Taking the Guess Work Out of Bath Remodeling

We love this shopping article from Houzz.  It shows you all the matching pieces necessary to pull together this beautiful bathroom.

Shop Houzz: Create a Timeless Master Bath

Looking for a beautiful kitchen that's bright and nature inspired.  This one is functional and modern with plenty of storage and utility.

Kitchen of the Week: Earthy Textures and Ocean Hues

Five Great Posts for Buyers and Sellers

• 

  How Long is That Remodel Going to Take?

  Some remodeling projects go on for weeks and make a mess of your home life. Here’s what you need to know to survive. Read
• 

  7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a Home

  By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home. Read
• 

  What You Need to Know About Buying Energy-Efficient Windows

  Installing energy-efficient windows is an expensive project that can pay off but may not be necessary. Here’s what you need to know. Read
• 

  Understand Disaster Insurance Claims

  The secret to filing a successful disaster insurance claim is getting prepared long before catastrophe actually strikes your home. Read
• 

  Insuring Against Natural Disasters

  Your homeowners insurance covers many of life’s disasters, just not some natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, so consider supplemental policies. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2015 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Hosting an Open House from 2-4 today!  Perfect starter home for first time buyers.  Great floor plan for family with loft game room and big open living room below.  $159,000
Click for a tour!

Statement by CFPB Director Richard Cordray on Know Before You Owe Mortgage Disclosure Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray issued the following statement on the Know Before You Owe mortgage disclosure rule:

“The CFPB will be issuing a proposed amendment to delay the effective date of the Know Before You Owe rule until October 1, 2015. We made this decision to correct an administrative error that we just discovered in meeting the requirements under federal law, which would have delayed the effective date of the rule by two weeks. We further believe that the additional time included in the proposed effective date would better accommodate the interests of the many consumers and providers whose families will be busy with the transition to the new school year at that time.”

The public will have an opportunity to comment on this proposal and a final decision is expected shortly thereafter.

Natural Swimming Pools: 9 Myths Busted

This caught my eye today and it was great reading.  Makes me want to fill in my cement pond and go natural!





Natural Swimming Pools: 9 Myths Busted

When the Bough Breaks

We have a variety of oak trees here on the Gulf Coast and with the beauty, the natural bird habitats, and the shade, come a few hazards, especially after a series of rain and wind storms like we've recently experienced this month.  Several of our own oak trees, a pin oak in particular, have dropped broken branches of varying sizes in the past two weeks.

Althought oaks have some ability to heal themsleves without intervention, older, sometimes more brittle trees may not be able to overcome more than a small crack.  If you do see a small crack, try trimming away some bark to help it heal.  Of course, if the structural integrity of the limb is compromised, it is time to grab your saw.  But, if you are confident that the limb is not a safety hazard should it fall, you can try cutting away about an inch of bark on all sides of the crack with a sharp knife, and peeling the bark off.  If you are uncertain as to the extent of the damage, press down gently on the limb from above to determine whether or not the limb can/should be saved.

With large cracks that cause branches to dip lower than normal or splits that go all the way through the limb, the safest thing to do is to remove the limb. The tree is unlikely to heal large cracks or splits before the weight of the limb causes it to fall, which can damage the tree as well as objects below, such as your house.  If you are comfortable with the DIY approach, use a handsaw or chainsaw, depending on the size of the limb, first cutting off the limb just outside the crack or split. This removes the heaviest weight of the limb, which helps you saw through the limb safely. Pin oak limbs typically have a high number of smaller limbs jutting out from all angles, so you might need to cut off some of the side branches to get a clean cut on the damaged one. Cut the damaged limb again just inside the crack, removing the cracked section. Finally, cut the limb just above the joint with the trunk or another limb to completely remove it.  Need a less hands-on solution?  Call in a tree expert.  Tree surgeons are less expensive than trip to the emergency room!

Finding small branches and larger limbs after rains can indicate a tree in distress.  It's definitely time to call in an expert in this case, to access the overall health of the tree.  Many experts advise skipping the wound repair tars and salves which can further damage the tree systemically or in some cases attract insects.

Your healthy oak trees are a green asset to the value of your home.  With minimal care and occasional professional pruning, they will provide many years of natural beauty for your real property.