Landscaping with Mulch

MULCH IS BENEFICIAL

Mulch is beneficial - who knew? There are many reasons to use mulch, including: moisture, health, weed reduction, temperature, and plant protection.

Moisture is conserved when using mulch.
Health by adding nutrients from bio-friendly mulch.
Weeds are reduced.
Temperature is lowered, providing plant root growth and strength.
Plant protection from lawn mowers and other hazards is the last but not least benefit of mulch!

Is My Home Inspector Qualified?

A good way to determine if your home inspector is qualified is to check if they are a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. You can check the home inspector's membership by visiting the websites at http://www.ashi.org/ and http://www.nahi.org/. To ensure a home inspector is experienced, ask how many inspections they perform a year. A minimum of 200 inspections each year is a good number. A good resource to refer a qualified home inspector is an experienced Realtor.

7 STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE HOUSE HUNTING

1. Be familiar with the market. Take note of recent home sales and listing prices.
2. Have the money for a down payment, closing costs, and earnest money. Tax returns and holiday gift money are great sources for a down payment, closing costs, and earnest money.
3. Know how much you can manage to pay for. A good measure is your monthly house payment should be no more than 25% of your gross monthly income.
4. Maintain good credit and make sure your credit report is accurate. A mortgage counselor can help review your credit report with you.
5. DON'T make any major purchases near the time of the home purchase, above all a vehicle.
6. Hire a trusted Realtor and ask for past client testimonials.
7. Get preapproved for a mortgage loan. (And I strongly recommend getting at least two opinions to ensure you're getting the lowest monthly payment and out of pocket expenses).

Help the California Wildfire Victims

The National Association of Realtors donated $500,000 to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation for the victims of the California Wildfires, and they are urging you to do the same.
REALTORS® have a reputation for assisting to rebuild homes and communities when disaster strikes. The REALTORS® Relief Foundation was created to supply to victims of disasters and their families with housing support. The REALTORS® Relief Foundation provided provisions, volunteers, and millions of dollars for victims of several recent emergencies, including the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001, hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the South Asia Tsunami in 2004.

Please donate to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation today by visiting the website at https://www.realtor.org/RelFundTrack.nsf/Contribution?OpenForm

Buy or Rent?

There are several benefits to purchasing a home, including:

• Purchaser's are often surprised that a monthly mortgage payment is actually LESS than the monthly rent payment. You may find a loan that is the same, or slightly more than, your monthly rent.
• Owning a home can save you hundreds (even thousands) of dollars in taxes each year.
• Unlike renting, buying your own home means steady monthly living expenses. To lock in your mortgage payment, secure a fixed-rate loan.
• The last, but not least, benefit is having the freedom to make decisions about how you live. As a homeowner, YOU decide whether or not to have a pet; YOU decide whether the walls are red or yellow; and YOU decide whether or not to remodel.
  

To find a trusted, experienced mortgage professional to determine if you are ready for home ownership - ask a Realtor.