Congratulations You’re a Homeowner!

Many are saying 2015 is going to be quite the big year, especially in the housing market.  There are a lot of expected new first time home buyers coming to the market.  Perhaps you’re one of them, or perhaps you’re finally moving into that house you’ve been gazing at longingly for a while.  Well, the market appears to be in an excellent position this year for buyers!  There’s so much to think about, now that you’re moving into your house.

One of the greatest parts of home ownership is the freedom to decorate and landscape your property in the manner you so desire.  There’s a lot you can do, so let’s start with some of the basic necessities.  You’re probably going to need a mailbox, and you may be wondering what kind.  Well picking out a decorative mailbox can actually be more engaging and thought-provoking than you realize.  There are a lot of designs out there, and lot of ways to truly customize it to fit with your property and give it a style that is unique.  Buying a proper mailbox is important for several reasons; it’s made of better material and therefore endures weather better, it’ll be stronger and more secure which means your mail will be safe and you can make it fit your property’s appearance.

The next thing you need to consider is how you’re doing the front yard and backyard.  Do you want a seasonal landscape, an evergreen landscape or just grass with a simple pathway to your front door?  A seasonal setup lets you plant flowers for each season and lets you really show off your green thumb skills, but it can be time consuming.  If that’s not the niche for you then going with some evergreen shrubbery may be the answer.  The most you’ll need to do is some trimming to keep them maintained, healthy and good looking.  Or perhaps you’d rather just have grass for the kids to run around on.   Be sure to consider your time, and what will look good.

The backyard also brings with it a set of questions.  If the house already has a patio and some design going on then perhaps there isn’t too much to think about.  However, if your house doesn’t you may want to consider creating a place in the back where you can sit and enjoy the nice weather.  If you do build a patio, do you want it to be open or covered?  Do you want it to be useable during cold weather?  Hopefully you’ve already been thinking, and if not hopefully reading this has helped stimulate your thinking!  Either way, be sure to enjoy your new home and make sure you explore all the fun aspects of being a homeowner!

3 Reasons to Get a Custom Mailbox

More and more people are choosing custom mailboxes in Tampa, FL. Custom mailboxes have many advantages over off-the-shelf varieties, both in terms of design and quality. But many home and business owners still haven't heard of custom mailboxes and don't see the difference. What draws people to custom mailboxes? Here are three huge benefits:

• Appearance – By far the biggest reason people seek out custom mailboxes in Tampa (or anywhere else, for that matter) is for style. Your mailbox is generally very visible outside of your house, condo or apartment building. It is as much a part of your property's first impression as the landscaping, the front façade or the décor inside. Accordingly, many people prefer not to be stuck with the cookie cutter stock mailboxes that are found at big box stores. Instead, they want something that will match a particular home style, color scheme or look. And custom mailboxes provide those options, often at surprisingly low prices. An attractive mailbox can make a big difference in how the outside of a property looks.

• Security – A second reason that many people seek out custom mailboxes is security. The truth is that most stock mailboxes just aren't that secure. If they have security options at all, they are often of low quality, or can be easily broken into. Our custom mailboxes are created with enough space to fit a locking insert inside and built of quality materials that are properly joined and, thus, hard to break. Many businesses, apartment managers, and homeowner associations prefer mailboxes that are designed with these security features in mind. Some individual homeowners feel the same way. You will often send or receive sensitive personal documents in the mail, so it is very important that your mailbox is secured against identity thieves. A concern for security overlaps with a wish for style: many so-called "security" mailboxes that come off the shelf may be secure, but they're certainly not stylish. Custom mailboxes can give you the best of both worlds.

• Durability – Finally, custom mailboxes of quality construction can deliver far more in terms of durability. Durability may not always be something you think of when shopping for a mailbox, but it makes a big difference. If you want to spend the least time and money on maintenance or repairs over the years, a custom mailbox is your best bet. This is especially true in Tampa, where the wet climate can wreak havoc on a low-quality mailbox.

Are you looking for a custom mailbox? What style or type are you interested in? Browse our selection of mailboxes at Forsite and find the right one for your needs.