Spring Landscaping Tips

With the temperature slowly rising, spring is the perfect time to make your lawn picture-perfect!  Landscaping can make or break a potential buyer or renter's first impression of your home, along with adding value and curb appeal.

The following tips will help you to get your lawn in perfect shape this spring:


Inspect Lawn Maintenance Equipment
Begin by ensuring that all of your lawn maintenance equipment is in good working order.  Address and repair any issues so that you won't be sidetracked in the middle of lawn maintenance if a problem were to occur.

Trees, Plants and Shrubs
Inspect trees and shrubs to see if they're broken and/or damaged.  If needed, prune as soon as possible before spring growth occurs.  Cut back perennials.  Spring is the perfect time of year to plant.  The temperatures are a comfortable level for plants to adapt to a new habitat.  Transplant any plants as soon as possible before they have time to start spring growth.

Flower Beds
Neaten up flower beds by edging and weeding them.  Add fresh mulch if needed.

Fertilizing and Weed Control
Choose a fertilizer that best suits your soil's needs.  Apply a pre-emergent weed killer to get a jump start on weeds before they sprout.  

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Real Estate Ethics for Buyers

Many times the subject of the "Code of Ethics" arises when speaking of real estate agents.  But what about the unspoken ethics between buyers and sellers?  There are many times when a real estate transaction goes sour between buyers and sellers that could have been avoided.  Here are some helpful tips to help you keep your transaction as smooth as possible when buying a home.

BUYERS:

• NEVER go behind your agent's back and approach the seller about details of the closing process.
• Always schedule an appointment for re-showings or inspections of the seller's home with your agent.  Showing up at the door of a seller unannounced is likely to not sit well with the seller if they're in the middle of something important.  This might make them less likely to negotiate with you if future negotiations arise.  
• Never negatively criticize the property in a derogatory manner in front of the seller or in public.  Pointing out flaws to your agent is acceptable, but there is a fine line between constructive criticism and and being rude.  Speak to your agent so that they can appropriately express your opinion(s) during their follow-up with the seller or the seller's agent.  More than likely, the seller has an emotional attachment to their home and will not take kindly to derogatory comments spoken in a rude manner.
• Just passed by the home of your dreams and see a "for sale" sign in the yard?  Do you know the seller?  Under no circumstances should you show up at a seller's door unannounced and ask to see the home, even if you think it's harmless.  By doing so, you could jeopardize a smooth transaction by imposing on the seller at an inconvenient time.
• Control your anger.  If you are upset that the seller didn't follow through with an agreement, it could be for valid reasons.  Give them a chance to explain to their agent before any turmoil develops.

By following these simple tips, it could very possibly make your real estate negotiations go very smoothly without negativity or hard feelings.