Before looking any further into this information package, I ask that we all take a moment in thought for the horrible tidal wave that recently devastated 11 nations and affected so many human lives in our world we all share together. Please be a part in helping and give thanks that we are here and able to offer for those in need.

For the mean time, we can also tend to our homeland. Taking good care of our selves, our finances, and our property is what allows us to be in a position for helping others.

On the property side of things, this is one of the best times of year to address vegetation management whether it concerns maintaining the health of mature plants and trees or the invasion of unwanted growth taking over the back forty so to speak. Did you know that well managed landscapes have as much as 25% impact on a property value? In some cases it’s greater.

I love buying houses and fixing them up and one of the first things I look for is a property that is all over grown. It usually has brush and trees growing in the yard, on the sides, and across the back making the yard look small. The shrubs are over grown and have trees, weeds and vines growing threw them, up on the gutters, all over the sidewalks and into the drive. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about because there’s usually one in every neighborhood. There’s always the goof balls down the street who won’t clean up their yard, hopefully they aren’t next door, for heavens sake. Usually these houses can be bought for a song, well maybe a little dance, too. What I’m saying is, for sure, all buyers know that this property will sell for a discount just because it looks so lifeless and blah!

We have several realtors that use our services to come in and give the property a face-lift prior to putting them on the market. It helps if you can see the place, you know? This, alone, really pays off for the seller. Winter is the best time to get rid of over-growth and dress up the landscape beds. There’s no leaves falling to mess the beds back up, the plants aren’t growing on the top side so the trimming last several months, and it shows that someone is actu-ally home. There is no wrong time to cleanup and dress out a property although January, February and March are the best.

Have a great winter and we’ll be here for you or “that neighbor”!