HOW TO HIRE A TREE REMOVAL SPECIALIST

Sometimes a tree needs to be removed, so how do you go about the task? In this article I discuss some tips on how to handle a troublesome tree.

If you have a troublesome tree on your property, dealing with it responsibly, economically, and safely is important. While you may own a chainsaw, tackling the project yourself can be extremely risky. Here are some questions to ask and tips for tree removal:

1. Make sure you need to remove it. Mature trees are good for property value. Before you go clear-cutting your property, be absolutely sure removing it is the right move. A certified arborist can help you make the decision between removal or sensible trimming.

2. Don’t do it yourself. What if the tree falls on your house? What if it lands on your neighbor’s car? What if you get crushed? Are you experienced enough with a chainsaw to handle it without injuring yourself? Hire a pro.

3. Hire a certified company. This means someone certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Tree Care Industry Association Accredited business. If the tree is near power lines, they’ll also need to be “Approved Line-Clearance” arborists.

4. Can you legally remove the tree? Be absolutely sure the tree is legally on your property before you take action. If you determine it is, find out if any permits are required to remove or trim the tree. Some communities have strict guidelines pertaining to tree removal.

5. Ask about trimming methodology. If the company handling your tree recommends “topping” the tree or uses spikes on their boots for routine tree trimming, find another company. Both can expose the tree to disease and result in serious wounds.

6. Get a detailed estimate from three companies. Nail down what they’ll do, how long it will take, and what equipment they plan to use. You need an apples-to-apples comparison to make your decision, and you might just find out one company takes greater precautions when it comes to safety.

7. Get references. Don’t rely on Yelp alone for a review of your arborist. Ask them for references you can speak to independently.

Trees are beautiful and essential to our ecosystem, but there are times when steps must be taken to deal with dead wood and other incursions. Do yourself a favor and treat your property with the respect it deserves.

Need a good referral for tree work? Get in touch: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

MUST - HAVE ITEMS FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS

Owning a few crucial items can make you happier, safer, and handier while living in your new home. Check out this list of must-have items for new homeowners.

While you may not be a big Do-It-Yourselfer when it comes to home repair and renovation, there are some must-have items for your home which can make you happier, safer, and a little bit handier. An informal survey of new homeowners I’ve worked with has revealed the following items to be among the most important when it comes to adding convenience and piece-of-mind to the home ownership experience.

You may already have some of these items, but when you move, the old versions may not quite meet the needs of your new space. Check out this list and see what you might need to add or update before you move:

1. Fire extinguisher. The kitchen sink spray hose or a bucket of water isn’t enough to put out a fire before it gets out of control. Do yourself a favor and refresh your fire extinguisher. Having multiple fire extinguishers is a good idea, as there are different types for different types of fires. Keep extinguishers designed to put out cooking oil fires in the kitchen and station a few more general-purpose extinguishers throughout your home.

2. Ladders. It’s a good idea to have a few ladders in your house. One for rooftop access, a sturdy step-ladder with four feet, and a smaller leaning ladder you can prop up against walls indoors. Be sure to check the weight ratings for the ladders to make sure you have one which will support your weight plus anything you may carry up with you.

3. Wet/Dry Shop Vac. It may sound like a luxury, but as many a homeowner will tell you the all-purpose shop vac van be a total lifesaver when it comes to cleaning up spills. Drop a bunch of small screws? No problem. Tip over a paint can? This can handle it. 

4. Extension Cords & Cord Organizer. Don’t be one of those people with a giant knot of cords tucked in a drawer. Instead, splurge on an extension cord organizer and make sure you have a range of lengths and uses available. Four or five should be enough, and make sure at least one of the cords is rated for heavy-duty usage in order to prevent accidental fires.

5. Bonus Tools. You probably have some of the basics such as a hammer, screwdriver, drill, etc., but there are a handful of helpers which can make all the difference in a minor project. For example: A headlamp can help you keep your hands-free while working in darkened areas such as under sinks and closets. A stud finder will allow you to hang shelves and art confidently. A crowbar with a curved end for nails and a flat end for removing trim and drywall will save you frustrating screwdriver work.

MEETING THE NEIGHBORS AFTER YOU MOVE

So you’ve just moved to a neighborhood you love, but you don’t know the neighbors. No problem! In this blog post I share some tried-and-true tips for connecting with the neighborhood.

If you’ve recently relocated to a new neighborhood, you may find yourself struggling to break the ice with your neighbors. It can be a little daunting to just knock on doors unannounced, and in today’s day of texting and “connections at a distance” could be considered outright rude.

Still, neighborhoods are only as good as their neighbors. In a world where so many people recognize neighborhood cars over the faces of people who live around us, there's a lot to be said for making an effort to connect with the people who live up and down the block. So how do you make those first few casual connections which lead to meaningful bonds?

Here are some tips for forming new connections with your neighbors:

1. Throw a "move in" garage sale. Yes, most people have garage sales before they move out of their old house in order to reduce the amount of clutter they have to pack, but garage sales draw lots of local foot traffic and present super opportunities to get to know who lives nearby. If you didn’t have a garage sale before you moved, or you think you might still have some stuff to unload, why not throw a garage sale in your new ‘hood? Bonus tip: Have some free refreshments on hand.

2. Stroll the streets. Want to get to know and be known? Get out there on foot. A routine morning or evening walk is a perfect way to say howdy and stop for a chat. Don't wear headphones. Be open to conversations. Observe who’s out and about and use compliments and open ended questions to spark a little small talk.

3. Be of service. If you have a skill you can share, offer it up to those nearby. This may be something small, like knife sharpening, or it may be a group project like power washing houses. Good deeds and shared labor build bonds. 

4. Start a group activity. Posting flyers for a book group, running club, or even routine cocktail hour or monthly potluck is a perfect opportunity to bring people together through a shared activity.

Step back from social media and make those neighborhood connections “IRL” (In Real Life). They can make all the difference when it comes to establishing yourself in the community.

Looking for a great new neighborhood? I’d be happy to help you sell your old home or find a new one: www.valeriemcconville.com Or, email me at valeriemcconville@gmail.com

SMART PARTNERSHIPS

A personal note from Valerie:

When you’re building a team, whether it’s in real estate, music, or sports, the players can’t be great at the same things. It seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many people are drawn to form partnerships with people who are good at the same things they’re good at.

There’s a natural tendency for people to place a higher value on people who have skills similar to their own. Salespeople respect good salespeople. Writers value talented writers. It’s a form of self-validation. You’re predisposed to like those who mirror your interests and talents.

In the long run, though, you can’t form valuable partnerships if the skill sets of the players are the same. Six great salespeople can be a disaster if there’s not a rock solid office manager behind the scenes, keeping the sales team coordinated. A field full of quarterbacks might score occasionally, but they’ll never win the Super Bowl.

The challenge, then, in team building, is to set aside your bias for those things you’re good at, and learn to place a premium on people who excel at your weaknesses. You have to learn to overcome your insecurity enough to place fair value on talents that you yourself may not hold in as high esteem.

The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “No member of a crew is praised for the rugged individuality of his rowing.” We all need to partner with people who can cover our weaknesses. Not only will this prevent you from the frustrating experience of moving from “poor” to “average” in a particular skill, but it will also free you up to go from “talented” to “super genius” in the areas where you excel. If you spend 80% of your time further improving your strengths and 20% of your time finding the people who can cover your gaps, you’ll be well on your way to building a powerhouse team.

It’s always been advice which has helped me, and perhaps it will help you, too. Where you lag behind, find a partner who excels.

All the best,

Valerie McConville, REALTOR®

One Percent Realty

BUY A HOME FOR 50% OFF?

Please note: the following article applies to the United States only. To the best of the my knowledge, no such program as indicated in this article is available in Canada.

Think you can’t afford a home on a teacher’s salary? Think again. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can help you get into a house for 50% off the listing price. Learn more here…

Believe it or not, you might be eligible to do just that. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a program called “Good Neighbor Next Door,” designed to help put hardworking people in homes for a significant discount. From the HUD website:

“Law enforcement officers, pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians can contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners through HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home. In return you must commit to live in the property for 36 months as your sole residence.”

(Source: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/reo/goodn/gnndabot

The program requires you to buy an eligible single family home in designated revitalization areas, and you may search for listings online using the HUD portal here:

http://www.hudhomestore.com/Home/Index.aspx

One of the real benefits to this program is the significant upside should you decide to sell the home after your three year occupancy. When you sell, you are entitled to keep the entire profit from the home, even though you purchase it for half of its listing price. You don’t even have to be a first-time buyer to participate in the program.

Details about financing, occupancy commitments, revitalization zones and more can be found on the FAQ page concerning the Good Neighbor Next Door program:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/reo/goodn/gnndfaq

Oh, and there’s also one more catch… you must work with a real estate agent or broker in order to buy the home. That’s where a good REALTOR® comes in! Your local REALTOR® would be happy to work with you in your search to buy a HUD home. Contact a REALTOR® today!

CARE FOR YOUR GARDEN TOOLS WITH THESE HELPFUL TIPS

A great gardener knows that well-maintained tools make working outdoors a joy rather than a chore. Here are some tips for making sure your tools are in tip-top shape this season.

Gardening season is here, and the experience can be a pleasure or a pain depending on the quality and care of your tools. While the last thing on your mind after a long day in the sun working on your garden is taking care of your tools, there are some simple routines you can use to make sure your equipment is good to go the next time you reach for them.

Gunk, moisture, and dullness are the biggest enemies to a healthy garden tool collection, so here’s how to address the biggest offenders:

1. Rinse, scrub, and dry. You need to knock the soil off the tools and work it out of the hinges. Tapping the tools to break the big clumps loose is a good idea, but you don’t want to chip the edges. Swing by the garden hose and rinse the tools. It might even be worth keeping a rigid-bristle brush on a hook near your hose to make the process easier. With the tools clean, dry them completely with a clean cloth or towel.

2. Keep oiled sand handy. Mix about 3/4 of a quart of linseed or other mineral oil with 5-gallon bucket of sand. Linseed oil is a good choice as it can be good for wood handles, too. Push the blades of the tools into the oiled sand. It’ll protect and condition the metal. While some people advise you use motor oil, consider than this will introduce some residual motor oil into your garden. Who wants that? Stick with a mineral oil. 

3. Sharpen regularly. A dull tool is a hazardous tool. Shovels, hoes, shears, pruners, and anything with a cutting edge should be periodically revived. Oil the blade and using a whetstone or carbide sharpener work the tool at a 20-degree angle until it is sharp again.

4. Store tools properly. Moisture is a killer, and tools left leaning on walls or concrete floors will be exposed to condensation and humidity. Ideally, hang your tools on pegs indoors to eliminate most of the harmful exposure.

5. Inspect springs and hinges. Tools will wear out over time, and you don’t want to be surprised by a snapped spring or loosening hinge. During your sharpening routine, take the time to check each tools’ most probable failure point. Tighten what needs tightening, replace broken parts, or replace the tool as needed.

Hopefully these tips will keep you gardening happily through the season. If you’re looking for a home with great property for starting a new garden, let’s talk! I am happy to help you find a home ready for your next agricultural masterpiece: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

CREATE A CALIFORNIA ROOM FOR SUMMER FUN

During the summer months, don’t you want to enjoy as much as you can of the great outdoors? One way to enhance your enjoyment is by creating a “California Room” for your home.

Some summer hours are too beautiful to be ignored. Whether those dewy dawns before the sun is at full strength, or the long evening hours when the heat bleeds off the day, there are times when being outdoors is a tremendous pleasure. 

But this doesn’t mean you always want to spread out a blanket or a lawn chair. In fact, creating a “transitional space” which blends outdoor living with indoor amenities is a great way to maximize the season. The California room is just one of those spaces.

California rooms are typically situated in the rear of a home, sometimes connected to the home by sliding glass doors. The California room is usually a covered space with flowing outdoor fabrics and durable, luxurious “indoor” style furniture such as chaise lounges, couches, ottomans, and even coffee and accent tables. Walls give way to curtains. It often includes a dining space or even a protected (or moveable) entertainment center. Bluetooth music systems with outdoor speakers are also a nice touch.

If you see yourself spending a lot of time outdoors, you might consider supplementing your California room with an outdoor kitchen. A good grill, an outdoor sink in a stone or other durable counter surface, and some built-in refrigeration for drinks is a great way to upgrade your California room.

The California room is one of the hottest trends in home design right now. If you search Google images for “California room,” you’ll find hundreds of design examples from down-home country living to lavish, Mediterranean-inspired decor. Pinterest and Houzz are also great places to research California room styles.

The beauty of the California room is that it can be scaled to meet your budget. Even a modest transitional space with some cover and cozy furniture can make a small home feel larger and improve your quality of life.   

What does your dream California room look like? What are your must-haves and your nice-to-haves? How would you like to use your California room?

If you’re looking for a new home with the ideal space for a California room, I’m happy to help you with your search. Let’s talk soon: valeriemcconville@gmail.com