You Can’t Kill It: Perennials

We left off last week with a list of our favorite shrubs that even if you tried very hard, you’d have a difficult time killing. To compliment your favorite shrub choice, we’ve compiled a list of some beautiful perennials that you will have a hard time destroying.

Ostrich Fern

Named after its appearance, which highly resembles the feathery tail of an ostrich, the Ostrich Fern spreads aggressively, making it perfect for spaces in need of ground cover.

Hosta

Perfect in dry soil, the hosta is a classic perennial that will turn any garden from drab into fab. Every year you’ll be rewarded with a fuller, more lush plant that yields white flowers in the peak of summer. For a little dimension, we recommend selecting the “Gold Standard” Hosta variety, as it boasts light green leaves with darker green edges.

Perry’s Blue Siberian Iris

A stunning purple flower that lasts as long as four weeks is what you can expect from this perennial. Perfect in full sun or part shade, the Perry’s Blue Siberian Iris will grow and bloom in just about any soil type. Dry soil? You’ll just have a shorter stem. Often paired with the Shasta Daisy, this flower is very hard to kill.

Shasta Daisy

She’s a classic, this beauty. The Shasta Daisy lives well in nearly any condition in any garden or yard. They require minimal water and only need your attention when blooms die off. Clipping spent blooms will extend the life of the daisy for months.

Photo Cred: ufseeds.com

Lily of the Valley

It’s true. This beautiful perennial can live a long, prosperous life in your garden. Ideal in mostly-shaded areas, Lily of the Valley perennials will bloom and make for lovely flowers in a vase.

If you’re in need of some shade for Lily of the Valley, stay tuned for next week’s blog on trees that you cannot kill.  

The time to buy is now

It’s been a buyers market for the last several years, with interest rates at all-time lows, but all of that is about to change, according to many recent reports, including this one from Reuters.

In the article, Atlanta Federal Reserve President Dennis Lockhart states that the U.S. central bank intends to raise interest rates as early as June, barring a significant downturn in the U.S. economy.

Last Wednesday, the Fed moved a step closer to raising rates for the first time since 2006, but downgraded economic growth and inflation projections. The Fed is in no rush to push borrowing costs, however firmer timelines are now being put into place that set increases in motion in our very near future.

So what does this mean for potential buyers? Time is running out. There is much to speculate on when, following the month of June, interest rates will rise, and by how much, but now we know it is coming this summer.

That said, interest rates are currently hovering around 3.93% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, and 3.06% for 15-year fixed. Now is the time to buy, and if you’ve ever considered building a home, the market is in your favor for another two to three months!

Faber Homes maintains several neighborhoods on the West side of Rochester, so if you’re a current resident looking to move, or if you’re moving here from outside the area, contact one of our sales representatives today. We have model homes for every family, including cozy two bedroom ranch floor plans, and four bedroom spacious colonials perfect for growing families. We’ll work with you to ensure your home is built to the highest standards making no compromises to quality, and becomes the home you’ve always dreamed of.

Not sure which type of mortgage is best for you? Our skilled representatives can help set you up with a mortgage consultant from the beginning and walk you through the entire process. Buying a new home can be scary, but with Faber Homes behind you, the process will be seamless and we promise you’ll feel supported through every step of the process.

Feng Shui Tips

You’ve heard about Feng Shui, but is it legitimate? We think so – and in honor of Valentine’s Day (which is today, guys) we’ve assembled this list of our favorite Feng Shui tips to attract love and money (we can all use a little more of both, right?).

To ensure supportive communication, it’s best to put at least the front legs of all furniture on a rug as opposed to around the rug. Also – try to keep some furniture away from the walls.

According to many Feng Shui consultants, your kitchen is directly tied to your ability to attract (and maintain) money, so tidy up and remove clutter. Keep your refrigerator and storage spaces full, organized, and full of fresh items. Even more specific, to attract more money, keep that oven clean. Most importantly—make sure every burner is working and is used equally.

When picking theme colors for your interior designs, keep moods in mind. Red is considered a very powerful color, purple and green a key colors for attracting prosperity. If you love a color, paint a wall in that shade or add some toss pillows, but if you don’t, the color will work against you.

Dining room tables are traditionally square or rectangular in shape, but if you want to attract love (or create more of it), it’s best to pick a round shape. Arrange the table so everyone can see each other without stretching their neck. It’s also a good idea to set out chairs for every member of the family, even if not all members are present for each meal, because it’s a reminder of the completeness of your family.

Having a lot of space in your master bedroom is often a desire, however, as the most important room in your home for attracting love, it’s best to keep things cozy. Opt for a queen over a king, and close off adjoining rooms (offices, bathrooms, patios, gyms, etc.). When spaces get larger, people tend to gravitate away from each other, which can impact partners emotionally.

If you’re single and you tend to create your bedroom space just with yourself in mind (one accent chair, one nightstand, etc.), think about creating space for a partner. Leave one dresser drawer empty, or some space in your closet free from your items. Leave room for chance, love and opportunity.

Do you have some Feng Shui tips that you live by? Share them in the comments below. Keep Feng Shui in mind when designing your new Faber Home – and work with our consultants to design the perfect space in your home.

Henrietta Highlights

Considering moving to Henrietta? Home to every major retail store and restaurant you could possibly need, Henrietta is also home to fabulous schools, churches, community centers and more. If you build with Faber in our growing Berkshire Park development, here’s a quick list of some nearby amenities.

 

Shopping & Dining

Applebee’s

Ashley Furniture

Babies R Us

Bed Bath & Beyond

Best Buy

Buy Buy Baby

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Chipotle

Christmas Tree Shops
Dairy Queen

DiBella’s

Dicks Sporting Goods

Famous Footwear

Golf Galaxy

Home Depot

Kohls

Lowes

MacGreggor’s

McDonalds

Mighty Taco

Olive Garden

Palmer’s Food Market

Peppermints

Petsmart

Red Lobster

Red Robin

Taco Bell

Target

Texas Roadhouse

Tops

Ulta Beauty

Wegmans

Wendy’s

Worship

Henrietta United Church of Christ

Good Sheperd Church

Calvary Community Church

Guardian Angels Church

Pinnacle Road Baptist Church

Ridgeland Community Church

Parks & Activities

Bally Total Fitness

Bounce Aerobics

Breese Park (in Berkshire Park!)

Curves

LA Fitness

Lookup Dog Park

King’s Bend Park

Planet Fitness

Tinker Nature Park

Veteran’s Memorial Park

Media Room Must Haves

It’s the room in your house for relaxing, dishing up some popcorn and watching movies. Some may call it a man cave, others: a family room. No matter what you call it, every home needs a comfy media room. So get ready to design… here are some tips to make your perfect media room.

 Photo Cred: homeit.com

For basement entertaining, consider light-colored flooring like laminate wood or vinyl. This will help brighten up the space void of natural light, and make the room look larger. For a more masculine look, paint the walls a dark blue, grey, green or even red.

A variety of seating options will allow you to move things around and constantly update your space. Couches for lounging, bean bag chairs for tossing around, and even high-top tables for cocktail parties or watching the football game.

Lighting is another important feature to consider. If you have low-hanging ceilings, consider building fluorescent lights into the paneling, or even track lighting for a more modern look. For taller ceilings, tray lighting can add a special ambiance.

If you’re going for a movie theatre-inspired room, opt for dark furniture, blackout lights, and red window treatments. While a 60-inch television is everyone’s wish, high definition projectors (onto a white wall) can be a better alternative. Toss a starry-night sky mural on the ceiling, a popcorn machine in the corner, and movie posters on the walls and you’re in business.

Don’t forget the kids. Without a designated play area in your home, toys and games tend to pile up everywhere, so square off a section for the kids and keep everything away and tidy so you can enjoy your media room space.