Creating and Maintaining a Beautiful Water Design

A Florida-based real estate investment trust managed to sell the 195-room Hilton St. Louis Downtown. This is part of a larger deal that was closed officially on December 2. Reports have not mentioned the exact amount that Hilton St. Louis was sold for. City records of St. Louis reports that Hilton St. Louis, which was located at 400 Olive Street gained a $6.89 million appraised value.

According to an article by stlrealestate.news, “St. Louisans woke up to a unforeseen headline this past week when the downtown St. Louis Hilton hotel was sold as part of a larger $119 million deal that also included three other hotel properties.”

To be more specific, the article states that, “The Florida real estate agency, Orlando-based Xenia Hotels & Resorts Inc., which refused to disclose the buyer at the time of the sale this past Friday, sold the hotel to MCR St. Louis LLC, reported city real state records as of this Monday.”

The article also states that “Along with the Hilton Downtown, other hotels were apart of the multi-struck deal. They include the 162-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Houston Near the Galleria, the 148-room Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown, and the 178-room Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore and Evanston.”

Moreover, “MCR plans on making additional acquisitions in upcoming years, and reported that they are incredibly excited and motivated to make the best out of their newfound property,” the article stated.

Like the Hilton Downtown, it is easy for your property to get a higher appraised value as well. If you are trying to sell your property, it is important to know and understand the need for home maintenance and improvement inside and outside your home.

One of the best techniques is to add a water feature to your landscape. Water features like koi ponds, water gardens and fountains have been topping trends for home landscaping in the past years and until now. However, it is important to know that even if these water features can make your landscape more relaxing, they also need to be maintained if you want them to be functional and attractive all the time.

An article by the villagenews.com states that, “Homeowners should create a water feature design that is fitting with the scale and style of their homes while also keeping their lifestyles in mind. Ponds are popular water features and, like pools, come in both inground and above-ground styles. Above-ground ponds are easier and faster to build than inground ponds and may be safer options for parents of young children.”

The article also mentions that “Water features require the constant flow of water to prevent stagnation and proliferation of mosquito and other insect larvae. That requires a pump to push the water around.”

However, the article states that “Even pumps protected by an intake filter or screen can become clogged with debris. It’s necessary to routinely inspect the screen and the pump filter and remove any obstructions. Otherwise, the pump motor can overheat and malfunction.”

In addition, “The wrong balance of conditions in the water can cause problems,” the article stated.

So, according to the article, “Avoid locating the water feature where lawn and garden runoff will find its way into the water. Filtration and routine testing of water levels also can help. Water features that are not meant to become wildlife habitats may benefit from a mild sanitizer to keep algae at bay. A thorough cleaning of liners at the end of the season to eliminate materials that build up on the bottom can help, too.”

In preparation for the winter, the article states that “homeowners must decide if they want to keep the water feature running or shut it down. Many experts say smaller ponds should be drained, cleaned and left empty until spring. This is also a time to cut back the dead plant material and remove any tropicals from the water. Remove pumps and drain water feature lines so they make it through the winter without freezing.”

Furthermore, according to the article, “Homeowners should work with a skilled water garden expert in planning the feature’s design and location with safety and upkeep in mind.”

With a little bit of time and effort in applying several landscaping ideas and maintenance for your home, you can also get your property sold for bigger profits in no time.

 

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The post Creating and Maintaining a Beautiful Water Design was originally posted on schwartzlawncare.com

Frontenac Residents Don’t Want a Change of Scenery

 
Residents of Frontenac, Mo are not happy about proposed construction and development of a 22-unit town home. This will be at a former quarry that is near 41 homeowners who live in a small number of streets on the west part of the busy Lindbergh Boulevard. Almost all of these homeowners planned to air their objections for the third time on Tuesday night, with regards to the Frontenac Planning and Zoning Commission. The town homes are expected to be sold for $500,000 on average, but whether this construction can move forward or not, the final decision will be made by the aldermen.
 
An article by stltoday.com states that “City Building Commissioner and Zoning Administrator John Morgan said the commission is expected to make a recommendation to the Board of Aldermen on re-zoning five acres of quarry property from commercial to residential use.”
 

 
However, according to the article, “The proposal by Pulte Homes has spawned a unified quest to halt a project homeowners fear will turn quiet residential streets into a byway for vehicular traffic.
 
‘They want to burden us with access’ to the Villas at Frontenac, Robert Samuels says of the plan to route construction vehicles and, ultimately, more residential traffic through the neighborhood.”
 
The article also states that a West End Park resident, Bob Bauer, has one thing to say about the 11-acre quarry that separates the Upper and the Lower West End Park. “That vacant piece of land has been the best part of this neighborhood.” Bauer said.
 
However, the article states that a Pulte Homes engineer, Matt Segal “also dismissed worries that Villas at Frontenac construction will swell Upper West End park with dump trucks and heavy equipment.”
 
Read more about this story here — stltoday.com.
 
Worrying about the change that is expected to come upon West End Park is only a normal feeling for these residents, especially because nobody knows for sure what the outcome of this change is. But, it is important to realize that sometimes we need to make room for development. And when it comes to development, most of the present inconvenience result to future convenience. The things you view as inconvenience today can actually be the instrument for improvement and convenience tomorrow.
 
This is the same when you are trying to improve your home or backyard. There may be a few features you view as inconvenience, but you can blend these inconvenience with a few fixes and a touch of creativity to make way for a more improved and developed property.
 
Whether you have large or small gardens and backyards, you can apply great ideas for an amazing landscape and you can even make use of the the features growing out naturally there, for instance, bush gardens, etc. It is important to understand that the creation of one astonishing garden does not always mean totally replacing what is naturally in there. It also lies in making use of the natural features there to make your once dull garden bloom with life.
 
In a blog I ran across, businessdailyafrica.com, it  states that “gardening tastes would still change, there are those minimalists who would go crazy about the seamless geometric gardens, and those who fall for Japanese or French style gardens. But whatever taste or preference, here are some of the trends you can incorporate in your backyard to achieve the best out of your garden, no matter the history behind it.”
 


 
According to the article, “Colour-blocking has been an ageless trend in women’s fashion for decades without losing its exquisiteness. It usually incorporates discrete blocks of bright colour shades, which can make a statement in your outdoor living spaces as well.”
 
Furthermore, the article states that “To achieve a more organic look, go for rustic natural material in your garden. This could be curved from stone or old wasted tree branches to form curvy garden seats or swing seats.”
 
The article also suggested the application of hyper-localism. According to the article, “This gardening trend encourages the use of locally-sourced flowers and plants that are native to a specific ecosystem.”
 
You can also mix modern and vintage gardening designs. In fact, the article states that “A modern day bed with a rustic bench or seat offers an intrepid distinction to the traditional furniture.”
 
For those who live in urban spaces but would love to incorporate the feel of nature into their homes, the article states that “Bonsai plants come to the rescue!”
 
In an interview with a bonsai plants expert, Prachi Shah, the article states that “grafted fruit trees can be planted anywhere, even in your balcony for those in urban living. She imports grafted desert rose plants in more than 300 different flower varieties and more so grafted assorted fruit plants namely; mango, guava, pomegranate, cherry, papaya, custard apple.
 
While planting, one has to mix the soil and fertilizers or organic manure in proportions. Clipping the branches helps to get more fruits and maintain the health of the plant. If planting any grafted fruit tree on your balcony, ensure that you change the pot as the plant grows, say after two years, she said.”
 
Additionally, the article mentions that “If you want to turn your outdoor space into a paradise where everyone can have some fun any time they are home, then think green — think golf course green. Golf course green is usually referred to as putting green.”
 
According to the article, “‘Golf course landscaping is the ultimate upgrade to a home scenery,’ said Director of Jaria Hortscapes, James Munuve. Munuve observes that people do not want places they have to weed. They want places where they can relax and play.”
 
When it comes to improving property, homeowners should never fear present inconvenience but use them as a stepping stone for overall improvement. But, in the case of developing the West End Park quarry, it is important for the administrators to make sure this project can really benefit everybody and ensure no major inconvenience to the residents.

 
 

 

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The post Frontenac Residents Don’t Want a Change of Scenery was originally posted on schwartzlawncare.com

Turn Your Lawn Into a Green Oasis

 
A vacant office building at the Central West End corner was now replaced by a row of five new townhouses. These townhouses are meant to complement their historic St. Louis neighbors. The empty 2-story office building can no longer be seen but there will be five attached townhouses at 4485 Westminster Place in its place. This plan was under the developer Jim Dwyer€™s. But, there still remains about 50 of the district€™s original 57 homes.
 

 
In an article by stltoday.com, it states that “Dwyer, through his Maidstone Ventures LLC, paid $300,000 for the building, according to documents filed with the city’s Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority. He plans to raze the structure and replace it with five townhouses for about $2 million.”
 
According to the article,  “The Westminster project’s preliminary design by Cohen Architecture Company is meant to blend the new three-story houses with the century-old homes nearby without mimicking them. Features include first-floor projecting bays and pediments over top-floor windows.”
 
In addition, the article states that “Private financing for the project is planned but property tax abatement is in the mixture. The LCRA board voted at its meeting Dec. 13 to support the project with five years of 50 percent tax abatement followed by five years of 25 percent abatement. The existing building’s assessed value is $29,700. Alderman Lyda Krewson, whose 28th Ward encompasses the site, supports Dwyer’s tax abatement request.
 
Dwyer pointed out that even with the proposed tax abatement, the site will produce city property tax revenue for the first time since the 1960s because it no longer belongs to a nonprofit. Some of the revenue will go to the neighborhood’s Cathedral Square Special Business District, which provides street and pedestrian lighting additions and works to reduce crime and resolve traffic and parking problems.”
 
As new developments in St. Louis arise like the Westminster’s project, and as more and more apartment buildings and modern residential homes come into existence, homes that have big, luscious green lawns could be phased out. If you are a homeowner that is lucky enough to have a big yard, make sure to keep your yard green and healthy, and that will make it that much more beautiful.
 
 
You can have a beautiful lawn by following some of these helpful tips. Having a perfect lawn is everybody’s dream, wherein kids can enjoy playing for hours.
 
In a recent article by southernliving.com, it says that “If your lawn doesn’t have any obvious problems, a simple soil test kit from a home-improvement store can tell you how acid or alkaline your soil is (the pH). A pH of 7 is neutral, a higher number is more alkaline, and a lower number is more acid. Most grasses like a soil pH of 6.5–mildly acid. If the soil is too acid, lime is the remedy. If it’s too alkaline, you may need other amendments such as iron sulfate to get the needed balance.”
 
Suggestions regarding the best types of grass were also mentioned in the article, stating that, “Cool-season Lawns Grasses that stay green in winter are cool-season kinds; Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and perennial ryegrass lawns are growing strong now.  Feed them with a fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food 36-6-6 or Schultz Expert Gardener Fertilizer 30-3-4.
 
Warm-season Grasses Bermuda, centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and buffalo grass like warm weather and have just greened up. Fertilize them now with a product such as Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Fertilizer 29-3-4 or Sta-Green Lawn Fertilizer 29-2-5.”
 
More importantly, according to the article, “Check the labels of all fertilizers, especially those with added weed preventers, to make sure that they are compatible with your type of grass. Many healthy lawns have been destroyed overnight by good-intentioned homeowners who didn’t check the label. As with all plants, knowing the needs and growth habit of your particular type of grass will help you care for it correctly. “
 
It is good to see new buildings and townhouses rising in place of old and abandoned buildings. However having a beautiful yard would make it that much more appealing. The tips mentioned above can help you have a thick, beautiful, green lawn to go with your new property.

 

 

 

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Turn Your Lawn Into a Green Oasis was first seen at www.schwartzlawncare.com