Mailbox Flowerbeds Spruce Up for Spring...Here's How

The time to plant is coming!! If you are looking for ways to spruce up your front yard you might want to think about doing a mailbox garden. Just think when you pull up to someone’s house what’s the first thing you see? Their mailboxes so why not make it as eye catching as possible. Prep the site: Do this by digging up the existing turf around the mailbox to the width you want your garden. You want to break up the existing soil to make it ready for your plants. You can till the turf you removed into the soil or place it grass side down for some natural compost. Plant the bed: You want to start by placing the tallest plants in the center right next to the mailbox. Then surround that with smaller plants that have different colors and textures. Make sure you leave enough space in between the plants to allow growth; you can find that information on the plant tags that come in your plants. Edge the bed: After you are finished planting you want to make sure to add a layer of garden soil to promote root growth. If you want to add protection to your garden bed from weeds then you can add an edger such as crushed stone or colored mulch. It will also add some contrast to your garden. Feed your bed: You want to make sure to use a fertilizer to feed your plants. Enjoy your finished product: Have a beautiful mailbox garden that everyone will love!!!

Cost Vs Value when updating home for sale!!

Optimizing the use of space in a home will not only attract buyers but also give sellers more bang for their buck, according to Remodeling’s “2011–12 Cost vs. Value Report,” conducted in cooperation with REALTOR® Magazine

Top 6 Returns

Siding Replacement (upscale) - fiber-cement Job Cost: $13,461 Resale Value: $10,493 Cost Recouped: 78%

Entry Door Replacement - steel Job Cost: $1,238 Resale Value: $903 Cost Recouped: 73%

Attic Bedroom Addition Job Cost: $50,148 Resale Value: $36,346 Cost Recouped: 72.5%

Kitchen: Minor Remodel Job Cost: $19,588 Resale Value: $14,120 Cost Recouped: 72.1%

Garage Door Replacement Job Cost: $1,512 Resale Value: $1,087 Cost Recouped: 71.9%

Garage Door Replacement (upscale) Job Cost: $2,994 Resale Value: $2,129 Cost Recouped: 71.1%

These are just a few of the best suggested investments when preparing to sell your home based on national averages. If you want more specifics based on the trends in your community for your homes resale value improvement feel free to give me a call for a free evaluation!