Author: Scott

Scottlights I mean Spotlights

Stay tuned for upcoming videos and post about all of our amazing businesses in our community. We have so many creative and talented people growing and building so many wonderful businesses that I am going to visit. We are making our town such a wonderful place to live. Come grow with us!

Pumpkin Patches and Trick or Treat Time

One of my favorite times of year is when the decorations begin to be seen for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guess what? Its that time of year! Also the weather becomes cooler. I wanted to share some upcoming events for Halloween in our amazing community.

Trunk or Treat Activities, Fall Festivals, & Single Day Halloween Events
Lakeland Mom’s 2019 Fall & Halloween Guide

https://visitcentralflorida.org/blog/halloween-events-and-autumn-festivals-in-polk-county

Future home buyers

As the school year wraps up, many families get serious about buying a home. If that’s where your head is at, be sure you find a good loan officer before you get too far into your home search. If you are planning to stay in your home for a while still, why not take a few minutes to make your home safer or to plan a vegetable garden? Find tips for all this below!

3 Things A Good Loan Officer Will Do For You

There are many different loan options out there for aspiring homeowners. Choosing the right one is important, but so is choosing the right loan officer. Your loan officer will be responsible for helping you through any mortgage-related roadblocks you encounter so you need to make sure your loan officer is prepared to help you.

  1. The title of a home is a very important piece of your home purchase. A good loan officer will order a title search to make sure the homeowner is the only person with a claim on the property you’re interested in. They’ll also order an appraisal to make sure the home is worth what the seller is asking for.
  2. When you buy a home, you have to meet certain deadlines or your deal could fall through. A good loan officer will stay in touch with you about important deadlines and paperwork requirements throughout the home buying process to make sure everything goes smoothly.
  3. When you do get to the finish line, a good loan officer will attend your closing so they can answer any last-minute questions you have as you work your way through the paperwork involved in buying a home.

5 Household Hazards Hidden In Plain Sight

Your health and the health of your loved ones is one of the most important factors you have to account for each day. However, even the most conscientious person can overlook some of these potentially lethal household hazards.

Carbon Monoxide
An odorless, colorless gas, carbon monoxide is almost impossible to detect without a carbon monoxide alarm. Prevent headaches, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, and even death from carbon monoxide poisoning by investing in an alarm for your home.

Radon
Like carbon monoxide, radon is a colorless, odorless gas. This naturally occurring gas is the second most common cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S., second only to smoking. The only way to know if your home has dangerous amounts of radon is by using a radon test kit. Luckily, you can pick up radon test kits at most hardware stores.

Asbestos
Everyone knows that asbestos is bad for you, but many don’t realize they may have asbestos in their homes. Asbestos can still be found in ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and insulation in many homes across the U.S. When they start to degrade, asbestos fibers can get into the air and, if inhaled enough, cause you and your family to develop lung disease. If you think your home may have asbestos, have an asbestos professional inspect your home.

Lead
Lead is most notorious for its presence in the paint, but it can also be in your plumbing and other building materials. Lead is typically safe unless it’s digested, making it a more dangerous hazard for young children since they’re more likely to stick potentially contaminated items in their mouths.

Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are only effective if they’re in working order and near the fire. Be sure to check your smoke detectors batteries each month and replace the batteries each year. You should also make sure you have smoke alarms throughout your whole home, not just in the kitchen.

Easy Produce To Grow In Your Garden

Growing your own fruits and vegetables in a backyard garden is a fulfilling way to spend free time and eat healthier. Choosing easy items like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and melons can help ensure your time toiling outdoors is worth the effort. Here are tips to successfully grow each type of produce.

Lettuce
If you want almost instant gardening gratification, try planting some lettuce. Lettuce is an easy, fast-growing plant that comes in several varieties. Try planting some romaine, iceberg, and arugula for a good variety of lettuce types for your salads, burgers, and other summer recipes. Also, consider planting your lettuce in intervals so you’ll have fresh lettuce ready to harvest all season long.

Tomatoes
A vine-ripe tomato from your backyard is almost unrecognizable as the same fruit you get from a grocery store. Purchasing tomato starters is a good way to make sure you’re ready to harvest before the end of the growing season. Plant your tomatoes in a spot that isn’t too windy and purchase tomato cages to help the plants grow strong.

Cucumbers
Cucumbers are great because they produce a lot without requiring much tending. Make a mound to plant your cucumber seeds in to encourage sprouting and use several seeds for each group. Just remember that cucumbers need a good amount of space to grow and spread, so plant according to the directions on your seed package.

Squash
Another easy-to-grow garden staple is a squash. Like cucumbers, squash needs room to grow. Be sure to leave enough room between your squash plants and other vegetables. Once you harvest, squash is great on the grill, in casseroles, and in salads.

Melons
Melons take a while to grow and ripen, but they’re worth the wait. Plant a few different varieties to see what grows best in your yard. Just remember that melons need plenty of sunshine and should be ready to harvest in late summer.

If your family needs more room to grow, whether it be vegetables or more kids, give me a call! I can help you find a home to suit your growing needs!