AUGUST REAL ESTATE NEWS: THE TRUTH ABOUT WHERE HOME PRICES ARE HEADING

There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a crash. Yes, in some local markets, prices are flattening or even dipping slightly this year as more homes hit the market. That’s normal with rising inventory. But the bigger picture is what really matters, and it’s far less dramatic than what the doom-and-gloom headlines suggest. Here’s why. Over 100 leading housing market experts were surveyed in the latest Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae . Their collective forecast shows prices are projected to keep rising over the next 5 years, just at a slower, healthier pace than what we’ve seen more recently. And that kind of steady, sustainable growth should be one factor to help ease your fears about the years ahead (see graph below) : And if you take a look at ...

10 Things to Do in Your Garden in March

 


  1. March is an exciting time for gardeners as it marks the beginning of spring in many regions, bringing with it opportunities for planting, preparing, and maintaining your garden. Here are some gardening tips for March:


  2. Prepare the soil: As the weather begins to warm up, it's an excellent time to prepare your garden beds for planting. Turn over the soil, remove any weeds or debris, and add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil.


  3. Start seeds indoors: Many vegetables and flowers can be started indoors in March to give them a head start before transplanting them outdoors later in the season. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and annual flowers are good candidates for indoor sowing.


  4. Plant cool-season vegetables: In regions where the threat of frost has passed, you can start planting cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, carrots, and radishes directly into the garden.


  5. Prune: March is an ideal time to prune trees and shrubs before they start actively growing. Remove dead or damaged branches, shape hedges, and prune summer-flowering shrubs to encourage healthy growth.


  6. Divide perennials: If your perennial plants have become overcrowded or are showing signs of decline, March is a good time to divide them. This helps rejuvenate the plants and promotes better growth and flowering.


  7. Control weeds: Stay on top of weeds by regularly removing them from your garden beds. Mulching can also help suppress weed growth while conserving soil moisture.


  8. Monitor pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for any signs of pests or diseases on your plants. Early detection allows for prompt intervention, whether through natural remedies, organic pesticides, or other control methods.


  9. Prepare for late frost: While spring is on its way, frost can still occur in many regions. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to protect tender plants with row covers, cloches, or other frost protection methods if necessary.


  10. Clean and sharpen garden tools: Before the gardening season gets into full swing, take some time to clean and sharpen your garden tools. Sharp tools make tasks easier and help prevent the spread of diseases between plants.


  11. Plan and design: Use March as an opportunity to plan and design your garden for the upcoming season. Consider crop rotation, companion planting, and succession planting to maximize your garden's productivity and beauty.

Remember to adjust these tips based on your specific climate and region, as gardening timelines can vary significantly depending on where you live. Happy gardening!

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