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Moving to a Coastal Area in the American South? Here’s What You Need to Know About Gardening

 Photo by Christo Anestev via Pixabay

If you’re planning to relocate to a coastal area in the American South soon, you’re undoubtedly looking forward to having close proximity to the beach as well as enjoying warm weather on a regular basis. However, you probably also have questions about living in a warm-climate coastal environment when it comes to matters such as gardening and yard care, especially if you’re used to living in an area with cold winters. Here’s what you need to know about gardening in the American South. 

You Can Garden All Year Round

One of the best things about living in the American South is that you can enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers straight from the garden during all months of the year. Cool-season annuals and vegetables thrive during the winter months. If you plant plenty of broccoli, cauliflower, kale, radishes, artichokes, and all kinds of salad greens in autumn, you’ll be able to enjoy them on your table within two months. Root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, and potatoes also grow well in Southern gardens during winter.

You can enjoy most flowering annuals during winter in the South except for the few that truly thrive only in warm temperatures, such as morning glories, sunflowers and zinnias. Nasturtiums, sweet peas, larkspur, bachelor’s buttons, pansies and snapdragons all put on a glorious floral display when outdoor temperatures are mild. 

Soils Are Often Sandy 

Having sandy soils doesn’t automatically doom you to having to live without a thriving garden, but it does mean that you’ll have to make certain concessions, such as adding organic matter to the soil and making sure you choose plants that thrive in sandy areas. This is where the value of your local garden store really shines — they’ll be able to recommend plants that grow well in local soils. This is the sort of benefit that you can’t get from an online plant retailer, so don’t hesitate to ask for advice when you visit a local nursery. 

Your soil may be so sandy that no amount of organic amendments are going to make much of a difference if you live right next to the ocean. Not many things will grow in these conditions beyond several species of grasses that are native to coastal regions, but this doesn’t mean you can’t create an appealing garden. Raised beds filled with rich, nutritious soil provide an ideal environment for a wide variety of plants. Containers and hanging baskets also provide a way to enjoy flowering plants and culinary herbs. 

It’s also important to keep in mind that high winds sometimes wreak havoc on coastal gardens, so you’ll need to place specimen plants and vegetable gardens in sheltered areas. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Building A Sustainable Home

Image by 政徳 吉田 from Pixabay

Green living is all the rage, and you can fully immerse yourself in a sustainable lifestyle if you decide to build your own home rather than purchase an existing property. During the planning and design phase, you can work with your builder to incorporate sustainable features into your new construction home. After you move in, you will easily be able to adjust your habits and routines in order to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint and realize cost savings along the way.

Here are a few steps you can take in order to build a sustainable home:

Request that Your Builder Use Sustainable Materials During Construction

One of the best ways to have an impact on your local environment is work with your builder to ensure that sustainable materials are used during the construction of your home. Some examples of sustainable materials include:

  • Recycled materials for doors, flooring and windows.
  • Locally-harvested wood for framing and flooring.
  • Non-toxic and non-allergenic materials that will prevent mold issues in the future.

Make the Most of Solar Energy Opportunities

One of the most important resources that you can take advantage of when you are building a new construction home is the sun. For starters, you can work closely with your builder to ensure that your home maximizes the use of the sun’s rays by situating the home in an advantageous location on the lot. When sunlight is allowed to stream directly into the windows, you will spend less money and energy heating your home. In addition, you may want to install solar panels to collect solar energy to power parts of your new home.

Select Energy-Efficient Windows for Your New House

Most people do not realize the important role that windows play in conserving energy and utilizing it efficiently. As you select windows for your new home, be sure to consider your options carefully. While you may pay less initially for lower-quality windows, you will end up paying more in heating and cooling costs while you live in the home. Investing in high-quality, energy-efficient windows will reduce the energy you use in the home while simultaneously saving you money in utility costs.

Opt for Energy-Efficient Appliances and Features

As you finalize the details of your new construction home, consider how every choice you make could have an impact on the sustainability of your property. Low-flow toilets and tubs, for example, can significantly reduce the amount of water that is used on a daily basis. Energy-efficient appliances are also an ideal option for anyone who is looking to adopt a sustainable lifestyle in their new home.

If you know that you want sustainability to be a top priority during the construction of your new home, then you need to find a reputable builder who knows how to incorporate the latest trends into their home designs. An experienced builder with local connections can help you create a home that allows you to enjoy your green lifestyle for years to come.

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Potluck for Breakfast? Try These Easy Dishes

Not every potluck is a lunch or evening event. Breakfast potlucks are common in workplaces, schools, churches and many other places where people gather. While it might seem difficult to come up with shareable breakfast foods, there are many simple things you can bring to a breakfast potluck. Here are some ideas:

Easy Egg Muffins

Egg muffins are the perfect protein-packed dish to bring to a breakfast potluck. They are quick to make and incredibly versatile. You can use countless combinations of vegetables, meats, cheeses and spices to create your own. Some of the most popular ingredients to add to egg muffins include ham, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, onions, tomatoes, fresh basil, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese and bell peppers.

All you need is a nonstick muffin tin and an oven to make these egg muffins. Scramble the eggs, mix in the ingredients, fill the muffin cups and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Share at the potluck and freeze the leftovers.

Simple Scones

Scones are a popular breakfast treat with countless flavor varieties. No matter what you want to add to your scones, whether you like blueberries, currants or even lavender, the basic recipe for the dough is simple. All you need is flour, baking powder, unsalted butter, an egg, vanilla extract, granulated sugar and a bit of salt.

Combine the dry ingredients together in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Mix both mixtures and any add-ins like berries. You can shape the dough into the classic triangle shape or simply make rounded shapes by hand. Make each one approximately the same size so they cook evenly. Bake for about 20 minutes and you have a delicious and simple homemade treat for your breakfast potluck.

Fruit Salad

Don’t underestimate the power of fresh fruit at breakfast. For those who prefer to eat something on the lighter side, assemble a large fruit salad full of your favorite colorful ingredients. Some suggestions for a breakfast fruit salad include cantaloupe and honeydew melon and banana, fresh strawberries, apples and peaches.

Mandarin oranges are a great way to add some citrus to the mix without overpowering the other flavors and pineapple adds a sweet kick without too much extra moisture. Try to slice up each fruit into pieces roughly equal in size so it’s easier to eat. For a fun aesthetic, use a melon baller rather than a knife. Keep the fruit salad in the fridge until it’s ready to serve so that it’s as fresh as possible for your potluck.

A breakfast potluck is a great opportunity to share your favorite dishes. Try these ideas for your next gathering and have a delicious breakfast with friends, colleagues or family.

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Benefits of Financing With a Credit Union

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You’ve finally found the perfect home. It’s got the number of bedrooms you wanted, a spacious kitchen, updated bathrooms, and even a beautiful vegetable garden out back. Now comes the tricky part—how to pay for it.

Numerous home buyers find financing their mortgages through a credit union to be a good option. According to Magnify Money, approximately nine percent of mortgages are held by credit unions. These non-profit organizations essentially operate like banks, but are more laid back, less aggressive, and easy to work with. Here are some of the top benefits you’ll find when financing your mortgage through a credit union.

Experience a Simplified Lending Process

As a part of their philosophy, credit unions put a higher priority on customer service than they do profits. They don’t have to answer to external stockholders and put priority on profits the way traditional for-profit banks do. As a result, credit unions are equipped to offer easier loan approvals and decent mortgage rates. Even if you have a lower credit score or have saved a smaller down payment than traditionally required, you can usually find a credit union willing to work with you.

Enjoy Lower Fees & Put Money Back into Your Pocket

Credit unions are known to offer fewer origination fees and lower processing costs because they don’t have the same requirements banks do. For instance, credit unions don’t have to pay federal taxes and need to break every year due to their non-profit status. These savings are usually passed onto their members.

Build a Personal Relationship with Lender

Many mortgage seekers find they enjoy working with an entity that strives to treat them as a person, not as a distant account number. Since many credit unions are smaller entities than their for-profit banking counterparts, they typically offer a “small-town” feel, even if they are a large credit union. This is because their memberships are limited to specific affiliations.

Also, a consideration you might find of value is the fact credit unions don’t typically sell out to other entities. Chances are you’ll have one lender to deal with through the lifetime of your mortgage (although not a 100% guarantee). If you borrow from a bank, chances increase for your loan to change hands many times over the years.

There are many benefits to knowing who services your loan. If a problem or other issue arises, you’ll almost always know who you can turn to and where to send your payment.

How to Join a Credit Union

Ideally, you’ll want to be preapproved before starting your home search so you know how much you qualify for and don’t waste time looking at homes out of your price range—this is no matter what lender you ultimately decide to take out a mortgage with. But if you’re looking for low maintenance and high- quality lenders, a credit union might suit your needs.

If you’re not sure you can join one, be sure to consider all of your personal and professional affiliations, be they your college alumni, employer, HOA or church, to name a few. You can find out which ones you are eligible to join by checking your affiliations at CUlookup.com.

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Choosing a Real Estate Developer: What to Consider Before Your Next Investment

When you’re looking into starting a residential or commercial property construction or renovation project, having a highly qualified real estate developer at your side is important. Real estate developers handle real estate projects, whether it’s developing land for commercial use or renovating houses that are in poor condition. Hiring a real estate developer means you’ll have an experienced professional there to oversee your project from start to finish and take care of any issues that might occur. The following tips can help you choose the right real estate developer for your project.

Research Different Real Estate Developers

You can begin your search for a real estate developer by visiting their website to get more information, such as how long they’ve been in business and what kinds of real estate projects they’ve competed. This helps you find a developer who fits your needs, but you’ll still have to make sure they are reputable before hiring them. While you’re on their website, you should also check reviews and look through a portfolio of their past work. Since their own website will most likely only have positive reviews and accolades, you should check other sites for reviews to get a better idea of the service quality they offer.

Look for Developers With the Right Expertise

Depending on your project, you should look for a real estate developer who has the right expertise. For example, you should choose a developer who specializes in commercial real estate for your commercial construction project rather than one who specializes in residential real estate. If you’re planning new market projects, you’ll want to find a developer with this kind of expertise rather than one who focuses on historic development. Hiring a real estate developer with the expertise you need helps ensure your project’s success.

Check the Developer’s Financial Stability

The real estate developer you hire should have enough funding for your project, which helps reduce the risk of delays. Having plenty of funding also lowers the risk of having a developer substitute lower quality materials in order to save on costs. Checking business reports or finding out the developer’s success rate on projects can help you understand their financial situation better. You should look for a real estate developer with a solid history of completing projects successfully and selling them without any difficulties.

Get in Touch With Past Clients

When you meet with real estate developers, ask for a list of references that you can contact. These references should be clients that the developer has worked with, preferably in recent years rather than several years ago. Get in touch with these clients to find out how the real estate developer handled their project. You’ll want to know how satisfied the clients were with the project and whether the developer was able to complete it in the estimated timeframe. You should also find out about any issues that came up with the developer and how these were handled. You can ask about the actual cost of the project compared to the estimated cost as well. These conversations can help you determine which real estate developer offers the best customer service and workmanship.

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Understanding Land Art

Land art is a term originating in the art world of the 1960s. Also called earth art or earthworks, land art was born from a combination of reaction to the increasingly commercialized and commodified nature of art and environmental activism. Land art has remained popular throughout the decades and you can find many famous examples all over the world. To understand more about land art, here are the basic elements you need to know.

Temporary

While most forms of art are meant to last forever, land art is unique in its ephemeral nature. Land art installations only last a short amount of time because of natural processes. Some examples include intricate drawings in sand on a low-tide beach or sculptures built out of snow. When the tide comes in and the air warms up, these art pieces will fade away. However, there are some permanent examples of land art that have already lasted decades, such as Robert Smithson’s “Spiral Jetty” in the Utah salt flats. The key factor is that land art must exist outside of established art spaces like museums. If it’s inside a building, it’s no longer land art.

Natural Materials

Another key tenet of the land art movement is use of natural materials. Stone, water, fallen tree branches, leaves and ice are common examples. Land art might also include natural elements from the animal world like feathers, shells, animal bones or furs. Some artists and critics insist on this rule and claim that land art using other materials like textiles or metal means the art is no longer “land art.” However, there is overlap between land art and environmental art, which seeks to draw attention to or comment on natural phenomena. These pieces frequently include materials like concrete and metal and string or glue to hold components together.

Location-Specific

While there can be some debate over the actual materials used in land art, one aspect artists agree on is the importance of location. Land art is always created for and in a specific place in nature and must stay there throughout its “life.” Sometimes, specific characteristics of a site may play a huge role in the art itself. For example, land art may depend on rising or lowering water levels, the angle of the sun, direction of wind or even the local flora and fauna. This is the most dramatic contrast with traditional art displayed in galleries or museums and can make the art less accessible when set up in remote locations. However, the opposite is also true: many regard land art as a more accessible art form because it does not require visits (or payments) to museums or galleries.

Like any art movement, land art has many facets and interpretations. These key elements are the most important things to remember when seeking or creating land art of your own.

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How Can You Get the Best Price for Your Residence?

Selling a home can be challenging, even for an individual who is laser-focused on getting the best price for his or her house. Fortunately, we’re here to help you achieve the best-possible results during the home selling journey.

Now, let’s take a look at three tips to help you obtain the best price for your residence.

1. Study the Prices of Comparable Residences in Your Area

Your home may seem like it is one of a kind, but there likely are comparable houses in your city or town. If you take a look at the prices of comparable houses in your area, you may be better equipped than ever before to establish a competitive initial asking price for your residence.

Also, studying the prices of comparable residences in your area enables you to see how your house stacks up against the competition. And if you find your home pales in comparison to its rivals, you may want to dedicate time and resources to upgrade your house. That way, you can help your house stand out to potential buyers.

2. Conduct a Home Appraisal

A home appraisal commonly is requested by a buyer after a seller accepts his or her offer to purchase a residence and a property appraisal has been completed. However, it may be beneficial for a seller to conduct a home appraisal, especially if this individual wants to get the optimal price for his or her residence.

By conducting a home appraisal, you can receive expert insights into how much your house is currently worth. Then, you can use your home appraisal results to set an aggressive initial asking price for your residence.

3. Collaborate with a Real Estate Agent

If you are unsure about how to price your residence, you may want to hire a real estate agent. Because if you have a real estate agent at your side, you can quickly and effortlessly accomplish your property selling goals.

First, a real estate agent will meet with you and learn about your residence. This housing market professional next will help you establish a competitive initial asking price for your home that accounts for the current state of the real estate market. A real estate agent then will list your home, promote it to potential buyers and set up home showings and open house events. And if you receive an offer to purchase your residence, a real estate agent can help you review this proposal and decide how to proceed.

Of course, a real estate agent will do everything possible to help you maximize your house sale earnings too. He or she will negotiate with a buyer’s agent on your behalf and ensure you can get the best price for your residence – regardless of the current housing market’s conditions.

Don’t wait to list your home and maximize your home sale profits. Instead, take advantage of the aforementioned home selling tips, and you can boost the likelihood of a fast, profitable property selling experience.

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How to negotiate house price: A seller’s guide

two people with paperwork

The home selling process can involve varied house prices, which makes it crucial to learn how to negotiate those
prices. As a seller, you want to get the best deal possible, even if not in a seller’s market. If a buyer offers
less than the original asking price, it’s time for negotiation strategy.

Working with a real estate agent, here are some tips for negotiating a selling price:

Always use market value as your starting point

The market value of your home is the actual amount a buyer is willing to pay in context of the current market. In a
buyer’s market, a seller may need offers below the present cost of the property in order for a house to sell. If the
price is too much higher than market value, offers may be too low to be accepted.

Keep your list of upgrades handy

Buyers often raise concerns about features or details of a property in an attempt to negotiate lower prices.
Therefore, it’s important to counter with the positives to their negatives. One great idea is to emphasize any
upgrades or improvements to the home that might outweigh a buyer’s misgivings.

Know the housing market

Knowing the market value of your home is just one piece of the puzzle. Understanding the trends of the overall real
estate market in the area you’re trying to sell in is essential. 

Real estate agents can help you choose the best price with comparative marketing analysis, or CMA. This type of
report gathers data on market behavior regarding asking price, purchase price and the likelihood of multiple offers.

Negotiate from a win/win perspective

Negotiating isn’t necessarily win or lose. If you approach your price negotiation from the perspective that everyone
can win, you’re likely to be more successful. Addressing buyers’ concerns and interests with a collaborative,
positive outlook can win you a higher home price, even if the initial offer is lacking.

inforgaphic about negotiating home price

Negotiation can seem intimidating, but real estate professionals are there to help you. Using these guidelines, you
can ensure you get the highest possible amount for your home sale, no matter what offers you receive.

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What to do before refinancing your mortgage

What to consider before refinancing your mortgage featured image

Refinancing your home can have many benefits. You could pay off your mortgage earlier and potentially save thousands
of dollars in interest payments. However, before taking the leap, there are some important financial factors to
consider.

Know your finances

Just like when you initially purchase a home, refinancing your home requires you to have your finances in order.
Examine your budget closely before deciding whether you want to take on a higher monthly payment in favor of a
shorter mortgage term. 

Your credit score will also factor into your ability to refinance your home. Check your score and see if any red
flags pop up. The sooner you can identify possible problems and ways to improve, the better chance you have of
improving your credit before applying for new mortgage terms.

Know your home’s value

Refinancing options are also based on the value of your home. If you still owe more on your mortgage than your home
is worth, your options are more limited. Increasing your home value is a great way to expand your refinancing
possibilities, as you’ll be able to consider cash-out refinancing. 

Hire a home appraiser to help you determine the value of your home. If there are any repairs or upgrades you can make
to increase the value, consider budgeting for them before refinancing. 

Getting your finances in order and increasing your home value are both important steps to take before refinancing
your mortgage. If you’re unsure of your options, discuss the details with your lender.

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Functional decorating: Game room design tips

When homeowners get to decorating, game room design might not be the priority. Decorating a dedicated space for video games or board games might not top the list of interior design projects, but it can make a huge difference in your entertainment experience.

However, it’s important to keep your decorating ideas practical and focused on gaming.

Game room furniture basics

When it comes to furniture, there are plenty of video game room ideas you can use in your space. The key to perfect game room furniture setup is to plan for optimal comfort and performance in multiple scenarios.

After all, the perfect solo seating arrangement won’t do the job when it’s time for an eight-person tournament.

One of the simplest ways to go about setting up your furniture is to choose pieces that are easy to maneuver and reconfigure based on need. Sectional sofas, cushioned folding chairs and bean bags are all comfy options you can use in a variety of situations and design styles.

Decorating for your favorite games

If your game room focuses on billiards or other games involving large equipment, you’ll want to plan your decor around them. A ping pong table, foosball table or pool table will need ample space surrounding for players to maneuver.

Arrange seating far enough away to prevent accidental injury or game interruption. For a stylish yet practical approach, opt for bar-style seating on one or more edges of the room for spectators. Include plenty of surfaces for food, drink and game equipment to keep everybody comfortable and focused on fun.

Game room design is dependent on many factors, including the type of games you plan to play and how many players will be using the space. Using these tips and adding your own personal flair, you’ll be able to create the perfect atmosphere for the ultimate game experience.