On 8/18/2010 4:48 PM, Sambo wrote:
If its an investment for rental I wouldn't be worrying about colour etc.
I would concentrate on more of the same and introduce some form, shape,
structure, enclosure and possibly screening to the vacant space.

Most of the homes in the area are nicely landscaped, the two I am trying
to buy have just about none, they are a bit stark. They need something,
particularly something as an accent and something of some size.

I'm interested in enhancing the curb appeal. At least so when you
look at the house it looks like some care went into it, not neglect. As
far as tenants, I am a virgin landlord but I am not a desperate one. I
also have seen the results of catering to the bottom of the market. Let
someone else take those who are looking for the cheapest housing, I
don't want or need them.

Also don't believe everthing you see in Lowes, alot of that stuff is
forced or retarded in specialist polytunnels in a way you could never
emulate in low maintenance outdoor environment in late summer. Potted
Azaleas will most probably bake and die without a deep leaf litter and
moist humusy soil!

Indian Hawthorns (Rhaphiolepis indica) are good value, and flower but
deer love them. Pittosporum tobira, Ozmanthus,


Both of these seem a bit too tender for Atlanta which is 7. We had temps
in the teens this year.


Crape myrtles are also a


This largely what is in the neighborhood and will probably be my staple
also. As mentioned this is very hilly and a few of these can help
correct that by filling in or screening out depth changes.

Most of the other suggestions, and I've looked at all of them, are
too small for accent plants (unsure of the tree mallows) or won't stand
the sun (kerria japonica) and exposure, although I can find some areas
where they could be planted. Particularly in the back yards which are
more wooded.

So what I am looking at now is probably crape myrtle, and possibly
magnolia. I have an abundance of Rose of Sharon and those could be used
as lead ins. Possibly also, Camelias.

I am not crazy and do not want to throw money at this, I'll probably
buy (what I haven't dug up elsewhere) at the state farmers market.

I am paying cash for the houses, one empty and one with tenants, and at
the ridiculously low prices I am buying at (13K and 17K) short sales and
living in an area which is steadily growing in population which is
relatively better off, it would be hard to lose money. Unlike, say the
person who bought at 130K, or even those at 60K. Those are all getting
flushed out of the market which is where my opportunity lies. The people
renting these houses (at $700 to $800 month) don't have the cash to buy
them, there are no mortgages under 50K. Tenants in this neighborhood are
working class and largely long term.

The houses are small and solidly built, the opposite of a McMansion.
Very practical and cheap to keep up and live in. If this was flat and
straight, it would be a very boring neighborhood, it's the opposite of
flat and straight.

Here's the 17K (dry closed):

http://www.trulia.com/property/30109...lanta-GA-30318

As you can see, there is nothing in the front yard. It had way too
much money spent on the inside.


good bet along with some palms for architecture. I would get to know
the local area and what grows well and lush looking with the minimum of
care (What's growing in the central reservations in roads etc.).
Hibicus will flower but what will they look like without loads of care
on their own....Stringy and weak?

Alternatively you could do a native scheme if it was bold enough. Less
is more in my opinion, in terms of different species etc. and its far
more impartial and restful - so your tenants are more likely to gel to
it.

I'm down with that. This is not fancy landscaping.

Jeff