Keep your flowers looking beautiful longer

Fresh flowers may just be the single easiest way to brighten a room. Flowers lend a bit of holistic warmth to a home, inviting friends and family alike to take some time to smell their sweet fragrance.

Unfortunately, that invitation lasts only as long as the flowers remain fresh. So, how do the professionals keep their flowers looking beautiful for weeks at a time?

According to Kelly Buck, a partner at Flowers by Jennie Lynne in Fairless Hills, there is a simple rule of thumb that will help you keep your flowers alive and beautiful for weeks.

“It's the five second rule,” said Kelly. “After just a few seconds of air exposure, the cells in the stem of a flower start to dehydrate and die. If your flower has been out of water for more than a few seconds, than you need to cut the stem again.”

Flowers can only stay healthy so long as they are able to take in water, so if the cut stem of the flower becomes clogged with dead and dehydrated cells, the flower will begin to wilt.

For maximum life out of your flowers, cut the stems every two days and be sure to get them back in the water within five seconds.

Of course, for the best possible results, you have to start with quality flowers.

For the best quality flowers contact Flowers by Jennie Lynne at 215-547-4550 or visit them online at www.FlowersbyJennieLynne.com.

Avoid paying too much for a new home

Despite what many of us think, the real estate business is still very much alive and kicking, as is the new home market.

Taking a drive through almost any part of Lower Bucks County, PA will reveal new home construction. From single homes to vast new communities, the new home market is heating up.

Large signs in front of many of these new neighborhoods welcome potential buyers, imploring them to walk right in to the site office an pickup a contract, and many new home buyers do just that. Unfortunately, what these eager home buyers don't know might cost them.

According to Johanny Manning, of Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. in Yardley, PA, many new home buyers are unaware that they can be represented by their own Realtor during the new home purchasing process.

“New home buyers should always consult a Realtor before walking on to a new home site,” says Johanny. “In order for a Realtor to represent you, they must sign you in with the building company.”

The advantages of hiring a Realtor during the new home buying process can be immense. Realtors are skilled at both reading and understanding the “fine print” associated with the home buying process. Realtors are also better equipped to negotiate pricing because they have access to other local home sale prices and information.

“Realtors are not just the person you turn to when you need to sell a home or find an older home on the market,” said Johanny. “A Realtor's real job is to protect their client and help them to get the best house for the money and their situation.”

For more information about how a Realtor can help you find the home of your dreams, visit Johanny at, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc., 69 South Main St., Yardley, Pa 19067. Or call her direct at 267-968-6651 or through her broker 215-493-5600 ext 331. You can also visit Johanny online at www.momsellshomes.com or email Johanny@Realtor.com.