Do Deer Eat Mums? 6 Tips for Protecting Your Fall Flowers from Damage
As you're setting out fall flowers on your front porch, you may be wondering: Do deer eat mums? And for that matter, what about the pansies, ornamental kale, and other colorful annuals that are popular for autumn displays? If you've been dealing with deer through the growing season, you've probably noticed that these four-legged critters treat the garden like their own personal candy shop, sampling a mouthful of delight every few steps. They'll continue their trick-or-treating tendencies through the fall, browsing on whatever plants are around. Discourage deer from munching on your favorite fall plants with these straightforward tips. Do Deer Eat Mums? Animal scientists call deer opportunistic feeders. They prefer a variety of foods and will eat what is readily available. Think of it this way—if a deer was dining in a restaurant, it would choose the buffet rather than a specific menu item. Deer meander through the landscape, eating a bite of tender foliage, a flower or two, and another bite of foliage a few steps later. When grazing areas are limited, especially in suburban landscapes, deer eat any available plants. These include even prickly junipers and intensely scented marigolds, and yes, your freshly potted fall mums. It was once thought that the intense fragrance of mum foliage and flowers would deter deer, but that’s been proven false repeatedly. Summer-flowering annuals damaged by deer often have an opportunity to recover by the end of the growing season. However, the shorter growing window for fall annuals makes it nearly impossible for the plants to recover from deer browsing and put on a colorful show, so protecting them from damage is a priority. Protecting Mums and Fall Flowers from Deer Use these tips to dissuade deer from taking a bite out of your mums and other fall flowers. Put your method of protection in place at the same time you plant or arrange your autumn display. Deer can destroy unprotected plants in just one night. 1. Embrace the porch or deck. When possible, move containers of mums and other fall flowers to a deck or a partially enclosed porch where deer are less likely to help themselves to a snack. Even if the deer in your neighborhood are bold enough to walk right up to the front door and take a bite out of your entryway planter, a deck or porch is an excellent option for enjoying seasonal color while living with wildlife. 2. Make an enclosure. Wrap fall displays in chicken wire or wire mesh to deter deer. Pliable chicken wire and wire mesh are easy to shape over your plants, enclosing the flowers and foliage. While the covering might appear obtrusive when viewed up close, it nearly disappears when viewed from a distance. Box stores and farm supply stores carry a variety of lightweight wire products to choose from. Roll up the wire covering at the end of the season and store it in the garage or a shed to use it again next year. 3. Use a repellent. Repellents with odors and flavors that deer find unpleasant can help protect plants. Coat the flowers and foliage of fall mums with repellent, reapplying every two weeks or after a heavy rain. Over time, deer will become accustomed to the solution; when that happens, shift to a different formula to continue protecting the plants. Use one of the many commercial deer repellents on the market, or make your own deer repellent, like this easy recipe from the plant scientists at the University of Minnesota: Thoroughly mix three eggs with a gallon of water, strain the solution, and pour it into a hand sprayer to apply to flowers and foliage. 4. Move your display off the path. Deer are creatures of habit. They usually travel the same general route foraging for food. If the deer population in your neighborhood is low to moderate, place your fall flowers in out-of-the-way areas where you haven’t noticed deer damage in the past. There’s a good chance the plants might be safe from damage in these carefully chosen locations. If you live in an area with a dense deer population, there may be no area that the creatures haven't explored. 5. Avoid scare devices. Motion-activated misters and noise makers might be effective for a day or two, but deer quickly become accustomed to these devices and are no longer disturbed by them. Unless you are prepared to move these around daily to keep the deer guessing, don’t waste time and money on scare devices. 6. Don’t feed the deer. Some homeowners attempt to feed deer grain in a remote part of their yard with the hope that the deer will not bother the landscape plants near the house. This is faulty logic. Feeding the deer attracts them to the landscape, where they grow comfortable and begin foraging wherever they please. Avoid giving deer any reason to visit your property if you want to keep your plants safe from browsing. The article Do Deer Eat Mums? 6 Tips for Protecting Your Fall Flowers rom Damage originally appeared on BHG.com by Megan Hughes.
What to Look for in a Multigenerational Home
More and more people are living in multigenerational homes. Here are some features to look for in a home for everyone, according to experts. More and more, Americans are finding themselves living in multigenerational households. Some do it for financial reasons, while others are looking to care for aging relatives more easily. As more and more people seek to bring multiple generations of the family together under one roof, you might find yourself on the market for a home that can accommodate this type of living arrangement. “The demand for multigenerational homes has exploded over the past few years, especially since the time of COVID when families really started to rethink the makeup of their home,” says Will Palmer, broker and owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Historic. As you hunt, there are some key features you’ll want in a multigenerational home that you might not otherwise prioritize in a single-family home. We spoke with experts for their insights on how to find the perfect home for you and your expanded, multigenerational family. Why a multigenerational home? The Pew Research Center defines multigenerational households as homes with two or more generations of adults living together. If a parent and child are living together, that child must be 25 years or older for the arrangement to qualify as multigenerational. In some instances, there are skipped generations living together, which would include grandparents living with grandchildren. When these households were polled, financial reasons top the list for multigenerational living arrangements, and the pandemic spurred that decision for about 13% of adults polled. “Affordability is top of mind for all buyers, and purchasing a home with the intention of multigenerational living is a cost-effective tactic,” says Alex Toth, head of business development at Opendoor. “Multiple incomes allow buyers to opt for a larger home, and having multiple paychecks contributing to bills helps alleviate some of the financial stress.” Following the pandemic, many families were financially strapped while others felt lonely and isolated in their homes. For many who became ill, it put caregiving top of mind, according to 2023 studies done by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). “The post-pandemic years have also continued to reinforce the importance of community and time with loved ones, and that’s translating into households,” Toth say, citing the NAR studies. “Fifteen percent of first time buyers and 23% of repeat buyers cited caretaking of an aging parent as a reason to buy a multigenerational home. Fifteen percent of first time buyers and 11% of repeat buyers also said spending time with aging relatives was a top motivator.” And the need for caregiving isn't just for elderly relatives. “In some cases balancing career and proper caregiving can be a financial burden as well as being difficult logistically,” says Agent David Harris of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Multigenerational living allows a grandparent or great-grandparent to provide childcare without the financial burden that comes with it.” Agent Alana Lindsay of Coldwell Banker Warburg points out that there are also cultural considerations at play. “It comes down to finances, especially here in the United States, where multigenerational family living has not been the norm for a very long time,” she says. “It also comes with the changing demographics of the United States. A lot more people are immigrating here from other countries where multigenerational families are the cultural norm.” Your personal preferences for a multigenerational home will vary just as your desires for a typical single-family home might, but there are a few things that experts suggest adding to the list. “Last year we saw historic demand for multigenerational homes, which reached purchase rates of nearly all-time highs at 14%,” Toth says, referring to the NAR study. “As more families consider moving into multigenerational homes, it’s important they lay out the priorities and needs of each family member to ensure everyone is guaranteed a home they’re comfortable in. For example, mom might need a home office, the kids might need a playroom, and grandma might need a wheelchair-accessible bathroom.” Palmer says the first item on the list should be enough square footage to include more than one living area, “so that everyone has their own space to unwind and relax.” Of course, balancing space and cost is a tricky balance, especially when you remember that many families move in together to save money. “The biggest challenge is finding a home with enough space while also being affordable,” Palmer adds. Toth advises buyers to consider what he calls multi-use spaces as well. “Multi-use spaces could be a spare bedroom or extra living room,” he says. Having adaptable spaces will make it easier to adjust along with life changes, such as growing families or if someone gets a new work-from-home job. Adaptable spaces can also ensure increased privacy throughout the home. And don't forget bathrooms. “There should be a proportionate number of bathrooms for the number of people. It is very different to share, let's say a two-bedroom, one-bathroom property with just your sister versus sharing that same one with three other adult family members,” Lindsay says. From there, you’ll want to consider special features to accommodate aging parents and relatives. Palmer suggests single-story homes or homes with wider doorways, which can accommodate wheelchairs should someone need one currently or down the line if they decide to age in place. Like any home, you’ll also want to consider location. Palmer points out that aging relatives might prefer good proximity to hospitals and other health-related services, for example. And keep in mind that a multigenerational home is often considered a forever home. “They need to think about tomorrow and not just what today’s needs look like,” Palmer says. “What will the family and situation look like in five years? Multigenerational homes don’t tend to move as often as a more traditional family does.” Of course, you don’t just have to find a perfect home on the market to meet all of your needs. New builds specifically designed for multigenerational use could already have the features in place that you’re looking for. “Some builders even design homes with built-in suites featuring an additional kitchen and living room area, creating an independent space while remaining close enough for family care,” Toth says. “Lots of new build homes are also part of master planned communities, with amenities such as pools, gyms, and community centers, which appeal to many members of a multigenerational home.” Following the Rules Say you’ve found a home you absolutely adore. What else should you know before moving every family member in? First, you’ll want to make sure that the number of people living in the home is allowed according to local code. Some cities have laws dictating the ratio between occupants and bedrooms, for example. From there, you’ll want to make sure that any upgrades you do to the home to accommodate more people are also up to code. Palmer had a client who added a new bedroom and bathroom onto the home, against code and with major consequences. “At the time, the county didn’t catch that the septic tank wasn’t technically big enough for that number of bedrooms and made them remove the bathrooms and closets,” he said. Toth also cautions against additions such as accessory dwelling units until you’ve done your research. “Those who want to purchase a home with or add an ADU to their home will need to pay close attention to local regulation,” he says. You can bypass some of these concerns when you build new or buy a new construction home. “Purchasing from a homebuilder allows buyers to let them know in advance the goals and needs of their household, and discuss their zoning questions directly,” Toth says. Aside from local rules, you’ll also want to have some boundaries in place with your family to avoid problems with finances, personal routines, and privacy. “Before embarking on a multigenerational home arrangement, it is essential for the family members to come together with your local agent, financial planner, and attorney and clearly discuss openly the different opinions regarding housing design and needs, lifestyles, privacy needs, and other personal routines that may cause family members to be upset or disagree upon,” says Agent Karen Kostiw of Coldwell Banker Warburg. Kostiw adds that it’s wise to get these agreements in writing, even if that seems extreme. “Discuss challenges and set specific boundaries as a means to avoid ruining family relationships,” she says. “It’s important to work with your team to ask the important questions and develop a personalized plan for the family.” The article What to Look for in a Multigenerational Home originally appeared on Realtor.com.
Down Payments Fall From Historical Peak: See How Much You Need To Put Down To Buy a House Today
The amount of money a homebuyer puts down to purchase a home hit a historic high at the end of 2023, but that sum is finally falling. A new report from Realtor.com® shows that the median down payment homebuyers laid on the closing table in the first three months of 2024 was an average of 13.6%—which translates to $26,000. That’s down from last quarter’s historical peak when the average buyer shelled out about $30,400 (14.7%). In cold, hard cash, that equals a savings of $4,400. This might be good news for buyers hoping to hit the spring market, as saving up for a sizable down payment can be a major hurdle for many Americans. What’s caused down payments to fall is “perhaps a result of diminished competitiveness in the most recent quarters as housing supply rebounds,” says Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones. It’s also “seasonally typical for down payments to fall between the fourth quarter and the first quarter.” To arrive at these results, the Realtor.com economic team analyzed down payment trends across the United States, individual states, and the top 150 metropolitan areas up through the first quarter of 2024, using data from Optimal Blue. The team then calculated the down payment as a percentage of the sale price by averaging the data, and as a dollar amount by taking the median. States and metros with the highest down payments The Pacific Coast—and California specifically—hosts some of the most expensive homes for sale in the country. So it follows that the Golden State would take the No. 1 spot when it comes to where buyers hand over the largest down payments. “Down payments tend to be higher in high-priced areas and areas where buyers are competing with other bids for a home,” says Jones. Homebuyers in Oxnard, CA, made the most sizable down payment in the top 150 metros, laying out a whopping 24.5% average down payment as an overall share of the median home’s purchase price. That amounts to a down payment of $168,683. Yet when it comes to the city where buyers shell out the highest down payment in dollars, that dubious honor belongs to San Jose, CA, where buyers put down an average of $213,000, or 24.0% of the purchase price. Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, where Apple, Google, and Nvidia are based, it is the most expensive housing market in America, according to a Realtor.com analysis. There, the median home list price hovers around $1.46 million—and homebuyers need to earn at least $361,000 to own a home. In a surprise twist, San Jose also nabbed another title: the largest annual decrease in down payments in the largest metros. Down payment amounts dropped by 11.9% (or $28, 779) compared with the last quarter of 2023, highlighting how down payments are falling overall. Two other California metros rounded out the top three spots with the highest down payments in dollar amounts: Santa Barbara, which saw buyers put down an average of $206,033, and San Francisco, where buyers plunked down about $201,617 for the median house. “With still-high prices and elevated mortgage rates, many of today’s buyers are likely either high earners or buyers using existing home equity—which remains not far off of recent highs—to purchase a new home, meaning more cash on hand to use as a down payment,” says Jones. States and metros with the lowest down payments Homebuyers with more modest means can head to Texas and Florida. “The softening of the Texas and Florida housing markets means home price growth stalled and buyers likely faced less competition and more options,” explains Jones. “This impact can be seen in down payment trends.” Buyers in the Lone Star State need to put down an average of $15,105, while home shoppers in the Sunshine State need about $27,809 down to buy a median-priced home. The backstory of down payments falling in these states rests on the pandemic, when these two balmy states saw a massive surge in demand. That homebuying frenzy led to scarce listings and rising home prices. Now that the pandemic is over and the housing market has slowed under the weight of high mortgage rates, housing stock is up. Indeed, Texas and Florida lay claim to 23 of the 150 largest U.S. metros, and 14 of those markets have seen down payments fall as a percentage of the purchase price. Topping the list of shrinking down payments is Palm Bay, FL, where buyers put down about $29,000 (15%) in the first three months of 2023. That figure slipped to $17,000 (12.9%) in the first quarter of 2024. Ocala and Naples rounded out the top three Florida markets with falling down payments. The typical down payment is $8,259 (down 51.3%) in Ocala and $67,895 (down 14.5%) in Naples. “Buyers looking to purchase in areas with falling down payments are likely to see either more affordable homes or less competition from other buyers,” says Jones. Is a smaller down payment better for the buyer? While you might be able to put down less in 2024 to buy a home, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should if you have extra cash lying around. Mortgage rates have more than doubled since the height of the pandemic. So many buyers are choosing to put more down in an effort to minimize their interest payments by taking out a smaller loan. “This does not mean you have to pay more as a down payment necessarily,” says Jones. “But you might find it advantageous to do so as it serves as equity in your home right off the bat, minimize interest payments, and may benefit your case in a multiple-bid scenario.” The article Down Payments Fall From Historical Peak: See How Much You Need To Put Down To Buy a House Today originally appeared on Realtor.com by Margaret Heidenry.
How to Do a No-Demo Reno (and Boost Your Curb Appeal at the Same Time), According to Bobby Berk
Good news: A major update to your space doesn’t have to come with a major price tag, thanks to these curb appeal–boosting tips from design pro Bobby Berk. We all love a good gut renovation—there’s a reason total-home renovation shows are eternally popular—but in real life, with real budgets, a full renovation sometimes just isn’t an option. Tearing your home down to the studs, as they say on those shows, costs a lot of money, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a space that doesn’t serve you if you don’t have the funds for a full renovation. Enter: the No-Demo Reno. Smaller-scale home updates are always a great option, whether you’re biding your time until you can afford a larger update or you simply want to take your time sprucing up your space—and the right ones can make an enormous difference in your enjoyment of your home. Better Homes & Gardens spoke with Bobby Berk (yes, that Bobby Berk) for his top tips for affordably increasing the value of your home—and, more importantly, loving it. The article How to Do a No-Demo (and Boost Your Curb Appeal at the Same Time), According to Bobby Berk originally appeared on bhg.com by Halee Miller.
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