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Beatrice Bloom, Princeton Real Estate Agent

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MID-SUMMER PERENNIALS TO BEAUTIFY YOUR GARDEN

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 28, 2021

MID-SUMMER PERENNIALS TO BEAUTIFY YOUR GARDEN

Adding flowering perennials to your garden can bring lasting color to your garden through the fall. Many hardy and long-lasting perennials are native to North America and are often deer resistant.

Here is a sampling of perennials for planting zones 3-8 that will suit various sun and soil types:

* Bee Balm (Monarda didyma):  True to its name, colorful Bee Balm attracts both bees and butterflies. This deer-resistant plan will reach 2-4 feet in height, prefers part-shade to full sun, and does well in moist soil.

* Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): This classic wildflower is native to North America and blooms from June-September. Its distinctive bright yellow flowers with rich brown centers are attractive to butterflies. Plant in well-drained soil.

* Pink Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Another easy-to-maintain native plant. Featuring eye-catching purple flowers with bright yellow centers, echinacea is tolerant of many different conditions, including drought, humidity, and heat.

* Joe Pye Weed: This fast-growing and late-blooming wildflower is easy to grow and tolerates various conditions. The plant is known for its pink, vanilla-scented flowers, and can reach up to 5-7 feet in height.

CEILING FANS A DECORATIVE WAY TO SAVE ENERGY

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 21, 2021

CEILING FANS A DECORATIVE WAY TO SAVE ENERGY

Ceiling fans are a versatile, practical, and decorative way to both enhance your décor and lower your energy costs. Available for a variety of styles and budgets, ceiling fans can work in rooms from bedrooms to kitchens.

First becoming popular in the early 1900s in the southern U.S., ceiling fans have been a common fixture for decades. In summer, ceiling fans circulate your air, allowing you to raise your thermostat. In winter, reversing the direction of the blades moves warm air downward to keep rooms warmer.

Ceiling fan blade length will depend on your room size. A small 42” ceiling fan is perfect for bedrooms and smaller rooms, while 52” models are suitable for larger rooms. Ceiling fans should be flush mounted if ceilings are lower than 8’ and should always be installed at least 7’ above the floor.

Home stores and specialty lighting stores typically carry ceiling fan options to suit different decorating styles, from traditional and vintage to contemporary farmhouse and ultra-modern. Other popular options include lighting kits, remote controls, while some models are rated for outdoor use in covered porches or patios.

HOUSING MARKETS REMAIN STRONG AS REMOTE WORK IS HERE TO STAY

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 14, 2021

HOUSING MARKETS REMAIN STRONG AS REMOTE WORK IS HERE TO STAY

The summer housing market remains strong throughout the U.S., as home inventories remain low while prices continue to trend upward. But market experts say that the inventory picture may improve for buyers, as more sellers enter the market.

In their latest market report, Realtor.com stated that median home prices are up more than 10% from last year, but that total active inventory is higher than it was one year ago. It’s expected that more sellers will enter the market as we head into the fall buying season.

Changes in where people are working continue to affect residential real estate trends around the nation. It’s now clear that if they have the opportunity, a majority of people want to continue working from home, at least on a part-time basis, even after we’ve emerged from the pandemic. More major companies have recently announced plans to offer remote work to their employees permanently.

This shift to permanent remote work means that demand for homes in suburban and rural areas will remain strong. Buyers will also keep looking for houses that have extra room for home offices and other multi-use spaces.

WHY DO LAST MINUTE CLOSING DATE CHANGES HAPPEN?

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 7, 2021

WHY DO LAST MINUTE CLOSING DATE CHANGES HAPPEN?

What do you do when there are last minute changes that delay your real estate closing date? Early in the transaction process, the target closing date may change several times. Sometimes complications or processing delays can result in a last-minute change.

Common complications that can affect closing dates at the eleventh hour include delays with the mortgage loan process, title insurance issues, or inspection problems. Occasionally, unforeseen events such as natural disasters can stall a closing.

In some cases, the parties involved have some room to be flexible if the closing dates change by a few days. But if one closing is dependent on another, the situation can become more complex.

Provisions can be made to accommodate last minute changes, if necessary. For example, there are ways to allow the buyer to move in early, or the seller to remain in the home for a few days. Sales contracts can be amended. But one of the best ways to prevent many last minute issues is to have realistic contract timelines from the start.

HOW TO SELECT A MOVING COMPANY

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – June 16, 2021

HOW TO SELECT A MOVING COMPANY

Finding a reliable and secure moving company can be a daunting task, whether you’re moving 5 miles or 500 miles. With careful research and planning ahead of time, it’s possible to take some of the uncertainty out of the process. Here are some tips to get started.

Do your research. A personal recommendation from a family member or friend for a moving company is a good place to start. Referrals from recent experiences (within a few months) are best. Online research from Angie’s List, Yelp, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau are also good sources.

Obtain several estimates. Request written estimates from 3-5 moving companies so you can compare. Look for hidden fees, additional costs for long distance moves or shipping, what type of insurance coverage they offer.

Choose a licensed mover. You can avoid unscrupulous companies by making sure the moving company is licensed by either the Department of Transportation or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Commission.

Your realtor is also a good source for local moving companies and may be able help with specialists for long-distance moves.