SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
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
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WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
❘
SPRING 2019
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