Category: Homeowner

Who knew that it would take a pandemic and being forced to remain in your home all of the time to turn it from something you love to something you despise?

It’s interesting how we learn to live with a home’s flaws, be it decorating that needs updating to that way-too-small kitchen. But living with these flaws 24/7, especially with children underfoot, while trying to remain productive, isn’t easy.

If you’re still reeling from the remnants of cabin fever and you don’t plan on selling the home for something comfier, how about giving it a bit of sprucing up? You’d be surprised at how easy and inexpensive it is to make your home easier to live in.

Get rid of the stale and boring

Too often we learn to live with something, never considering how it makes us feel. This includes home décor items.

Go through the home with the aim of looking at every piece of art, all the throw rugs and curtains, every hanging mirror, every accessory on shelves and tabletop – every object of décor in the home, top to bottom.

Those items that no longer appeal to you, or that you find stale and boring, need to go. Sell them on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or even Ebay. Or, have a garage sale. Use the money you make to buy items that better appeal to you.

Stock up on live plants

What goes around comes around and that couldn’t be truer in 2020. In the 1970s, houseplants were all the rage. Americans created urban jungles in the apartments and homes with hanging plants, tall trees and even food crops.

It’s back. Today, it’s primarily millennials catching the houseplant fever, but others are enjoying the trend as well.

Indoor plants can add color and interest in the home and they don’t necessarily require a lot of care. From the Chinese evergreen to the peace lily and ponytail palm, there are a variety of low-maintenance houseplants from which to choose (you’ll find a list of 10 of them here).

If you have children and/or pets, you’ll want to ensure the plants you choose aren’t toxic. The ASPCA online offers a database of thousands of plants and rates their toxicity when it comes to pets. Type the name of the plant into the box labeled “Enhanced by Google” to learn all about pet-safe plants.

For information on which plants to avoid if you have children, visit Poison.org or check out the list at BHG.com.

By the way, plants don’t clean the air in homes. Surprised? Learn how the NASA study was misunderstood and manipulated when presented to the public and how the media and the landscaping industry’s claims have been debunked.

Spend a lot of time in the kitchen?

It’s easy and inexpensive to help your kitchen get over the blahs. Start with the cabinets and install new hardware.

Be aware, however, that the array of choices is dizzying. Take a look at decorating websites for kitchens that appeal to you. Do you like knobs or handles, contemporary or country or antique? Which finishes appeal to you?

Then head to the hardware store or shop online at HomeDepot.com, Lowes.com, Wayfair.com, Signature Hardware or Amazon.com.

Light it up

We get it – some people feel perfectly comfortable in the dark. But when it comes to the interior of a home, a dark atmosphere is dreary. It’s also unhealthy.

A National Institutes of Health study found that “… inadequate light in housing is independently associated with depression and falls,” in those older than 18 years of age.

In fact, those participants who claimed to have inadequate light in their homes were nearly 1.5 times more likely to be depressed than those with adequate lighting. The rate for falls was 2 times that of folks with good lighting in the home.

If you lack lots of windows through which natural light can stream, consider either brighter bulbs in the lighting you do have or adding additional lighting.

Start with the room you feel the least comfortable in and change the ceiling fixture. Or, purchase some table lamps. We’re betting that these small fixes will change the entire atmosphere in that room you previously couldn’t stand.

New paint can make you fall in love with your home all over again

Paint is the wonder drug for what ails a house. Not only does it change the appearance of a room, but it makes it feel fresh and new.

Consider wallpaper if paint isn’t your thing. If you haven’t purchased paint before, be aware that the color choices now are just about endless.

Other easy ways to make your home more fun to be in include rearranging the furniture, recovering the sofa or using slip covers. Buy new window coverings or flooring.

You don’t have to live in a home that no longer appeals to you. We’d be happy to help you sell it and find one that makes you happy. Or, do an inexpensive makeover, one weekend at a time.

A recent Google Trends announcement included a graph of a “breakout trend” for two search terms: Eviction and Foreclosure.

 With unemployment rates at record highs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent business closures, renters and homeowners are still scrambling to make their rent and mortgage payments.

Back in April, “New mortgage delinquencies hit a record, … well above anything seen during the Great Recession,” according to Andrew Van Dam at WashingtonPost.com.

Some of these homeowners are taking advantage of forbearance offered by their lenders, others, because their loans aren’t backed by the Federal Government, are sadly at risk of losing their homes and investment properties.

In fact, when those with deferrals are removed from the equation, “… about 8.4 million households missed a mortgage payment” as of the end of June, according to Van Dam.

If you are among them, read on to learn about how you can avoid foreclosure and the devastation it brings to your credit rating.

The ramifications of foreclosure

There are several tough consequences when a homeowner allows the home to go into foreclosure:

• You will lose your home.
• You will lose any equity in the home.
• There is a waiting period before you can purchase another home. For a conventional loan, you’ll need to wait seven years. If you can prove extenuating circumstances (which you most likely have, given the pandemic), the waiting period is three years.
• Your credit will need to be repaired before considering another home purchase. “… if your credit score is 680, a foreclosure will drop your credit score on average by 85 to 105 points,” according to FinancialSamurai.com, citing the experts at FICO.
• The damage to your credit score may affect how much you pay for insurance, whether or not you’ll qualify for a job and even your ability to rent a home.

Alternative number 1: Sell the home

Selling the home is the most obvious choice for the distressed homeowner. Yes, your lender will get paid from the proceeds of the sale and you may not end up with as much money as you’d hoped.

The advantage to this solution, however, is that your credit score won’t be impacted as hard as it will if you allow the home to be taken by the lender.

“If your credit score is excellent at 780, a foreclosure will drop your score by 140 to 160 points. In other words, the higher your credit score the more it will get smashed!”

If you sell the home, however, the late payments or even missed payments won’t be as tough on your credit.

Plus, you may be able to qualify to purchase another home right away.

If your loan is delinquent and you’re considering selling, the longer you wait, the less money you’ll end up with at closing. Reach out to us and we’ll show you how we can sell your home quickly and for the most money the market will allow.

2. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure

A deed-in-lieu of foreclosure agreement is one in which the lien holder agrees to take the deed back in satisfaction or partial satisfaction of your obligation, in lieu of foreclosure.

Government entities, such as the FHA and the Veteran’s Administration, have their own deed-in-lieu programs with various requirements. Typically, these programs and lenders in general require that the property be lien-free before they’ll accept it back.

Why would a lender agree to enter into this type of an agreement? Since this arrangement is quicker and less expensive than foreclosure, according to Gary Neustadter, Santa Clara Law professor, a lender is more likely to be amenable to the deed-in-lieu agreement if it believes that the home is worth close to market value or to the amount of your debt.

There are tax ramifications to this alternative, so consult with your financial adviser before proceeding.

While water is a critical part of life on earth, it can also be deadly. From hurricanes to flash floods, we’re often faced with water-caused disasters.

The number one disaster in the U.S. is flood and it rings up about $2 billion dollars in insurance claims annually.

We are heading into what the experts call “peak flood season,” which occurs between late spring through summer. “This is due to a combination of factors, including a slower jet stream and more humid air,” according to the Weather Channel’s Jonathan Erdman.

Folks living in flood-prone areas who lack flood insurance can be on the hook for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

The National Flood Insurance Program says that the average claim is $46,000 and that only 15 percent of American homeowners carry the policy.

Unless you have a lot of cash stashed away, why wouldn’t you carry flood insurance? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons the experts hear.

I can’t afford flood insurance. I’ll buy it when the time comes

This is a bit like saying that you can’t afford auto insurance and you’ll wait until you’re involved in an accident to buy it.

It just doesn’t work that way.

Besides, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that there is a waiting period (typically 30 days) after payment of the first premium before the policy kicks in.

There are exceptions to this and you can find out more at FEMA.gov.

Affordability shouldn’t be an issue – at least not when you compare the monthly cost of a policy (about $54 on average) to the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars you’ll spend to repair or rebuild your home.

I’m pretty sure flood damage is covered by my homeowners insurance

According to the Insurance Information Institute, “Standard homeowners and renter’s insurance does not cover flood damage.” If you purchased a separate policy, then you’re covered. But, as mentioned earlier, most homeowners don’t purchase it.

I don’t live in a flood plain

One-fifth of insurance claims for flood damage are from homeowners who live in low-to-moderate risk areas, according to FEMA.

Lenders typically don’t demand flood coverage to folks buying homes in these risk corridors so it’s up to the homebuyer to be proactive.

If you have flood insurance

Just as you should do with your homeowners policy, you should review your flood coverage at least annually.

The National Flood Insurance Program offers up to $250,000 in coverage for the home and $100,000 in coverage for your personal property.

Often, people will buy expensive items and neglect to obtain additional coverage to protect their loss.

Be proactive – it may save you from the devastation of losing your home. The FEMA website offers more information.

Nearly 70% of U.S. households include a pet. That’s 85 million families with a finned or four-legged family member, according to the American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owner’s Survey.

We all know that moving from one home to another can be stressful on children but it can be equally challenging for our pets.

We’ve rounded up some tips from the pros on how to make the transition easier for your pets.

Visit your pet’s veterinarian

Sure, your schedule is packed in the weeks before moving, but a quick visit to your pet’s veterinarian is important.

If your pet is on medication, ask for refills for the prescription. As well, if your pet is prone to anxiety, ask the vet for medications to help during the move.

Most important of all, though is to ensure your pet is microchipped.

If your pet should get out of the new house before he or she becomes acclimated to the area, there’s a good chance it will become disoriented and find itself utterly lost.

With a chip in place, whomever finds the pet will be able to contact you.

It’s also a good idea to ensure that the pet is wearing a collar with identification tags as a backup.

Which leads us to the second part of the microchip issue. If your pet is already chipped, ask your vet how you can update your contact information to include your new address and phone number (if that will be changing).

Finally, ask for a copy of your pet’s records, including all visits and vaccination records, and a referral to a veterinarian in your new town.

Tips for a long-distance move with a pet

The American Humane Society (AHS) recommends transporting your pet by car, if at all possible.

Before making the trip make reservations at pet-friendly hotels along the route. You can find some at PetsWelcome.com or Pet-Friendly-Hotels.net.

AHS also recommend that you transport your pet in a “… secure, well-ventilated pet carrier.” Also ensure that you have an escape-proof collar, leash, water and food bowls, pet food and bottles of water for those potty/rest stops you’ll need to make.

On moving day, keep the pet in a room with a closed door or in a crate in a quiet area of the home. The last thing you need when you’re on a tight moving schedule is for your pet to attempt a great escape.

Pet-proof the new home

Upon arrival at the new home, secure the pet in a bedroom along with its bed, crate and favorite toy or a piece of your clothing with your scent on it.

Then, head outdoors and check the fence, from top to bottom, for holes or gaps that the pet can fit through. Naturally, if your pet is a cat, he or she can just go over the fence, so this tip is primarily for dog owners.

If there’s a lawn, check it for signs of being recently fertilized (pellets, etc.). Don’t allow the pet into the backyard until you’ve thoroughly washed away any fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides.

Run a quick check of the plants in the backyard to ensure they’re pet-friendly. Check the database at ASPCA.org.

Take your dog on a tour of the neighborhood

Over the course of the first week or so in the new home, make it a point to walk your dog around the new neighborhood. Very soon, he or she will be acclimated to the new surroundings.

If the dog should get out of the house, the neighborhood will be familiar and, hopefully, your dog will be able to find the new home.

Pets have different personalities and some will sail right through a move to a new area while others may become nervous and stressed. Don’t be surprised if your pet begins behaving differently. It’s all a part of becoming comfortable and acclimated with the new surroundings.

Welcome home!

 

One of the lengthiest “to-do” lists is the one you’ll make when it’s time to move. From gathering moving materials to hiring movers and trying to time everything around a closing date – there’s a lot to do.

One very important chore that often falls through the cracks until it’s found again at the last minute is notifying people of your new address.

Here are the most critical moving notifications you’ll need to attend to.

U.S. Postal Service

This is the most critical notification you’ll make and, thankfully, they’ve made it easy for you to do. You can even specify the date on which you want to start receiving mail at the new address.

Navigate to USPS.com and fill out the form or pick up a change-of-address card at the local post office.

Utility companies

You’ll need to leave the home’s utilities on during the escrow period so that the buyer can conduct inspections. Once your moving date is firm, however, contact all utility companies with a shut-off date.

You’ll also want to determine a date for the utilities to be turned on at the new home and make a request from each company.

Add the ones that fit your situation to your list:

• Electric
• Gas
• Water
• Trash
• Sewer
• Propane delivery
• Internet service provider
• Landline phone company
• Mobile phone provider

Notify those who provide ongoing services

This list includes:

• Gardener
• Pool service
• Pet waste pickup
• Housekeeper
• Dog walker

Your pet’s microchip company

Sadly, failing to keep a pet’s microchip information updated is common. Pets in unfamiliar surroundings often get loose, become disoriented and, without a way to find you, the pet usually ends up at the pound.

If you remember which company your pet’s microchip is with, go to the company’s website and file a change of address and phone number (if it will be changing).

Otherwise, take the time to visit your pet’s veterinarian. They’ll typically scan the pet for free. Then you can notify the company of your new details.

Voter registration, Social Security and government benefits offices

Learn how to change your voter registration at USA.gov.

Social Security benefit recipients can change their address online as well. If you don’t have an account at the Social Security website, you’ll need to create one first (it’s free). You can do that at SSA.gov.

Collecting unemployment insurance benefits or public assistance? Call the offices to determine how they prefer you to file a change-of-address.

Your bank

Yes, the USPS will forward your mail, but banking information is just too important to trust anyone else with it.

Take the time to notify your bank, retirement fund companies and credit card companies of your new address.

Driver’s license and registration

DMV.org offers a handy tool for people in all 50 states to determine what is required to change their address with the DMV.

This list is by no means comprehensive, but it does list some of the most important notifications you’ll need to make when you move.

Your bathroom is the workhorse of your home. It’s designed to be useful and durable. But, at some point, fixtures will need to be replaced.

Thankfully, when you replace an old toilet, the chances are quite good that you’ll be choosing a more efficient model which will pay for itself over time. This is especially true if the current toilet was manufactured before 1980, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Those toilets use up to six gallons of water during each flush. In fact, toilets are the water hogs of the entire home, “… accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption,” according to the experts at EPA.gov.

When you replace the old model with a new, more efficient one, you’ll save water and money. Go for a WaterSense-labeled toilet and you can save “… more than $110 per year in water costs, and $2,200 over the lifetime of the toilet,” according to the EPA.

The sheer volume of different brands and models of toilets you’ll find at the local home improvement store can make shopping for one a bit challenging. We’ve rounded up some tips that will help.

One piece or two?

Depending on model, a toilet can be one piece or constructed of two pieces (the more traditional design).

A one-piece toilet, because it lacks gaps between the tank and the bowl, is easier to keep clean and recommended for families with children.

The two-piece, or traditional-style toilet may cost less and it is easier to install, especially if you’ll be doing the install solo.

Get the right size

The hole over which the toilet will be mounted and the distance from the wall to the center of the hole is called the “rough-in.” This distance is 10, 12 or 14 inches.

Take the rough-in measurement before you head out to buy a new toilet to ensure it will fit.

How much water does it use?

Different toilet models come with different flush options. All modern toilets (those manufactured since the mid-1990s) use a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush. That’s the standard toilet.

Low flush toilets, on the other hand, may use as little as 1.28 gallons. “While low-flow toilets are often more expensive to install and maintain than traditional toilet fixtures, they can also save you a significant amount of money over time,” according to the experts at home warranty company, American Home Shield.

Since the bathroom is the most-frequently used room in the home, and the toilet the biggest water user, choosing a new toilet with care will pay off in the long run.

You’ve heard of home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and maybe you’ve read the studies on how home equity is the pathway to wealth.

It’s one of those real estate terms that nobody bothers to explain, just assuming everyone knows what it means.

Today, we take care of that.

What is equity?

Equity is a term used in several industries. It may refer to stock, or shareholder’s equity. In real estate, equity is “… the difference between the property’s current fair market value and the amount the owner still owes on the mortgage,” according to the experts at Investopedia.com.

“It is the amount that the owner would receive after selling a property and paying any liens.”

The simple equation for equity looks like this:

Total Assets − Total Liabilities = Equity

If your home (the asset) has a current market value of $250,000 and you still owe $200,000 on the mortgage (the liability), your equity is $50,000.

Equity, by the way, isn’t fixed; it can fluctuate according to market conditions. Building equity, however, is far more common than losing it.

Building equity

On a new loan each payment you make goes primarily to pay the interest. As the loan ages, however, more of the payment goes to whittle away at the principal. Every house payment, however, builds equity.

Making a large down payment when you buy the home provides what some refer to as “instant equity.” Not only do you build instant equity with that large down payment, but your monthly payments will be smaller than they would be had you made a smaller down payment.

Another way to build equity quickly is to make larger house payments every month. “Making additional principal payments will shorten the length of your mortgage term and allow you to build equity faster,” according to the pros at AmericanFinancing.net.

They go on to offer an example: “Consider your loan amount is $300,000 with an interest rate of 4% and a 30-year loan term. If you pay $150 additional toward the principal each month, you can expect to save $40,282 and pay off your mortgage almost 5 years earlier.”

There are pros and cons to this strategy, however, so consult with your financial adviser before taking action.

Getting your hands on that equity without having to sell the home

The most obvious way to use your equity is for a down payment on a new home when you sell the current home.

But you don’t need to sell to get access to your home equity; there are numerous ways to borrow against that equity.

The home equity loan is a second mortgage. The amount of equity you borrow against creates a new loan. Each month, you’ll not only have a mortgage payment, but a second loan payment as well.

The maximum amount you can borrow with a home equity loan is typically 85 percent of the equity in your home, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Learn more about the home equity loan on their website, at FTC.gov.

A HELOC, short for home equity line of credit, is a more flexible type of loan that acts more like “… a revolving line of credit, much like a credit card,” according to the FTC’s website.

Borrow on as as-needed basis, using either a credit card (that the lender supplies) or by writing a check. “… you make payments only on the amount you actually spend, not the full amount available,” according to the FTC.

HELOCs offer tax advantages that the home equity loan doesn’t, so talk to your financial adviser to get the details.

Refinance: Refinancing is a bit like selling the home in that you’ll take out a new first mortgage, minus your equity in cash. For instance, if the market value of your home is $200,000 and you have $100,000 in equity, you can refinance the home for what you owe on the mortgage and get your equity in cash.

Remember that your home is the security for each of these solutions, so always speak with your financial advisor before making a move.

You may also want to get to know the various “Harmful Home Equity Practices” by visiting consumer.ftc.gov and learn about the Three-Day Cancellation Rule, here.

 

 

For the past few months, we’ve been admonished to “stay home” or “shelter in place” to keep ourselves and families safe from COVID-19.

In the process of doing so, however, we’re exposing ourselves to common indoor pollutants that may be of a concentration that is comparable to a “polluted major city,” according to University of Colorado Boulder researchers.

“Even the simple act of making toast raised particle levels far higher than expected,” claims Marina Vance, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, who led the study.

Indoor pollutants are sneaky; many we can’t smell or see but may cause allergy-like symptoms, nausea, headaches and even cancer.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to mitigate the level of pollutants in the air in your home.

First, let’s take a look at that elephant in the room

Decades ago, NASA and The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (now known as The National Association of Landscape Professionals) collaborated on a study of how plants may clean indoor air.

The results, that plants were “a promising, economical solution to indoor air pollution,” was gleefully picked up by the media and distorted into the myth that we live with today.

Yes, plants may clean the air of volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as those emitted by paint, carpeting, drywall and more.

But, only in a hermetically sealed environment, such as a space station or laboratory.

Since our homes are not hermetically sealed, houseplants offer aesthetics, not clean air.

Regardless of what they tell you on your favorite online plant store’s blog, rubber plants do not “filter formaldehyde” from indoor air and pothos won’t get rid of the benzene from the air in your home.

You can read more about this debunked study at NationalGeographic.com, Newsweek.com and ScienceDaily.com.

How does this stuff get into our homes?

Indoor pollutants have a number of ways of entering our homes. “Some are carried in on the breeze; some are carried in, unwittingly, by you,” according to Mary H.J. Farrell at ConsumerReports.org.

Carpet, furniture and other upholstered items emit pollutants. Even the paint on the walls may be a contributor. The list also includes:

• Cleaning and personal care products
• Central heating and cooling systems
• Smoking in the home
• Cabinetry or furniture made of “certain pressed wood products” (EPA)
• Carbon monoxide fumes from an attached garage

For a more complete list, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency online at EPA.gov.

Improve your indoor air

Knowing that the air inside your home is polluted is frightening, but, as mentioned earlier, there are steps you can take to improve your air quality. These include:

• Keeping dust to a minimum.
• Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
• Mopping floors with non-toxic cleaners.
• Have everyone remove their shoes before entering the home.
• Routinely replace the HVAC filters in the home.
• Maintain the air conditioning unit to help lower the amount of pollen that enters the home.
• Ensure the home is well ventilated while cooking, cleaning with chemicals and using hobby or personal products.

The EPA’s website offers additional, in-depth information on how to lessen the negative health impacts of polluted air in the home (información disponible en español).

Baby, it’s HOT outside! Sadly, no matter how hard the media and public officials try to get the word out about how our heat kills, people either don’t get the message or don’t heed it.

I recently watched a video of a dog with heatstroke. The owner kept it in the backyard in Arizona and, as hard as they tried to cool it down, it eventually died.

Do you know how to recognize heat stroke in your dog and what to do to combat it?

The experts at PetMD claim that heatstroke in dogs is typically associated with air temperatures of 106 degrees Fahrenheit and higher.

​​It doesn’t take long for the heat to affect our pets. If you leave them outdoors, shade isn’t enough. They need lots of water too. But, really, bring them indoors. It’s the only sure way to protect them.

Look for these symptoms of heatstroke:

• Check your dog’s tongue. If it’s deep purple or red, get help.
• Dizziness
• Excessive thirst
• Fever
• Glazed eyes
• Heavy or difficult breathing
• Lack of coordination
• Lethargy
• Profuse salivation
• Rapid heartbeat
• Seizure
• Unconsciousness

How to treat a dog suffering from heatstroke

• Move the dog to an air-conditioned area.
• Apply cold, wet towels to the head, neck and chest or pour cool (not cold) water over the dog.
• Use a syringe or eye dropper to give the dog tiny amounts of water.
• See a veterinarian a.s.a.p.

How to prevent heatstroke in your dog

If you don’t think the sidewalk is hot when the weather is, bend down and touch it. Better yet, check out this chart from the National Weather Service:

• Walk the dog early in the morning before the ground has a chance to heat up
• Consider buying shoes for your dog (Check out the 5-star rated RoyalCare Dog Boots Paw Protectors and the summer-weight HiPaw Summer Breathable Mesh boots, both at Amazon).
• Provide lots of shade and water when outdoors
• Use a body vest meant to keep dogs cool (the Expawlorer Cooling Vest gets good reviews at Amazon.com as does the BINGPET Dog Cooling Jacket).
• Use a dog cooling pad for the outdoor dog. Amazon offers the isYoung Pet Cooling Mat, which requires no electricity.
• If you must leave the dog in your backyard, consider buying a pet pool (they’re sturdier than kiddie pools and won’t be as easily punctured by the dog’s nails) and placing it in a shady area. Introduce the dog to it so that it knows it can find relief from the heat by jumping in.

Two pools at Amazon are particularly popular PUPTECK Foldable Dog Swimming Pool AND Midlee Dog Pool.

Of course, you know to NEVER, EVER leave your dog in a car on a hot day, right? No, not even with the windows cracked.

Finally, create or buy a dog first aid kit. You never know when your dog may need help.

 

Think summer blooming plants are high maintenance? Think again; many plants offer up copious and colorful blooms, asking for little in return.

We’ve consulted with the experts to find easy-care plants with dependable summer bloom periods to share with you.

Happy planting!

Blanket Flower

The blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora), a prolific bloomer, is related to the sunflower.

And, if you’re hoping to attract butterflies into the garden this summer, blanket flower is the plant for you.

Flowers resemble daisies and bloom in red, yellow and orange. To keep them coming, deadhead (remove spent flowers) the plant regularly.

You’ll find few pests, other than aphids. Use insecticidal soap spray to defeat the little buggers.

Blanket flower is hardy to USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.

Candytuft

Yes, it resembles alyssum, but candytuft (Iberis spp.) is alyssum on steroids. Like alyssum, candytuft hugs the ground and spreads. Unlike its lookalike, however, candytuft bears fragrant flowers. Use it as a border specimen, on slopes or in containers.

Although it’s an easy-care plant, ensure that the soil it’s planted in drains well and, if you live in a dry climate, provide shade in the afternoon and keep an eye on the soil’s moisture content. Candytuft is hardy to USDA zones 3 through 9.

Canna

You’ll often hear the canna (Canna spp.) described as a “canna lily,” despite the plant not being related to lilies. Canna is a genus that includes 10 species of spectacularly flowering plants. Although its large leaves and colorful flowers evoke the tropics, cannas are perfectly suited to more temperate zones.

Speaking of foliage, some varieties have leaves as colorful as the flowers, in hues of red, purple and even variegated.

Plant your canna rhizomes in early summer in an area that receives lots of sunshine and has well-draining soil.

To get them to remain in bloom all summer, give them at least one inch of water per week – more if the weather is particularly warm. Deadhead by cutting the tall flower stalk down to the foliage to encourage the canna to rebloom.

Canna is hardy to USDA zones 8 through 11.

 Daylily

If you’re a beginning gardener, you can’t go wrong with the daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) They require little care and the payoff is an abundance of gorgeous flowers, all summer long.

In fact, “some will even give 800 flowers in a single summer!” according to American Meadows, an online plant nursery.

Depending on variety, daylilies bloom in shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, purple and even variegated flowers.

Plant your daylily in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sun per day and plan on keeping the soil somewhat moist. Add compost to the soil when planting and you won’t need to fertilize the plant at all.

Daylilies are hardy to USDA zones 3 through 9.

Pelargonium

Like the aforementioned canna, when you grow pelargonium (Pelargonium spp.) you have the added bonus of attractive foliage.

Two of the most popular include Pelargonium x hortorum (which may be labeled at the nursery as a “zonal geranium”) and P. peltatum, also known as ivy geranium for its cascading habit.

Despite the nicknames, neither of these plants is a true geranium, although they do look similar.

Pelargonium look amazing in containers or in beds and require little care as long as you incorporate lots of organic matter into the soil at planting time and protect them from high summer heat by providing shade in the afternoon.

Water when the soil is dry to about an inch deep and deadhead throughout the season to ensure continuous bloom.

Shasta Daisy

If you’re looking for a summer bloomer that will provide flowers to cut, consider growing the Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum). Known as “the classic summer flower,” it’s a low-maintenance bloomer through fall.

If you are looking for something for the cut-flower garden, this is it. Grow in full sun and provide an inch of water a week.