the real estate Advisor
How To Plant A Tree In Your Yard
Have you ever wanted to change the landscape of your yard by adding a tree or shrub? Whether you have a green thumb or are a green dud, with proper preparation and some good tips, you can successfully do it yourself.
The first step for planting a tree is to purchase a tree seedling from your local hardware store or tree nursery. It’s important to measure the width of your roots because this will determine the size of your planting hole. Your hole should be at least three times as wide as the root mass of the tree seedling. As for the depth, be sure to dig a planting hole that is deep enough for the roots, but doesn’t cover the base of the tree trunk with dirt. It’s important for the entire trunk to be above the soil and some experts even leave some of the root ball above as well.
Once your planting hole is dug, inspect your tree seedling to make sure the roots aren’t creating a bunched up circular pattern, as this may affect the tree’s growth. If you do see patterns forming, simply tear apart the roots from the pattern and don’t worry about lost soil. Place your tree seedling in the planting hole and make sure to eradicate any air pockets by lightly tapping the soil, hand-packing the soil, or spraying the soil with water after planting.
After you plant your new tree, make sure to water it every day for the first seven days. After the first week you can start watering your tree every other day for the next seven days and you can gradually decrease the frequency after that point. Then, enjoy the new addition to your yard!
One of the biggest pet peeves for homeowners is discovering bugs inside their home. Insects can be a big nuisance as is and if they begin to multiply, the effects can be even worse. Here are a few easy methods to keep these pests away!
The first, obvious step to keeping insects out of your home is making sure they don’t have access to any food. Keep your kitchen counters and floors free of crumbs or food residue. It’s also important to frequently take out the trash, so no food begins to rot.
Bugs are attracted to standing water as well, so make sure to quickly remove dishes from the sink and be sure water in your dog or cat bowls is replaced often. Any spills or leaky pipes should be fixed immediately to avoid attracting insects.
Make sure there are no gaping cracks or holes along exterior walls that bugs can sneak through into your home. You can fill cracks in the wall or baseboards with caulking to block insects from getting in and you can also install door sweeps so they are unable to slip underneath doors.
Another common place for bugs to get in your house is through window screens. If a window screen has any holes, it becomes the perfect place for bugs to enter your home. Check your screens about once a month to be sure there are no entry points for insects.
With regular checks and good, clean habits, you can successfully maintain an insect-free home!
Ideas For Closet Organization
A chaotic closet is a recipe for disaster when you’re trying to get ready. But a nice, organized one can help ensure you’re on time for any occasion with an outfit that’s sure to impress. These organization tips and ideas can help!
- If you are lacking space or hangers, start with getting rid of or storing rarely used items. Typically, many clothing items are seasonal. Save space by vacuum sealing these items and putting them in the garage or under a bed until the season comes around.
- If you have enough space, adding a small dresser inside your closet is a great idea for storing items that don’t require hanging, such as socks, undergarments, swimsuits or trunks. This will vastly reduce the clutter.
- Use divider hangers to separate different types of clothes. This will make it much easier to find certain items and will give you a framework to keep your clothes in order after laundry day.
- Utilize all walls and vertical spaces in your closet. Hang your hats, belts, and more on the walls by using wall hangers or nails. If you don’t want to risk potential damage, you can also buy an over-the-door organizer that has pockets for socks, shirts, shoes, or small items.
- Lastly, integrate bins and baskets into your closet organization to make sure every item has its place. These come in various sizes and styles to fit any shelf and help conceal items that you may need to put away quickly and easily.
TAKE 5: Fixing Common Gas Grill Problems
Summer may be officially winding down, however there are still many BBQs ahead, so you need your grill in tip top shape. Here’s some of the most common gas grill problems and how to fix them!
1. Excess Smoke: If your grill is releasing an unusual amount of smoke when you turn it on, there may be an accumulation of grease at the bottom that needs to be cleaned. Use a strong grill brush to give it a proper cleaning and make sure to preheat it for fifteen minutes before using it again.
2. Ignition Problems: If your igniters aren’t producing any flames, there could be a variety of problems. If your ignition is independent of the body of the grill, then you may have a malfunctioning button or faulty wiring and the parts will have to be replaced. Otherwise, check to see if the igniter is clogged or has any blockages. The wiring and switches may have to be replaced if all else fails.
3. Uneven Heat. Grills with uneven heating can cause poorly cooked meals and annoyance. Make sure the holes along your burners are free from any residue. A good scrub with a grill brush should do the trick.
4. Orange-Yellow Flames: If you are seeing orange-yellow flames coming from your grill, there may be a problem with the control valves or venturi tubes. To fix this, locate the adjustment screw and turn your grill to low. Then, loosen the screw until the flame has a bluish tint. Afterwards, make sure to turn off the gas and tighten the venturi tube screw.
5. Low Flame, Low Temperature. When your grill isn’t reaching high enough temperatures, there could be a problem with the fuel line regulator. Fixing the regulator involves disconnecting the gas line and turning all control valves to high for one minute.
Year Over Year Changes September to September
August 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.
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