Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Identifying and Treating Lawn Diseases

At the height of summer, the last thing any of us want to see is a brown, dying lawn. Caused by fungus, lawn diseases are a reality that can wreak havoc with your landscaping. How can you tell if you have a problem, and what can you do to prevent or treat one? Let’s start with the possible problems.

The Diseases

Rust occurs in laws that with lots of shade, humidity and low nitrogen levels. It’s easy to identify from the orange color and the fact that a tissue run over the affected area will also turn orange.

Humid, wet weather and warm temperatures at night are the conditions that can lead to Brown Patch disease. You'll see circular, sunken patches of grass that turns purple-green then brown. The outer edges will appear dark green.

When temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees, lawns infected with Dollar Spot will begin to develop dead spots, up to six inches in diameter.

Dry weather followed by wet weather can help bring on Necrotic Ring Spot. Also known as Frogeye disease, it usually appears in fall and spring, but can affect lawns in summer as well. If it is affecting your lawn, you'll notice light yellow patches or rings which eventually turn brown or yellow.

Hot, dry and humid conditions are perfect for the fungus that causes Summer Patch. Crescent shaped patches result from rotting roots. Affected areas lose their color, turning reddish-brown and then tan.

Treating Lawn Disease

The bad news is that these diseases can cause permanent damage to your lawn if they aren’t dealt with promptly. The good news is that these diseases can be treated. Simply using a fungicide, and then following the guidance below will usually take care of the problem. The sooner you recognize the problem and start treating it the better. For more information, please see this article on WikiHow.

How to Avoid Lawn Diseases

There are a number of steps you can take to prevent lawn diseases. First and foremost, proper fertilization and watering are the foundations of a healthy lawn. Watering should be done in the morning so the lawn dries before evening. Mowing should be done at a high height and with a sharp blade.

Conclusions

A lawn represents a large part of any home’s curb appeal. Damage from disease can hurt the first impression potential buyers have of your home, and so preventing and treating lawn diseases are a priority if your house is on the market. So, don’t wait to take care of problems. And if you need help getting your house sold, please contact me and I’ll help you get the best deal possible.

Gabby Tyer
- CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions

www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Washington County Fair Weekend


The Washington County Fair is underway, and its great fun for the entire family. From the best carnival rides around, to the farm animals, amazing food booths, the roar of the
motorsports, and great stage entertainment, they have something for everybody. The fair takes place at the Fair Complex in Hillsboro.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 11pm. Admission is free, parking is $5.


Gabby Tyer
      - CRS, GRIReal Estate Sales and Property ManagementManaging Principal Broker/OwnerRealty Solutions

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
 
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.
 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Give Your Kitchen a Lift

​For many families, the kitchen is the center of the house. And an attractive, well-kept kitchen is an enormous asset to a home’s value. If you’re planning to sell, take a hard look at your kitchen. Is there anything that needs to be improved?

Painting or refinishing cabinets can be a great idea, especially if they’re older, worn or have an outdated design. A bright new look can really spruce up the appearance of your kitchen. You’ll also want to repair small problems like misaligned doors or drawers. For more on those repairs, see this article on TheFamilyHandyman.com.

If you've got problems with your countertops, you've got two options. You can replace them, or restore them. Replacing countertops is going to be more expensive, but can be an excellent long-term investment. Replacing countertops is often done as part of an all-over kitchen makeover that includes new cabinets, flooring and paint. But just replacing older countertops can give a kitchen a big boost. It needs to be done in the overall context of your kitchen, fitting in with the existing design.

Another option is to restore the existing countertops. Wear from years of use and even damage can be repaired. Repair kits for granite, solid-surface, marble, wood and laminate countertops are available. Laminate counters can be patched, repainted, polished and re-laminated.  For more on repairing or replacing countertops, Thisoldhouse.com has a fantastic section devoted to countertops.

Flooring in the kitchen is another area that suffers a lot of wear over time. This is another area where replacement or repair is both good options. Your options depend on the type of surface. Wooden floors can be restored beautifully by sanding and refinishing. For help with vinyl floors, eHow offers these instructions. When it comes to new flooring, you have a fantastic variety of options including stone, tile and concrete.

Other important items to check include the plumbing and lighting, and the conditions of appliances, which you may or may not want to replace before putting your house on the market. Anything you can do to improve the look of your kitchen will improve offers you’ll get from potential buyers. And when it comes to that factor, please call me and let me help you get a quick sale at the best possible price.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions

www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Friday, July 19, 2013

44th Annual Shakespeare-in-the-Parks: The Tale Of Cymbeline

The Portland Actors Ensemble presents The Tale of Cymbeline Saturday at 3pm at the Maryhill Museum of Art [map]. The show runs through September 2nd. Cymbeline was first performed more than four hundred years ago, and is based on legends concerning the Celtic British King Cunobelinus. 

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions

www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Three Keys to an Easier Home Buying Experience

For many Americans, buying a home is the most significant purchase they’ll make in their lifetimes. The entire housing crisis has created a lot of turmoil and confusion, adding on to what was already a daunting task. But, take a deep breath. Things are much better than they were a couple of years ago, and as before, there are some basic things you can do to make the process of buying a home less stressful. Here are three key things to do:

Choosing Your Agent – Unless you've done this a lot, you’ll want to have an experienced agent on your side. This means using a buyer’s agent, who you pay, instead of a sub-agent who is paid by the seller and represents their interests, not yours. Because the subagent is ethically required to report what you say to them to their clients, you may regret things you do say to them. An agent representing you will be in a better position to make sure you get the best possible deal. Your actual cost for using a buyer’s agent can be offset by putting in your offer that the seller pays the agent’s commission. And by the fact that the agent is working to get you a better deal.

Choose a Good Investment – No matter how long you live in it, your new home is an investment. And you need to treat it just like you would any other financial investment. That means buying a home that is going to appreciate in value over time.  A beautiful home can be a terrible investment if you wind up paying more than the structure is worth. Don’t let your heart overrule sound financial decisions. Make sure you use a professional home inspector for a written report that includes general estimates of repair costs.

Plan Ahead – Don’t wait to learn about your mortgage options. Before you make an offer, research and understand the types of mortgages available and which lender offers the best rates. Work with your agent to determine what paperwork you’re going to need when you make an offer, and get as much of it ready ahead of time as possible.  Making an offer and buying a home is stressful, but you can make the process a lot easier if you've already handled these details. If this will be your first home purchase, make sure you take advantage of first-time home buyer programs.

For more guidance, check out the American Homeowners Foundation Top 10 Home Buyers Tips and CNNMoney’s Tips for Buying a House.  And remember that my job is to make the process of finding and buying your new home as easy as possible, so let me know how I can help you.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRIReal Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions


www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com


Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Friday, July 12, 2013

A Classic Romance on Stage

The Artists Repertory Theatre is staging a Shakespearean classic, The Taming of the Shrew. Running this weekend through August 4th on the Alder Stage [map], tickets for the show are $30, $20 for students.  Artists Rep is Portland's longest running professional theatre company, dedicated to world-class theatrical productions.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions

www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

OPEN HOUSE: 7/13/2013 - 1230 SE Barnes Rd

Join me for an open house this Saturday, July 13th from 1-4:00 p.m.



Gorgeous 1930 Tudor on 1.76 Acres - Price Reduced!

Welcome to 1230 SE Barnes Rd. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3,377 square feet with original charm and
character. The stunning architecture of this home with clinker brink from a local quarry, is showcased by beautiful landscaping with mature trees, flowering shrubs, a well manicured lawn. Enjoy concord grapevines and dogwoods on property, and a view of Mt Hood from upstairs! Hardwood floors, original light fixtures and curtain rods, newer furnace, laundry chute, gas fireplace with Italian tile, Phillipine mahogany trim. The living room is large with French doors, bay windows, charming alcoves, hardwood floors, Phillipine mahogany trim, original light fixtures and curtain rods. Dining area is spacious and open with stunning original light fixture and curtain rods. Dining has hardwood floor under carpet and beautiful wood trim. Kitchen is large and open, has dual sink, pantry and utility closet, plenty of cabinet and counter space, room for easy remodel with todays conveniences. The charming and cozy breakfast nook has bay windows, and built-in cabinet with leaded glass. A light filled sunroom with French doors has original wallpaper in excellent condition. Four large bedrooms with stunning architecture and natural light – three with hardwood floors and one with built-ins. Home has an 1100 square foot unfinished basement, huge shop, and attached one car garage. The covered porch is the perfect place to spend a relaxing evening.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions

www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com


Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.

Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

What Hurts a Home’s Market Value

Evaluating a home’s market value isn't easy for a homeowner. Sometimes an objective opinion is required, even if it is hard to accept. Overpricing a home is a sure way of prolonging the process. An experienced realestate professional, someone who knows the market and the neighborhood, is the best way to make sure a house is properly valued.  Some of the factors that can negatively affect a home’s value are obvious.  Some are not. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Curb Appeal
First impressions really are important, and a house without curb appeal is going to turn off some buyers before they even get out of their cars. Fortunately, curb appeal is a lot easier to rectify than other problems. A fresh coat of paint, clean front porch and neatly maintained yard are essential.

Pets
There’s no question that odors and damage caused by pets need to be addressed before a house goes on the market.  The scent of cat urine or sight of wood floors badly scratched by big dogs is going to turn away buyers as well as drive offer amounts down. Again, these are problems that can be addressed ahead of time.

Renovations
The problem with many design and customization decisions is that they may work for the current owner, but prospective buyers may simply see garish choices they’ll have to pay to undo. Buyers need to imagine themselves living in a home of their own, not someone else’s home.  That’s why sellers are almost always advised to repaint with mild colors and replace unique features like lighting fixtures that may have buyers scratching their heads.

Physical Problems
This should be obvious, but anything that will be a problem for the next owner of a home is going to cost a seller. Whether it’s obvious, or only discovered during a home inspection, problems with roofing, structure, HVAC equipment, etc., either need to be addressed by the seller before the house goes on the market, or will be factored into a prospective buyer’s offer.

Location
The location of a home can be the biggest problem facing a homeowner wanting to sell. A home in a neighborhood with a questionable reputation, high crime rates, filled with unkempt homes and/or an unappealing skyline is going to be difficult to sell, even if the home itself is in pristine conditions.

Conclusion

There isn't a house that can't be sold, but if you want to sell and get the best price for your home, you’re going to have address issues like the above. Working together, I can help you sort through what can and can't be done to improve your position and help you set an asking price that will bring results.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions

www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Friday, July 5, 2013

The Waterfront Blues Festival

The fireworks may be over, but the musical festivities are just getting warmed up at the Portland 2013 Waterfront Blues Festival. The weekend features appearances by Robert Plant, Mavis Staples, Eric Burdon and many more. On top of that, there are cruises, workshops and after-hours events. Get the complete schedule hereOn July 4, 5 and 6, festival entry is a donation of $10 and two cans of food per person, per day, or your festival pass. On Sensational Sunday, 7/7, you'll need a pass to get in to see Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal Trio, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Robert Plant presents the Sensational Space Shifters and more. Gates open to the public at 11am and music begins at noon.  On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, music ends at 10pm Sunday, music ends at 9pm.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions


www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com


Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets. Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

What Buyers Want

You might suspect that upscale home buyers have different requirements than their more modest peers, and if so, you'd be right. A new report from the National Association of Home Builder’s HousingEconomics.com shows some stark contrasts. The report is the result of a study that asked potential buyers to rate 120 different home features, and then divided the results into two groups. The first group was buyers willing to spend $500,000 or more, the second $150,000 or less.

At the top of the list, nearly half of the upscale buyers thought an outdoor kitchen (49%), and exercise room (48%) and a kitchen with a wine cooler (46%) were either desirable or essential.    28% of the more modest buyers want an exercise room, 27% want outdoor kitchens, but only 15% were interested in kitchen with a wine cooler. You can get the entire article as a PDF download here.

Other aspects of the study revealed that 53% of all buyers wanted to buy a brand new home. Buyers on average expected to pay $203,000 for their next home, and wanted a home with an average of 2,226 square feet. 70% would prefer the utility room for washers and dryers are on the first floor. 57% want a single story house, while 31% preferred two story homes.

The most desired feature overall were Energy-Star appliances, windows and other features.  A laundry room, exhaust fans in bathrooms, exterior lighting, a bathroom linen closet, ceiling fans, garage storage, room enough for a table to eat in the kitchen and a walk-in kitchen pantry rounded out the most popular features.

What features do you think are the most important in your home, or in the next home you buy? What features can you live without? These are key questions to ask yourself when you decide it’s time to find a new home. A list of wants/don’t wants makes it easier to screen out homes that won't fit your lifestyle. Of course, there’s much more to the equation, and I can help you put all the pieces together.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions


www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com


Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.