Dominique's Blog

Benefits of preapproval

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:25:05 -0600

As my business grows, I get more and more questions from both buyers and sellers as to why I require preapproval to show a house. There are dozens of benefits to sellers and buyers in any market. Here's the basics:

Benefits for Sellers:

Only serious buyers will take the time to get preapproved for a loan. This helps weed out nosy neighbors and casual lookers.

You will know that the people taking your time and visiting your home can afford to get a loan if they love your house. This is especially important if you have a high-end property.

Benefits for Buyers:

Don't waste time looking at homes you cannot afford. Unless you have a huge lump sum of money sitting in the bank, you cannot afford a $200,000 home on $40,000 a year. Mathematically, it's impossible. So why would you want to look at a home, fall in love, then find out there is no way you can live there? If you are looking for motivation to further your education or strive for a promotion, take virtual tours online - we have lots of great photos, and you can do it whenever you feel like it.

Give yourself an advantage in a competitve market. By having a preapproval letter, you're telling sellers you're serious about buying a home. When it comes time to negotiate, your solid finances can help you get the home you want for a lower price.

Basically, preapproval saves us all time, energy, and frustration.

5 things to do in February

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:32:29 -0600

Sellers: 5 things you can do next month to keep your home at its best.

When showings are less frequent, it's a great time to catch up on some little projects that can have a big return. My top 5 choices are:

1. Clean from top to bottom.

2. Freshen paint in the kitchen.

3. Scrub your carpeting (especially if you smoke or have pets!)

4. Put up new bath towels.

5. Upgrade to natural light style lightbulbs to keep your home feeling bright even on dark evenings.

Happy Holidays!

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:16:47 -0600

However you celebrate, enjoy the season!

Best wishes for fortune and success in the upcoming year!!!

Happy Holidays!

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:15:41 -0600

However you celebrate, enjoy the season!

Best wishes for fortune and success in the upcoming year!!!

America's Best Outdoor Towns - Davis, WV

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:19:17 -0600

^{A trip to the great outdoors may be just the thing you need during this hectic time of year. For the residents of Mineral County and the surrounding area, relief may be just beyond your doorstep in Davis, West Virginia.
MSN CityGuide named Davis (best known for Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley) to its list of America's Best Outdoor Towns. Locals often overlook Blackwater Falls, associating the park with school field trips and tourists from the Capitol. Perhaps we need to take a fresh look at this booming and culturally diverse area. Check out the excerpt below for suggestions for planning your next weekend getaway.
http://cityguides.msn.com/green/greenarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=5769840&page=3Davis,
Davis may have a diminutive population-624, at last count-but its dedication to the outdoors is gargantuan. Blackwater Bike Shop (304-259-5286), a local outfit owned by West Virginian mountain biker Roger Lilly, services some of the country's top riders, and will also happily rent rookies their own fat tires, and point out top trails including the 28-mile Plantation Trail. Blackwater Brewing Company (304-259-4221) keeps bikers, hikers and skiers stoked with burgers, bratwurst and craft beers while the Bright Morning Inn (304-259-5119) lodges travelers in a former 19th-century boardinghouse and saloon. And yes, there are skiers here; 150 inches of snow fall on Davis each year, creating scenic and surprisingly steep trails at Timberline Four Seasons Resort (866-438-7259) and Canaan Valley (800-622-4121). Crowds and lift lines are a rarity here.}

Selling your home during the holidays

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:19:06 -0600

We all know the real estate market has been strange the past few months. As a result of the turbulence, many homes are staying on the market longer than before. So, what should you do if your home is listed during the holidays? Show off your Christmas tree? What about your Diwali sidewalk art? Your beautiful silver menorah? Read on for some basic do's and don'ts.

First of all, let's talk about the facts. Everyone has different views on different holidays. You may be subconsciously turning off buyers with different religious views. Your best bet is to skip decorating if your house is for sale. I know 99.9% of you are going to disregard that advice, and that's okay. It is your home until it's sold, and you'll likely have very few (if any) showings during the month of December. So, if you're going to decorate, here's how...

~Put presents in a closet, if possible.

~Keep walkways clear.

~Be steadfast about vacuuming up pine needles if you use a natural tree.

~Keep decor more wintry and natural. Think bay laurel wreaths and rosemary bushes, not sparkly gold tinsel.

DON'T

~Cover up important selling features with decorations. If you have an arched entryway leading to your dining room and it's strung with garland, we won't be able to see it.

~Leave candles burning unattended. If for religious reasons you cannot extinguish your candles, stay home during that showing. You can grab a mug of coffee and sit in the kitchen. As long as you aren't acting as a 'tour guide' most buyers will understand your presence.

~Stress yourself out! You're busy enough during the holiday season!

Terrapin Run in the news again

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:04:41 -0600

The latest in a heated legal battle over Allegany County's proposed Terrapin Run development is heard in Maryland's highest court this Thursday.

(Read the full story here: http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_331091444.html)

How have controversial developments affected your local market / real estate climate over the years?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:06:45 -0600

Top 5 Things I'm Thankful For This Year: (leave your top 5 in the comments!)

1. My husband and 8 furry kids.

2. Steady business in a tight real estate market.

3. Bryanna Clark Grogan's vegan pumpkin pie.

4. Crisp autumn mornings.

5. My new bathroom sink.

Large Inventory Overwhelms Buyers

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:48:51 -0600

This news clip was in the LA Times last week. http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2007103006?OpenDocument

What are your thoughts? I've found that many buyers become defensive when you ask them to obtain preapproval for a loan. What techniques and strategies do you use to keep the buyer at ease but avoid wasting the sellers (and your!) time?

Local Real Estate & Development News

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:55:45 -0500

The local papers have had lots of great articles in the past few weeks. In case you've missed them, I've gathered together the best of the best to share with you here. Make sure to check out the Washington Post story!

Have a happy and safe Halloween!!!

http://www.times-news.com/archivesearch/local_story_297083319.html

http://www.times-news.com/archivesearch/local_story_295085435.html

http://www.times-news.com/archivesearch/local_story_293232132.html

http://www.times-news.com/archivesearch/local_story_284112331.html

http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/Business/2007101330

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082600795_pf.html

From Realtor News - Open Houses

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:42:30 -0500

Personally, I don't hold open houses unless a seller absolutely demands one. I suspect the the efficacy of open houses is directly related to the type of market (urban, suburban, rural) and the climate (buyers' market, sellers' market, etc.)

What do you think?

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2007101501?OpenDocument

Daily Real Estate News | October 15, 2007Is the Open House What It Used to Be?
While 80 percent of home buyers used the Web to search for properties, only 42 percent visited open houses last year, reports the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. But does that mean open houses are a waste of time? Depends on whom you ask.

Broker John Hodnett, of Lilia Delman Real Estate in Coastal Rhode Island, has only held one open house in his 16-year real estate career. He says serious buyers tend to view properties online and make appointments to tour the specific properties that truly spark their interest.

On the other hand, open houses often are frequented by people who simply want to see what a home looks like with no plans of making a purchase.

However, Hodnett notes that some sellers demand open houses because they want to know their agent is working hard to sell the home.

Real estate practitioners who believe in the benefits of open houses say they allow buyers to view properties without having to make an appointment or work with a real estate agent.

In a modern twist, some agents are scheduling the events at nontraditional times, tantalizing prospects with refreshments, and working with competitors to organize multi-agency tours. Advocates say this marketing tool also provide a means for agents to develop relationships with prospective buyers, who often go on to work with them to purchase a different home.

Source: RisMedia.com (10/10/07)

© Copyright 2007 Information Inc.

Fall 'To Do's if you're selling

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:50:05 -0500

First of all, I'm sorry for the delay in writing this blog. It has been nearly a month since I written anything. Business has been booming the past several weeks after a quiet summer, so I've been spending my days in the field. I'll try to set aside some time at least once a week to write or at least pass along an interesting article or two.

As you've probably noticed - fall has arrived! My favorite time of year - pie baking, cooler weather, and vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges on the trees. What do you, the seller, need to do to present your home during this glorious time of year? A few simple things will give you a leg up on the competition:

1. Maintain your leaves; especially on your deck, sidewalk, or patio.

2. Keep seasonal decorations to a minimum; not everyone celebrates Halloween!

3. Purchase a few pots of mums to brighten your entryway.

4. Light a seasonal scented candle (like pumpkin or apple cider) to make your home feel warm and inviting.

5. As always, keep your home bright, clean, and clutter-free!

Selling Your Home - The Dos and Don'ts

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:24:16 -0500

DO consult a Realtor to get up-to-date comparable properties.

Comps change on a monthly basis, especially with the sub-prime mortgage market fallout. Many buyers are freezing right now because they don't know what homes are worth. Make sure it will be clear to them (and their agent) that your home is well-priced.

DO price right from the beginning if you are serious about selling.

If you overprice with the plan to 'come down' you will lose prospects. For example, if you have a home that you want to sell for around $200,000, price at $199,900, not $214,000. With so many properties on the market, you're going to get lost in the shuffle. If I'm a buyer searching online for a home between $175,000 - $200,000, I am probably searching just in that price range, maybe a little lower. I'm not going to look in the low $200ks if I retrieve 60 results from my first search.

DO reevaluate your price if you have had less than 3 showings in one month and/or your property has been on the market for over 3 months with no offers.

DO think about cosmetics when setting your price.

A well-manicured, professionally staged home will bring more money and sell faster. It is essential to have the 'whole package' if you are serious about selling. The competition is tough right now! Your home has to be standout. Buyers will notice small details like your dirty baseboard trim [suggests deferred maintenance] or your crammed full cabinets [suggests a storage space issue]. If you really, really don't want to do anything to your home to get it ready to sell, then plan to be priced at least a few thousand dollars lower than comparable homes and add a few months on to your closing time.

DON'T always list with the agent who suggests the highest price.

A good agent will help you get the most money possible for your home in the shortest amount of time. My job isn't to over inflate your expectations; it's to tell you the truth and deliver on my promises.

DON'T think that you can add my (or any agent's) commission to your sales price.

DON'T calculate your asking price using this formula: what you paid for the house + what you put into the house = what your house is worth.

Unfortunately what you paid has no impact on the value of your home. Say you use that formula here: $140,000 + $17,000 = $157,000, but my comparables show that your home should list for $145,000. If you really cannot accept a loss, don't list your home. It is a waste of time to be listed 10% or more over the most recent sales prices. I don't want you to think I'm not doing my job because the property isn't selling, and I don't want to have to ask you repeatedly for price reductions to get the price where we should have started.

DON'T hesitate to call me if you have questions.

Whether you're thinking about selling your home tomorrow or in 3 months, I have time to discuss your property and my marketing strategy. We really believe in our motto "For care before, during, and after the sale!"

Will FHA Policy Changes Save Our Market?

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 07:10:42 -0500

After reading the recent article on realtor.org http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2007083101?OpenDocument on the modernization of FHA, I'm left wondering. Will it be enough? Will buyers be ready to, well... BUY?

Of course, this initiative will help owners of existing homes that are on the brink of foreclosure, but what about the buyers who are looking right now? Consumer confidence seems very low (at least in my market) right now, and I'm not sure how much this will help.

I don't think that the analysts you see on TV will give this new program much coverage. It's not as 'interesting' as a subprime mortgage crisis.

What do you think?

Mineral County Market Update

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:32:38 -0500

Lower your commission, make more money?

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:47:15 -0500

I've received several emails from my ActiveRain colleagues regarding our company's reduced commission rates. I thought I would answer a few common questions that can help you decide if it is right for you.

Q: Is this limited service?

A: No, we offer full service residential at 4.9% (land and commercial at higher rates). This includes strong internet and print marketing, custom flyers, open houses, and free home staging.

Q: Why are you doing this?

A: Why not? We knew we were taking a risk when we started this incentive in the spring, but it has been a great move for us. Not only do we get more listings (we have a large percentage of the market share in our local area, especially considering how new we are), but our sellers are more receptive to suggestions on improvements and price adjustments. We also try to minimize our overhead costs.

Q: How is it working?

A: Great! We currently have about a 30% listing rate with FSBOs, compared to the national average of around 10%. We also have earned every listing that we've interviewed for; even when up against local top-producing agents. We are definitely bringing in more money every month, even with the current mortgage market issues.

Q: How does the commission split work?

A: We keep 2.4% and give the subagency 2.5%

Q; Do you get complaints about these rates from other agencies?

A: Not really; but some think we're crazy!!! If an agent has a problem with the commission, I can usually negotiate a selling bonus (around $1,000 for most homes) with the homeowner. Again, the homeowners are SO MUCH more receptive to incentives because they are already saving money.

If anyone else decides to try this out, send me a message. I'd love to hear from you!

New Fort Ashby Development Lives Up to It’s Name

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:03:59 -0500

Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate is pleased to announce their agency agreement with Jim and Sandy Kinnamon, of Kinco Construction, who plan to develop a new community in Fort Ashby.

The development, called Creekside Manor, will allow residents nearly half a mile of access to Patterson's Creek for fishing, swimming, and relaxing. Once completed, the development will consist of approximately 40 custom-built modular homes with pricing starting in the $150,000's.

The new development will have paved roads, street lighting, underground utilities, public water and sewer, in addition to the water access in the common area.

For more information on the development, call Dominique Nabholz at (304) 726-4567 or visit the company's website at dominiquenabholz.com.

The Grand Opening will be held in early September, details to follow.

Tell me what you think. No...what you REALLY think.

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:18:21 -0500

The National Association of Realtors recently completed its annual satisfaction survey and it got me thinking...What do you think of me? So, with a little help from my good friends at Survey Monkey, I composed a satisfaction survey of my own. It only takes 5 minutes (10 questions). The results are made anonymous, so really tell us the truth!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kqIBuTyCZIcf6SoeY34vTQ_3d_3d

The no-money, no-time guide to home selling

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:40:16 -0500

The no-money, no-time guide to home selling

So you're planning to sell your home, but you don't have money to invest beforehand. You also don't have the time to tackle big weekend projects. What to do?

Here are five easy low-to-no-cost suggestions to expedite the sale of your home:

1. If it's broken, fix it! Replace burned out light bulbs, use WD-40 on sticking doors, tighten jiggly cabinet knobs, and replace the broken slats on your blinds. (Cost: $0 [you should have this stuff laying around your house] Time: 5-30 minutes)

2. Clean your appliances! Scrub your oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher with a baking soda and white vinegar solution [a powerful, economical, natural cleaner]. You'll take 5 years off the apparent age of your appliances just by keeping them spic and span. (Cost: $3-5; Time: 1 hour)

3. Pack up any decorative accessories smaller than the size of a football. Anything smaller can seem cluttered. (Cost: $0; Time: depends upon how many items you have; BONUS: Saves you time packing later!)

4. Plug-ins. Smell can leave a very strong first impression with Buyers. You don't want them to remember your home as the one that smells like a dog or old coffee. So, rather than kick Fido to the curb and hit Starbucks up for your caffeine buzz, keep it simple. Use an air sanitizing spray (such as Oust) regularly in potential problem areas (around the litter box and trash can, for example.) Purchase several high-quality plug-ins to scatter around your home. Our favorite scents? Satsuma from the Body Shop and Vanilla Mint by Method Home Products. (Cost: $30 or less, depending upon the size of your home; Time: 5 minutes)

5. Sweep your front walkway and clean the door. If you have a nice wreath or plaque, use that for the perfect finishing touch. For extra pizzazz, consider a few small colorful flowers to frame the entryway. (Cost: $30 or less, including plants; Time: 45 minutes)

Cumberland, MD - Local Housing Market BOOM!

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 07:12:02 -0500

http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/22/real_estate/bust_what_bust/

An excerpt from the article:

"In Cumberland Maryland, which had the largest home-price increase in the nation by percentage (up 17.1 percent), the median home sold for just $100,000."

Vacation Homes

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 09:54:17 -0500

With summertime in full swing now, most of us have visions of perfect days at the beach or a weeklong retreat at a mountaintop hideaway. When we return home, we think 'ahh...wouldn't it be nice to go to {insert destination of choice here} whenever I felt like it?'

It might be easier than you think to own a vacation home.

Here are a few considerations when making the purchase: Vacation homes / investment property mortgages are usually more difficult to obtain than mortgage loans for your primary residence. Since you already have a home mortgage, lenders have to make sure that you are in good 'financial health' and can afford additional payment obligations. Most lenders feel that if times were to get tough for you, you'll more likely miss a payment on a vacation home than on your primary residence. Excellent credit and strong assets will help you secure a loan. You will probably need to put more money down on a second home than on a primary residence.

Since this is your getaway, chances are you won't be able to check in regularly on your new retreat. This is why many second-home owners opt to hire a property management service. A good property management service will offer you assistance in many areas including reservations (for weeks the property is being rented), advertising, handling emergency situations (such as a pipe bursting at 2 a.m.), and housekeeping. After all, you don't want to spend your vacation scrubbing floors and replacing shower heads.

New Market Update for Mineral County

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Thu, 24 May 2007 12:56:42 -0500

This information is compiled by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. (MRIS)

Market Type

On a scale of 1 - 5 (1=Buyer's Market and 5=Seller's Market) Mineral County is currently a 2.

Now is the time to take advantage of our low 4.9% commission and free home staging to make your home stand out and put more money in your bank account!

Q1' 07 Q2' 07

Average Price $156,100 $148,700

# Homes for Sale 137 164

# Homes Sold 41 27

Avg Days on Market 115 96

Data by Zip Codes for Q2'07

26719 (Fort Ashby) had an average sale price of $1196,600, which is up a whopping 47.16% from one year ago. A total of 4 homes were sold in Fort Ashby in the 2nd quarter of 2007, which is up 33% from Q2 2006. The average selling percentage was 93.1% of the listed price.

26726 (Keyser) had an average sale price of $100,900, which is down 10.47% from one year ago. A total of 8 homes were sold in Keyser in the 2ndquarter of 2007, which is down 27.27% from Q2 2006. The average selling percentage was 91.7% of the listed price.

26743 (New Creek) had an average sale price of $124,900, which is up 8.61% from one year ago. A total of 2 homes were sold in New Creek in the 2nd quarter of 2007, which is up 100%. The average selling price was 94.3% of the listed price.

26753 (Ridgeley) had an average sale price of $161,900, which is up 37.9% from one year ago. A total of 9 homes were sold in Ridgeley in the 2nd quarter of 2007, which is down 10% from Q2 2006. The average selling price was 92.3% of the listed price.

Information on other areas not included in this report (Wiley Ford and Burlington in Mineral County, all of Hampshire County, etc.) are available by emailing me at mailto:dominiquenabholz@verizon.net.

The Problem with Over-Priced Listings

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:09:47 -0500

1. Hard to Get Real Estate Agents Excited

First, it can be difficult to get salespeople excited. Regardless of who lists your home, the problem remains the same; it's hard to get salespeople excited especially when listing inventories are high. The Realtors in our office know what people are willing to pay for a specific type of home in our area in our current market. If we list your home well over market value, their reaction will be that it's overpriced. The salespeople won't get excited because they know they can't get their buyers excited.

Conversely, if you set your initial price in a competitive range, you'll be amazed at the results. The active agents in our area get excited because they know they can get their buyers excited. Soon, you'll be signing settlement papers and packing your bags! As a former instructor of mine was fond of saying, "Folks, excitement is contagious! So is apathy. Which situation would you rather have?"

2. Hard to Get Qualified, Serious Buyers to Look

Secondly, it is virtually impossible to get qualified, informed buyers to look at overpriced listings. Serious buyers don't want to waste time. They have taken the time to tune into the market and know what homes are worth. If the sellers are asking 10 to 20 percent over other current listings, a serious buyer often declines to even look at these listings because his or her reaction is that he/she can get as much house elsewhere for less money.

3. Hard to Get an Offer

Third, even if we can get a buyer to look at an overpriced listing, it's unlikely you'll receive an offer. Why? The most common reaction is that if the sellers are unreasonable enough to overprice it, they won't accept a fair offer if one is actually made. Buyers also feel that even if the sellers finally come down on the price, it's going to be a stressful, drawn-out process because they are so far over the current market. So, when there are dozens of houses (just like the overpriced listing) on the market right now that were priced right to begin with, why waste time and energy?

4. Hard To Get Financing

Theoretically, even if we can find a buyer willing to pay above market value for a property, where are we going to get it financed? Lenders also know what fair market value is for a home. They are very unlikely to finance 80 to 90 percent of an inflated selling price. To fully appreciate this, look at the situation from the lender's viewpoint. The banks need to know that they will not suffer a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan, so they like to leave plenty of breathing room between what they lend and what they feel the property would bring at auction if they were forced to foreclose. Appraisers (sent by the lending institution) gather their market data from the same sources as real estate agents, so they know what similar properties are selling for. They will not over-inflate a value to close a loan. Therefore, even if we find a buyer who is interested and willing to take the time to negotiate, the entire settlement will be derailed by a lack of financing; wasting time and money for everyone involved.

Price right from the start and you will sell your home for more money in a shorter amount of time.

What's your home worth in today's market? Call today at (304) 726-4567 for your free property evaluation.

It IS Spring, Right?

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:43:50 -0500

Ah spring... The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, the snow plows are plowing... Well, maybe that's what it feels like right now in the Tri-State area, but according to our calendars we are well into April which means it's time to get outside (in your parka, if need be) and boost your curb appeal!

Here are a few simple steps to perk up your exterior appearance:

1. Paint worn out fences. Use subtle colors such as beige, gray, or even a soothing green.

2. Power wash or stain walkways, steps, and planters. Be sure to check out the new colored concrete stains available at any home improvement store. Some stains are even designed to make concrete look like flagstone. Talk about a bargain!

3. Install or replace edging. Edging makes a clear distinction between lawns and flowerbeds or walkways. You can also consider installing pathway lighting in a 12 inch wide edged and mulched area along sidewalks. (After you power wash or stain the walkway, of course!)

4. Plant bright annuals in groups of 7 or more. These large bold groupings don't cost much (especially with economical flowers like pansies) but make a huge impact when grouped together. Try to use colors that complement your home.

5. If all else fails, mulch! Fill in flower beds or bare ground with a thin layer of mulch. Cedar mulch is great because it offers natural pest control. Be sure not to mulch too thin (wears away quickly) or too heavily (attracts mold). Two to three inches is considered the ideal depth.

Congrats Morgantown, WV!!!

Dominique Nabholz (Cozatt & Nabholz Real Estate) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:52:36 -0500

Congratulations, Morgantown!

If you haven't already heard the exciting news, Morgantown, West Virginia was named by the National Historic Trust as one of a "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" this year. The full story is available on the National Trust's website.

http://www.nationaltrust.org/dozen_distinctive_destinations/2007/2007/03/nine.html

If you're interested in purchasing a weekend home in or around Morgantown, contact me!