Thursday, August 30, 2012

August gardening checklist - MSN Real Estate

Watering, weeding and deadheading are among the main activities for gardeners this month. But it's also time to harvest fruits and flowers.

By Sally Anderson of MSN Real Estate

August gardening checklist (© Alan Buckingham/Getty Images)

Summertime, and the livin' is easy — at least it can be for gardeners.

Aside from tasting, weeding and watering, essential gardening tasks are at a lull in August.

Never fear, gardening addicts: There's always something to tend for those who are determined. But go easy on yourself and take advantage of the occasional cool day to work in comfort. (Bing: Build an outdoor shower)

Annuals
August is a relatively low-maintenance month for flowers, but regular watering isn't the only task that will keep your garden in top shape.

Keep deadheading flowers as they fade; not only will the plants look better, but if they're allowed to produce and shed their seeds, they're more likely to stop producing new blooms.

In areas with mild winters and longer growing seasons, annuals should have another feeding of fertilizer in late summer.

Read more here... August gardening checklist - MSN Real Estate

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Central Ohio home prices hit a 5-year high

Central Ohio Housing Report - July 2012
Courtesy of Columbus Board of REALTORS®
 
 


Central Ohio home prices hit a 5-year high

Home prices in central Ohio hit its highest point in five years last month as many of the area’s pricier communities saw double digit sales increases, according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

Homes closed during July 2012 sold for an average of $186,781 which is 10.3 percent higher than the average sale price of a home sold in July of 2011.The last time homes during any given month sold were selling this high was June of 2007 when the average sale price was $187,180.

This holds true for the year as the average sale price of homes sold January through July 2012 ($167,754) is also at its highest point since January of 2007 ($172,531).

Read more here...

Friday, August 17, 2012

Prefabulous: A Guide To Green And Gorgeous Homes

Prefabulous: A Guide To Green And Gorgeous Homes
Courtesy of REALTOR.com

Prefabulous: A Guide To Green And Gorgeous Homes photo

Over the last few years, the style and variety of prefab homes has only gotten better and better. In a new book: Prefabulous + Almost Off The Grid (due out in October), author Sheri Koones shows how prefabrication can be used to create almost-off-the-grid homes, ones that are not only green but can operate with nearly zero annual energy cost. The homes may take a bit more planning and additional outlay but they make up for it later with energy-saving benefits.

Read more here: Prefabulous: A Guide To Green And Gorgeous Homes | REALTOR.com® Blogs