Lush lawn = higher home value

Turn that lawn into a fine green carpet and your whole house becomes more valuable. Good landscaping can increase your home's value by 5% to 11%, according to a Michigan State University study. And by far the biggest component of your landscape is the grass.

Cut the lawn high
Cutting the lawn short makes it grow faster - and stresses the plant, ramps up its need for fertilizer and water, and weakens its roots. Most lawns should be cut between 2 1/2 and three inches high.

Don't bag the clippings
Some people bag their clippings to prevent thatch, which is a matted layer of undecomposed stems that can strangle the lawn. But clippings are not the culprits. Setting your mower to "mulch" grinds up the clippings so fine that they won't harm the lawn, and it recycles nutrients and moisture back into the turf.

Fertilize in the fall
Autumn is when grass plants focus on growing their roots, making it the best time to fertilize and water. Deeper roots can help the lawn withstand heat or a dry spell next year. You should also spread seed on the lawn in the fall because winter is easier on young grass than the summer heat that faces spring-planted grass.

Don't over water
Stick your finger about an inch into the dirt. If it feels damp, the lawn doesn't need water. If it feels dry, turn on a sprinkler for a good 20- to 40- minute soak, stopping if water puddles up on the lawn. Always water in the morning. There's less evaporation than at midday, and the grass has a chance to dry before nighttime, when dampness breeds diseases.

It may take two or three years of spraying, watering, fertilizing, seeding and mowing just right to make your lawn strong and vibrant - but once it is, you'll be able to reap a long-term boost in property value.

Safety Tips for Homeowners

Indoor Tips

• Inspect deadbolts and locks on your doors.
• Replace all locks and deadbolts for best security when first moving in.
• Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every floor outside sleeping areas and in every bedroom, are in good working order and have fresh batteries.
• Keep a multipurpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen, garage and near fireplaces.
• Replace rubber or plastic washing machine hoses with stainless steel ones.
• Look for telltale signs of electrical problems such as dimming of lights, frequent circuit breaker trips or blown fuses. Ask a qualified electrician if your home would benefit from AFCI protection, especially during inspections of older homes or upgrades to electrical systems.

Outdoor Tips

• Periodically clean your gutters and make sure the bottoms of downspouts are cleared of debris so that water does not pool near your house.
• Make sure the outside of your home is well lit. Burglars won't find your home and "easy mark" if they are forced to work in the light.
• If you have a pool, it should be completely fended in, at least 4 feet high and have self-latch gate.
• Before mowing, walk around the area in which you will be working to remove any objects like sticks, glass, metal, wire, stones and string that could cause injury or damage equipment.
• Have a tree removal professional remove any heavy limbs that hang over your roof.

"As-Is" Homes For Sale

A listing that is advertised as an "as is" sale can be a put-off to buyers. They might assume that something major is wrong and might be costly to repair. If they don't have much free time or extra money, they might decide not to even look at the property. Sometimes sellers list the property "as is" because they don't want to deal with paying for any repairs that might come up in the inspections. This might not be the best way to market your home since you may not get as many showings just by having it advertised that way. The repairs and costs are always negotiable into the final contract. Sellers will be in a better position to sell in today's market if they have the work done before they put their homes on the market.
An "as is" sale can also mean that the property is part of the estate of someone who died. Some properties are sold in their "as is" condition and without warranty in order to protect the heirs who might know nothing about the property. "As is" doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem.
When a bank forecloses on a property, the sale is usually an "as is" sale. As with an estate sale, the bank might know nothing about the condition of the property. It's up to the buyers to satisfy themselves before buying. Homeowners who let their homes go into foreclosure because they can't afford to make the mortgage payments also might not have enough money to keep the home well maintained.
If you are considering buying an "as is" property research the reason why it is being sold that way and don't skimp on inspections. The money will be well spent even if the deal doesn't go through if it keeps you from buying a property that needs more work than you can afford to pay for.

Disaster Preparation Safety Tips

Have everything you will need ready in case of an emergency or disaster.

• Plan to be without power. Have flashlights, batteries, candles and matches/lighter.


• Have extra water available for every person and pet. Don't depend on tap water after a disaster since it could be contaminated. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking so plan on 1 gallon per person per day.


• Foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Also have a non-electic can opener, eating utensils, plates, bowls & cups and soap.


• First aid supplies and medications.


• Clothing, bedding and personal supplies (toilet paper, contact lens supplies, eye glasses, etc.)


• Tools (pliers, hammer, tape, trash bags, utility knife, etc.)


• Radio and batteries.


• If you have a baby, make sure you have diapers, wipes, extra clothes and formula if needed.


• If you have older kids, have games and toys available.


• Important family and legal documents in a waterproof sealed container.


• Money.


• Cell phone.


• Full tank of gas in the car.

Planning for a Successful Move

If you're planning to use a moving company, call as soon as possible. They usually need plenty of notice -- often at least six weeks or much more if you're moving a long distance.

Be sure to build in some overlap between the closing/possession date of your new home and the last day of the lease on your rental (or closing date of your current home). Moving always takes much longer than you think. If you want to make any changes to your new home -- for instance, paint walls, put in new carpeting or refinish wood floors -- plan enough time to do it BEFORE you move in so your furniture and belongings are not in the way.

Pare down your belongings. There's no sense moving things you don't need or want. Look through your house for rarely used items. Discard anything that's beyond repair, have a yard sale to get rid of the rest, and plan to load unsold merchandise into your car right away so you can take it to the charity of your choice.

Make notes about your new house -- room measurements, door measurements, location of electric/cable/phone outlets -- so you can determine exactly where your belongings will go and if they will fit through the door. Measure appliances to make sure they fit the space available.

If the previous homeowners are taking their curtains and blinds, you'll want to measure windows in places you want privacy immediately (like bedrooms and bathrooms) and buy curtains or blinds before you arrive.

Start arranging now for phone and utility hookups. They may need a few days (or even a week or more in some cases) to get you connected. Arrange now for the type of internet connection you want (if it's DSL or broadband rather than dial-up), and order extra phone jacks or cable outlets if you need them. Fill out a change of address form with the Post Office. If you have automatic debits on your bank account, alert your creditors if you're changing banks.

Common Mistakes Sellers Make

Common Mistakes Sellers Make:

• Putting the home on the market before it's ready.


• Pricing the home based on how much the seller wants to net or pricing the home too high and not reducing the price with market conditions.


• Hiring a realtor based on friendship or a reduced commission agreement rather than experience and a proven track record.


• Not disclosing or trying to cover up known problems with the home.

Painting a room

Painting a room can dramatically change the mood and appearance of the entire space. If you need a change then paint is the easiest way to accomplish that.

If you think your room is boring, look at it in terms of the 60-30-10 rule that designers employ: Sixty percent of the color in a space generally comes from the walls; 30 percent from upholstery, floor covering, or window treatments; and 10 percent from accent pieces, accessories, and artwork. Translation: Liven up those white walls.

Don't be afraid of a little color. The best way to get over color fear is to start with a color you love -- a rug, painting, fabric. Then test it on the wall. If it's too strong lighten it or to tone it down by adding more gray.

There's no need to rush into choosing a new color. The best way to find a color you can live with is to paint a 4-by-4-foot swatch on the wall and live with it for at least a day or two so you can see it in natural and artificial light.

Also, don't forget the primer. When changing the color of a wall, primer (white or tinted) is vital to getting the actual color you picked out.

Just for fun...

What your favorite color might say about you:

• Orange: You probably get along well with others. You tend to be social and hate to be alone. If you're feeling down in the dumps, adding a tad of orange to your day can help.
• Yellow: You have a cheerful spirit and are inclined to be intellectual, idealistic and imaginative. The color yellow has been found to improve the thought process of young children.
• Green: You are an affectionate, loyal friend who is inclined to be frank and moral. "Green rooms" in theaters promote a clam, restful atmosphere.
• Red: You are impulsive, possibly athletic, sexy and given to mood swings. You are determined to experience life to its fullest. Red demands attention and helps create a cheerful atmosphere. Some studies have shown people become hungry around the color red.
• Blue: You crave harmony. You are capable, sensitive and make an outstanding friend. You are cautious in your manner of dress and conscientious at whatever you're working on. Its calming effects make it the color of choice for hospital nurseries.
• Violet: You may think your strong, sensitive, observant personality makes you quite unique. Chances are you are artistic and enjoy being creative and glamorous. Its lavish nature is seen on religious robes and smelled in expensive perfumes.