Large groups of butterflies freak me out. I learned that the hard way as a kid during a nectar feeding incident on a field trip to the Philadelphia Zoo.<\/p>\n
So I personally wouldn\u2019t want to attract the insects en masse to my home. But I know how important pollinators are and applaud homeowners who do their part to help them thrive.<\/p>\n
Planting native species can go a long way. At the Jersey Shore, gardeners are ditching manicured lawns and joining the growing trend that benefits the environment and wildlife.<\/p>\n
Read on to find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n Keep scrolling for that story and more in this week\u2019s edition:<\/p>\n \u2014 Michaelle Bond<\/p>\n If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.<\/a><\/p>\n Virginia Rettig has about 200 varieties of native plants on her Cape May property. And she runs a business that helps other Shore residents go native, too.<\/p>\n She said she\u2019s found plenty of clients who are down for the cause.<\/p>\n Why plant native species? These types of plants provide habitats and food for birds and other wildlife.<\/p>\n Notable quote: \u201cThere has been a lot of focus for too many years on instant gratification \u2014 pretty things that are forced to be in bloom well before nature intends,\u201d said Pat Sutton, a working naturalist. \u201cThe focus on native plants is a focus on making sure wildlife can persist.\u201d<\/p>\n Sutton says her tiny yard feels like a wilderness. She\u2019s recorded hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.<\/p>\n In some places, areas that used to be covered in native vegetation have been cleared for development. In one Shore community, residents have come together to make native plantings a priority.<\/p>\n Keep reading to learn about the Jersey Shore\u2019s native plant varieties and the gardeners who love them.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udceeDo you have a native garden? I want to see it.<\/a><\/p>\n Making the leap from renting to owning a home hasn\u2019t been easy for millennials.<\/a><\/p>\n In prime homebuying years, folks born between 1981 and 1996 have been challenged by low housing supply, skyrocketing home prices, high inflation, expensive financing, and student loans.<\/p>\n But millennials are buying properties. And the Philadelphia area has been a homebuying hot spot for the country\u2019s largest generation.<\/p>\n Millennial homeownership in the Philly region almost doubled over five years. That growth outpaced increases in every other major Northeastern metro and the country as a whole.<\/p>\n Our area has a lot going for it, and a combination of features make us stand out.<\/p>\n Keep reading to learn why millennial homeownership has grown so much in the Philadelphia area and how we compare to other regions.<\/a><\/p>\n The latest news to pay attention to<\/p>\n Dolly Kelly initially lost out on buying her favorite house in North Wildwood. But the owner\u2019s deal with the buyer who outbid her fell through. A few months later, Kelly moved in to the cottage.<\/p>\n But it actually wasn\u2019t her dream home. Kelly has a big, close-knit family, and she wanted her house to be a gathering place for everybody.<\/p>\n She wasn\u2019t able to add on to the century-old, 675-square-foot house. So she knocked it down and spent a year and a half building her 2,400-square-foot home. Her nephew helped her design it.<\/p>\n The new house includes a covered carport, open-concept living area, and primary bathroom that feels like a spa. There\u2019s a heated pool in the backyard.<\/p>\n Peek inside Kelly\u2019s home and her family\u2019s retreat.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udcca The market<\/p>\n Across the region, we\u2019re seeing a trend play out that makes sense. As home prices and mortgage rates continue to rise, the folks who can most afford to buy homes are the ones driving sales.<\/p>\n In the Philadelphia metro area, the high end of the market is outperforming the market overall.<\/a><\/p>\n In July, the number of homes for sale was up from last year, but the number of showings was down, according to the multiple listing service Bright MLS. First-time and moderate-income buyers were less active.<\/p>\n Across the Philadelphia metro area in July, according to Bright MLS:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd3aThe median sale price was $430,000 \u2014 $10,000 more than in July of last year.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd3b The number of showings dropped by about 4%. But home tours in Chester County increased.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd3aThe numbers of active and new home listings were up from last year, meaning buyers had more homes to choose from. Roughly 14,200 homes were on the market at the end of July.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd3bThe number of new pending sales dropped by 4%.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 Photo quiz<\/p>\n Where is this Philly mural?<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcee If you think you know, email me back.<\/a><\/p>\n Last week\u2019s quiz featured a photo of Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park.<\/a><\/p>\n Shout-out to Susan T. and Bruce R. for knowing that. As Susan mentioned, the site is currently looking rough in the aftermath of this summer\u2019s FIFA Fan Festival.<\/p>\n Enjoy the rest of your week.<\/p>\n