May Newsletter - Gift certs for Home Improvement

Monthly Raffle

Congratulations to our April raffle winner, Sharon Lasko, who won a pack of four passes to the Jay Peak Pump House.

Dust off your work gloves!

Spring is all about renewal and beautification, which is why this month we are giving away two $50 gift cards to a garden supply or hardware store of your choice. See below for details.

Where to stock up on mulch or pick up some lumber for that home project? Check out our growing B2B Business section. (Want to add your business? There is a link on the B2B page. Client or not, all are welcome.)

Cost Saving TIP: Don't be bashful - If you make improvements to your home. (Plumbing, Heating, Alarm/Fire/Security Systems, Electrical, New Roofing) Call your Agent. Most Home Insurance policies offer additional discounts for upgrades that reduce risk.

It's Gardening Time!

We may have been light on the April showers, but that doesn't mean we should miss out on the May flowers! Below are some tips to help put a green thumb on anybody, courtesy of the American Horticultural Society:

Here When You Need Us

Annuals can start inside.
Using a seed-starting container and some potting mix, keep the seeds moist and follow planting directions. Slowly introduce them to outdoor conditions until they build up a tolerance, then transplant them into your garden after the last frost has passed.

Perennials need love too.

Remove the old husks and cut back dead parts of the plant to spur new growth. Wait until the plant is three or four inches tall before splitting the plant. For flowering plants, wait until they have bloomed to split or transplant.

Don't be stingy with the mulch.

Mulch keeps your garden bed from drying out in the summer sun. Use up to six inches worth, but do not let the mulch touch tree trunks or plant stems. Around trees, angle mulch so rain water will run toward the tree rather than away.

Bring your garden anywhere.

Combining different annuals can brighten different areas in and around your home. Keep the needs of your annuals in mind when choosing a location. Begonias and impatiens prefer shadier areas, whereas petunias and geraniums enjoy sunnier spots.

Home Mortgage Savings

A mortgage payment is often the largest monthly payment. And quite often, we get so comfortable with the terms and amount of our mortgage payment that we do not explore alternatives.

Merchants Bank, Vermont's only independent statewide bank, offers a Bi-Weekly Mortgage. By making one half of your monthly mortgage payment every two weeks, you can pay off your mortgage much sooner.

Is this program right for you? Well, the first step is to do some research and find out. Who knows, you could be paying off your mortgage sooner than you thought. Click here to find out how.

Home Insurance 101

Since your Mortgage and Home insurance go hand in hand... we wanted to share our Home Insurance 101 Brochure. Whether your just starting out or have been a homeowner for years. We are laying all the cards out for you.

What affects rates? - Important considerations when buying a home - Coverages explained - Red Flags - (its all in here)

(Click image above to download)

Home Sale or Purchase

Heck, since we're talking about Mortgages and Insurance, how about a few links to shop around or find a friendly listing agent? We've got a great B2B Real Estate section too. (Click here)

Vermont Strong(er): Post-Irene Update

After Irene, Vermonters made a tremendous effort to help, with various initiatives raising money and repairing the damage across the state. Below is an update on the recovery effort with information about how you can help get the Green Mountain State in tip-top shape.

The 25,000th License Plate.

On April 5th, Gov. Peter Shumlin presented the ceremonial 25,000th Vermont Strong license plate to emergency responders. The plate will be affixed to a Barre fire truck, and will then be shared with other fire departments before being donated to the Vermont Fire Academy. Currently, the state is half way to its goal of raising one million dollars for recovery and aid.

Green Up Vermont - This weekend May 5th.

Gov. Shumlin has asked Green Up Vermont to officially partner with the recovery effort and focus on areas impacted by Tropical Storm Irene. Click here and select your county to find out how you can help keep Vermont clean and green on May 5th.

Work to be done.
If you missed Green Up Day there are more opportunities to help rebuild Vermont. Check out this list of opportunities.

Spring Home Maintenance

As warm rays of sunshine become commonplace, we usually head outdoors; however, a BBQ isn't as fun when looking at dead flowers from last year's garden, leaf-filled gutters, or other casualties of the cold. Below are some suggestions, courtesy of HGTV.com, for 'de-winterizing' your domicile:

Heads up!

Taking a walk around the outside of your home can help you spot problem areas. Be on the lookout for roof shingles that appear cracked or loose, as well as any signs of chimney damage. Your chimney should only be cleaned and inspected by a licensed chimney sweep.

Water, water, everywhere.

Low or uneven areas in your yard and near the foundation, pose a flood risk when rain water collects. Be sure your gutters are free of obstructions and drain well away from the foundation. Fill in any uneven areas with compacted soil to prevent flooding and standing water that can harbor mosquitoes in the summer months.

Stay cool. Have a contractor clean the outside of your air conditioning unit. Check your garden hose for frost damage and dry rot.

Service yard equipment. Before the grass becomes too high, make sure to clean your lawn mower or other yard tools and have them serviced. The more tuned-up your tools are, the less time you'll need to spend using them!

Monthly Raffle

Win one of two $50 gift cards to the Hardware/Home Improvement store of your choice. Our B2B page features a few recommendations but you can choose anywhere.

Entering is easy...