What Does Toni Have To Say?

I was out in the backyard watering my garden today and was noticing how many of the plants are starting to look weary now that fall is here.  I guess some of the mornings have been a little cool and the sun is going down sooner so it is more difficult for them to flourish.

My roses love the cool weather and have a new resurgence of blooms.  I love the spring and fall for this reason. 

One plant that still looks beautiful in the hydrangea.  The leaves are a dark green and are a healthy looking backdrop to some of the other plants whose leaves are turning. Some hydrandeas are shade loving and other prefer the sun.  I have three different hydrangea plants and they are all a tad different - but beautiful.  I have them planted in my backyard and they get moring sun and very heavy afternoon shade.

One thing I like is that the blooms turn from blue to a green color and then finally to bronze color in the fall.  One of my plant's blooms has a tad of red in it right now. The flowers can be picked for a dry flower arrangement in the winter. The flowers actually stay on the plant all winter long - even after the leaves die off.

I have never had to trim my plants back because they are a small variety and they make a nice shaped bush on their own.  I usually wait until spring to cut the flower heads off, but some people prune them back as soon as the flowers "die".  Different plants need to be pruned differently to ensure you have the best flowers for the coming year.  Click here for some pruning instructions.

Hydrangeas make a wonderful plant to brighten up a dull corner of the backyard or to anchor the corner of the house.  Whether you have a small yard or big, they are definitely a plant to use when thinking curb appeal!

 Plants are a big part of any landscape.  If you are looking for a new home in Hoover Alabama with a great yard, I can help.  Take a look at what is available for sale on my website at www.ToniBird.com and when you see the house for you, give me a call.

Last year we had a terrible water shortage and people were doing all kinds of creative things just to be able to water their plants.  Now that the drought has passed, are we back to old habits?

Well, if you have noticed it didn't rain much in September and October is not much better!  But the bigger picture is what are we doing to conserve water and energy in an effort to help the environment?

My hot water heater is in the attic and the master bedroom shower is on the first floor. I know I used to fill up a bucket of water while I was waiting for the hot water to get to the shower.  We've thought about moving the hot water heater but it just isn't practical. I stopped filling the bucket - that means 2 buckets of water per day are going down the drain -wasted.  I think I need to find that old bucket.

Did you know that 40% of the water used in a home goes right down the toilet?  They came out with low flush toilets a few years ago, but all the "hard matter" didn't go down the drain so you ended up flushing more than once and it didn't really save anything. There is a toilet out now called a dual flusher. Dual-flush toilets which are used extensively in Austrailia let you choose whether you need a big or little flush. This simple choice can save 6000 gallons of water per year for a family of 4 (according to the EPA and Sterling).  They cost a little more, but not much.

You can also get low flow shower and sink faucets to save additional water.  Regular shower heads also have a valve inside to help regulate the water.

 We can all do little things to cut down on water use.  This helps save us money AND helps the environment as well.

We all know the presidential election is right around the corner.  It is extremely important that EVERY person vote. November 4th is the big day to go to the polls.  But, you can't just show up and expect to vote - unless you have registered.  That registration deadline is October 24th. If you have already registered you don't have to register again, but if you have never voted before or have moved then you need to get it done.

If you are not going to be in town on November 4th, you can vote by using an absentee ballot.  The last day to make application for an absentee ballot is October 30th, so plan ahead.  The last day to turn in the absentee ballot (or postmark the ballot) in November 3rd.  If your boss calls you on the 3rd and says you have to go out of town the next day on business, say no- I have to vote.

If you would like more information about the requirements for voting, or to see where your voting place is, check out this website.  The website also includes a voters registration application that you can download, print and mail in.

Your vote IS important!

I've written before about saving up to buy a house in Hoover, Alabama.  The down payment on FHA loans went up from 3% to 3.5% on October 1st, so for an FHA at least, you have to save a little more to get into that home.  This means that if you want to buy a $100,000 house, you will need $3500 for your down payment.

There are many ways to save for that house.  One idea is to save your loose change.  You can get a big jar and at the end of the day, just empty your pockets. You can use the money to go to Atlantic City - or save for that down payment.  Keep the jar on your dresser and you can watch it grow. Another way is to use a piggy bank.  I had one years ago where once you put the money in, you couldn't get it out unless you broke the pig.  I gave one to my friend in high school. It was huge and she could hardly lift it because it was so heavy.

This may not sound like much of a plan, but check out this story - a man bought a car using loose change he had saved.  Not some old beat up car either.  He bought a 2008 Dodge Ram pickup NEW.

So if he could buy a New car, that down payment doesn't seem so out of reach!

Start saving TODAY.  When you're ready to buy a house, let me know.  I'd love to hear how YOU got YOUR Down Payment to Buy A Home.

I have a contract on one of the Homes I have For Sale in Birmingham Alabama.  When the buyer made his offer, the lender had given him a pre-approval letter.  He pays his bills on time and has a great credit score.  He was really excited about buying his first home!!

We were supposed to close on the 19^th, but with all the changes in the economy and underwriting practices, and the fact that FHA was changing its rules effective October 1^st, we were told everything was backed up, so we moved our closing date to the 30^th.  Well, on the evening of the 29^th we find out the buyer IS NOT approved.  Why???? Seems the buyer has co-signed a note so his sister can buy a car.

Sister's credit is not good enough to buy her dream car so her brother co-signs for her.  Now, that debt counts against the brother as if HE had made the loan on the car.   He can not buy a house because he was helping his sister out.

Before you co-sign for ANYBODY, remember, the lender wants a co-signor because they don't believe the person will pay them back. If the other person doesn't make their payments, they are coming after YOU to make the payments so that payment counts as if it is yours on your credit report.  It is great to be supportive of a family member, but it has to make sense for you.

If you are thinking about buying a home in Hoover, Alabama or the greater Birmingham area, sit down with a lender and look at your total financial picture.  If they point out something in your credit or spending habits that looks like a problem, get it fixed immediately.

Everyone can own a home.