Issuu

ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE

Different levels of liability if putting in a pool

Q: To make a long story a little shorter, my husband and I had been planning to move to a nicer house when all of a sudden the current housing market slowed to a crawl and prices have dropped with no end in sight. Now we’ve decided to stay here for the foresee able future. We have always wanted a swimming pool, so we have decided to have one built. However, my husband is becom ing hesitant because some people from his work have been telling him that having a swim ming pool is a huge liability if someone falls in and drowns. So now we need to know what happens if someone drowns. What if a kid or someone climbs over the fence and gets hurt in the pool? I need to put my husband’s mind at ease if we’re ever going to get this thing built.

Tim Jones

A: Well, you can put his mind at ease. But not because there isn’t some increased liability risk.

People that come onto your property, whether it’s a home, warehouse, vacant lot, etc., generally fall into one of three categories. Having a basic understanding of the categories is important because your obligation changes with each.

Your highest obligation goes toward people whom you have invited onto your property. These could include your friends, gardeners, dishwasher repairmen, and the like. They

are there because you want them there.

Should they get hurt on your property, including in your swimming pool, through just about any negligence on your part, you’d be liable. A classic example would be tripping on a broken stair or stepping on a nail carelessly left

The next category includes people who legally come onto

For example: a door-to-door salesman can legally come and knock on your front door. You didn’t invite him. You may not even want him to knock on your door. But the law allows him to do so, at least until you tell him to go away. Your obligation to him is slightly less than your guests.

As a general rule, if you know of a dangerous condition in the front of your house that would have a reasonable chance to hurt a door-to-door salesman, and you don’t take reasonable steps to fix it, you could be liable.

A broken concrete walkway that poses an unreasonable tripping hazard, or a pitbull that is free to run to the front of the house and bite him, would both qualify as liability issues.

The last category involves trespassers.

Surprisingly, you still have some duty to protect trespassers. But it is a very limited duty. There’s a famous legal case

See Jones, Page 6

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Robin-Ingram.CBSelectRE.com

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday 1-4PM

SOLANO REAL ESTATE SCENE

20th anniversary of a Vacaville mortgage scheme

In April 2006, a 25-year-old first-time homebuyer with 680 FICO scores and a decent job purchased four Vacaville homes on the same day. He used an independent mortgage broker for all four transactions.

The mortgage broker submitted four loan applications to four different lenders and used four different title companies. These four older, 1,200-square-foot Vacaville homes had been on the market for a while at just under $400,000, and all needed work.

all four homes without one dollar out of his pocket. The appraisals were no problem because appraisals are based on the past three to six sales going back six months. Comps were plentiful from late 2005.

Qualifying for a mortgage can be intimidating. By learning what lenders assess when deciding whether to make a loan, you can take actionable steps now toward homeownership.

While credit history is an essential metric, it’s not the only one at play. There are actually four core factors — the four C’s — that lenders consider: capacity, capital, collateral and credit. Here’s what to know about each one:

Capacity to pay back the loan

Lenders want to make sure you have the means to comfortably take on a mortgage. To do so, they look at your income, employment history, savings,

monthly debt payments and other financial obligations.

One of the ways lenders verify your income is by reviewing several years of your federal income tax returns and W-2s, along with current pay stubs. They evaluate your income based on:

• The source and type of income (e.g., salaried, commission or self-employed)

• How long you’ve been receiving the income and whether it’s been stable

• How long that income is expected to continue into the future

Countering that, lenders also review your recurring monthly debts or liabilities, such as car payments, student loans, credit card payments, personal loans, child support and alimony.

This young man offered $400,000 for each house and asked the sellers to credit him $10,000 for closing costs and $40,000 for kitchen remodeling. After an incredible sellers’ market in 2003, 2004 and 2005, by April Fool’s Day 2006, the market had shifted to a buyers’ market after home prices had doubled since 2002.

The sellers could not sell these four houses for $390,000 because they needed to be remodeled. Why would a first-time homebuyer buy one of these houses when they could buy a brand-new home with nothing down from one of the big builders that were offering big concessions all over Solano and Yolo County?

All four sellers accepted the offers, and keep in mind all four of the homes were vacant because the sellers had already moved on and bought something nicer, newer and bigger elsewhere using an easy lender like Washington Mutual, World Savings or maybe Countrywide. These four sellers were happy to sell the houses and net $330,000 after commissions and $50,000 in buyer incentives.

The buyer was able to finance

When he closed escrow, he owed $400,000 on each

home with interest only payments of $2,000 per month. He obtained 80-20 loans where he had a first mortgage loan for $320,000 and a second mortgage of $80,000 on a couple of the homes, and because of what was considered high FICOS at the time was able to finance two of the houses with single first mortgage loans of $400,000 apiece. At closing of the escrow on the very same day, the sellers covered the buyers’

See Porter, Page 6

Jim Porter

Solano real estate transactions

BENICIA

TOTAL SALES: 6

LOWEST AMOUNT: $423,500

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,325,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $782,500

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $818,083

485 East 5th Street - $600,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1434 SqFt - 1998 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-16-22, $677,000

362 Allen Way - $935,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 2111 SqFt - 1992 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-06-20, $865,000

1782 Devonshire Drive - $630,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1601 SqFt - 1984 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-04-23, $639,000 676 West I Street - $995,000

02-13-26 [1 Bdrms - 756 SqFt - 1941 YrBlt]

544 Lansing Circle - $1,325,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 3824 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-11-06, $935,688

1844 Shirley Drive - $423,500

02-11-26 [2 Bdrms - 873 SqFt - 1983 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-11-22, $455,000

DIXON

TOTAL SALES: 7

LOWEST AMOUNT: $546,500

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $816,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $640,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $657,786

1120 Bello Drive - $816,000

02-11-26 [4 Bdrms - 3013 SqFt - 2004 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-26-16, $497,500 1805 Derby Drive - $655,000

02-13-26 [5 Bdrms - 2338 SqFt - 1996 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-08-25, $682,000 160 Lynd Way - $640,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 2250 SqFt - 1993 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 00/1991, $68,000 1125 Merrill Court - $546,500

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1186 SqFt - 1976 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-06-20, $427,000 930 Monique Way - $637,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 2355 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt] 2195 Prairie Way - $600,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 2023 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 11-20-23, $638,500 715 Wiegand Way - $710,000

02-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 2044 SqFt - 1999 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 07-02-12, $279,000

FAIRFIELD

TOTAL SALES: 13

LOWEST AMOUNT: $175,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $1,125,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $525,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $536,538

2635 Alvarado Court - $565,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1466 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-29-25, $332,000

2900 Calle De Cordoba - $590,000

02-11-26 [3 Bdrms - 1750 SqFt - 1996 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-01-00, $292,500

1136 Courtland Court - $525,000

02-09-26 [2 Bdrms - 1004 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-01-08, $185,000

1970 Grande Circle #9 - $175,000

02-13-26 [2 Bdrms - 1056 SqFt - 1982 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-02-15, $89,000

919 Hoover Street - $493,000

02-11-26 [3 Bdrms - 1106 SqFt - 1952 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-23-25, $355,000

656 Julmar Circle - $518,000

02-13-26 [2 Bdrms - 1382 SqFt - 2004 YrB lt], Previous Sale: 07-09-13, $270,000

745 Oakbrook Drive - $264,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 985 SqFt - 1985 YrBlt]

2965 Pebble Beach Circle - $1,125,000

02-11-26 [4 Bdrms - 3096 SqFt - 2006 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-26-11, $580,000

1129 Scott Street - $535,000, 02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 1560 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 10-17-11, $125,000

1048 East Tabor Avenue - $510,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 1584 SqFt - 1967 YrBlt]

Previous Sale: 06-13-25, $375,000

899 Taylor Street - $410,000

02-10-26 [2 Bdrms - 1276 SqFt - 1947 YrBlt]

3582 Thompson Court - $730,000

02-11-26 [3 Bdrms - 4412 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-02-26, $730,000

2351 Twain Court - $535,000

02-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1438 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt]

RIO VISTA

TOTAL SALES: 9

LOWEST AMOUNT: $355,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $520,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $467,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $444,500

718 Allender Way - $471,000

02-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1346 SqFt - 1999 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-24-25, $524,000

28 Amador Circle - $480,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1426 SqFt - 1981 YrBlt]

706 Anderson Way - $467,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1346 SqFt - 2001 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 05-30-01, $195,240

908 Brookside Lane - $466,500

02-11-26 [2 Bdrms - 2031 SqFt - 2007 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-30-07, $363,000

445 Drouin Drive - $495,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 1584 SqFt - 1980 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 12-11-18, $370,000

4640 Orchard Lane - $520,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1508 SqFt - 2018 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 10-18-18, $365,000

285 Sage Meadows Drive - $361,000

02-10-26 [2 Bdrms - 1420 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-19-22, $415,000

504 Silver Ridge Drive - $355,000

02-10-26 [2 Bdrms - 1172 SqFt - 2013 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 01-31-14, $217,000

992 Virginia Drive - $385,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1104 SqFt - 1960 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-22-19, $161,500

SUISUN CITY

TOTAL SALES: 4

LOWEST AMOUNT: $391,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $625,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $535,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $521,500

709 Capistrano Drive - $500,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1553 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-20-11, $150,000

428 Donaldson Court - $625,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 2206 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 00/1989, $195,000

607 Seagull Drive - $391,000

02-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1466 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-02-10, $152,000 617 Skylark Drive - $570,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1308 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt]

VACAVILLE

TOTAL SALES: 25

LOWEST AMOUNT: $300,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $850,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $565,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $590,100

1018 Alouette Place - $839,000

02-09-26 [4 Bdrms - 2545 SqFt - 2001

YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-23-21, $755,000

214 Arrowhead Drive - $540,000

02-09-26 [4 Bdrms - 1402 SqFt - 1971 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-11-03, $280,000

724 Ashford Court - $565,000

02-13-26 [5 Bdrms - 2366 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-25-15, $475,000

466 Bowline Drive - $399,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 1402 SqFt - 1975 YrBlt]

130 Brighton Circle - $850,000

02-11-26 [6 Bdrms - 3788 SqFt - 2007 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 09-17-20, $760,000

681 Canterbury Circle - $775,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 2567 SqFt - 2009 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-29-13, $420,000

888 Celestine Circle - $300,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 1803 SqFt - 1995 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 04-05-10, $250,000

369 Clarescastle Way - $645,000

02-09-26 [4 Bdrms - 2324 SqFt - 1993 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 11-15-23, $645,000

421 Cottonwood Street - $545,000

02-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1437 SqFt - 1956 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 11-04-16, $326,000 117 Cypress Street - $300,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1359 SqFt - 1948 YrBlt] 543 Datura Drive - $624,500

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1639 SqFt - 2020 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-20-20, $486,500

340 Kendrick Lane - $530,000, 02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1306 SqFt - 1986 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-04-08, $234,500

737 Linwood Street - $520,000, 02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1443 SqFt - 1970 YrBlt]

325 Marshall Road - $818,000

02-09-26 [4 Bdrms - 3093 SqFt - 2005 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 06-24-05, $769,000

2036 Newcastle Drive - $800,000

02-11-26 [3 Bdrms - 2687 SqFt - 2016 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-23-15, $574,000

202 Olympic Circle - $409,000

02-13-26 [2 Bdrms - 1472 SqFt - 1964 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-03-17, $295,000

567 Parkridge Drive - $615,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1554 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-13-25, $462,500

372 Primrose Drive - $657,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1827 SqFt - 2020 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-05-20, $514,000

185 Salinas Drive - $625,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1540 SqFt - 1977 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-16-04, $450,000

381 Shannon Drive - $675,000

02-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 1902 SqFt - 1989 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 01-14-21, $610,000

361 Tilden Circle - $560,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1308 SqFt - 2009 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 04-23-19, $445,000

212 Water Lily Circle - $671,000

02-11-26 [3 Bdrms - 1780 SqFt - 2018 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-21-18, $524,500

649 Whitney Court - $510,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1748 SqFt - 1990 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 06-07-23, $585,000

1136 Woodridge Drive - $500,000

02-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1358 SqFt - 1983 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-21-17, $339,500

148 Yarmouth Court - $480,000

02-13-26 [5 Bdrms - 2185 SqFt - 1976 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-31-06, $439,000

VALLEJO

TOTAL SALES: 23

LOWEST AMOUNT: $155,000

HIGHEST AMOUNT: $900,000

MEDIAN AMOUNT: $470,000

AVERAGE AMOUNT: $458,283

417 14th Street - $435,000

02-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1221 SqFt - 1933 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 05-08-09, $60,000

2011 Agate Court - $660,000

02-13-26 [5 Bdrms - 2412 SqFt - 1998 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-10-98, $227,074

69 Baldwin Street - $160,000

02-11-26 [2 Bdrms - 884 SqFt - 1980 YrBlt]

109 Birch Street - $455,000

02-10-26 [2 Bdrms - 913 SqFt - 1979 YrBlt]

1333 North Camino Alto #164 - $180,000

02-11-26 [2 Bdrms - 736 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 08-14-19, $189,000 153 Camino Del Sol - $900,000 02-11-26 [3 Bdrms - 2306 SqFt - 1992 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-23-22, $1,075,000

7809 Caracena Court - $540,000

02-11-26 [3 Bdrms - 1713 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-27-20, $455,000

444 Corcoran Avenue #4 - $155,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1032 SqFt - 1972 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-04-21, $216,000

112 Diamond Springs Court - $520,000

02-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 1441 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-21-09, $128,000

125 Easson Court - $605,000

02-10-26 [3 Bdrms - 1484 SqFt - 1978 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 03-17-23, $625,000

400 Foothill Drive - $555,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1474 SqFt - 1985 YrB lt], Previous Sale: 12-16-03, $358,000

218 Franciscan Drive - $675,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1908 SqFt - 1961 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 12-02-25, $420,000

1011 Georgia Street - $470,000

02-13-26 [2 Bdrms - 1195 SqFt - 1920 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 11-12-19, $455,000

170 Harvard Avenue - $440,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 1282 SqFt - 1963 YrBlt]

126 Jordan Street - $475,000

02-13-26 [2 Bdrms - 806 SqFt - 1942 YrBlt]

121 Kim Court - $546,500

02-10-26 [4 Bdrms - 2048 SqFt - 1981 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 08-22-23, $650,000

445 Lighthouse Drive - $169,000

02-11-26 [1 Bdrms - 718 SqFt - 1988 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 06-02-15, $132,000

257 Mountain View Avenue - $470,000

02-13-26 [2 Bdrms - 838 SqFt - 1941 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 02-28-24, $435,000

795 Rosewood Avenue - $415,000

02-09-26 [3 Bdrms - 1121 SqFt - 1953 YrBlt]

606 Sonoma Boulevard - $375,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1148 SqFt - 2003 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 03-30-04, $295,000

836 Stella Street - $465,000

02-13-26 [3 Bdrms - 1164 SqFt - 1960 YrBlt],

Previous Sale: 04-07-09, $90,000

130 Stephanie Court - $220,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 1373 SqFt - 1974 YrBlt]

400 Vergel Terrace - $655,000

02-13-26 [4 Bdrms - 1910 SqFt - 1980 YrBlt], Previous Sale: 09-26-25, $422,000

BE THE FIRST TO TOUR Unveiling Custom Living at Bretton Woods

Join us for a Sunset at the Woods in the beautiful setting of the sunset over the Winters Hills at Bretton Woods for a hosted evening with wine and cheese. The entire neighborhood of Bretton Woods is invited as well as interested parties. If you are considering the wonderful opportunity to live at Bretton Woods, it is a chance to meet and begin getting to know the unique and varied people that have chosen the Bretton Woods neighborhood as their community.

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sneak peek open house

Continue your Picnic Day with an exclusive ﬁrst look at this beautifully crafted custom home. Sat. Apr. 18 - 2 to 6pm | Sun. Apr. 19 - 1 to 4pm

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A hosted evening with wine and light bites Thursday, April 23 | 5:30pm to 8:00pm

Easy ways to color your garden with petunias

After a long winter, gar deners everywhere are eager to bring vibrant blooms back to their outdoor spaces. For maximum impact with less maintenance, Wave Petunias deliver bold, spreading flowers throughout the growing season. The broader Wave family also includes Wave Pansies, offering reliable color in cooler conditions. Together, they deliver lasting impact across landscapes and stylish patios alike.

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See Easy, Page 14

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From Page 2

every young law school student studies in which a man who had his home burglarized several times rigged a shotgun to go off if someone forced open the front door.

Predictably, someone went to break into the house again and the gun blew off the crook’s legs. He successfully sued the homeowner for a lot of money, which he presumably spent at the penitentiary’s commissary.

The lesson from that case is simply this: You have almost no duty to protect a trespasser, except that you can’t affirmatively do something that you reasonably suspect will cause him injury. Like a shotgun blast for example.

So how does all this relate to a swimming pool?

If you have guests over and one of them gets hurt in the pool, but there is no negligence on your part, then there’s no liability. If there is some negligence, such as a too slippery diving board or unseen broken foot-slashing glass chards on the deck, you’re liable.

If a firefighter has to break down your fence to get into the back yard to put out a fire and falls into a concealed hole in the decking, you’re probably liable.

From Page 3

closing costs and out of their side of the escrow paid $40,000 to the buyer’s contractor for the kitchen remodeling jobs that would be done after the escrow closing.

You may have heard about some politicians getting in mortgage-fraud-hot-water for lying on their loan applications. There was no way this young brainiac scammer could owner occupy all four homes, nor would any of the loans been approved if the lenders knew about the other transactions, and there is no way they would allow the $40,000 check

to be cut without the kitchen being remodeled prior to the appraisal and the close of escrow. The buyers and the sellers agreed to the $40,000 on a separate addendum and was not part of the main purchase agreement.

I did not hear about this one transaction till four or five years after it occurred, but it is a true story and only one fraud case of the million that took place between 2002 and 2007 across the country. Ninety-nine percent of the fraud was just exaggerating the income on a stated-income loan (liar loan) but 1% were crooks like this guy or dumb

700 FICO score folks that bought eight to 10 rental properties in 2006 with 5% or less down thinking they could

become rich.

This kid rented out three of the homes and lived in one. He and his buddy pocketed the $160,000 for the remodeling. I assume he made payments for a few months till he stopped in 2007 because by then liar loans had dried up, and the four homes were now all worth less than $320,000. He stopped making payments on all four homes for the next three years and lived for free in one house and rented the other three out till the foreclosures.

The four homes dropped in value to $150,000 by 2010 and all were finally sold between 2010 and 2012. After 2008, Washington Mutual became Chase, Countrywide sold to BofA, and World SavingsWachovia became Wells Fargo,

and apparently none of the CEOs knew what was going on between 2003 to 2007.

This kid and his contractor partner made a couple hundred thousand tax-free and the Lehman Brother investors that bought these mortgages lost $1.6 million on this one scam in Vacaville and this is no April Fool’s joke.

Jim Porter, NMLS No. 276412, is the branch manager and senior loan adviser of Solano Mortgage, NMLS No. 1515497, a division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, NMLS No. 1850, licensed in California by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the CRMLA / Equal Housing Opportunity. Jim can be reached at 707-449-4777.

I can’t conceive of how you could be liable to a trespasser if you don’t wire a shotgun to go off in front of the outside wet bar.

Now that you understand your liability, you can put your husband’s mind to rest knowing that your homeowner’s insurance policy is designed to protect you for just these types of liability issues.

You will need to inform your insurance agent about the new pool, and you may wind up paying a higher premium, but that’s why you have the policy.

If the pool is important to you, I say go for it.

Tim Jones, Esq., is a real estate attorney in Fairfield. If you have any real estate questions you would like to have answered in this column, you can send an email to AllThings RealEstate@TJones-Law.com.

REAL ESTATE

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ABOVE: Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendron is disease resistant, and both cold and heat tolerant. It is recommended for zones 5a through 9b.

ON GARDENING Dandy Man Color Wheel is a garden dream come true

It is indeed a Dandy Man, but let me explain. Tim Wood, known by many as “The Plant Hunter,” made some comments on LinkedIn. It was regarding the Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendron. He said it was a rhododendron hyperythrum hybrid. Why is that important? It gives the plant disease resistance, particularly to rhizoctonia. It also gives it remarkable cold and in my case

My dream has always been to grow rhododendrons like those in the mountainous region of Georgia and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tim Wood’s comments came with my Dandy Man Color Wheel coming-out party.

My rhododendron story started in April 2021. That is when I got 2-gallon-sized Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendrons to try at my house in west Georgia. They were barely out of the box when they exploded in bloom. My wife, Jan, recognizes beauty, and they quickly went to the dining table.

I’ve written about them twice before, including in 2022 when it was recognized as The Rhododendron of the Year by the American Rhododendron Society. I am in my sixth year now and my two original gallonsized babies are now in the 5- to 6-foot-high range with a spread of 4 to 5 feet. I’ve even added two more. So, my growth rate

The Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendron begin lipstick red and form large, ruffled blooms that are light pink inside and age to a clear white before falling.

has been about a foot per year. The tag says mature height is 8 feet; that will be perfect. There is no doubt a plethora of gardeners think I can grow azaleas but not rhododendrons. So, permit me to chase a rabbit. Botanically speaking azaleas are rhododendrons. For instance, the native azalea called honey azalea, mountain azalea and Piedmont azalea are known botanically as rhododendron canescens. For the sake of brevity, I’ll not give any more examples, but if you grow an azalea, you grow a rhododendron. In Federal Way, Washington, you will find the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden home of the Rhododendron Species Foundation.

Dandy Man Color Wheel

See Winter, Page 14

RIGHT: Early beginnings show 2 gallon-sized Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendrons showing out on the dining table.

Norman Winter

Mortgage

Imagine this: It’s a chilly evening, and you’ve been counting down the minutes until you can step into a long, relaxing hot shower. The water feels perfect, steam rising, when suddenly the warmth disappears and you’re hit with an icy blast that sends you scrambling for the faucet.

Nothing snaps you out of your comfort zone faster than running out of hot water.

Hot water isn’t just a household must-have, it’s one of the foundations of whole-home comfort. That’s why choosing the right water heater matters. The model you bring home isn’t just another appliance purchase; it’s an investment in everyday peace of mind. The right water heater helps ensure your family always has the hot water they need for showers, baths, dishes, laundry and all the moments in between.

Because when comfort starts with reliable hot water, everything at home just feels better.

Lennox in hot water

Lennox has introduced a new line of water heaters designed to give homeowners reliable comfort, long-lasting performance and peace of mind. Built with the same focus on quality that homeowners expect from Lennox, these water heaters offer a dependable new option for everyday living.

Each model features durable steel construction and is glasslined with PermaClad to defend against corrosion, one of the most common issues that can lead to early water-heater failure or costly repairs.

Select models also include smart protective features like a SediMotion System to prolong

tank life by reducing sediment buildup, FillSafe Protection that helps keep internal components safe if the tank isn’t filled correctly and LennoxLock flammability protection. All of these elements work quietly in the background to support long-term performance and make home comfort feel effortless.

There’s also a major advantage when it comes to energy use. Lennox heat pump water heaters are designed to help reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water, which can help lower monthly utility bills. And on select models, app-enabled controls let you monitor and manage your water heater, and even your thermostat, right from the Lennox Home app, bringing more convenience and control to your everyday routine.

closing cost assistance programs, grants and sweat equity.

Collateral

A reliable water heater does more than just deliver hot water. It can be part of a connected home comfort ecosystem that you can count on for years to come.

To learn more about Lennox’s new line of water heaters or other offerings, visit Lennox.com.

Lenders consider the value of the property you’re pledging as security against the loan. In the case of a mortgage, the collateral is the home you’re buying. If you don’t pay your mortgage, the mortgage company could take possession of your home. This is known as foreclosure. To determine the fair market value of the home you’d like to buy, your

For many, navigating mortgage terms is a crucial milestone on the path to owning a home.

lender will order an appraisal of the property that will compare its value to similar homes in the neighborhood.

Credit

Lenders check your credit score and history to assess your record of paying bills and other debts on time. This helps lenders gauge your financial stability

and thus your risk of defaulting on your loan. In addition, your credit score could dictate your interest rate and how much of a down payment will be required. Having a better understanding of how lenders evaluate potential loan applicants will give you an opportunity to prepare financially to take out a loan. It can also help you navigate the process with confidence.

VECTEEZY

Winter

From Page 11

blooms are nothing short of incredible. The buds are lipstick red in color and open to reveal bid ruffled blooms with soft pink inside. The blooms age to clean white before falling off. It is extra special in that you will see all three colors at once.

The Dandy Man Color Wheel like all other rhododendrons and those we call azaleas, needs fertile, welldrained, acidic soil. They are recommended for zones 5a through 9b. The warmer zones will probably appreciate some part sun. Be sure to add a good 2-to-3-inch layer of bark mulch or pine straw to foster good soil conditions.

My two oldest ones are in an area with hydrangeas, azaleas and hostas. They will never sync with hydrangeas, should sync with azaleas but this year Shadowland Etched Glass hosta made it look like I knew what I was doing. In the front yard I see I missed an opportunity with Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendron blooms and Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern. I will probably move the ferns to that location.

If you have longed to grow rhododendrons, Dandy Man Color Wheel may just be your dream come true, you too will see why it won The Rhododendron of the Year.

Norman Winter is horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-asNails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy. He receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.

Easy

From Page 6

and serene to joyful and energetic. Keeping color top of mind makes it easy to refresh patios, porches and garden spaces with a feel-good update.

With help from Wave Petunias, gardeners can simply plant and enjoy, achieving a big visual payoff without high maintenance. Easy Wave Petunias are fast-growing in sunny locations and versatile, performing beautifully in planters and garden beds. They also tolerate both heat and cooler night conditions, helping them thrive consistently from spring through summer.

Easy Wave Pink Pearl is an appealing choice for spring, with its soft and luminous light pink tone that feels uplifting and radiant. Its natural spillover makes it especially well-suited for hanging baskets, while its cascading habit creates a picture-perfect look for seasonal entertaining and outdoor gatherings.

2. Make a bold statement in your neighborhood

ABOVE: This Shadowland Etched Glass hosta shows its ability to partner with Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendron.

LEFT: Six years later the shrubs are close to 6 feet tall and full of blooms.

NORMAN WINTER/ TNS PHOTOS

For high-impact curb appeal, opt for statement-making blooms that spread quickly, delivering fast-fill coverage from Memorial Day through late summer. Wave Petunias bring vivid color to any space, packed with blooms for custom, colorful containers.

Consider adding a patriotic flair for America’s 250th birthday or any summer celebration by bringing a red, white and blue container mix to the party! Just one of many options available in the lineup, Shock Wave Volt Mix provides effortless patriotic styling with its ready-made electrifying blend of bright red, dazzling white and deep blue. The mounded, tidy appearance of these petunias is perfect for baskets and patio pots.

Additional colors available include Shock Wave Deep Purple, a rich and moody sat-

urated magenta that provides dramatic contrast when paired with lighter blooms, plus deep rose-colored Shock Wave Rose Vein and vibrant neon Shock Wave Violet - all designed to mix and match seamlessly for eye-catching combinations.

3. Achieve maximum coverage with minimum effort

The spreading habit of Wave Petunias means that they fill containers and beds quickly, for continuous blooms throughout the growing season. The result? Fewer plants are needed for full coverage, making them ideal for gardeners who want to achieve showstopping results with less planting and upkeep.

The E3 Easy Wave Déjà Vu Mixture offers a multi-tone blend for dynamic, layered color, making it excellent for mass plantings and ground coverage. Its consistent growth and dependable performance help create an artistic vibe all season long.

4. Enjoy big impact with simple care

Wave Petunias are designed to make gardening simple and rewarding, delivering vigorous growth and dependable performance from early spring through summer. Care is refreshingly straightforward: plant in full sun in well-draining soil, water consistently - especially for containers - and irrigate early in the morning at the soil line for best results. No deadheading is required; Wave Petunias bloom freely for months of color. For full, lush containers, three plants in a 10- to 12-inch pot typically create a beautifully filled look, with spacing easily adjusted depending on container size and desired impact. With this simple approach, gardeners can enjoy vivid, spreading color throughout the season.