RLROUSE Infoblog

One of the best investments a homeowner can make is to plant a tree. Not only will the tree provide shade that cools the house in the summer heat, but it will also add value to the property if planted in the right place.

Before choosing or planting any tree, consider the mature height of the tree or shrub in relation to the scale of your yard. Give them plenty of room to grow by spacing them a good distance from the house, sidewalks, or other trees. If they are large-growing trees, do not plant them under utility lines. Before digging, locate all underground utility lines.

Trees or shrubs ready for planting will be sold in one of three ways. Bare-root trees are more economical to buy but are more difficult to get started in your landscape and should only be planted in the spring. [Read more…]

Spring is one of the most exciting times in my backyard and in the birding world in general. Migration begins in March, when the birds who have wintered south of the border begin the trip back to their summer breeding and nesting grounds in North America.

It isn’t uncommon during the latter part of March and well into April for me to see many different species of warbler, vireo, and other birds either passing through or returning to my neighborhood to stake out their territory.

During spring migration, the birds take the shortest route in order to arrive on the breeding grounds in a timely fashion. Once they start across the Gulf of Mexico, other than offshore oil rigs, there aren’t many opportunities to stop and rest. In good weather, the trip is a major undertaking. If the birds encounter a strong north wind, it makes the journey much harder, resulting in exhaustion by the time they reach the Gulf coast states of the U.S. [Read more…]

Your home is your most important investment, but it’s also a source of pride. If you’re attempting to sell it, prospective buyers should feel that same pride when they imagine owning it.

While there are a lot of ways to determine how much return you can expect to see from different kinds of improvements inside your home, the curb appeal will get more buyers looking, and create emotional attachments that lead to more offers. The good news is, a few small changes can make significant improvements without breaking the bank. [Read more…]