The Hogue Group

Spring and summer are when yards and gardens retake their rightful places at the center of attention. This month, Pillar To Post takes a look at several steps that homeowners can take to make their outdoor spaces and their home live compatibly.

Keep water away from the house

Be sure that the ground slopes away from the house all the way around the perimeter. This ensures that any moisture from rain and sprinkler systems will be directed away from the foundation.

The base of shrubs and other plantings should be kept at least 2′ away from the foundation to avoid potential problems with roots and drainage. In addition, window wells should be kept free of debris and lined with gravel to help water drain out of the well and into the ground.

Do not leave sprinklers on for too long. Excessive water will not do plants and lawns any good, and may cause problems if there are drainage issues in certain areas.

The right plant in the right place

When a tree is growing very close to a structure, there can be potentially serious problems if the tree grows too tall or too wide for the space. Damage to eaves and roofs can be caused by overgrowth, and there is even a danger of branches or an entire tree falling onto the home. Existing trees should be professionally pruned to lessen the potential for hazard. When planting new trees, homeowners should research potential “candidates” to find how large the tree will eventually grow and make decisions accordingly.

Homeowners should also consider grouping plants that have similar water requirements to avoid overwatering plants that don’t need as much. Not only will plants do better, but water bills will be lower over time as well.

Choose plants with maintenance in mind

Some plants end up requiring more maintenance than a homeowner expects. When selecting new planting material, homeowners should seek advice from qualified personnel at a local nursery who will know what plants will do well in their area, their growth habits and maintenance requirements.

Lawns should not be mowed too short or too frequently. Allowing the blades of grass to shade one another helps with water retention and allows grass to grow in more fully. Many newer turf grasses require less mowing than older varieties, and should be considered for new lawn installations. Homeowners can find out more at their local agricultural or extension office.

These are just some of the ways homeowners can increase the enjoyment of their outdoor spaces while ensuring that home and yard are in good shape.

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, EcoBroker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com

The following is only my opinion and may not have any validity in other areas. These are simply some of my observations.

In many instances HUD homes are now being priced well below the market. Some people are getting the misconception that they can by them for pennies on the dollar which may have been the case as late as last spring but now we are seeing them pricing way below the market and getting multiple bidders on the properties and at times getting more than what the listed price is. This is a tactic that I have seen used before to force multiple bids and if the owner occupants do not get them, which they are guaranteed to get a loan on for HUD homes, then the investors come in and it is a bidding war as well.

Foreclosures are another story. The bank has an agent to perform a BPO on the area to see what the home would be worth if in great shape. Then the bank looks at what they are owed and prices the property at a somewhat good bargain but normally higher than what a HUD property might go for if they were in the same neighborhood.  Banks will dicker over 100 dollars if you try to go in too low and sometimes here lately they will come in at some strange number like 34327.00 when the property was listed at 35000 as the counter offer.

Foreclosures all go back to how much the investors (in the bank) want to loose on a property.

With that said every property is different. I have seen a bank owned (foreclosed) property worth 1.4 mil go for 374k. I have also seen a property priced at 89k go for 105k. We just have to look at each one on an individual basis.

But it appears now that sellers in our area are not in as bad of shape as they were in late 2008 and all of 2009 and 10.

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, EcoBroker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com

One of the best art festivals in the Louisville area will be happening on the 12th and 13th of May just off Brownsboro Road in the parking lot of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church.

This event happens rain or shine every year. It is a tradition for local and international arts to come to this festival and it is always a big program.

Did I mention There is a FREE shuttle to all of the activities at the festival and the admission to the festival is also FREE? Well I meant to.

Come out and support your local artisans, be part of the mini Health Fair have your blood pressure checked, buy some art, listen to some music, eat some of the many delights that will be served, and enjoy a fun packed day with your family. You wil not be disappointed. Or you could go to the Wine Garden at the festival and sit back and just relax.

This area of town has some of the best homes for sale of anywhere in the city. Just a few short steps from the festival. Contact Rick Hogue, EcoBroker for more information on homes in the area. He is happy to help get you where you want to be.

Look for this and other festival reviews in the weeks and months to come.

If you are looking to make your home more Green friendly, email Rick Hogue or visit his website at http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com for more information about how you can get started saving energy for you and the planet. Sorry no Real Estate agents.

For more information contact your Eco-Broker below.

Rick Hogue REALTOR, CDPE, EcoBroker
The Hogue Group
A Place to Hang Your Hat and Call Home
502-554-9428

http://www.louisvillekyhomefinder.com