Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day! 

Some folks look at Memorial Day and the long weekend it provides associating it with the last days of school, graduation time and the unofficial beginning of summer.  But we shouldn't forget Memorial Day is much more:

It's the time to thank our soldiers and honor those whom we've lost.

So this year, in addition to firing up the grill and relaxing with family, consider volunteering or donating as part of your Memorial Day tradition to causes that support and honor your local veterans.  You can do this on Memorial Day and throughout the year too. 

Check out the Department of Veterans Affairs, and find a VA medical center, cemetery or community center near you.   Or perhaps register to run in a charity run for Memorial Day. Run in honor of a fallen loved one, or find a run with a cause close to your heart.  Thanking service men and women on Memorial Day is one thing -- but honoring those who returned to civilian life with added hardships is another. Homes for Our Troops builds homes for seriously wounded veterans -- at no cost to the veteran.  Whatever....find a cause and support it, not just on Memorial Day but all year around too.

Memorial Day is also synonymous with the American Flag and our National Anthem.

At this time of year, more American flags are flying  -- and that's great!  With the exception of inclement weather, I keep my flag waving almost all year.  Sometimes I have the impression that people forget the relationship between our flag our veterans and those whom we've lost as they have sacrificed for our country.  As a closing gift, I often present a beautifully packaged American Flag to my home-buyer clients.  This flag is pre-packed in a gift box.  The flag is beautiful and the flag I present to my clients has each star actually sewed on -- not glued on!  It's truly a great gift!  I believe my clients appreciate this gesture.  I'm proud to say I had the opportunity to present another flag to a client just this past week!

With the possible exception of beautiful landscaping and seasonal flowers nothing makes a house look more beautiful, more proud, stately and splendid than when the American Flag is waving from the front porch!  Home buyers never think about purchasing a flag -- until the first holiday rolls around.  By then there is a limited selection and sometimes they never get around to purchasing a nice flag.  This is why I believe the flag makes a great house warming gift.  It warms my heart when weeks, months or years later, I stop by unexpectedly for a visit and see the home-owner actively using the gift as it was meant to be!    

It has often occurred to me that we sometimes take our national anthem and our flag for granted.  WHY?  Who is to blame for this?  Is it the fault of coaches?  The fault of schools?  Teachers?  Parents?  All of the above?  Us?  Yes, us!  We all stand to hear a bit of  blame. 

We tend to take the national anthem and the flag for granted.  It is the last thing that takes place prior to the beginning of a sporting event, and many fans are more interested in getting the game started than in showing respect for the country and it's flag.

"The Star Spangled Banner" has been used as a showcase for entertainers, many of whom make a mockery of the anthem with their renditions that sometimes include botched lyrics.  It's puzzling why major sporting events insist on having big-name artists perform this most important of songs.  The most memorable singing of the national anthem is often performed by children -- and their sweet innocense.  Last year at an Atlanta Braves game, a 10-year old girl from Atlanta sang with the clearest of voices, didn't bungle the words and hit every note with perfect pitch.  She sang with pride in the song, the flag and her country as well as those who have served to protect us all.   What was unfortunate is that somehow in recent years, fans start their hoop-la before the song is even finished!  Why do we hear the cheering crowd erupt before the singer has finished the last sentence, "Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave....."?  It kind of makes you wonder whether the fans are actually cheering for the flag, the country it represents OR are they cheering for the start of the game event as the final lyrics are drowned out, "o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Honoring and respecting the flag goes beyond athletic events.  Many businesses and individuals fly the flag proudly for all to see.  Too often however, the flags are left to fly after they have become faded from the sun and tattered by the weather.  The flag is flown with the best of intentions, but after a while it becomes just one more decoration that is forgotten over time.  According to the Code of Etiquette for the American Flag, our national flag should be displayed on all days that there is no danger the weather will damage it. It not only shows respect for our national symbol, but prolongs the life of the American flag. It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or on a stationary flag pole in the open. However, it may also be flown at night if it is properly illuminated.  The flag should be "retired" from duty when it becomes faded or becomes tattered and torn.  It can then be sent to the local National Guard, Police Department or Boy Scott Troop for a proper and respectful retirement. 

The national anthem and the American flag are symbols of who we are as a country.  They represent those who have given their lives to make America a great place to live.  Our freedoms, our quality of life, our hopes for the future and respect for the past are truly wrapped up in the 13 stripes and 50 stars of the flag and the 80 words in the first verse of the national anthem.  

When you go to the ball park this summer, REMEMBER, the games we play and watch should be the afterthought, not the national anthem and the flag which make possible all of our freedoms -- including the freedom to watch a baseball game.

The next time you attend an event and hear "The Star Spangled Banner", take your hat off, stand proud, place your right hand over your heart and sing out in true pride and conviction.  This is your country, our country.  Be proud of it!  Don't forget to remember and thank every veteran and service member you come in contact with on Memorial Day and every other day.  And, remember too to honor those who have compromised their own lives so you and I could live in the USA! 

Happy Memorial Day!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia.  Sara looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / relocation / selling / short sale / foreclosure process.  Sara is easily reached at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.   Visit Sara's websites at www.SaraHibbard.com,
www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com.   Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind!  
     

  

Garden Plants Can Also Repel Bugs That Bite

Another Post By:  www.SaraHibbard.com.

Since I work for Better Homes and Gardens, I often receive great articles from them that I enjoy passing on to my clients in hopes that you will share with others and find it informative.

Chemical insect repellents are so 2009. They can be smelly, harmful and ineffective. You can do less harm to yourself, the environment and your garden by repelling biting, stinging insects the old-fashioned way – with plants.

Cats are the only ones who like catnip – this tried-and-true plant is also great for repelling mosquitoes. Scientists from Iowa State University discovered catnip’s repellent properties don’t know why catnip affects mosquitoes the way that it does, but they say that the plant “is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes as DEET, which is used in most commercial insect repellents,” according to sciencedaily.com.

But before you plant catnip, here’s a caveat - catnip can self-seed, meaning it can take over an area if not maintained. It can also grow to about 4 feet tall and drives neighborhood cats crazy, so plant it where you can control it.

Gomestic.com recommends adding a splash of warm tones of yellow and orange to your garden by planting marigold. Not only are marigolds delightful to the eye, the scent is known to repel mosquitoes. The marigold is also useful when planted as a companion to crops like tomatoes, cucumbers and squash, says ehow.com, because they also repel parasitic aphids and nematodes.
Another favorite of gardeners is lavender, which is among the most versatile and useful of all garden plants. Not only does it discourage fleas and mosquitoes, it protects your clothing from moths. Lavender flowers beautifully and smells divine, but it takes a little bit more dedication to get it established, says gardenguides.com. A good lavender plant takes about three years to root, but once it does, it’s virtually drought resistant.

There are many more plants that help deter stinging, biting bugs. Basil is a good companion to plant with tomatoes. It improves the flavor of the tomatoes with the added benefit of repelling both flies and mosquitoes, according to www.homeandgardensite.com.

From the mint family is lemon balm. Sprinkle lemon balm around squash plants to deter squash bugs, and you can also rub the leaves on your skin for a natural mosquito repellant.
By planting any of these you will be taking huge steps to make your time spent outdoors this year much more enjoyable. And before you know it your home will become the cool place where friends and family will want to come hang out and smell the…lavender.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the north Atlanta metro area.  Sara looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or the specifics regarding the buying / selling / relocation / short sale process.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind! 

Tips for a Healthy Georgia Lawn

Another post by: www.SaraHibbard.com

Want some tips for a healthy lawn?

* Water in the early morning hours (4am - 8am).  Early morning watering prevents water loss from evaporation.

*  Water slowly and deeply so the soil absorbs water 6" to 8" deep.

*  Generally, an established turf area needs only 1" of water every 7 to 10 days.  Over-watering encourages shallow root growth, which causes the grass to lose its ability to survive drought.

*  When possible, use more efficient irrigation systems, such as a soaker hose, or drip irrigation.

*  Use an automatic time controller and attach a rainfall sensor to turn off the irrigation system if significant rainfall has occurred.

*  Only irrigate turf in high-impact, visible areas of the landscape.

*  Design turf areas in practical shapes that can be mowed and irrigated easily -- avoid sharp angles and long, narrow strips.

* Fertilize less and use slow-release fertilizers.

* Reduce fertilizer application rate after establishment.  This is particularly important prior to or during dry periods.

* Leave grass clippings on the turf to help supply recycled nutrients and reduce the need for additional fertilizer.

* Raise the mower blade during dry weather.  Cutting the grass higher encourages deeper rooting, increases turf survival during drought and reduces water demand.

* Always keep the mower blade sharp -- dull blades shred leaf tips, causing the turf to use more water.

* Aerate when required to relieve soil compaction and increase air and water movement into the soil -- especially on slopes.

These watering tips were developed by the Cobb County - Marietta Water Authority in conjunction with the Georgia Water Wise Council, and the Cobb County Cooperative Extension Service.  These tips are also endorsed by: Georgia Green Industry Assn., Georgia Turf Association, Metro Atlanta Lawn and Turf Association, Paulding County Cooperative Extension Service and Marietta Council of Garden Clubs.

Sara Hibbard is glad to bring these watering tips to those who follow this blog.  Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the north Atlanta metro area and services Canton, Woodstock, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Acworth, Kennesaw and other north Atlanta metro area communities.  Sara Hibbard looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general and specifics regarding the buying / selling process when the time is right for you and your family to think about a move.  Call Sara with your many questions at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara's websites at www.SaraHibbard.com and
www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com.

Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind!

Your Friendly Yard and Garden

A few weeks ago, I celebrated a birthday.

Several of my neighbors and friends got together and surprised me with a party, my favorite cake and a generous gift card to one of Atlanta's most visited retail garden nurseries -- known as PIKE Family Nurseries!

Pike's has a catchy little jingle called "Playin' In The Dirt Again".  It's often heard frequently on the radio and TV this time of year.  Their great service and this jingle keep PIKE locations in and around the Atlanta metro area rather busy most of the year, but especially in the spring time.  As a result, last weekend, I did some shopping at PIKE's with my new gift certificate for some seasonal plantings.

Residential yards and commercial landscaping in Atlanta really "pop" year round.  Most peoples yards and every entrance for every bank, shopping center, retail establishment, building and businesses in Atlanta are highly landscaped year round.

With the onset of spring and summer, yards and gardens retake their rightful places at the center of attention.  With my gift card, I've added cascading Vinca and Dragon Wing Begonias to my front landscaping as well as a beautiful mix of other seasonal flowers to my backyard landscape too.  Vinca and Dragon Wing Begonias seem to do very well for me.  They are both droubt tolerant, require little watering and seem to enjoy full sun.  I'm a creature of habit and I often go with what I know has a history of working well for me! 

Additionally my Gardenias are in full bloom and the aroma they generate is simply Divine (I'm told as I don't have a sense of smell). 

Today, I received an e-mail from Pillar to Post.  Pillar to Post is an Inspection company that often offers good advice.  The e-mail I received today highlights several steps home owners can take to make their outdoor spaces and their home live compatibly.  So I share their tips as follows:

Keep water away from the house   
Be sure that the ground slopes away from the house all the way around the perimeter.  This ensures that any moisture from rain and sprinkler systems will be directed away from the foundation. 

The base of shrubs and other plantings should be kept at least 2" away from the foundation to avoid potential problems with roots and drainage.  In addition, window wells should be kept free of debris and lined with gravel to help water drain out of the well and into the ground.

Do not leave sprinklers on for too long.  Excessive water will not do plants and lawns any good, and may cause problems if there are drainage issues in certain areas.

The Right Plant in the Right Place
When a tree is growing very close to a structure, there can be potentially serious problems if the tree grows too tall or too wide for the space.  Damage to eaves and roofs can be caused by overgrowth, and there is even a danger of branches or an entire tree falling onto the home.  Existing trees should be professionally pruned to lesson the potential for hazard.  When planting new trees, homeowners should research potential "candidates" to find how large the tree will eventually grow and make decisions accordingly. 

Homeowners should also consider grouping plants that have similar water requirements to avoid over watering plants that don't need as much.  Not only will plants do better, but water bills will be lower over time as well.

Choose plants with maintenance in mind
Some plants end up requiring more maintenance than a homeowner expects.  When selecting new planting material, homeowners should seek advice from qualified personnel at a local nursery who will know what plants will do well in their area, their growth habits and maintenance requirements. 

Lawns should not be mowed too short or too frequently.  Allowing the blades of grass to shade one another helps with water retention and allows grass to grow in more fully.  Many newer turf grasses require less mowing than older varieties, and should be considered for new lawn installations.  In the Atlanta metro area for example, the turf of choice is typically Bermuda sod for its drought tolerance and rapidly growing nature.  Homeowners can find out more at their local agricultural or extension office.

These are just some of the ways that homeowners can increase the enjoyment of their outdoor spaces while ensuring that home and yard are in good shape.

Indigenous Plants To The Atlanta Metro Area 
Additionally, I'd like to add that if you are a new comer to the Atlanta area from out of state, the first thing you will learn as you prepare your soil, is that our soil is rock hard clay.  There are time saving ways to get your soil into a more manageable condition before you break your back trying.  Don't be afraid to ask your local nursery.  They'll be happy to offer suggestions.  Additionally, you'll want to ask landscapers and nursery's what plants do best under full sun and what plants prefer shade.  You'll want to investigate the alternatives and learn about the indigenous plants too.  Have fun and don't be shy.  There are plenty of landscapers and garden experts here who will be happy to help you as you get started "playin' in the dirt" this season! 

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works with buyers and sellers alike.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or www.SaraHibbard.com or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Sara looks forward to answering your many questions and assisting you throughout the process when the time is right for you.  Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is on Your Mind!

Happy Mother's Day!

Where would we be without our Mothers?  

In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases "second Sunday in May" and "Mother's Day", and created the Mother's Day International Association.  Anna was specific about the location of the apostrophe; it was to be a singular possessive, for each family to honor their Mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all Mothers in the world. 

Sure enough, Mothers are truly extra special people!

My own Mom is so extra special to me that sometimes I have a hard time adequately articulating exactly how special she is to me!  It shouldn't be this difficult.  But there isn't one word to describe her!  My Mom is perhaps the kindest, most virtuous women I have ever met.  I am truly PROUD of my Mom and I am truly thankful to be her daughter. 

M-O-T-H-E-R by Howard Johnson

M is for the million things she gives me
O means only that she's soft to hold
T for the things she tries to teach me
H is for her heart of purest gold
E for her eyes with love light shining
R means right and right she'll always be

Put them all together they spell Mother,
A word that means the world to me!

Today, families gather to celebrate their Mom with a special meal, gifts, perhaps a song or two too! Wherever you are today, whatever you and your Mother are doing today, celebrate your Mom this Mother's Day, ENJOY her company and your time together!  Have an extra special Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and Mother's everywhere including yours!  Have a wonderful day!

Sara Hibbard, CDPE, is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia.  Sara works closely with buyers and sellers in the north Atlanta metro area.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara's websites at www.SaraHibbard.com and www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com.   Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!

Escape Your Unmanageable Mortgage: Getting free doesn't have to mean running away.

Another Great Post By:  www.SaraHibbard.com and www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com

Your Unmanageable Mortgage:

Getting free doesn’t have to mean running away.

Perhaps you have heard about it.

On the 6 o'clock news, a reporter tells a story about how the housing crisis has caused some homeowners to simply walk away from their homes. It sounds crazy, but many people are being led to believe that walking away from their home is a good (or even the best!) option.

It is called Strategic Default. For distressed homeowners who believe that they have no good choices left, the idea of walking away free of consequence may sound like a relief. The reality, however, is that choosing strategic default has serious repercussions on your credit and your life.

THERE ARE BETTER OPTIONS AVAILABLE!

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, my mission is to provide financially-challenged homeowners with options to escape from unmanageable mortgages without running away.  

Facing your problems head-on is always the best solution. Let me help you the same way I am helping a family right now in Alpharetta and two others in Woodstock.  In each case, their banks are working with them to negotiate a Short Sale.  All three home owners have buyers right now!  Let Me Help You Too!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works with families suffering a financial hardship and helps them avoid foreclosure.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or e-mail Sara at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara's websites located at www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com and www.SaraHibbard.com.