As you're preparing for spring and summer...10 ways to reinvigorate your yard in a weekend

Your yard is an extension of your home. You use it to play, eat, relax and entertain your friends. It also plays a central role in your home's curb appeal.

But if you're like many people, you may avoid updating your yard because you think it's too expensive or takes too much work. Here are some ideas on how to reinvigorate your yard without huge investments of time and money. Most, if not all, of these projects can be completed in just one weekend.

Let there be light
Adding exterior lighting is an easy way to make warm spring evenings last longer, while preventing dangerous falls and deterring strangers, says Colleen Maiura, a spokeswoman for home-improvement retailer Lowe's.

Solar lighting is an option, even for not-so-handy homeowners. The job requires no experience or wires. Each stand-alone light fixture can be staked into the ground. The cost: $30 for a set of six solar path lights.

Another popular option is low-voltage lighting. In this setup, a buried, low-voltage cable plugs into an outlet and connects each light along a path. A 12-light kit runs about $50.


Fertilize and seed the lawn
It's a good idea to fertilize your lawn one to four times a year. It's a one- to two-hour job that can lead to a healthier, prettier and more resilient yard. You can fill in bare spots in your lawn, prevent weeds and make your grass more durable to foot traffic and pests.

Plan on spending $15 to $25 for a bag of fertilizer that covers 5,000 square feet of grass. Some stores also sell a seed-fertilizer combo called Sta-Green with Nitro-Fuze for about $23. 

David Salman, founder and chief horticulturist at High Country Gardens in Santa Fe, N.M., suggests using organic fertilizers, which cost about the same as traditional fertilizers but avoid their chemicals. Fertilizers high in phosphorous can enter drainage systems and bodies of water. This can create algae blooms that suck up oxygen and kill fish and plants.

For about $34, you can also buy any number of eco-grass seeds, such as Pearl's Premium, No Mow Lawn Seed, EcoLawn and Pennington Smart Seed. They need less water than traditional grass seeds but grow slower.

To start: Rake the seeds lightly in bare spots so they contact the soil. Then apply a starter fertilizer to the lawn and water thoroughly. You'll also need a spreader, which can cost $10 to $50.

Fix your fence
A fence in good condition not only improves the look of your home but also keeps kids and pets in and unwanted visitors out. 

A chain-link fence, once installed, can be maintenance-free. But wood fences often need post replacements or new panels, says Chris Long, a Home Depot employee in Chicago.

Wood panels that are 8 feet wide cost $25 to $100 per section, and fence posts can be $10 to $50 each. Rotten posts often must be dug out, but they sometimes can be pulled out of the ground using a hi-lift jack. New gate hardware can run $5 to $25 apiece and can fit in old holes, with longer screws, or in new spots.

Constructing 25 feet of fence can take about half a day, for one person.

Trim bushes and trees
Pruning your trees and shrubs improves how your yard looks. It ensures they fit in nicely with your landscape and can encourage new blooms on flowering bushes. But the task also helps you protect your investment so you enjoy your trees and bushes for years to come.

Pruning trees in their first two to four years can help keep them sturdy and resistant to storm damage, Salman says. Removing crossed and excessive interior branches creates good air circulation through the foliage to reduce disease. Removing forked stems at the top of the tree creates a single tip, or "leader," and helps to keep a tree straight.

Most trimming should be done in the fall or winter, when many trees are dormant. But prune flowering bushes each spring, after they bloom, to ensure new growth, Maiura says.

Install a sprinkler system
Tired of setting a timer and dragging the hose around your yard to water? You can save that time and effort — and ensure you don't overwater or underwater your yard — with an automated irrigation system. If you understand the basics of irrigation-head layout, you can install a sprinkler system yourself, saving thousands of dollars in labor but perhaps adding an extra weekend to the project.

First, measure your yard and sketch a general map of where you will place the sprinkler heads. Assume three different heads will hit each point in the grass, and each will spray 10 to 20 feet, says Rich Leeman, president of Landscape Technology Group, a landscape firm in Vail, Colo.

A typical lawn has six to 10 watering zones, and each zone could cost $250 in piping supplies. Consider renting a trencher for $100 to $150 a day to cut the digging time to two hours per zone from five. "It will save a lot of time and back-breaking digging," Leeman says.

Lay a brick or flagstone patio
A brick or flagstone patio can be a great space for entertaining and relaxing. A 150-square-foot patio may have room for a table, a grill and some potted plants, Leeman says.

You'll need a shovel, a rake and a wheelbarrow for the job — and perhaps three or four friends to help, Leeman says. Plan on spending about $7 per square foot for flagstone and $4 per square foot for brick, including sand and gravel.

Power wash the deck
Cleaning your deck is an essential part of outdoor maintenance and should be done once or twice a year, Maiura says. You may also want to inspect the structural integrity of your wood deck, checking for loose boards, protruding nails or corroded deck connectors, she says.

The easiest way to clean a deck is by using a power washer, which removes dirt and grunge quickly. You can rent one for $40 to $50 for a day for a quick job.  "You otherwise could spend hours scrubbing with chemicals," Long says. 

Long suggests using a fan-spray tip with a deck-cleaning solution to power off the dirt. Be careful to use only minimal pressure to avoid damaging the deck. A long-handled deck brush can help with stubborn spots, he says.


Plant a xeriscaped garden
Want a new look that doesn't require upkeep? A xeriscaped garden, one using drought-tolerant plants that need little water, requires less maintenance than a traditional garden. And it doesn't have to resemble an abandoned parking lot filled with cactus and rock. You can create a colorful garden that attract butterflies, honeybees and hummingbirds just by using plants such as lavender, Russian sage, yarrow, sedum and salvia, all of which thrive in dry conditions.

Salman suggests starting with a small area of your yard, such as 5-by-5-foot section. Add high-quality compost and organic fertilizers to the soil. The investment: one day and about $130, he says.

Find "paint-by-numbers"-style maps with lists of plants for xeriscaped gardens at High Country Gardens' website.

Add a water feature
Creating a water feature in your yard can add an attractive element that draws birds and provides a soothing sound. A simple fountain requires a $40 water pump and a power source, while a larger pond can cost as much as $2,000 in materials alone.

A small pond can be made using a plastic tub placed inside landscape block walls. You can dig out a larger pond if you are planning on having fish and aquatic plants. A pond liner costs $30 to $100, stone will total about $500, and a pump that circulates water through a pipe is $500 to $1,000, depending on the quantity of water.

Typically, ponds aren't deeper than 18 inches, and a standard footprint could be 5 by 8 feet to 8 by 10 feet, Leeman says.

To dig out a pond, you will need a shovel and a wheelbarrow, two to three people and perhaps a long weekend, he says.

Put up an under-eaves storage shed
You can clean up your yard and find a home for clutter by building an under-eaves storage shed. The shed, which can hold items such as shovels and small ladders, is a shallow, wide box built onto the exterior of your house.

You can build one for about $200, compared with the $500 that most people spend on stand-alone, prefabricated sheds. A handy person could build one in a weekend, Long says. The materials and scope of the project can vary, depending on your home's exterior.

View full article at http://realestate.msn.com/10-ways-to-reinvigorate-your-yard-in-a-weekend

There's time this month to do the prep work before the planting and growing season gets going.

March may find you sighing with impatience as you watch yet another snowfall cover your barren container boxes, but it's one of the most important months for gardeners.
There's still time to do all of your prep work, from honing tools to starting seeds, as you imagine the shapes, tastes and colors of your next garden. Spring begins with the vernal equinox on March 20.

Tool cleanup
If you didn't do so in the fall, it's time to give your lawn mower and other tools some tough love.
● Get ahead of the spring crowds by dropping off your lawn mower now to have the oil changed, bolts tightened and blades sharpened.
● Remove soil from your tools' metal parts using sandpaper or a hose.

• Sand rough edges on wooden tool handles, then coat them with linseed oil.
• Sharpen your tools. A file will sharpen tools of all sizes, from shovels and hoes to trowels and clippers. A Carborundum wheel will work on smaller tools. Pruning shears can be sharpened with a whetstone. After sharpening, use a rag to apply a thin, penetrating oil to metal tool parts; follow with a heavier oil on tools that have moving parts.  

Lawn doctoring

• The green, green grass of home doesn't get that way by accident, and March is a perfect time to assess your lawn's health.
• Pluck a 4- to 5-inch square from your yard to see what's going on down there. If your area has crane flies, count the larvae. Fewer than 35 per square foot means less work for you: Your lawn should be able to withstand that number.
• If you're not sure what to look for, take your lawn sample to an expert at your garden store and ask for a diagnosis; then just press your sample back into its "bed."
• Lime, treat moss and, finally, reseed as needed. (Overseeding can be done after midmonth.)
• Fertilize your lawn now or start a new lawn using seeds or sod.

Weeding
There's always the battle of the weeds. The only way to win that fight is to keep at it. Nip weeds at the bud — literally, for if they're allowed to flower and go to seed, you could be looking at several years' worth of uninvited guests: Some weeds shed 10,000 seeds at a pop.

• Remove weeds by hand.
• Consult an expert in your area for dealing with persistent pests such as quackgrass or morning glory. Recommendations for herbicide treatment vary depending on the location of your garden's problem spots.

Preparing soil
Once your soil has had a chance to thaw and lose some of its winter moisture, you'll want to prep it for planting.

• Remove mulch over the course of several days, exposing the soil gradually.
• Till or spade soil six to 12 inches deep.
• Mix in compost, peat moss and fertilizer for plants or vegetables. For vegetable gardens, include processed or well-rotted manure in the mix (using fresh manure in the spring may burn or damage your plants).
• Rake the soil level to smooth out low spots; pockets of water can make the soil cool, which slows plant growth.

Vegetables
Start planning your vegetable garden, keeping in mind the following guidelines.

• Choose neighboring vegetables carefully and you may as much as double your vegetable harvest. Onions, for example, are no friend to peas and beans but make good bedmates for tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce and beets.
• Depending on your planting zone and the vagaries of the weather gods, you can — finally — plant some perennial vegetables right in your rich new soil.
• Later in the month (in most zones) you can seed or set out hardier vegetables, such as chard and Brussels sprouts.

Starting seeds
Caponata lovers, get those warm-season crops started indoors from seeds, including tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.

• Whether you use egg cartons, trays or pots, be sure the seedlings get lots of light.
• Get a jump on the Joneses' blooming season by planting some hardy flower seeds, such as petunias and marigolds.
• Potted petunias, which stand up well to cool weather, can be placed on your deck now for a splash of color to whet your gardening appetite.

Pruning roses
After all the pleasure you've had from your rose bushes, now you can reward them with pruning. This will give bushes a more attractive shape and also result in larger blooms and longer stems. Use gloves to protect your hands from thorns.

• With a sturdy clipper, make your cuts just above outside buds to encourage new outward growth, giving the plant more sunlight and air.
• For more tips on pruning different kinds of rose bushes, consult a good gardening book or one of the many reputable gardening websites.

Planting
These are the deciduous days, so selections at garden stores and nurseries are at their peak — and not yet picked over — in March.

• From late March into April is a great time to plant fruit trees and berries. Just be sure they have enough water as they get used to their new neighborhood.
• In addition to zone-specific perennial vegetables, set out or plant new roses and cool-loving flowers such as snapdragons and pansies.

Slug control
As tender shoots start to poke up in the spring, they make a beggar's banquet for slugs. Plan your counterattack before young plants become young nubs.

• As with much garden damage control, natural methods are growing in popularity. One simple approach is to sprinkle slugs with salt, which causes them to dry up.
• Slugs are attracted to stale beer, which you can leave in a shallow dish or bowl; slugs will enter and drown.
• Or you can gather slugs at night by hand, armed with a flashlight, something to lift them with and a pail.
• If you use a commercial slug bait, read the label carefully to be sure it won't endanger children, pets or birds.

Fun for kids
Kids love to help with simple growing projects or to have plants of their own to watch and care for, especially if growth is rapid (remember those pint-size attention spans).

• Growing a hyacinth from the bulb is fun, easy and educational. Find a glass or plastic container with a narrow opening. Set the bulb over the opening, and fill the container with water to 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch below the bulb. As the bulb's roots grow downward for a drink, the top will soon begin to develop and bloom — a great lesson in how plants grow, with a colorful, fragrant result!
• Kids love watching plants grow from seeds. Beans, peas and parsley all grow quickly in pots, and seeds can be set in fun shapes or kids' initials.

For the birds
Find out who's likely to fly over for a visit in the next month or two, and target bird treats and feeder types for their individual tastes.

• Most bird species will go for either oil-type sunflower seeds or white millet (offered separately), but sunflower-seed munchers tend to prefer elevated feeders with perches, while millet lovers usually prefer ground or large platform feeders.

See entire article by Sally Anderson of MSN Real Estate - http://realestate.msn.com/march-gardening-checklist

12 mortgage tips for 2012 homebuyers

Getting a mortgage loan has become challenging in recent years. Don't expect that to change anytime soon.

Lending standards will remain tight in 2012, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to snag a mortgage with an attractive rate. Savvy borrowers who understand the rules and prepare will improve their chances of success.

These tips will help you stay on top of your game as you try to secure a mortgage in 2012.

Study your credit

Good credit is the key to snagging a mortgage in this tight lending environment. Get copies of your credit scores and credit history from the three main credit-reporting bureaus. Study the reports carefully to make sure there are no errors or issues to resolve before applying.

Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 680 to comply with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s guidelines. Federal Housing Administration loans — which are guaranteed by the FHA — allow for lower scores, but most lenders want to stay away from scores lower than 620.

Prepare before you start

Every lender requests certain basic documents when you apply for a mortgage. Don't wait for them to ask.
Have these documents ready when you walk into the lender's office: your last two pay stubs, W-2s, income-tax returns and bank statements.

Save these documents and any additional ones the lender requests in an electronic format, so you can easily resend them if anything gets lost.

Know how much you can afford

Don't rely on your lender to tell you how much mortgage you qualify for and then borrow the maximum amount. Plan your budget, and leave room for unexpected expenses. That's especially the case when you are buying a house.

Bankrate's calculators can help you determine how much house you can afford and estimate your monthly mortgage payments.

Shop around

Shopping around for a mortgage should go beyond comparing interest rates. Rates are important, but would-be borrowers must consider points, closing costs and different types of loans. Get estimates from three banks and three mortgage brokers before you decide which combination works for you.

Time is of the essence

Once you submit your mortgage application to the lender, the clock starts ticking. Make sure you quickly send in any documents requested during the approval process.

For buyers, a delay in closing the loan could kill the purchase and cost them their deposits. When refinancing, a delay could mean losing the interest rate the borrower originally locked in. Ask for an expected closing date, and follow up with the lender periodically until the loan closes. Keep in mind, some lenders close more quickly than others.

Mortgage approved? Your credit must stay put until closing

After the lender pulls your credit and says you've been approved, don't assume you've won the battle. Most lenders will pull your credit again before the loan closes.

It's wise to avoid any moves that may affect your credit. Don't apply for new credit cards or credit lines. Pay your bills on time. Don't close any accounts. Don't finance a new car. Stay put until closing.

Consider refinancing with no closing costs

You don't always have to spend money to save money when refinancing. Many lenders offer mortgages with no closing costs. No, it's not a free ride. Lenders usually make up for those costs by charging the borrower a slightly higher interest rate. Sometimes the slight increase translates into a few extra dollars in the monthly payment, and the borrower can save thousands in closing costs.

Consider a shorter-term loan

Because interest rates have been at or near rock bottom, short-term loans have become more affordable for many borrowers.

Those who have a 30-year mortgage with an interest rate of 6% or higher may be able to refinance into a 20-year or 15-year loan while keeping their monthly mortgage payments close to what they pay now. Consider this option even when the short-term loan means slightly higher monthly payments. This is your chance to pay off your mortgage more quickly.

Receive a gift? Be ready to explain it

Did your parents or in-laws give you a few thousand dollars as a gift to help out with the down payment? If so, congratulations -- but make sure you can document and explain where you got the money.

FHA loans allow borrowers to receive their down payment as a gift from a relative. For conventional loans, borrowers may receive gifts, but at least a 5% percent down payment must come from their own funds.
Borrowers receiving a gift are required to present a gift letter signed by the donor, and they will need a paper trail of the money transfer. Be ready to present statements to show where the money came from when it was deposited into your account.

Unless the money is being used for the down payment, avoid receiving large cash deposits in your bank account until your mortgage closes. Any large deposits other than your paycheck will have to be explained to comply with federal regulations.

Be persistent

If one lender rejects your mortgage application, that doesn't mean all lenders will. Most lenders follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. In addition, they have their own internal underwriting guidelines, and some are stricter than others.

Ask why your mortgage was denied. Depending on the reason, you may be able to take some quick steps to improve your credit, or you might just need to try a different lender.

Appraisal isn't enough? Try again

If the home appraisal your lender received isn't enough to back the mortgage loan and you think the appraiser is mistaken, try another lender.

You can't order a second appraisal or pick which appraiser the lender hires, but you can dispute the first appraisal or apply with a different lender.

In a perfect world, the appraised value of a home shouldn't vary drastically from one appraiser to another. But you may find that it does. If you believe the first appraiser is wrong, try a different lender and hope that lender's appraiser does a better job.

Seek help

If you are behind on your mortgage or are struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments, seek counseling.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has counseling agencies throughout the country. Homeowners can receive free foreclosure-prevention counseling from HUD-approved counselors. To find a housing counseling agency near you call 800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website.

 Article by By Polyana da Costa of Bankrate.com