As fall harvesting ramps up, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our gardening successes and failures as we look forward to boosting the backyard garden’s performance level next season. We have a gardening-pro secret, a magic soil solution to solve those production problems: composting-it’s ridiculously easy and equally rewarding. RE/MAX has a list of everything you need to know to master the art of the compost pile.

The Perfect Compost Recipe
You’ve heard compost buzzwords like “activator,” “aeration” or “carbon and nitrogen”-it can begin to sound like a complicated science project. Start your pile with three essential components: carbon-heavy elements, nitrogen-heavy elements and moisture.

1. Carbon-heavy elements include wood, shredded cardboard and newspaper, sawdust, woodchips, straw, pine needles and shredded leaves.
2. Nitrogen-heavy elements like coffee grounds and filters, food scraps, manure and grass clippings, ideally outweigh the carbon-heavy elements.
3. The brown to green ratio should favor the brown or carbon components. Moisture is key; don’t forget to water the pile if the food scraps don’t provide enough moisture or rain to naturally keep it damp.

Subdue the Stink and Critters
Some homeowners never consider starting a compost pile for worry of the stink and the pests that it can attract. Fear not-if you avoid spoiling the pile with certain elements, there’s no reason to worry about the stench. Moisture is key-if it’s too high the pile can begin to stink, so water sparingly and increase aeration by adding more brown components to the mix. Avoid composting meat and bone scraps because dogs, raccoons, rodents and flies will see it as an invitation to dig through the scraps. Exclude diseased plants, both garden plants and weeds, from the mix to avoid poisoning future plants that will grow in the soil.

Turn Baby, Turn
Aeration is so important to the composting process. An occasional turn mixes thing up and keeps the soil decomposing. Turning is a task that can be done easier by investing in a compost bin with a turning handle or on the simpler side, you can hand-turn the pile with a shovel to mix it up while adding more dry or wet, brown or green and carbon or nitrogen components to the pile. Add it to the chore chart and let your kids take a turn-it will be educational and fun for them to watch the scraps that they’ve been adding to the bin break down into something brand new.

Bonus! Turning the Leaves
For homeowners with big yards, ’tis the season of leaf raking. No matter how much time you spend raking, the trees just won’t cooperate. This year, turn those pesky leaves into a leaf-centric compost pile. Layer large amounts of shredded leaves with manure to create a vitamin-rich compost. You’ll thank the fall 2018 version of yourself come spring 2019.

Your garage can be one of two things: an empty space for cars to park and clutter to build-up over time, or it can be a useable space that provides value to new homeowners. When you’re competing in a competitive market, you want your garage to be the latter.

Use these ideas to make your garage a selling point, especially if it’s not already updated or renovated.

Create a Home Storage Center
A garage can a great place to toss everything you don’t use on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your garage, there are a few options:

Overhead storage: This is perfect for a small garage and you can DIY the whole thing. Check out this tutorial from Craftsman.

Pegboards: Pegboards, which hang on the wall, are the perfect space savers and organizers. “With the help of hooks, you have the freedom of hanging your things anywhere and any way you want: in the center, horizontally, vertically, at the bottom, or top. Ensure that it’s properly and securely attached to your wall so it doesn’t fall over and cause any mishaps,” explains Garage Storage Solutions. Simply buy a pegboard and mount it to the wall.

Shelving: Install basic shelving on whichever wall has the most space. This is a simple project and your budget can dictate the cost and quality of the wood and hardware you buy. Check out these five garage shelving ideas from Bob Vila to find some inspiration.

Install Epoxy Flooring
You’ve likely seen epoxy flooring in commercial garages or car showrooms, but it isn’t just for professional use. Epoxy flooring is a smart upgrade for your garage for many reasons. Not only does it look good, with a sleek and modern finish, but it’s durable and reduces slips and falls.

“More than many other installations within your home, your garage flooring is subjected to serious wear and tear. After all, with all the work you’ll do in there and the heavy machinery you’ll keep in it (such as your car), it doesn’t take long for your garage flooring to wear down and crack,” explain epoxy flooring experts. “To avoid cracks and the foundational issues they can lead to, just get a coat of epoxy. Epoxy will add extra durability to your garage flooring, helping it to last as long as you need it to.”

The best part: you can install epoxy flooring yourself or have it done by a professional. If you’re on a budget, go the DIY route if you have no time, hire someone to come do it for you. In either case, it will be a major selling point for your home, attracting car enthusiasts and those who want to make their garage a functionable storage space.

Turn it Into a Kid’s Space
If you live in a family-friendly area, turning your garage into a kid’s space will appeal to interested families. If you’ve already installed epoxy, you can tout the safety benefits of the flooring for kids thanks to the non-slip surface. Take it a step further by installing items that kids can use to store toys and play. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Pull-out workbench that kids can use to color on. Get ideas from this Pinterest search.
Low-rise gates to keep the kids space separate from the rest of the garage.

Chalkboard walls.
Stage this space like you would the rest of our home with kid’s chairs, a small couch, toys and storage bins, allowing potential buyers to imagine their kids using the space.

Spruce Up the Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is critical: “First impressions set the tone for a home tour. Prospective buyers should encounter an attractive, welcoming place before they even walk through the doorway,” according to Simple Tricks to Crank Up Your Curb Appeal.

Your garage plays an important role in curb appeal, accounting for a large portion of the front of your home.

As such, consider how you can elevate the look of your garage from a curb appeal standpoint. Here are a few ideas:

Power wash the door: You’ll be amazed at how much dirt and grime is caked on there.
Paint the door: Re-paint the door and trim. Get inspiration from HGTV’s garage remodel gallery.

Add windows and detail: If your door doesn’t already have windows or interesting detail, consider adding these features, which can help your home stand out.
Replace the door: In some cases, you may be better off replacing the garage door.

The September 2018 National Housing Report noted that the median sales price among the 54 cities included in the monthly study was $241,000. So, we thought it would be interesting to see what that dollar amount buys you in different parts of the county. You may be surprised!

Cleveland, Ohio – A City Known for its Low Cost of Living

This striking colonial boasts a spacious living room that connects to the family room. Eat-in kitchen overlooks the completely fenced-in backyard. Hardwood floors throughout and includes 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2,218 sq. ft.

Dallas, Texas – Sometimes Described as the City Filled with Friendly Folks

This one-story home has had a major makeover. Wood floors upon entering, a large living room/dining room, vaulted family room with beamed ceilings, painted white brick stainless steel appliances, built-ins and separate utility room leading to the two-car garage. Includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 2,039 sq. ft.

Denver, Colorado – A Sports-Loving Metro Famous for Being a Mile High

This condo has large newer windows that provide a light and airy feeling. With 650 sq. ft., the options are limitless: living room, dining room, study, bar area, etc. Updated kitchen with granite countertops and tile backsplash and includes 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and 650 sq. ft.

Louisville, Kentucky – Known as a Modern Metropolitan Area Steeped in Tradition

Secluded 3-bedroom, 2-1/2 bath brick home on 2/3 of an acre that backs up to the woods. Large kitchen with eat in-area, solid wood cabinetry, granite counter tops and top-grade appliances in 2,861 sq. ft.

You’ve researched the neighborhood and spent hours scouring listings online. You know the best zip codes and school zones and are ready for the next step in the home buying process – getting pre-approval from your mortgage lender.

There is a lot that goes into determining if you qualify for a loan, but most traditional lenders will consider these five categories:

1. Character

Your credit score will tell lenders about your character and your credit history. Do you pay your bills on time? Are your accounts in good standing? If your credit score is poor, you should focus on improving it before applying for a home loan.

2. Capacity

This category measures your ability to pay back your loan. Your income, and your job stability, will come into play here, as well your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Your DTI is calculated by dividing total recurring monthly debt by gross monthly income. A ratio over 36 percent could mean you’ll pay more interest or that you will be denied a loan. If your DTI is over 36 percent, you should focus on lowering it by paying down your current debt, not taking on more debt and avoiding big purchases, such as a car, on credit before you buy a home.

3. Capital

Capital refers to the money you have, or will have, to purchase your new home. Buyers with a down payment will have a better chance of obtaining a loan but a down payment is not a necessity. There are various loan programs that do not require a down payment.

4. Collateral

In the case of home loans, collateral is the home itself. If you default on the mortgage, the bank will seize the home – this is why a home appraisal is almost always required before obtaining a loan.

5. Conditions

Is it a buyer’s or seller’s market in your area? What is the current interest rate? These are conditions that can impact home prices in your area as well as your ability to get into a home.

Getting pre-approval for a home loan can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Make sure to work with an experienced, full-time agent who can help guide you through the process.