decrease scratching around the home is to regularly trim your pet’s nails. This may be a difficult task depending on the animal, but you can always enlist the help of a groomer. You should trim your pet’s nails at least once a month. You can also protect your furniture with scratch guards.
- If your pet has an accident in your home, the only way to really clean it up and rid yourself of the smell is by using an enzymatic cleaner. Enzyme cleaners usually come in a spray bottle and contain bacteria in the solution that feeds off the organic material of pet waste. You can usually find these cleaners at the hardware or pet store.
- It’s important to make sure your pet stays active because they can build up a lot of anxious energy if they get bored. Dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to exercise with your pet so it can stay healthy and prevent frustration and possible mayhem around the house.
TAKE 5: BACKYARD DIY PROJECTS
Summertime is here and it’s bringing the heat! It’s always an option to blast the air conditioner all summer long, but there are ways to keep your home cool that are better for the environment and won’t double your energy bill.
1. Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans may be an overlooked method to keep your home cool, but that’s because they are often used incorrectly. During the summer months, a ceiling fan should be rotating counterclockwise to send cool air down otherwise you will be recirculating the heat in your home.
2. Blinds: If your home has windows that face the west or north, make sure to keep them covered with blinds to prevent the sun from heating up your home.
3. Mind the Gaps: Cover or repair all gaps and cracks near doors and windows to ensure your cool air stays in during the day. This paired with your home’s insulation will also prevent heat from seeping in on hot days.
4. Evening Chill: When the sun goes down and the temperature is cooler, open up your windows and doors to bring that cool air in. Just make sure to get them closed before the sun returns.
5. Box Fans: If your home has multiple windows on opposite sides of the room, you can create a cooling effect with two box fans on each side. One should be facing inward and the other outward. This will keep a constant airflow bringing in fresh air and removing the hot air.
Year Over Year Changes July to July
June 2021 Market Statistics Summary
The market statistics are for Maricopa and Pinal Counties. Please let me know if you’d like similar statistics for a specific city or neighborhood within the Phoenix Metro area.
Contact me today at 602-527-1922 to schedule a free consultation.
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