Infotube.net: Homes for Sale - For Sale By Owner (FSBO) - Real Estate Listings

Another unforeseen problem buzzing around foreclosures and the bad economy is the dramatic increase in the mosquito and garden pest population. 

Many entire neighborhoods now feel the sting, as millions of vacant properties, along with those owned by cash strapped homeowners, have turned overgrown lawns, swimming pools, hot tubs, water gardens and koi ponds into insect breeding grounds.   

Before you light the citronella candles or coat yourself in insect repellent, consider heading to your local garden center for relief.   Some plants are natural insect repellents and keep summer bugs away, while improving the curb appeal of your home.

NATURAL “BUG OFF” PLANTS

Marigolds–Marigolds don’t have the greatest smell, but mosquito’s and other pests literally hate it.  The bright, inexpensive and easy to grow annual is a proven workhorse in deterring pests around patio’s porches and vegetable gardens.

Catnip– In addition to being a favorite of your beloved feline, catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET when it comes to repelling the universally hated and dangerous mosquito.   The annual plant grows easily in a sunny, dry location like the one found around most patio area’s.

Lemon Thyme–  Smells and Tastes Great to Humans.  Its lemon scent is a wonderful to smell as you walk or brush by and its lemon flavored leaves can be used in salads or recipes calling for lemon or lemon zest.  This perennial grows great in most climate zones, requires little to no watering and thrives with a little sunshine.

Lemon Basil–  Is another plant that smells great to people and is delicious to eat with summer tomato’s.  Lemon Basil is a tender annual that needs watering.  It is does self sow, but buy starter plants versus sowing seed packets for the best results with this yummy option to a pest problem.

To learn more about natural insect deterrents and repellents click here.

  I have recently addressed the benefits of landscaping and a fresh coat of mulch as it applies to curb appeal and home sales.   In doing my research for the blog, I received a warning about the potential danger of a mulch, made from shredded cocoa shells, that poses a lethal threat to our four-legged friends and I felt compeled to pass the info along to all well meaning homeowners.

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot and other garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called “Theobromine”.   Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate, especially dark or bakers chocolate, all of which are highly toxic to dogs.

Cocoa Mulch is known for its fine texture and sweet smell, which makes it an attractive choice for landscape.    Sadly, the ingredient that provides the nice chocolate smell also attracts pets.

Cocoa beans contain stimulants that may cause gastrointestinal upset, increased heart rate, restlessness, seizures and DEATH.   Puppies are curious by nature and are especially at risk.

Word of Caution:   Check what you are using in your gardens and be aware what your gardener is using around your pets.    If you smell Chocolate Pop Tarts, remove the mulch and reapply with a safe, bark or synthetic mulch.

Most home buyers believe they focus on the interior features of houses more than the landscape, but the truth is, that buyers will not get out of their car if the front landscape lacks interest and upkeep.  The landscape should arouse the buyer’s interest and lure them inside to view the interior.

To get the highest return on your landscape dollar, utilize the principles found in Landscape Design Psychology.  Landscape Psychology is based upon scientific research into the effects that the landscape has on home buyers.   These proven idea’s will help your home sell faster, and for more money, by working on buyer emotions and senses.

The Power of Color

Coordinate the colors of your flowering foliage.  Consider your selling season and plant flowers that perform well during that period.  Use plants that support your atmosphere and climate.   Also, use no more than 3 colors to give continuity and form to your landscape.

   Colors also have psychological power.  Green suggests freshness, coolness and vitality.   White shows up at night and conjures feelings of cleanliness.   Yellow is the first color our eye processes, so a spot of yellow by the front door will draw the eye to your entrance.   Red, yellow and Orange are all Hot colors, which excite and pick up the mood of any weary house hunter.

About.com: Landscape is a great website for the average homeowner.   The site provides idea’s and advice from professionals including a plant selector, great photographs, color scheme screener, DIY tutorials and helpful tips about hedges, fences, sidewalks, lawns and more.

Another great resource for help in creating an outdoor paradise can be found at HGTV.   

The Power of Smell

Realtors advise sellers to bake cookies or burn vanilla candles before showings or Open Houses because a comforting and pleasant aroma has the power to influence minds and moods.

In addition to color psychology, smart home owners give thought to the use of scents when planting a landscape.  They take advantage of the power of smell, especially near pathways and entry doors, that provoke a desired emotional response.  

     A few inexpensive and easy to grow suggestions that add a touch of scent to any landscape include lemon scented geraniums, jasmine, rosemary, lavender, basil, roses, hostas, honey suckle, gardenia or heliotrope.   In addition to providing months of enjoyment, many of these plants perform in a vareity of places such window boxes, planters, planting beds, hanging baskets or pathways.

When it comes to selling homes, a smart psychology landscape design can give you a huge advantage over your competition.   If buyers feel good while they look at your home, you will sell it quickly and for top dollar.

Home sellers or rehabbers who are considering a move   should focus their efforts on the home exterior for the highest pay back.

Remodeling Magazine, in cooperation with Realtors in 65 markets, issue their 20th Annual report of “Cost versus Value”.  The report named 6 home improvements that return greater than 80% of the cost, and of the 6, only one featured an interior upgrade.

The 6 improvements with the greatest returns are:

1. Siding Replacements using fiber cement materials returned 88.1% of the cost.
2. Wood Deck Addition returned 85.4% of the cost.
3. Midrange Vinyl Siding Replacement 83.2%.
4. Minor Kitchen Remodel return 83%.
5. Midrange Wood Window replacement 81.2%.
6. Upscale Vinyl Siding 81%.

Projects at the bottom of the cost recovery scale included home offices (57%), back up power generator (58%) and adding a mid-range sunroom (59.1%).

The remodeling report results verifies our belief that curb appeal is a crucial element for sales success in today’s real estate market.  

In a highly competitive environment, home sellers should take an objective look at their house from the street to determine if the look is one that welcomes or turns buyers off.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale blog.  Please let us know topics that interest you.