2022 Spring Home & Garden Guide

GARDENING TIPS | HOME FINANCES | DIY PROJECTS | HOME IMPROVEMENT
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CAPE GAZETTE



Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 3

12 44

14 GARDENING
How to pick the right trees
4 | Spring Home & Garden 2022 for your property 10
Popular insect repellent
plants 12
Tech to make gardening
more fun 14
Use hardiness zones for
thriving veggie gardens 18
Adorn you door on
May Day! 22
Telling signs 3 common in-
sects are infesting a lawn 24
Hope in Bloom 28

FINANCE
What to know about
refinancing a mortgage 32
What is a HELOC? 40
6 options for funding your
next home improvement
project 44
How to determine if it’s time
to downsize 46

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 5

54

46 72
92
HOME IMPROVEMENT DIY strategies to deep-clean
6 | Spring Home & Garden 2022 Dream kitchen reveal 54 carpeting 92
3 factors to consider before How to prepare for an
converting an attic 58 extended power outage 94
7 things to know before Tips when painting
replacing windows 60 shutters 96
Design ideas to give your
home a farmhouse feel 62 A Cape Gazette
Must-have features in your special publication
bathroom remodel 68
The different ways to repair ON THE COVER: Christopher D.
a driveway 70 Foster’s macro image of a water
Inspired dining spaces 76 droplet on a flower in the garden.
Improve storage at home 82
6 things to consider when Publisher
buying a shed 84 Chris Rausch

DIY PROJECTS Advertising
Tips to organize your Kathy McGinty
cluttered kitchen 90 Lauren Zaniewski

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GARDENING Tips & articles to help
your garden grow

8 | Spring Home & Garden 2022

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 9

GARDENING

How to pick the right trees for your property

Trees benefit a landscape by serving both aesthetic and utilitarian functions. A home sur-
rounded by healthy green trees can be a sight to behold, and those same trees can benefit
surrounding plants and wildlife at the same time.

As appealing as trees are, not
all trees and landscapes make
for the perfect match. The Ar-
bor Day Foundation notes the
importance of planning when
designing a landscape. Plan-
ning ensures the trees home-
owners ultimately choose for
their properties will grow well
in the soil and moisture present
in their yards.

Careful consideration of a hand-
ful of variables can help home-
owners determine which trees
will make the best fit for their
properties.

• Height: Homeowners must versely affect surrounding plants. longer than fast-growing species.
consider the projected height of In addition, wide trees that are
a tree before planting it. Avoid planted too close together can • Requirements: Different trees
trees that will bump into any- make the landscape appear require different amounts of sun
thing when fully grown, as that crowded, taking something away and moisture, and different soil
can adversely affect surrounding from the aesthetic appeal. components to thrive. Home-
greenery and pose a safety haz- owners can have their soil tested
ard. The ADF’s tree sizing guide • Growth rate: Growth rate is an to determine which trees will
can be accessed at https://www. important variable because it can thrive in it. Local garden cen-
arborday.org/trees/rightTreeAn- affect how quickly homeowners ters can be a great resource for
dPlace/size.cfm and serves as an will see changes in their land- homeowners who want insight
invaluable resource for home- scapes. Homeowners who want as to which trees will thrive in
owners who want to plant new to plant for privacy can consider their local climates.
trees around their properties. trees with quick growth rates
or purchase more mature trees Trees serve many functions on
• Canopy spread: Trees grow out that are already near full growth. a property. Choosing the right
as well as up, so it’s important to Those who are not in need of trees for a landscape requires
consider their potential width at instant transformation can try careful consideration of a host of
maturity The ADF sizing guide trees with slower growth rates, variables.
can help homeowners get an which the ADF notes typically live
idea of how wide a tree is likely to
be at maturity. Trees that spread
out quite a bit don’t necessarily
need to be avoided, but it’s im-
portant that they’re planted far
enough apart so they don’t ad-

10 | Spring Home & Garden 2022

Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 11

GARDENING

Popular insect- the mint family. Bees tend to be drawn to lavender,
repellant plants a durable plant that many garden centers recom-
mend in areas prone to drought or hot summers
Homeowners choose plants for their properties without much precipitation.
based on a number of variables. Some may be into
growing their own foods, while others desire their • Mint: Mint is another plant that is instantly recog-
gardens to be an awe-inspiring mélange of bright nizable for its aroma. But mint lovers may not real-
colors and alluring scents. There’s no wrong reason ize that it’s also great for keeping ants at bay. Mint
to plant a fresh garden, but some plants offer extra also can be used to repel mosquitoes, but garden-
benefits, such as repelling insects. ers with no experience planting mint should plant
it in pots. That’s because the Farmers Almanac
Insects can be a nuisance and a threat to individ- notes mint is an especially aggressive spreader that
uals’ overall health. According to the American can quickly take over a garden. Separating mint in
Academy of Family Physicians, insect-borne diseas- pots can prevent it from bullying its way into other
es are viral and bacterial illnesses that develop from plants’ domains.
insect bites. Mosquitoes, sand flies and fleas are
some examples of insects that can pass on disease. • Lemongrass: Lemongrass is a tropical grass that’s
Fever, chills, headache, and muscle soreness are so fragrant it’s often used in perfumes. Lemongrass
just a few of the more common symptoms linked contains citronella, which many people associate
to insect-borne diseases. with repelling mosquitoes. A potted lemongrass
plant can repel these unwanted guests, keeping
The good news for avid gardeners is that certain them away from decks, porches and/or patios all
plants can help repel insects and provide the addi- summer long.
tional benefits like fresh food and aesthetic appeal
that so many people love. • Chrysanthemums: The Farmers Almanac rec-
ommends using chrysanthemums, which repel a
• Basil: The aroma of fresh basil is enough to com- range of insects from bedbugs to fleas to ants, as
pel any gardener to make a place for it in their gar- border plants around a home. That’s because they
den. But there’s more to fresh basil than its scent, contain the natural insecticide pyrethrin, which can
as the Farmers Almanac notes it can be used to serve as something of an insect-repelling boundary
repel mosquitoes and moths. around a home.

• Lavender: Fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and moths are Insects are unwanted guests around a home each
not fans of this aromatic and colorful member of spring, summer and fall. Certain plants can help re-
pel insects and serve as an eco-friendly alternative
12 | Spring Home & Garden 2022 to insecticides.

Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 13

GARDENING

Tech to make gardening
more fun

Many people take to the great outdoors to
escape the increasingly tech-driven daily grind.
Though that’s an understandable perspective,
gardeners who aren’t deploying tech in their
home gardens could be missing out on a host of
benefits that could help their plants, flowers and
vegetables thrive.
Devices like smartphones and tablets have made
many aspects of life easier and more efficient, and
various tech products can do the same when work-
ing in the garden.
• Plant monitor: Plant monitors are sensors that
can keep tabs on the health of plants and deliver
that information to gardeners. Plant monitors often
connect to smartphones via Bluetooth and can
deliver information on the amount of heat, light

Continued on page 16

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 15

GARDENING

Tech a garden, and gardeners can tend to their plants when they
review footage to determine just leave home for vacation or week-
Continued from page 12 what is compromising all of their end getaways. Garden hubs can
hard work. They can then use take care of that by pairing with
and water a plant is getting. Sen- that knowledge to remedy the smart irrigation systems that
sors vary in price, and some will situation and give their plants a ensure plants are watered even
provide more information than better chance to thrive. when no one is home. Certain
others. But these sensors are hubs even gather and analyze
ideal for gardeners who love their • Weather station: Even the most local weather conditions to devel-
plants but often forget to check seasoned gardeners cannot doc- op a watering schedule to ensure
up on them each day. ument the conditions outside as plants thrive. These hubs aren’t
effectively as a good weather sen- just handy when on vacation, as
• Garden camera: Critters and sor. Weather sensors track condi- they can be great for gardeners
insects are the bane of many tions such as temperature, rela- who want to know things about
gardeners’ existence. Determin- tive humidity and air quality. This their plants that are not apparent
ing just what is nibbling away at information can then be paired to the naked eye.
flowers and plants isn’t always so with irrigation devices to ensure
easy, as many animals are savvy plants get all the care they need People may see their gardens
enough to restrict their dining to thrive throughout the season. as welcome respites from their
to the middle of the night and devices. But garden gadgets can
insects are so small they can be • Garden hub: Avid gardeners help plants thrive and make time
hard to spot. Garden cameras have traditionally had to arrange in the garden that much more
can serve as the watchmen of for neighbors or loved ones to enjoyable.

16 | Spring Home & Garden 2022

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 17

GARDENING

Use hardiness zones for thriving tia. The growing season in zones
veggie gardens 5 and 6 starts in March and can
extend into October. Try melons,
Vegetables need a certain num- harvest, like asparagus, lettuce, squashes, corn, strawberries,
ber of growing days with ideal kale, broccoli, and vine tomatoes. lettuce and other greens, and
conditions in order to mature tomatoes in these zones.
and produce a viable yield. These Zones 3 and 4
conditions vary depending on This zone encompasses the Zones 7 & 8
the vegetables being grown, uppermost United States and With a growing season from
with plants thriving in key zones cool mountain regions, as well as March to November, these zones
across the country. The garden- wide swaths of British Columbia, are marked by long, hot sum-
ing resource Fine Gardening says Alberta, Saskatchewan, Mani- mers and mild winters, condi-
certain vegetable varieties are toba, Ontario, and Quebec. The tions common to the southwest
specially bred for, or may be best growing season in zones 3 and 4 and many southern states. Corn,
suited to, certain climates. Know- lasts from April to October. Vine tomatoes, melons, collard greens,
ing which vegetables are ideal for tomatoes, broccoli, kale, lettuces, carrots, and others are good
where you live can give your gar- spinach, strawberries, sweet peas, choices for this region.
den the best chances for success. pole beans, and potatoes are
some of the plants that will do Zones 9–13 are found in the
The first step is reviewing the well in these zones. deep South and tropical envi-
USDA Hardiness Zone Map to ronments. The growing season
determine your specific climate Zones 5 and 6 in these zones is quite long and
zone. Canada also has a Plant Zones 5 and 6 encompass much can extend year-round, unlike the
Hardiness Zone map. These of the continental United States, growing seasons we experience
maps are based on the extreme the southernmost Canadian here in Delaware.
minimum temperatures in the provinces and coastal Nova Sco-
zones, and can be a useful tool Use the zones to choose the best
in determining which plants will plants for your garden.
thrive where you live.

Additional variables to consider
include the amount of precipi-
tation the area gets, average hu-
midity, maximum temperatures,
and soil conditions. Here’s a look
at the best produce for certain
regions of the country based on
hardiness zones.

Zones 1 and 2
Located in Alaska, the north-
ern continental United States,
high mountains, and the upper
latitudes of Canada, this zone fea-
tures long, cold winters and the
shortest growing season (April
to September). The best plants
will be those that require short
intervals between planting and

18 | Spring Home & Garden 2022

Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 19

20 | Spring Home & Garden 2022

Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 21

GARDENING

Adorn your door on May Day!

Lewes in Bloom invites you to welcome spring with flowers

Make plans to tour Lewes on May 1 be awarded to an overall winner.
where spring is being greeted in a All children [14 and under] entering
special way. baskets will receive an honorable
mention ribbon.
Lewes in Bloom is sponsoring its
second annual May Day Celebra- Joining the May Day basket judging
tion on Sunday, May 1. Residents is optional, but LIB is promoting the
and merchants in downtown Lewes tradition of brightening doors with
are invited to hang May baskets or fresh flowers on May 1. Decorating
bouquets with fresh flowers on the can be as simple as tying a daffodil
doors, doorknobs, porches or steps with a ribbon to a doorknob! Last
of their residence or business. year’s May Day Celebration included
original homemade baskets from
A May Day Judging Committee participants’ gardens and lovely
will award first–and second–place bouquets from local florists. LIB
ribbons in two categories: business welcomes May Day as another op-
owners and residents. In addition, portunity for Lewes to be defined by
a Most Original Basket ribbon will its beautiful flowers.

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 23

GARDENING

Telling signs 3 common insects are infesting a lawn

Well-maintained lawns are a byproduct of hard experts at GardenTech note that wilted grass
work. That hard work is a point of pride for home- blades are often the first indicator of a grub infes-
owners who spend countless hours throughout tation, which is followed by patches of brown turf
spring, summer and fall tending to their lawns. and eventually death. Crows, skunks and moles eat
grubs, so the sight of them in a lawn could indicate
All that hard work can be compromised when un- an infestation.
invited guests, namely insects, show up in a lawn.
Insect infestations can turn a normally pristine and
lush green lawn into a brown and sickly eyesore.
Identifying which type of insect is damaging a lawn
is the first step toward returning that lawn to its
green glory. These are three common lawn insects
and signs that they’re infesting a lawn.

1. Grubs
Grubs like to feast on the roots of grass right below
the surface. Michigan State University Extension
Turf & Landscape reports that grub damage can
appear from March to early May or from mid-Sep-
tember to early November. The lawn and garden

spring into action.
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24 | Spring Home & Garden 2022

or just call 302-855-1156 option #1

GARDENING

2. Chinch bugs
The experts at BobVila.com report that chinch bugs
are not necessarily problematic when their popula-
tions are limited to around 10 to 15 bugs per square
foot of lawn. In such instances, chinch bug popula-
tions are generally controlled by ants and ladybugs.
However, extreme heat and drought, problems that
have plagued various regions in North America in
recent years, reduce the populations of bugs that
feed on chinch bugs, thus increasing the population
of these unwanted guests that feed on grass. Gar-
denTech indicates that damage from chinch bugs
is most visible between June and September. That
damage begins with grass taking on a purple tinge
before it turns yellow and then brown after wilting.

3. Cutworms
The lawn care experts at Scotts note that cut-
worms are moth larvae that hide in the thatch
layer of a lawn during the day before emerging at
night to feed on grass blades. Patches of brown

Continued on page 26

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 25

GARDENING

Insects

Continued from page 25

grass between one and two
inches in width are a sign of
cutworm infestation. Home-
owners who notice a growing
number of birds pecking away in
their lawns may have a cutworm
infestation, which can be con-
firmed by peeling up a section of
damaged grass and looking for
cutworms, which are brown, gray
or black and tend to be around
two inches long.

The good news is that grub,
chinch bug and cutworm popu-
lations can be controlled. Local
turf specialists can recommend
strategies to curtail such popu-
lations and help homeowners
restore their lawns to full health.

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 27

GARDENING

Hope in Bloom

Milton Garden Club works to keep Milton
beautiful through flowers

The Milton Garden Club recently announced Hope
in Bloom, a new initiative for 2022.

This effort comes in response to the huge outpour- Pictured (left to right): Club members Kathryn Greig, Treasurer,
ing of generosity from Milton community mem- Louise Huntley, Ingrid Bogen, Lynn Bates, Jan Daily, Co-Vice
bers, businesses and organizations during 2021 who President, Cheryl Kudrick, Recording Secretary, Sherry Murphy,
supported the club’s mission to beautify Milton Gillian Benson, Co-Vice President.
through flowers. The club’s board of directors and
members feel energized to return this show of For the 2022 tour, the club hopes to spotlight
kindness, and will be doing so throughout 2022 more gardens than last year, and possibly include
with many educational, public-spirited donations garden topic demonstrations at most if not all of
and events. the homes.

“We use the word ‘hope’ in our campaign because The club’s Holly Fest Committee is already looking
we feel the club needs to do its part to bring op- at ways to have more inventory for this year’s event,
timism and promise for a brighter tomorrow. You since last year’s event was sold out by 11 a.m. with,
will see this message displayed on our new Hope in 50/50 raffle tickets likely purchased by every citizen
Bloom flags to be placed in our downtown garden in Milton, some several times over. The club also re-
areas beginning in the spring,” said Mary Ellen King, ceived more monetary donations which members
club president. greatly appreciate.

Last fall, when Milton Town Council agreed to take Many event attendees express interest in joining
over responsibility for the Irrigation system previ- the Milton Garden Club, and new members help
ously paid for by the garden club, members vowed the club expand the areas it cares for. This year,
that any money saved would go directly to improv- the Milton Historical Society grounds will be one
ing gardens in the downtown area. of those areas. The club’s mission cannot succeed
without the hearts and hands of the people who do
MGC lead gardeners have submitted proposals and the work.
requests to improve the memorial garden as well as
those at Governor’s Walk, the train station and the Another part of the initiative is the $3,000 Hope
library. With the club’s spring plantings, locals and in Bloom Scholarship. The club will give a second
visitors will see the new Hope in Bloom flags placed $3,000 scholarship in memory of Past Vice Pres-
in the gardens. ident Eileen Johnson, who passed away in 2021.
And thanks to a generous donation, a third $3,000
The club’s next goal is to engage more with the scholarship will be given.
Milton public by holding free demonstrations at all
main fundraising events, and including free prizes The members will also choose three Hope in Bloom
and giveaways. Events include the Horseshoe Crab
and Shorebird Festival, King’s Ice Cream fundraiser,
fall garden tour and Holly Fest.

The 2021 fall garden tour was the most successful
one in years, thanks to the great number of par-
ticipants who attended and enjoyed the gardens.

28 | Spring Home & Garden 2022

GARDENING

items to be placed in the clock
garden, Governor’s Walk garden
and memorial garden, such as a
garden bench, statue, arbor, or
tree. They will be a daily remind-
er of members’ gratitude to the
community for their support,
which for over 20 years has
allowed the club to provide a
wide variety of lush and beautiful
flowers, plants and bushes in the
downtown gardens of Milton.

The Milton Garden Club is a 501c3
nonprofit volunteer organization.
The club is always seeking new
individuals to further its cause to
beautify Milton through flowers.

To learn more, go to themilton- Pictured (left to right): Members Joan Turci, Pat Grieninger, Lynn Bates, Sherry Miller,
gardenclub.org or contact Mary Doreen Becker, Maureen McCambridge in the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Ellen King, club president, at 302-
329-9878.

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 29

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 31

HOME FINANCE

What to know about refinancing a mortgage

Historically low interest rates
have made now a good time to
be a homeowner. According to
the Federal Home Loan Mort-
gage Corporation, also known as
Freddie Mac, the average inter-
est rate on a 30-year fixed-rate
mortgage in mid-September
2021 was 2.86. Just 10 years ear-
lier, the average rate was 4.09.
That’s a significant dip, and one
that’s saving today’s homeown-
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over the life of their mortgages.

Interest rates dipped during the
pandemic and have remained
low ever since. That’s unlikely
to last forever, which has given

Continued on page 34

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 33

HOME FINANCE

Refinance est rate. The initial savings with such a refinance
are undeniable, but changing from one 30-year to
Continued from page 32 another 30-year restarts the mortgage clock, which
can add years to the time homeowners will be
many homeowners a sense of urgency regarding repaying their debt. As a result, homeowners may
refinancing. Refinancing can be financially advan- end up paying more interest over time than they
tageous, but there are some things homeowners might have had they just kept their initial mort-
should know prior to contacting their lenders. gage. Homeowners interested in a Change Terms
refinance may want to look into switching from
Refinancing does not always save money over a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage. A shorter term
the long haul mortgage will increase the monthly payment, but
It’s hard to blame homeowners who jump at the the loan will reach maturity much faster, greatly
chance to refinance their mortgages. Refinancing reducing the amount of interest homeowners will
is often associated with significantly lower monthly pay over the life of the mortgage.
payments, and such savings can be used to fi-
nance home improvements, pay for tuition or build Refinancing can be costly
retirement nest eggs. However, homeowners won’t Lower monthly payments might be the number
necessarily save money over the long haul if they’re that catches homeowners’ eyes as they look to refi-
refinancing an existing 30-year mortgage with an- nance, but it’s important that homeowners recog-
other 30-year mortgage. nize that refinancing is not free. In fact, the person-
al finance experts at Kiplinger note that refinancing
The mortage experts at Mortgage Calculator note
that a Change Terms mortgage refinance is charac- Continued on page 38
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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 37

HOME FINANCE

Refinance

Continued from page 34

incurs many of the same costs that homeowners did you know?
had to pay when they signed their initial mortgage
papers. That includes fees, taxes and appraisal Homeowners in the United States
costs. These costs are sometimes paid up front, but have more than $6 trillion in un-
they also might be rolled into the loan balance. In tapped home equity, and that can be
the latter instance, homeowners could be paying used to pay for various expenses, in-
interest on their refinancing costs. Homeowners cluding home improvements, tuition
who are refinancing solely because of lower interest and medical costs. The financial ex-
rates should know that some lenders raise interest perts at Nerd Wallet note that a cash-
rates to compensate for refinancing costs. That can out refinance works by replacing an
negate the savings and end up costing homeown- existing mortgage with a new home
ers more money than the original mortgage. loan for more money than homeown-

Refinancing is an option for homeowners who ers owe on their homes.
want to save money. Homeowners can speak with
a financial advisor to determine if this is the best
way to save money over the long haul or if refinanc-
ing will ultimately cost them more over the life of
the mortgage.

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 39

HOME FINANCE

What is a revolving credit is an agreement that permits an
HELOC? account holder to borrow money repeatedly up to a
set dollar limit while also repaying a portion of the
Homes symbolize many different things, current balance due in regular payments over time.
including an investment in one’s future. But unlike credit cards that may have high interest
rates, the interest rates of HELOCs often are lower
Bank of America says a home equity line of cred- — a significant advantage when paying off large
it, often referred to as a HELOC, is a line of credit amounts of borrowed money.
secured by your home. It is a revolving credit line
that can be used for various expenses. The Credit Home equity accessed through a HELOC can be a
Union of Southern California reports that a HELOC great source of value for future renovations, large
credit line is issued by a lender and has a limit and purchases such as cars, educational expenses,
variable interest rate that is secured by the equity in and alternative debt repayment. The credit limit
your home. of a HELOC depends on your credit standing and
unpaid debts. It also is determined by the market
A HELOC is similar to a credit card in that they value of the home and how much you owe on your
both provide revolving credit. Investopedia says mortgage. According to Credit Karma, banks tend
to limit the amount borrowed to no more than 85
40 | Spring Home & Garden 2022 percent of the appraised value of the home, minus

Continued on page 42

Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 41

HOME FINANCE

HELOC “Home equity accessed through

Continued from page 40 a HELOC can be a great source
of value for future renovations,
what is owed on the mortgage. HELOC terms also large purchases such as cars,
vary, but they can run for as long as 30 years. educational expenses, and

Even though there are many benefits to HELOCs, ”alternative debt repayment.
there is a downside to using a home as collateral.
Investopedia says home equity lenders place a sec-
ond lien on the home (in addition to the first mort-
gage lien). Defaulting on HELOC payments can re-
sult in legal action and a home being repossessed.
Another potential pitfall is a lender may reduce or
freeze your credit line after missed payments. Even
though banks attempt to limit how much can be
borrowed through HELOCs to help avoid potentially
negative situations, they are not without risk.

Borrowers considering a HELOC have other options,
including home equity loans. Homeowners can
speak with financial advisors to learn more about
their options for maximizing equity in their homes.

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HOME FINANCE

6 options for will cost, and then cannot successfully budget
funding your and secure financing once they have set their
next home sights on a renovation project.
improvement
project HomeAdvisor says that some of the more popular
projects, such as remodeling a kitchen or bathroom
Before starting a home improvement project, or building a deck, can cost, on average, $19,920,
either on one’s own or with the assistance of $9,274 and $6,919, respectively.
a professional contractor, homeowners must
first consider the costs involved. According to Homeowners may find that the more expensive
the home improvement resource HomeAdvi- renovations require them to secure some type of fi-
sor, more than one-third of homeowners do nancing. Those who have never before sought such
not understand what hiring a professional financing may want to consider these options.

44 | Spring Home & Garden 2022 1 Home equity loan: Individuals also can borrow
against equity in their homes with a fixed
interest rate through a home equity loan. Most
lenders will calculate 80 percent of the home value
and subtract a homeowner’s mortgage balance to
figure out how much can be borrowed, according
to the financial advisory site The Simple Dollar.

HOME FINANCE

2Cash-out refinancing: With cash-out refi- maximizing rewards points through home improve-
nancing, a person will begin the mortgage ment retailers or specific credit card company pro-
process anew with the intention of paying off motions, credit cards can be a way to earn various
the current mortgage balance, and then taking perks in addition to the benefit of improving a home.
out additional funds for other purposes. Cash-out
refinancing is a way to tap into a home’s existing 5 Personal loan: Homeowners can shop around
equity for use on improvements or other expenses, at various financial institutions for competitive
such as college tuition. personal loans to be used for home improve-
ment purposes. Funds may be approved within one
3 Home equity line of credit: The financial business day, which can be ideal for those who
experts at Bankrate indicate that a HELOC want to begin their improvements soon.
works like a credit card, with the house as
collateral. There is a credit limit, and borrowers can 6 Personal line of credit: A personal line of credit
spend up to that limit. The interest rate may or may allows borrowers to borrow only the money
not be fixed. However, the interest may be tax-de- needed at the time, and offers a variable
ductible if the financing is used to improve, buy or interest rate that is generally lower than fixed loan
build a home. rates. Again, like a credit card, PLOC gives a person
a maximum borrowing amount and is ideal for
4 Credit cards: In a pinch, credit cards can be used ongoing purchases.
to finance improvements, but they do come
with the cost of very high interest rates if the Homeowners looking to finance their next improve-
balance is not paid in full by the time the bill comes ments should speak to a financial advisor and shop
due. However, for funding smaller projects and around for the best types of funding for them.

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Spring Home & Garden 2022 | 45

HOME FINANCE

How to determine if it’s time to downsize

Individuals work hard to save enough money to
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home, they may set their sights on renovations that
suit their individual needs. And even when buyers
find a home that needs no such work, maintenance
requires homeowners’ utmost attention.

All that hard work is perhaps one reason why se-
niors may be a little reluctant to downsize as they
advance through their golden years. In addition
to the sweat equity homeowners put into their
homes, all the memories they’ve made within
their walls can make it harder to put a home on
the market.

Downsizing is a difficult decision that’s unique to
each homeowner. Seniors who aren’t quite certain

Continued on page 48

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HOME FINANCE

Downsize rooms they still use on a consistent basis. If much of
the home is unused, seniors can probably downsize
Continued from page 46 without adversely affecting their daily lives.

if downsizing is right for them can consider three • Market: The real estate market is another factor
key factors to make a decision that’s in their best to consider when deciding if the time is right to
interests. downsize. A seller’s market can help seniors get
the biggest return on their real estate investment,
• Cost: Perhaps no variable affects senior home- potentially helping them make up for meager retire-
owners’ decisions to downsize their homes as much ment savings. For example, home prices skyrocketed
as cost. No one wants to outlive their money, and across the country during the COVID-19 pandem-
downsizing to a smaller home can help seniors re- ic, making that a great time for sellers to put their
duce their monthly expenses by a significant mar- homes on the market. Seniors selling to downsize
gin. Even homeowners who have long since paid may capitalize on such spikes since they won’t be
off their mortgages can save substantial amounts looking to turn around and buy larger, equally ex-
of money by downsizing to a smaller home or even pensive homes once they sell their current place. If
an apartment or condominium. Lower property the market is down and seniors can withstand the
taxes, reduced insurance premiums and the need work and cost a little longer, it may be best to wait
to pay for fewer repairs are just some of the ways until things bounce back in sellers’ favor.
downsizing can save seniors money.
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pprorofefessssioionnaallsseerrvviiccee,, aanndd aann uunnmmaattcchheeddppGaaeiintntstinitnaggretexxdppeweriretihenncaceFeeRveEevrEeyreytismttimiem.ea. te from CertaPro P

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50 | Spring Home & Garden 2022