Homeowners - Naples Ft Myers Home Inspections

Estero, Ft Myers & Bonita Springs Home Owners – Shady Spots in the garden?

BStilphen — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:45:59 +0000

Dress up those Shady Garden Spots

Shady spots in the garden don’t have to be barren. There are so many plants that will thrive in the shade–probably a lot more than you think– from perennials to annuals. Gardeners can choose ferns, woodland flowers and luxurious ground covers. Whether your shade garden will be an accent or a focal point, here are some plants that should fit right in.

Summer Color

A very pretty shade perennial to consider is bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis). It blooms with pink, heart-shaped flowers in May, but some varieties ― the “fernleaf” types ― will bloom all summer, which makes them a nice addition to an area filled with foliage plants.

Consider the ‘King of Hearts’ variety if you’re looking for a summer bloomer and ‘Bleeding Hearts White’ will bloom from spring through early summer. Most bleeding heart cultivars are hardy to USDA zone 4a.

Another plant that will add a pop of color to the shade garden is the annual ColorSummer Wave® Large Blue Torenia (Torenia ‘SUNrenilabu’). This little plant packs a wallop in not only color but fragrance as well (the leaves, not the flowers). It bears amethyst-colored, viola-like flowers from spring to fall. You’ll love this one for its heat and drought tolerance too.

Ground Covers

Epimedium (Epimedium spp.) grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches, making it the ideal ground cover. It blooms in the spring with small red or yellow flowers.

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis), a member of the rose family, is another ground cover to consider for those darker places in the garden. It blooms in the summer with small, yellow flowers.

Gorgeous Foliage Plants

No self-respecting shade garden would dare call itself complete without a few striking foliage plants and hostas (Hosta spp.) fit the bill. Hosta keeps a low profile, so it’s great for the front of the garden or bed, but you can place them in among the taller plants as well.

Give that barren spot a shot of the tropics by planting a fern or two. Ferns do require rich soil, very much like what you would find in the forest where they grow naturally. They also like moisture so don’t let the soil dry out.

If the shade in your garden is provided by certain trees – the black walnut, for instance – finding plants that will thrive beneath them may be challenging. In the case of the black walnut you’ll need to use plants that are resistant to juglone, a substance it emits that kills other plants. Talk to your local nursery professional for help in choosing the right shade plant.

The post Estero, Ft Myers & Bonita Springs Home Owners – Shady Spots in the garden? first appeared on Naples Ft Myers Home Inspections.

Village of Estero Administration

BStilphen — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 22:56:24 +0000

https://estero-fl.gov, https://www.Facebook.com/VillageofEstero

4 Benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection

homegauge — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 11:24:09 +0000

Why You Should Get a Pre-Listing Inspection

Putting your home on the market is exciting, as all the work that went into making your house a beautiful place will pay off. However, if you rush through the preparation process, a sale could fall through from surprises during the inspection. One of the best ways to have a seamless sale is by scheduling a professional pre-listing inspection. Below are the benefits of a pre-listing home inspection.

You are in Control of Repairs

After a buyer hires a home inspector, they will come up with a list of issues from the inspection report that they would like addressed before the sale goes through. If you agree to the repairs, the buyer may request specific contractors to complete them that are more expensive than others.

A pre-listing inspection will provide you with more control over the repair process. You will choose the contractors as well as the timeframe in which the repairs are completed.

Price Your Home More Effectively

Homes priced higher than the home is worth will sit on the market for longer before they are sold. Conversely, you will lose money if your home is priced well below the market average.

A pre-listing inspection will help you better gauge your house’s value, allowing you to price it adequately. This will also help speed up negotiations by reducing the chance surprising defects will be found during the buyer’s inspection.

A Pre-Listing Inspection Sets Your House Apart

Ordering an inspection shows that you care about the condition of the house and that repairs have been made or known issues have been disclosed. If the buyer elects to trust your inspection, negotiations can be made easy or completely eliminated.

Sellers need to do whatever they can to stand out from comparable homes on the market. When you order a pre-listing inspection, it will make your house more competitive and can give you an edge over other houses. Increasing buyer trust will pay off even in a seller’s market. This will give you an advantage over other sellers who elected not to get one.

Naples–Ft. Myers and Venice–North Port Home Inspection Services provides buyers with home inspections. Contact us to schedule an appointment in Southwest Florida.

The post 4 Benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection first appeared on Naples Ft Myers Home Inspections.

Four-Point Home Inspection

homegauge — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 14:25:18 +0000

As a homeowner, you may have heard of something called a four-point home inspection. This type of inspection is often requested when it comes to buying and selling older homes. Many insurance companies may also require a four-point inspection before renewing home insurance.

What is a Four-Point Home Inspection?

A four-point home inspection is an examination of the four main areas in a home where faults occur most often, resulting in insurance claims. This inspection identifies existing or potential problems to current homeowners, prospective buyers, and insurance companies.

The four areas that are inspected include the HVAC system, plumbing, electrical wiring, and roofing. Because of this, the inspection is quicker than a standard home inspection and is usually completed within an hour.

What the Inspection Covers:

Plumbing: An inspector will check the type of pipes present in a house. Some older water pipes are made of materials (typically polybutylene) that have a higher chance of bursting. Insurance companies are less likely to provide coverage to a home with these types of pipes.

Roofing: Many insurers do not cover aging roofs that are visibly worn and older than 30 – 40 years. An inspector will also check the type of materials used since the acceptable age varies with different materials. For example, metals roofs older than 40 years are generally not insured in comparison to shingle roofs which are usually not insured if they are older than 20 years.

HVAC System: The age and condition of any heating and air conditioning systems are checked. Any water leaks or damages to the actual units are recorded. Since the HVAC system is necessary to heat and cool your home, the insurance company wants to make sure it’s in good working order.

Electrical Wiring: As with plumbing, the type of materials used in electrical wiring is important to insurers. This is because certain types of wiring, such as aluminum and copper, are more likely to cause house fires. These materials are commonly found in older homes’ electrical systems. Circuits and panels are also checked for any faults or damages.

Why is a Four-Point Home Inspection Necessary?

Insurance companies need to know the condition of the major systems in a house before providing coverage or renewing existing insurance policies. This type of inspection is usually more common in coastal areas because of extreme weather conditions like hurricanes that can result in severe damage, destruction of homes, or even serious injuries to you and your family.

A four-point home inspection is equally beneficial to you as a potential buyer because it will give you a clear overview of the condition of a home. Finding out about any serious issues beforehand will help you to decide whether a not the house is a good investment.

Naples Ft Myers Home Inspections provides roof certifications and other home inspection services to Naples, Ft Myers, Venice, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

The post Four-Point Home Inspection first appeared on Naples Ft Myers Home Inspections.