SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
*Cross-generational: A new roof. It’s the ultimate curb
appeal enhancer and buyers pay a premium for one already in
place. So if the first thing prospects notice even before exiting
their cars looks like something out of the movie “Twister,” you’ve
got a problem.
*Millennials: All-new appliances. Realtors will tell you that
major kitchen (and bath) upgrades aren’t generally worth their
high costs, in terms of return on investment, since prospective
buyers’ tastes can clash with yours. However, Millennials love,
love, love all-new stainless steel appliances. So much so that
what RealtyTimes.com called “an astonishing majority of 75
percent” of respondents in a recent survey chose to spend their
hypothetical home buying budgets on
them.
DO-IT-YOURSELF
LANDSCAPING
THAT DOESN’T
LOOK IT
If you’ve ever
attempted to transform
your backyard into a
beautifully designed
paradise, then you
have probably planted,
trimmed and dug your
way into a few minor
frustrations along the way.
While good landscaping can
vary by degrees including budget,
skills and climate, there are a few easy
things you can do in order to be proud of your landscaping
without paying an expert.
The following tips will guide you on the right path to do-it-
yourself landscaping:
*Always layer your planting beds. Layering in three
rows, begin with your tallest plants in the back row, next tallest in
the middle and your shortest plants in the front. And
don’t just plant one bed—put another elsewhere in
your yard to help provide a sense of harmony.
*Calm your yard with water features.
Providing focal points in your landscaping work is
a must, and one great way is to incorporate water
features such as ponds and simple waterfalls. They
both look appealing and add an attractive element to
your yard—the calming sounds of moving water.
*Utilize retaining walls. If you are planning
on protecting the fragile landscaping work around
your home, it’s imperative to construct a strong
retaining wall. Erosion-prone areas in your yard will
benefit greatly by incorporating segmental retaining
walls constructed from concrete masonry. Using
concrete masonry not only provides the best value
for the investment, it also delivers superior design
flexibility and aesthetic appeal to any landscape idea.
*When planting flowers, go with annuals.
To have a continuous sense of color throughout your
yard, plant annual flowers alongside your favorite
perennials. Research and lay out creative flower combinations
that make use of both kinds of flowers for year-round beauty.
*Think year-round. One of the biggest mistakes one can
make is only providing one or two seasons’ worth of eye-catching
landscaping. Plan for having plentiful trees and shrubs during
the springtime, fall foliage during autumn months and good,
visually interesting plant life in the winter, such as holly shrubs or
bayberry bushes.
DECKED OUT
One of the most inexpensive ways to add living space to your
home is the addition of an outdoor deck or patio. Having a great
outdoor space is like adding an extra room to your house. It can
be enjoyed by the whole family, or experienced in quiet solitude
as a retreat to the Zen of outdoor living.
If you like to entertain, then an outdoor space is a must. Guests
can spill out onto the patio, extending your home to allow more
freedom for guests to mingle, both inside and out.
Though the words “patio” and “deck” are often used
interchangeably, there is a difference. A patio is generally
constructed of stone pavers, tile or a simple concrete foundation
that sits squarely on the ground. Decks are usually made of wood,
PVC (also called vinyl) or composite, which has wood content
that has been encapsulated in a PVC wrap. Decks can either be
ground level or elevated. When considering which option is best
for you, you’ll want to look at the costs and also which one works
well with the style of your home. The good news is that regardless
of the option you choose, you’ll get a positive return on your
investment, somewhere between 30% and 75%.
For a wood frame house, wooden, composite or PVC decks
can match the trim of your existing home. Since wood can be
painted, a wooden deck offers the most color options; however
it will also require frequent repainting. Both PVC and composite
decks are available in a wide range of earth tones to match your
home’s style.
Continued on next page >
KEYSTONE OAKS
❘
SPRING 2019
19