Blog Articles and Company News

Low Maintenance Landscaping

Anyone who has had the privilege of visiting Edmond, Oklahoma knows that it is surrounded by beauty. So much so that many refer to Edmond as the “crown jewel” of Oklahoma. It is no wonder then that Justice Homes has chosen to build their communities here. We try to include as much of this beauty as possible in our homes, particularly by offering lovely yards. Now, if you think that maintaining a beautiful yard is too much work, we want to argue that it does not have to be! Here are a few beautiful plants and flowers you can keep around that are bound to survive with or without you.

Nandina Domestica

Nandina domestica is a great evergreen shrub for the novice gardener. The leaves themselves are lush and fit in with any landscape. In addition, this shrub will treat you with delicate white flowers in the Spring and bright red berries in the Winter. This evergreen is very unfussy, meaning that you are free to prune it anytime without having the fear of stressing it out.

Marigolds

Marigolds are a very popular option for gardeners of any level, and for good reason. These colorful flowers will give and give regardless of how you treat them. They are not picky when it comes to soil and are quite resilient even when nicked by weed whackers and lawnmowers. Marigolds are capable of reseeding themselves, so you may even be happy to see them pop back up next season.

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley is a welcome addition to any spare area in your landscaping. This plant will easily fill out ground around the base of a tree or a sparse garden bed. The darling white, bell- shaped flowers are a reward for simply giving it moist, well-draining soil.

Bamboo

If you are looking for low-maintenance plants to enhance the privacy in your yard, bamboo is an excellent option. Ornamental bamboo can be placed along the edge of your fence and can grow quite tall, creating a natural privacy fence.

Mint

Mint is a useful, fragrant plant to keep around that is virtually impossible to kill. A bout of overwatering or underwatering will not stop this lively herb from coming back. Given its resilience, however, mint can take over if not controlled. If you want to make sure it remains contained, you may want to plant it in a pot instead. ​

You do not have to dedicate all your weekends to landscaping in order to enjoy beautiful plants and flowers. With the additions of a few of these low-maintenance options, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor, minus the labor.

By Justice Homes 7-27-2020

Steps to Help You Discuss Difficult Topics at Home and at Work

Whether you need to talk to a co-worker or a family member, as humans we find it hard to talk about difficult topics. To help improve your work and home life, we want to go over some basic points that will help you sail through those difficult conversations. Here at Justice Homes our work life and home life are wrapped up together because we are a family owned business. Even so we have to talk to contractors and vendors about a number of different things. We have found these basic steps to be very helpful.

1. Schedule a time to speak. This is, of course, if it isn’t an emergency. In scheduling that time with them they can be in a better frame of mind. Allowing someone to be mentally prepared is a kindness, instead of just springing it on them.
2. Speak face to face. Due to the pandemic, speaking in person is not advised but you can always do it through a video call. Doing so will help you to see the person's body language to an extent and their facial expression. Talking over the phone or through texting can often lead to misinterpretation and guessing how the person actually meant it to come across.
3. Write down what you want to say. This is a simple way to compile all of your thoughts. It will come out smoother and more concise because you know exactly what you want to say. Preparing this way will help you to feel more confident. Make sure that you practice because you want to be able to maintain eye contact when talking.
4. Communicate with positivity. What we mean by that is, if there is a problem you want the discussion to either start or end on a positive note. If it has been solved, then let the person know that from the beginning. If it hasn’t been solved, then end it with letting know what the plan is. You can even ask them what they think the next step should be. That way you are keeping things positive and productive.
5. Tone is everything. How you say something is just as important as what you are saying. The tone of your voice will largely dictate how it is taken. Therefore, you want to be gentle but firm when speaking. This will help to bring about confidence and prevent negative reactions.
6. Be empathic. Take a moment to really think about what it would be like to be in the other person’s shoes. What they would be thinking and feeling. This will help you be empathic toward them and show that you really understand the position that they are in. Such reassurance can help diffuse any argument that may come about.
7. Keep the discussion productive. If you notice that someone is starting to raise their voice or communicate in a way that isn’t really appropriate, then try and redirect them. A simple statement such as “I’d like to keep the conversation productive” is more times than not all that is needed.

We are certainly living in difficult times and that can mean there will be difficult conversations to be had. Unfortunately, it is inevitable if you’re a business owner. That being said, you can always make it easier on you and the other person by following these simple steps. Justice Homes knows that buying a home can cause tension when two people want completely different things. These steps can help families to discuss what they want and why, coming to a compromise. Give us a call today if you’re looking for a home. More than likely you will be able to find a home that you both love here at Justice Homes!

By Justice Homes 7-23-2020