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THE GARDEN ISLAND
Friday, October 30, 2020 Page 3
FALLING FOR OUTDOOR LIVING Do-it-yourself projects that will turn your backyard into an oasis BRANDPOINT Never before has a home’s outdoor space been more cherished or vital. It’s not surprising then that nearly two-thirds of American homeowners have either recently undertaken or are in the process of upgrading their home’s exterior, according to Porch.com. For those of you still in the planning phase, professional designer and TV personality Alison Victoria, host of HGTV’s “Windy City Rehab,” suggests four DIY-friendly projects to undertake this fall to turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis. Deck it out. A great deck space can add valuable square footage to a home for al fresco dining, outdoor fun or just a refreshing retreat between Zoom meetings. The first thing to remember when planning a deck build is that materials matter. Consider building with composite decking, like Trex, which features a beautiful woodgrain pattern without the constant upkeep of wood. This high-performance, low-maintenance option won’t ever need sanding or staining, and only requires soap and water cleanings to retain its color and appearance for years to come.
“Trex is built to withstand the test of time, which is one of the many reasons I chose to use it in my own backyard,” says Victoria. “You can’t beat minimal maintenance on a deck that will still look like new after harsh winters like we have in ChiGo green. Put your green cago. As a bonus, I love that thumb to use by starting a it’s eco-friendly and made vegetable garden or sprucfrom 95% recycled materials.” ing up your backyard with
new plants and seasonal flowers. If you’re looking to create privacy, a popular and eco-friendly solution is
clever - and easy - design trick that adds both personal style and functionality to any outdoor space, consider incorporating lattice. Perfect for enhancing privacy or hiding unsightly views such as garbage cans and lawn equipment, lattice is durable, lightweight and easy to install. The Trex® LatticeWorks™ collection offers exclusive styles ranging from traditional to art deco in panels that can be applied to structures such as arbors, trellises and gazebos, or used as wainscoting or deck skirting. Create an outdoor room. Just like the inside of your home, you can establish separate outdoor areas for relaxing, cooking, dining and socializing. A pergola is perfect for creating the look and feel of an “outdoor room,” serving to frame a space while adding a distinct, architectural element. Incorporate traditionally interior accents like plush furnishings, accent pillows, throw blankets and an area rug - all weather-resistant, of course to build a living wall that can - to create an inviting and shield you from neighbors comfortable outdoor haven. while surrounding your out“When it comes to backdoor space with flowers and yard design, pergolas remain fresh herbs. Planter boxes on-trend due to their versafor a vertical wall are relatility and limitless design tively easy to build. If your possibilities,” adds Victoria. skills are more advanced, “They are great for adding consider adding a drip irridefinition - and drama - to gation system so you don’t any deck.” have to worry about waterFor more DIY ideas and ing. outdoor living inspiration, visit www.Trex.com. Liven with lattice. For a
US mortgage rates flat this week; 30-year at 2.81% ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — U.S. long-term mortgage rates were little changed this week after marking a new alltime low last week. Home loan rates have declined through the year amid economic anxiety in the recession set off by the coronavirus pandemic. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year benchmark loan edged up 2.81% from 2.80% last week. By contrast, the rate averaged 3.78% a year ago. The average rate on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage slipped to 2.32% from 2.33%. The low borrowing rates have bolstered demand from prospective homebuyers. In the latest indicator of the economy’s health, the government reported Thursday that it grew at a record 33% annual rate in the July-September quarter — but it has yet to fully rebound from its plunge in the first half of the year.
Sept. new home sales fall 3.5%, after strong summer season ASSOCIATED PRESS CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sales of new homes fell by 3.5% in September to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 959,000 million units, the Commerce Department said Monday, as the housing market’s hot summer buying season cooled. The Commerce Department said Monday that despite the modest decrease, sales of new homes are up 32.1% from a year earlier. However, the pandemic may start to weigh on the market as the colder winter months arrive and with coronavirus cases spiking across much of the U.S. The housing market, like most of the economy, came to a near standstill in March and in April, causing the typical spring summer buying season to be delayed until the summer. Once economies reopened, pent up demand translated into sales of both new and existing homes, driving home prices in many places to record highs. In July, home sales spiked 13.9%.
Is now the right time to refinance your mortgage? Consolidate your debt with a lower payment. You can get some of the lowest rates in the state, plus your money stays on Kaua‘i.
Visit us online at www.kgefcu.org to learn more. Anyone can be eligible for membership with KGEFCU