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Click Here For This Month's Featured 5 Bedroom Home Value
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| Is Lack of Space Cramping Your Green Thumb? |
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If your green thumb is out of joint thanks to limited (or nonexistent) outdoor space, try some out-of-the-yard thinking, and you'll soon be digging in the dirt. You can garden anywhere if you're resourceful.
Go vertical: If you're in an urban setting, take inspiration from the high-rises that surround you. When there's no room to spread out, go up. Use tiered planters and a trellis to create a living wall or a "room" divider on your balcony. Add wall pockets to grow small plants such as herbs. When you think of your outside walls as garden space, you suddenly have lots of room!
Think outside the window box: Who says plants only grow on prairies and in pots? Create a unique arrangement of washbasins, bowls, cookware, repurposed rain boots, previously loved furniture - nothing's off limits for the innovative container gardener.
Automate it:
If you have neither the space nor the green thumb, this solution may be for you. The recently invented Modgarden is a small indoor farm in a cabinet, and it's fully automated. You simply fill the water reservoir, add seeds, and wait for your veggies and herbs to grow. Some restaurants in colder climes are trying it to grow off-season produce.
Redefine the fruit basket: Fit a large wicker basket with a plant-friendly container filled with potting soil, and add your favorite herb and edible flower seeds. Soon you'll have a microgarden that's useful, decorative, and different all in one.
Bring the outdoors in: If you love greenery but lack green space, why not bring the garden inside? Add small potted trees to sitting areas. Integrate potted plants into your décor. Fill your foyer with foliage. You may not have much square footage, but you can transform the space you do have into a garden that flows from room to room. Just remember to
provide your plants with the right soil and lighting conditions, water regularly ... and enjoy! |
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| Is Your Pet Trying to Tell You Something? |
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Pets can be loyal companions, but sometimes humans aren't. You're not mean; you just don't always get it. So Reader's Digest has compiled a list of things we furry family members would like you to understand, such as:
Teach us good behavior early, and be consistent.
We dogs wag our tails to show approval, but also when we're afraid. Tail-wagging doesn't always mean we want to be petted.
Cats are hunters - we want toys we can grab, not laser lights.
Soft Frisbees don't hurt doggy gums so are better for playing fetch.
Don't waste money on gluten-free pet food.
Treat us as you'd like to be treated if you were lucky enough to be a dog or a cat! |
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| What Is the Best Exercise on the Planet? You Decide |
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It's generally agreed that cycling is the best exercise on the planet - unless you ask walkers, who say nothing beats walking for a whole-body workout. And the debate goes on.
As it turns out, the workout you get depends on the modality you choose, and both activities are good forms of exercise - for different reasons.
Do you want to bulk up or slim down? Are you looking to increase endurance? Is your concern long-term cardiac fitness or short-term shaping?
Both biking and walking provide aerobic exercise, so they increase heart rate and are likely to improve cardiac function. They also exercise muscle and burn calories, which can be important if weight loss is your ultimate goal (although there's debate on that, as well).
According to Jessica Martinez with Livestrong.com, "A 130-pound person, walking at a moderate pace...burns 60 to 70 calories per half-hour." Martinez adds, "Walking can reduce belly fat, lower blood pressure, and raise your production of HDL, or 'good' cholesterol."
But, in another Livestrong article, Deborah Green writes, "A person who weighs 160 pounds will burn about 288 calories in one hour of cycling at a leisurely pace." And strenuous biking can make muscles work harder, so if you're going for that "ripped" look, biking may beat walking.
John Metcalfe (sort
of) sums it up in CityLab. "As efficient as walking is, biking is more efficient, having the lowest energy cost of all transportation options, including walking, swimming, driving, ride-sharing, taking the train, and trotting through a sun-dappled meadow on a horse." Biking? Walking? The debate continues. Swimming, anyone? |
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| Wondering How Much Your Home Is Worth? |
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How has the price of your home or rental changed in today's market? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for?
If you're wondering what's happening to prices in your area, or you're thinking about selling your house or investment property, I'll be able to help.
Just give my office a call for a no-fuss, professional evaluation.
I won't try to push you into listing with me or waste your time.
I'll just give you the honest facts about your home and its value.
And maybe I'll also give you the "inside scoop" on what's happening in the housing market near where you live!
Just give my office a call or reply to this email to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, stop by at the office. |
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| Second Mortgages: Make Your Dreams Happen - Carefully |
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RateHub defines a second mortgage as "an additional loan taken out on a property that is already mortgaged." Sounds risky - and indeed it comes with plenty of risks. But it also comes with rewards.
There are two major kinds of second mortgages: The home equity line of credit (HELOC) has a variable interest rate and acts much like a credit card, allowing you to withdraw the cash you need, when you need it. And the fixed-rate home equity loan allows you to borrow a lump sum and make set monthly payments.
Second mortgages provide speedy access to money at a generally favorable interest rate - and the interest you pay on mortgages may also be tax deductible. Compared with money borrowed on a credit card or a standard consumer loan, a second mortgage may be easier to obtain, and you can use the money for whatever you want: home remodels, tuition - even a
dream trip.
The most important disadvantage: because your home secures the loan, the second mortgage lender takes on less risk than with a personal loan, and may offer you more money than you need. Many borrowers are happy to comply, only to find themselves in trouble.
Ensure you can make your monthly mortgage payments easily, even when interest rates go up or personal circumstances change. And note that if interest rates increase, so will your monthly HELOC payments. Home equity loan payments aren't affected by rate increases during the term of the loan.
So go ahead and make that bucket-list trip a reality - but plan carefully. |
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Judy Stringari
REALTY WORLD Golden Hills
2680 South White Road
Suite 265
San Jose CA 95148
1-408-313-9067 Cell
1-408-223-3647 Office
1-408-238-6896 Fax |
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| www.JudyStringariRealEstate.com |
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| Judy@RWnetwork.comm |
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| Thinking of Buying a Home? Get My Free Guide |
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Buying a home is a complex process with many factors to consider.
Prepare for the decisions you'll need to make along the way by requesting my free report, "10 Easy Steps to Buying a Home." |
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| Just reply to this email and I'll send it right out to you. |
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| Click here to see a web copy of this newsletter |
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| Quick Quiz |
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Each month I'll give you a new question.
Just reply to this email for the answer.
What is the main reason indoor plants die? |
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| Sweet and Spicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin |
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| It's grilling season. Enjoy! |
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| Serves 4 |
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1 whole pork tenderloin trimmed of fat (about 1 pound) |
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3 garlic cloves, crushed |
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1 tablespoon chili powder, or to taste |
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| Directions |
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Combine lemon zest and juice, honey, salt, garlic, and chili powder in a resealable plastic bag. Add pork tenderloin, remove as much air as possible, and seal. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours (up to 24 hours). Rotate occasionally.
Remove tenderloin, preheat grill to medium, and discard bag with remaining marinade. Brush grates with vegetable oil, and place tenderloin in center of barbecue. Cover grill. Turn pork every 2 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 120 degrees (10-12 minutes). Place on a cutting board. Cover the tenderloin with foil for 8-10 minutes. Slice and serve with lemon wedges and sides of your choice. |
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| Ask the Agent: This Month's Question |
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How Important Is Staging to Sell?
Whether or not to stage is top of mind for sellers these days. There really isn't a consensus on whether staging your home for sale will increase the amount people will pay for it, but anecdotally it does appear to be the case. Today's buyers have higher expectations, and staging definitely helps.
For example, assume a potential buyer will view your home online; staging your home for photos may make the difference between whether he or she will decide to tour your home - or not. In addition, a well-staged home can impact buyers during that "aha" moment when they decide your home "feels right" - or not.
Professional staging, however, can cost big money. You can declutter and clean your home yourself, but if you think it needs more, ask your real estate agent. He or she has experienced firsthand
the impact of staging on selling prices. |
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