No matter what type of real estate is being used (land,
commercial, or residential), inspections, appraisals, and automated valuation
models, while related, all have different functions but can be easily confused.
Let’s take a closer look.
Inspections: A property inspection is ordered by the buyer and is meant to be an unbiased look at the condition of the property. While not necessarily required by a lender, an inspection protects the buyer from purchasing a home that requires expensive repairs or otherwise doesn’t live up to its list price. A property inspector will examine the condition of the property inside and out, running through a checklist of areas including, but not limited to, the roof, electrical panels, wiring, plumbing, appliances, doors, and windows. If any issues pop up, the inspector makes a note and provides the buyer with a report.
Many reported issues will need some attention but won’t
affect financing. If major repairs are needed however, the lender might want to
have those issues addressed before they provide any funding.
Appraisals: Once the inspection has been completed and
reviewed, the lender can order an appraisal. The appraisal will consider
comparable homes in the area. The goal of the appraisal is to determine the
true value of the property for the sake of the lender.
The key difference between an inspection and an appraisal is
that an inspection aims to assess the physical condition of a home itself,
while an appraisal solely determines the market value of the real estate.
AVMs: An automated valuation model is a digital evaluation of the value of a home. An AVM will quickly research the database of similar homes in the area and compare them with the value of the subject property. AVMs are often used to assess the value of a property portfolio and have the advantage of saving time and money since no one physically visits the property. However, AVMs can’t take into account the true condition of a property and often aren’t enough to secure a conventional loan for a home buyer.
Tomatillos are unusual vegetables you can grow, this fruit is nice to look at with their lantern-like papery covering. They’re very popular in Mexican dishes with a flavor that’s been described as a cross between a lime and a tomato. They are members of the Nightshade family (Solanaceae) and have their poisonous parts. In the case of tomatillos, all parts are poisonous except the fruit. However, unless you suffer allergies, don’t let that put you off.
Apart from looking pretty, tomatillos are extremely
productive, producing lots of lanterns before the frosts arrive. As they grow
you’ll notice that they begin to flop to the side, a natural development as
they’ll begin to send out lots of lateral roots as they find new soil, allowing
them to produce even more fruit. Two tomatillo plants should be enough for one
family but don’t plant less as they need another plant nearby for pollination.
To harvest, once the fruit has developed inside enough that it’s bursting through its papery lantern, remove it from the plant, take off the husk and wash in warm water to remove the coating that’s waxy and bitter.
You’ll find lots of recipes using Tomatillos online but replacing them for tomatoes in salsa is probably one of the easiest.
Cape Gooseberries
As a member of the tomato family, it is related to the tomatillos. Cape Gooseberries are native to Brazil but long ago adapted to the Andean heights and now grow wild up to 10,000 feet. They too carry cute little lanterns but these contain little orange berries that we’re more familiar with when they garnish our desserts. They are not related to the actual gooseberry shrub.
Cape Gooseberries can be grown just like tomatoes, from seed
started in March to April, potted on to larger pots as they develop, before
planting outside when all chances of frost have passed.
We will know the Cape Gooseberries are ready as they will
fall to the ground, though may not all do so at once as they’ll mature at
different stages. Once fully mature the berries will stay fresh in the fridge
for several months and out of their little Chinese lanterns, the fruit can be
eaten raw, as a garnish, added to smoothies and salsa and as they have a high
pectin content, made into great jams.
Jelly Melon
This bizarre-looking crop goes by many names: kiwano, horned melon, African cucumber, blowfish fruit, and more. With an orange, spiky outer and a green, juicy inner, this fancy fruit has a tart taste and cucumber texture. I have grown these and they were not bed tasting.
Kohlrabi
I’m convinced kohlrabi is from another planet. Coming in
purple, green, and white, the crop could certainly add an alien-like element to
your garden!
As a member of the cabbage family, kohlrabi prefers cooler
temperatures. And it has a sweet, mild flavor that’s been described as a cross
between a radish and a cucumber.
Jerusalem Artichokes
These may be the most generous edible plants you can grow. Rarely in the shops, they not only taste good, but you’ll also get more than you thought – a couple of delicious winter tubers for every tuber you plant in spring, flowers that draw in the beneficial insects, a wonderful cut flower looking like a sunflower and a seasonal windbreak. On top of that, any fragments you leave behind will regrow the following year.
Celeriac
Sometimes called stump-rooted celery, turnip-rooted celery
or knob celery, this root vegetable is a variety of celery that is cultivated
for its large edible spherical roots, leaves and stems.
It originates from the Mediterranean Basin and evolved from
wild celery which has a small, edible root. Although oddly shaped it is full of
delicate flavor, a subtle mix of celery, parsley and nut taste. It can be
cooked or eaten raw. The leaves are also used as a garnish.
Huckleberry
Another member of the tomato family, producing blackberries later into the summer. When cooked and sweetened in a crust, you will get the legendary huckleberry pie.
Walking Stick Kale
Also known as Tall Jacks, Cow Cabbage, and Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick grows between 6 and 12 feet tall. Grown in Britain for centuries where their long stems are varnished and turned into walking sticks. The young greens can be eaten as salad greens or cooked.
Bitter Melon
A staple of India, related to other melons, use them for stews, steamed, or cooked with scrambled eggs. The bitterness is lessened with cooking. A lot of people love the bitterness of the fruit, just do not think it will be sweet when you bite into it.
Unfortunately, too many times we forget the details of our house. Small nooks and crannies don’t get paid any attention to and parts of the home go bare. Windowsills are one of those places. Which is a shame since there are so many wonderful, adorable ways to decorate them. Check out some ways to decorate and dress up your windowsills and have them become more stylish than ever in just one afternoon!
Create a reading nook. Are the ledges of your windowsill wide enough to hold a book? If so, you’ve got a perfect place to create a small, adorable reading nook. Add pillows for comfort and ease and maybe even a light for some evening skimming. This is such a relaxed way to dress up a larger windowsill and of course.
Create a tiny garden. Showcase your green thumb with beautiful, small plants in different types of canisters. Tea cans, mason jars, glass bottles or even some old-fashioned pots, there are so many possibilities. Add pretty, delicate and bright flowers or even some kitchen herbs to create an organic, natural beauty spot for your home.
Create something eclectic and artsy. Maybe you can’t decide what to make your windowsill become. Maybe you’ve got a lot of nick-knacks that have gone unused. Create something eclectic and interesting by adding it all together and forming a mishmash of beautiful, wonderful things that represent your home.
Create a relaxing mood Your windowsills become instantly more relaxing by adding some candles and lighting them in the evening hours. More light will come through and the glow will be perfect for a relaxing evening or rainy day.
