Home Buyer Maintenance Tip We enjoy trying to make sure that your home stays one of your most valuable assets. The best way we know to help you with that is to pass along some simple maintenance tips that most people don’t know that could save you thousands of dollars. Landscaping If you are going to plant trees and shrubs around your new home, here are some guidelines: In Tennessee, shade trees should be primarily on the east, south, west and northwest sides of a house. Also, we encourage you to carefully select the type the tree being considered. Decide what you really want from this tree or shrub – shade, fall color, or just eye appeal. Do you need a deciduous tree to shade an outside air-conditioning unit in the summer, while letting sunlight through in the winter? Do you want a line of evergreens to provide a windbreak in the winter and privacy the rest of the year? Another factor to consider is maintenance. Are the trees or shrubs drought resistant, or will they require large amounts of water? Along with these considerations, you should also think about their location in relation to plumbing lines, power lines, and your foundation. Michael Thornton This weekly maintenance tip has been brought to you from your friends at Complete Home Inspections, Inc. Questions or comments? E-mail us at chi_inspector@bellsouth.net or call us at (615) 661-0297. Complete Home Inspections, Inc. | 618 Split Rail Drive | Brentwood, TN 37027