Six ways to Make Your Garden Spring-ready– PLUS 5 things to consider before renting your home

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6 ways to make your garden Spring-ready–

PLUS 5 things to consider before renting your home

Now is the time of year to let your garden "Spring" to life!

1. Lawn Care. Rake up all the "thatch"–that's the dried dead grass and weeds mingling with the live grass. Thatch prevents water and nutrients from getting into your lawn and stops new seeds from taking root. Next, set your mower blades high for the first mow, to trim off just the tops. Lastly, if the lawn needs feeding, spread fertilizer, using one with a weed killer if it's necessary.

2. Prune Trees and Bushes. Trim all limbs and branches that were broken or damaged during the Winter.

3. Weed. Take out weeds before they go to seed. Some weeds produce up to 10,000 seeds, so getting rid of them now saves you from dealing with lots more later on. Tip: weeding is much easier when the soil is wet.

4. Spread Compost or Manure. When the soil has dried sufficiently, work in some manure or compost.

5. Check for Aphids. As new spring growth comes in, look for aphids on the underside of leaves. If you see them, find out what to do from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service by clicking here.

6. Brighten Up. Look for places to add some bright new flowers. Perennials that have had at least a full growing season can be worth the extra cost. They're heartier and more likely to survive.

THINKING THROUGH RENTING ISSUES

If you're considering renting your home, here are five things to think about:

1. Current Condition. If you've just spent money renovating, you might not want to risk having a tenant trash those new upgrades. If you go ahead anyway, collect a healthy deposit and a rent that protects your investment. On the other hand, if your home needs fixing, rent it the way it is, then upgrade to sell it.

2. Homework. Talk to rental agents and property managers to see what your rental rate would be. Then calculate how that income would cover your monthly obligations–mortgage, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, management costs. Ask the experts if there are any rent- or eviction-control ordinances. These laws can sometimes make it very expensive to evict even non-paying tenants.

3. Screen Tenants. If you decide to rent, consider hiring a rental agent or property manager with a strict tenant screening process. Network with everyone you know. Renting to a friend or a friend-of-a-friend can boost your chances of a good experience.

4. Tenant-Proof. Minimize the cost of tenant damage by replacing carpet with tile, nice lighting fixtures and window treatments with more ordinary options and high-end appliances with bargains from Craigslist. Of course, if you're renting a luxury home at a premium, you'll have to keep those high-end features tenants expect.

5. Think About a Lease-Option. Today, a lease with an option to buy can be great for everyone. You might get more money, and the tenant gets time to decide. And lease-option tenants tend to take better care of your home.

If you want to know more about home financing, the housing market in your area or have any other related questions, please call or email us. We're always here to help.... Have a great day!

PS Experts say the housing market appears to be turning around in many places. Mortgage rates are at historic lows and home prices are very affordable. So this could be a great time to upsize, downsize or refinance. Please call or email us now to discuss your situation.