Dealing with the Stress of Summertime on Your Sod

Watch on your mobile device >>

This year was one of the hottest and driest years on record in the summer and our area was no exception. The hot and dry conditions wreaked havoc on many of our lawns. One of the most consistent worries of homeowners, particularly those without sprinklers, is that their grass will die.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

It turns out that grass that looks like it is dead is most of the time only just dormant. When grass becomes dormant, it has suffered a great deal of stress but can survive and even be revived. Here are a few tips on how to accomplish taking care to prevent or at least help prevent the damage and stress on your sod from the elements of nature during a hot summer.

Feed Your Lawn Regardless of Weather Patterns

Many people fail to realize that with fertilization, lawns have the added nutrients and food needed to stay strong during the challenging weather conditions. You can either regularly fertilize your lawn through a company that specifically does that or you can buy it at a home improvement store and do it yourself. All you need is a spreader and a bag of appropriate fertilizer. Most manufacturers have a recommended schedule that is either monthly or quarterly.

Maintain At Least a Minimal Watering Schedule

Though the cost of watering your lawn can get way up there, especially during hot and dry times of year, it is essential to keep at least a minimum amount of watering going. At least once a day or ideally twice a day will be all you need to keep your lawn moist in order to survive the heat.

Patch Up Areas Needing Some Extra Help

Come fall season, one of the best things you can do to areas that have suffered extra damage due to the elements is to sprinkle some grass seed and maintain watering as mentioned above. It is important to buy grass seed of the appropriate type. Depending on whether your lawn is primarily in a shaded area or in direct sun, there are different types of seed available. For smaller patches you can buy it in bulk in most stores.
~
No matter how bad your sod looks, keep in mind that grass is very resilient and with just a little bit of care plus some time and attention – you can have that perfect green lawn again!

How to Properly Clean Your Air Conditioner’s Outside Unit Yourself

Watch on your mobile device >>

Most homeowners this summer have been using their air conditioning units fairly often with the record setting temperatures and extreme bouts of dryness we have been experiencing. And in doing so, they are naturally concerned about making sure their cooling systems continue to work as efficiently as possible. One of the ways to ensure a smooth running heating and cooling system is to keep it clean.

Debris, Dust and Grime Clogs Up An AC Unit

Though the build-up can accumulate over time, cleaning your unit literally only takes minutes. Over time, the grill in a typical outside AC system collects dried leaves, dirt, dust, grime, cotton and flying weeds plus cobwebs and other natural debris. Too much debris can clog your system and ultimately impact your air conditioner’s working efficiency.

Usually There is No Need for Service Calls

Contrary to what come companies may advertise, the truth is that most air conditioning systems do not require any services for at least three to four years from when they were first installed (new). There may be an occasional need but for the most part the only thing needed is a quick cleaning. While a service company may charge anywhere from $90 on up to do the same thing, you can easily take care of this small task yourself.

Cleaning the Coils of An Outside AC Unit is Simple

All you need is a regular garden hose. A sprayer attachment works well too but is not necessary. The most important thing to remember when cleaning your unit is to be gentle. The internal and outside components can easily be damaged if cleaned using a power washer of any sort. That’s why we recommend using a simple garden hose with or without a standard sprayer.

Step 1: Turn up the temperature on your thermostat so that while you are cleaning the unit does not kick on.

Step 2: Turn the water on and holding the garden hose about six inches away from the grill, start at the top of your AC unit.

Step 3: In a sweeping motion going across and then moving downward, row-by-row, systematically clean off each section of your unit, breaking up any dust, dirt, grime or other debris.

Step 4: Reset your thermostat to your desired temperature.
~
That’s it! In just a few minutes, you have cleaned your air conditioner unit, unclogging the areas where air flows and made your unit operate much more efficiently!

Real Estate Market Update Summer 2012

Watch on your mobile device >>

Anyone buying a home, selling, considering investing or building a home should be aware that this summer has been a very successful one for the real estate market. In fact, with some unprecedented trends going on in our marketplace, we have been very fortunate to be able to break out of the rut after the housing crisis of 2007.

Today, it is a phenomenal time to be involved in real estate. Whether buying or selling, people are out there and there is plenty of activity. Here is a quick look at how our market in Omaha is faring in three key areas.

Interest Rates Continue to Be at All-Time Lows

We have gotten used to these incredible rates but everyone knows that they will not last long. In fact, no one really knows how long we will have the benefit of such a low cost of borrowing money. But before it does change, we urge you to consider how much money overall can be saved by locking in these phenomenal rates – as low as 4% for a conventional 30-year fixed rate loan and in some cases 3% or lower for 15-year mortgages.

Sellers Enjoying Success With Increased Home Sales

The home inventory in Omaha continues to go down, a sign that the market is shifting toward a sellers’ marketplace. What this means for buyers is that you will face increased competition out there but as a seller it translates to a far better experience than you could have expected just a couple years ago. With about 4,500 homes currently active on our MLS right now, many of our customers are concerned about selling their home going into their new home contract. However for the ones that have a proper strategy in place, are backed by a strong real estate agent and have done all the work to prepare their home for sale – homes are selling in a matter of days.

Land Lots Going Fast

The number of available land lots on hand is coming down too. As a builder in over 55 neighborhoods, we at Charleston Homes have strong relationships with the community of developers. The big news in this area is that prices seem to have stabilized a bit and in some cases we are even seeing them come up somewhat. For people considering the purchase of a new home, this means that now is the best time to purchase.

~

The one crystal clear message that comes out of the current state of our market is that now is the best time to buy. Before you regret not locking in amazing interest rates or not having first pick of some of the best homes on the market, we suggest you consider pursuing your real estate dreams today.

If you would like a customized consultation to discuss your specific new home needs, we invite you to contact us at one of our model locations – Saddlebrook at 402-934-2212 or Portal Ridge at 402-502-5600.