BENEFITS OF HOUSE PLANTS

 

Houseplants are great natural decoration pieces to occupy a corner, window sill, table, or shelf, but they also offer many health benefits that can enhance your physical well-being.

Air quality

In the late 1970s, many buildings were constructed with limited fresh air exchange and ‘superinsulation’ in an attempt to minimize energy costs. However, occupants began to report various health problems. This phenomenon, known as ‘sick building syndrome,’ was caused by the lack of fresh air entering the building and emissions of ‘various organic compounds’ from synthetic insulations. In 1989, NASA conducted a study to counteract ‘sick building syndrome’ and their results were nothing short of remarkable. They found that certain houseplants can absorb pollutants in the air through their soil and improve air quality dramatically. The study found that plants, such as Chrysanthemums, peace lilies, English ivy, and focuses', do a great job combating indoor air pollution.

Decreasing stress

According to a 2015 study conducted by scientists at Chungnam National University, interacting with plants “can reduce physiological and psychological stress.” During the study, half the participants completed a task on a computer while the other half repotted a plant. They found that working with plants inspired comfortable feelings and reduced more stress compared to completing the computer task.

Sleep

The 1989 NASA study discovered certain plants have the ability to remove pollutants from the air and this natural process could improve your sleep. We release a lot of carbon dioxide when we are sleeping, but plants like aloe vera or snake plants can absorb that carbon dioxide and replace it with oxygen.

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9 Milwaukee Restaurants To Get A Killer Sandwich!

 

Some of the new spots around Milwaukee for a great sandwich have a laserlike, sandwiches-R-us focus.

At others, sandwiches are just one facet of the menu. The restaurants in the list include carryout-only pop-ups, food hall stalls and counter-service shops, all built to accommodate "take home"or "take to the park"....

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Milwaukee-area farmers markets... Open until October!

 

They begin May 1 with the West Allis, Brookfield, Delafield, New Berlin, Waukesha and Oconomowoc farmers markets. Then they start opening fast and furious, more than three dozen of them in and around Milwaukee. The last debuts come in July.

Not all the markets will be back yet, however. The Westown Farmers Market, for example, will be on hiatus again this year. Organizers cite reduced foot traffic downtown because of the pandemic, as many office workers continue to work from home.

Remember, almost all of the markets stay open until October, so there's still lots of time to enjoy all the great produce and products.

Click here for a full list of dates and times

Protect Your Home From Pet Damage

Pets bring so much joy to our lives, but over time they can also cause a lot of damage around the home. Even the most well-behaved pets can create some mischief every now and then, but there are many ways to diminish the damage that your furry friends can cause.

One of the biggest homeowner pet peeves is their cats or dogs scratching floors, doors, or furniture. Besides training your pets early in their life, one of the most efficient ways to decrease scratching around the home is to regularly trim your pet’s nails. This may be a difficult task depending on the animal, but you can always enlist the help of a groomer. You should trim your pet’s nails at least once a month. You can also protect your furniture with scratch guards.

If your pet has an accident in your home, the only way to really clean it up and rid yourself of the smell is by using an enzymatic cleaner. Enzyme cleaners usually come in a spray bottle and contain bacteria in the solution that feeds off the organic material of pet waste. You can usually find these cleaners at the hardware or pet store.

It’s important to make sure your pet stays active because they can build up a lot of anxious energy if they get bored. Dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to exercise with your pet so it can stay healthy and prevent frustration and possible mayhem around the house.

Many homebuyers are dropping out of the market

 

Buying a home of her own became a priority for Kelly during the pandemic, as she began to feel cramped in her Indianapolis apartment.

"Last fall having to stay home so much, that really made me decide that it is time to buy a house," she said. Among the top amenities she was looking for: outdoor space and more privacy.

Further motivated by record low interest rates, she set her sights to buy in the spring when she expected more properties would be available. It would also give her time to get her finances in order.

"But by the time I got pre-approved and started seriously looking at homes, the market got crazy" she said.

With a budget for $250,000, but in her market -- the suburb of Greenwood -- homes began selling within days, with as many as 10 competing offers, and sometimes going for $100,000 over the asking price.

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Essential tools under $40 every homeowner should have...

 

A home is the single biggest purchase most people make in their lives — and periodic repairs are an important part of protecting that investment.

Repairs and home improvement projects can be expensive, but you might be surprised what you can accomplish yourself with the right equipment. Whether you’re a relative beginner or a dedicated DIYer ready to tackle demolition and other major jobs, it’s essential to have a few basic tools on hand. The good news? You can get the ones you need without making another substantial investment.

Here are 11 essentials under $40 that every homeowner should consider. 

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Home prices can't go straight up forever.

 

Home prices are climbing at the fastest pace in history, eclipsing even the boom in the days leading up to the Great Recession. Bidding wars have become common, many are forced to pay all cash and some bids are coming in $1 million over asking.

It's all sparking fears that the United States is in the middle of another housing bubble that will end in a terrible crash. Industry executives and economists agree this explosion in home values is unsustainable, as home prices can't go up 20% year-over-year forever.

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