Here in the northwest, homeowners love the look, so do the buyers. Buyers might like the plants around a house better than the house itself. I have decided that people love plants, vines and various flowers. They look great around the house -- bursts and bundles of color with a touch of splendid elegance.

Enter that rat who supersedes all other rats -- the home inspector. The home inspector looks around and then informs the buyer that the plants should be trimmed back, even a foot or more, away from the siding.

The startled clients ask why. How can it be that this beauty presents any kind of problem? The answer is simple: In my climate, when vegetation touches siding, the siding does not dry. It stays damp. Especially with wood siding, that can lead to decay. But, with any siding, the plants and vines need to be cut back. Enter the next concern, attracting wood destroying insects -- mainly carpenter ants -- who will take any opportunity to turn nearby vegetation or a fence into an ant super highway into the siding or the framing of the home.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith