Sherry Lee Cox, REALTOR(R)/ Broker/ Certified Foreclosure Specialist/ePRO

Well, the answer to that question depends on where you live. The best time to prune roses is just before the rosebush breaks dormancy after the last frost. In my case, the right time is when I find the time after January 1...

Pruning allows you to create an attractive shape and desired size that fits into your landscape, and it is also the foundation of a healthy bush producing well-formed flowers.

Whatever kind of rose you are pruning, always cut away the dead wood. The dead wood will not come back to life, and it is unattractive and harbors diseases.

When pruning, cut at sharp 30 - 45 degree angles, and make all cuts down to a cane, to the base of the bud union or to a strong outside bud or bud eye on stem nodules. A bud eye is a small bulge with a tiny eye and a horizontal crease below. This bud eye will develop into a new shoot in spring.

Notice the way the bud eye is pointing. The bud eye should be pointed away from the center of the rose bush since this eye will become a new cane, and you don't want new growth protruding toward the center of the bush.

Make cuts about 1/4 inch above the bud and angle the pruning shears high on the outside of the cane down toward the inside of the bush. I hope this makes sense...

How Much to Prune?

Severe or heavy: Cut the plant back to 3 or 4 canes. This will produce a few very showy blossoms.

Moderate: Cut the plant back to 5 - 12 canes about 18 - 24 inches tall. This allows for a larger bush and is best suited for most gardens.

Light: Only one-third of the plant is cut back, which produces a profusion of short-stemmed flowers on larger bushes.

Light pruning works best on a regular basis, with a heavy pruning every 4 or 5 years.

Personally, I have about 40 rose bushes in my landscaping, and even though they don't receive all of the care I wish I had time to give them, they still produce a profusion of gorgeous blooms for my table; especially in spring and fall.

Happy Gardening!

If you would like to search the MLS for listings in and around Paso Robles, visit my website. If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo North County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information.

It starts with a dream...

I know you don't really want to be reminded as I, too, hate this time of year, but it is time to pay your taxes or get a refund if you're lucky.

If you purchased, refinanced or sold your home during 2008, don't forget to provide a copy of your HUD-1 Settlement Statement to your tax preparer. This document is hidden somewhere amongst the myriad of papers provided to you by the title company at close of escrow, and at the bottom left-hand corner, you will see "HUD-1." This is a breakdown of all fees and points associated with your loan. Some fees and/or points paid may be tax deductible. Check with your tax professional.

Also, please, please, please, do yourself a favor! Save all receipts for improvements to your properties in a safe place, and keep them on all homes you have owned forever -- okay, at least while you are alive.

This last year when my mother sold a large ranch and downsized back into a retirement home in town, I was aghast to find out she had not kept any receipts (not even one!) on the improvements to this property that started as a vacant parcel 20 years ago.

Fortunately, she has many photos of the improvements which will help if she is audited, but the best proof of improvements made to your properties is receipts for the supplies and work performed. This could save you -- or your family after your passing -- many thousands of dollars in capital gains when you decide to downsize and retire.

In all cases, if you have any questions about tax deductions, contact a professional tax adviser...

If you would like to search the MLS for listings in and around Paso Robles, visit my website. If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo North County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information.

It starts with a dream...

In this age of financial turmoil, bank failures/bailouts and foreclosures, having good to great credit has become even more important. Mediocre credit scores may not prevent you from purchasing a home, but your other qualifying factors better be great. And be prepared to have to accept a higher interest rate than that afforded to A+ borrowers.

Credit scores will affect which loan programs are available to you. VA or FHA programs may be more forgiving of credit scores and allow for a smaller down payment than conventional programs. The fact that the interest rate might be a little higher may be offset by tax benefits and hopefully increased value of the home after some period of time.

Credit is only one of the 5 major issues considered by underwriting when deciding whether to approve a loan or not. The other 4 are: down payment, qualifying ratios, job history and reserves.

If you have any questions about whether you are qualified to purchase a home, be sure to visit a loan officer to run your credit and discuss the other four qualifiers of down payment, qualifying ratios, job history and reserves. Strength in these additional categories can enhance and shore up your credit score allowing you to qualify to purchase your first home or maybe the home of your dreams...

If you would like to search the MLS for listings in and around Paso Robles, visit my website. If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo North County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information.

It starts with a dream...

"Raindrops keep falling on my head, but that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red... Crying's not for me! Oh, I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining, because I'm free... Nothing's worrying me..." Okay, if you don't recognize this song, I really am getting old!

Well, according to the local weather service and what I've been seeing of late, February looks to be a rainy one, and I say, "Bring it on!" San Luis Obispo County has been experiencing a drought for the last several years which has caused a water shortage in the county.

Although we sit on top of a huge aquifer, more and more water is being used to irrigate vineyards and other agricultural endeavors, and without replenishment, the water table will continue to drop. So, therefore, let it rain...

So far, the storms have been mild and marked with periodic days of sunshine. The only big surprise was a 2-hour dusting of snow Monday morning. This photo is of my front yard on Monday. What a treat! But "Wow," was it cold! Okay, cold for us is in the low 30's and warming up to the mid-50's by afternoon. We ARE spoiled:)

Two storms are expected this week starting on Friday and lasting through the weekend. Although the weatherman says we could get 2 inches of rain, I'm not holding my breath. We usually get about 50% of what is predicted, so don't allow this weather warning to discourage you from visiting Paso Robles. Most of our storms are light rain followed by partly cloudy skies within a day or two, so don't let a sprinkle or two ruin your plans.

My Front Lawn on Monday

Another storm is expected to hit the area by late Tuesday and lasting into Wednesday. High winds up to 46 mph are predicted, but once again, take that with a grain of salt. I do hope, however, that Thursday is one of our sunny or partly cloudy days as the Amgen Tour finishes Leg 5 in Downtown Paso Robles at the City Park between 2:30 & 4:00 pm.

If you would like to search the MLS for listings in and around Paso Robles, visit my website. If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo North County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information.

It starts with a dream...

If you are thinking of renovating or redecorating your home, the best investment would be the kitchen and bathrooms. These are the two rooms most likely to increase the likelihood of a sale.

A light and cheerful kitchen will catch the attention of buyers every time. The same holds true of bathrooms. Lighting is very important, and for many, skylights provide the perfect answer.

Ample storage in both the kitchen and baths is another plus for buyers. Kitchen islands provide additional cabinets and storage, and a pantry (preferably walk-in) is a must for any high-end kitchen. Roll-out shelves in the kitchen and baths allow for easy access and better organization. Wine refrigerators, wine racks, built-in refrigerators and refrigerated/heated drawers are becoming the norm in new homes and remodels.

If money is not an issue, granite is a perfect choice for counter tops, but there are other options such as cement and tile. Also, instead of a slab of granite, granite tiles provide a very nice look without it hurting your pocketbook too much. Travertine, wood flooring or cement with in-slab heat radiation seems to be the flooring of choice right now, but once again, tile can also be used to create a beautiful new look.

Many new baths are sporting exercise equipment, TVs and ventless fireplaces for ambiance. Don't forget dressing tables and heated towel racks if space and budget is not an issue.

If you would like to search the MLS for listings in and around Paso Robles, visit my website. If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo North County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information.

It starts with a dream...