Your Outdoor Space

School is out, sun is out – it is summer time and the cooler is stocked and the grill is always hot. Is your outdoor living space ready to entertain?

Photo Credit: HGTV

 

Whether you have a deck or a patio, or just a fabulous green backyard space, there are a ton of ways to decorate and accessorize. Here are a couple ideas to get you started:

Grab an outdoor rug and think outside of big-box retailers. Outdoor rugs add color and can completely define or refine the space. While big shops like Target and Lowes are convenient and their inside displays are stunning – check out Overstock.com or Wayfair.com for deals. These online retailers have much larger, one-of-a-kind inventories and often offer free shipping.

Patio sets with enormous umbrellas are always popular, but if you’ll use your outdoor space more for conversation, you may consider furniture that will make the space more like a living room. Check garage sales and consignment shops for comfortable chairs and large tables that sit low to the ground.

A common problem with outdoor spaces is lighting. You’d like to be able to enjoy your space once the sun goes down, but not at the expense of being able to see your guests. Instead of floodlights, which are effective but not decorative, try up-lighting trees and shrubs. As another more romantic option, use outdoor lights to light up a pergola.

Need more inspiration? Check out our Pinterest board dedicated to outdoor spaces.

Quick Mortgage Tips

Getting a mortgage used to be a much simpler task, but now the lender must do more due diligence before approving a borrower than in the past. It’s not impossible to be approved, but there are certain things mortgage shoppers can do to expedite the process.

First and foremost, it’s important to get a copy of your credit report. Fully digest its contents and flag any discrepancies. If you’re positive you paid off that debt or late charge, dispute negative marks as soon as possible. Generally speaking, it is always a good idea to pay off debts and loans prior to applying for a mortgage, but if you just can’t swing it, keeping your debt to credit ratio under 20% will go a long way.

When filling out your mortgage application, it’s important to be as transparent as possible about all assets, debts, and incomes. Chances are, the truth will be revealed in some fashion, so it is better to be upfront from the get-go and reduce delays in the process.

Once you’ve figured out your debt-to-income ratio and are comfortable with a monthly commitment, do your best to come up with the largest down payment possible. Not only will lenders look favorably on this, but you’ll be doing yourself a favor in the long run by lowering your monthly financial commitment.

Still have questions about applying for a mortgage for your Faber Home? Our sales associates will help you get on the right track and connect you with lenders and credit counselors. Give us a call today!

Wasting Water

We use water to brush our teeth, wash our dishes, clean clothes, and so much more. Especially during warmer months when we run sprinklers and bring our muddy dogs inside for a bath, keeping water consumption under control can be a challenge. Did you know the average family member uses 100 gallons of water daily? Ouch. Try some of these tips to limit unnecessary water waste.

Watering your lawn. Probably one of the largest water waste perpetrators, watering your lawn can account for hundreds of gallons of water each hour the sprinklers are running. Try watering your lawn before the sun rises and after the sun sets. This way, you’ll saturate your lawn quicker and reduce evaporation.

Hand washing dishes. This one is simple – don’t let the water run. Filling your sink once, scrub all your dishes, then rinse everything together. If you have a dishwasher, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re saving water. Be sure to only run the wash when you have a full load.

Showering. Who doesn’t love a long, hot shower after a tough work week? Keep in mind, you’ll use up about 3-4 gallons of water per minute you spend in the shower. If you average a 15-minute shower, it’s possible you’ve consumed about 45 gallons of water. Cut your shower in half to reduce waste.

Brushing your teeth. Like hand-washing dishes, you’d be surprised how much water gets wasted when you leave the faucet running while brushing your teeth. One tooth washing session with constant water consumption can run upwards of 5 gallons. Think about how much water you’ll save if you use the faucet to dampen your brush once and rinse at the end.

Washing your car(s). Using a hose to wash your car, the average person uses around 100 gallons of water. Instead of tackling this task in your driveway, head to a car wash which uses half the amount of water.

Keeping Deer Away

If you live anywhere near wooded areas, chances are you’ve seen deer out and about – no matter the season. They’re an annoyance in the winter when they run across the road in front of your car, and they’re a menace in the spring and summer when you’re trying to landscape your property. Before you invest hours of effort into your outdoor abode, there are a few precautions you can take to keep Bambi and his friends away.

Did you know deer can’t stand the smell of humans? We’re not sure why, but we do know that if you sprinkle bits of your hair around your favorite plants, it will help to deter the deer. So the next time you get a trim, bring a bag with you. Deer are also not fans of the taste (or smell) of soap, so take a grater out to your plants and bring a couple bars of Dove out with you.

Deer love hosta, rhododendron, tulips, and roses. They’re beautiful and among the top plants for many homeowners, but unfortunately, deer will be drawn to them like flies to a bright light. Stick to plants with a fuzzy or coarse texture like Butterfly Weed, Bee Balm, or Salvia.

If you must have some of those plants that deer love, you can also try spraying them with hot pepper spray and installing motion sensor lights near where they grow. Both of these remedies are useful in deterring nuisance deer. Sparky can help, too. Allowing your dog to mark his territory (preferably around the perimeter of your property) every few days will help keep the deer away.

If you’ve tried all of these tactics, it might be time for a fence. Deer can clear a 6-foot fence and then feel trapped in your yard (likely causing even more damage). If you can, select an 8-foot fence just to be safe. Be sure to stake the fence into the ground every couple feet, as deer are able to dig if they really want what you have on the other side.

Do you have any other deer-deterring tips to share? We’d love to hear them!