Upstate Real Estate March 2018

Real Estate UPSTATE

& HOME SERVICES

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HOME OF THE MONTH A TIME FORGOTTEN MEETS MODERN APPEAL! ~ 37 Elm Street, Oneonta ~

607-431-2540 x110 www.UpstateNYHomesAndLand.com

How to choose new carpet Page 4

Available now is this beautiful center-city Oneonta 4 bedroom, 2 and 1/2 bath Victorian situated on a private corner lot including its original carriage barn/garage with bonus loft above! This home boasts a COMPLETELY REMODELED AND UPDATED KITCHEN that compliments the original butler’s pantry and formal dining room. A MUST SEE GRAND FOYER requires a moment’s pause to relish the quality, natural lighting, architectural detail and flow of this stately residence.

Location, curb appeal, classic detail and price all in one FABULOUS HOME!

2018 home architecture trends Page 12 VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 3 | MARCH, 2018

Create a sale-worthy showplace Page 14

Real Estate UPSTATE

& HOME SERVICES

A Publication of The Daily Star

How to choose new carpet................................................................................. Page 4 Why zoning laws?....................................................................................................Page 6 How to buy a new television.............................................................................. Page 8 What to know when buying an older home to renovate.........................Page 10 2018 home architecture trends........................................................................ Page 12 Wood decks: durable and affordable............................................................. Page 13 Create a sale-worthy showplace.....................................................................Page 14 It’s foundational.................................................................................................... Page 17 3 ways to use your lawn to improve curb appeal.....................................Page 18 102 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820 • www.thedailystar.com • 607-432-1000 2

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March, 2018

Of the 29 projects it studied for its 2017 “Cost vs. Value Report,� Remodeling magazine found that the average payback in resale value was 64.3 cents. The lone project in the 2017 report to return a higher value than its cost was the installation of loose-fill insulation in an attic, which provided a return of 107.7 percent. Homeowners who replaced an existing entry door with a 20-gauge steel unit recouped 90.7 percent of their investment at resale, placing that project second on the list. What helps homeowners who finance such projects recoup their associated costs is the relatively low sticker price of the projects, which both rank among the five least expensive projects examined in the 2017 report.

But a recovering real estate market has helped homeowners recoup more of their investments on some expensive projects as well. For example, the 2017 report saw the biggest year-over-year percentage increases in value on expensive projects like upscale bathroom remodels, upscale master suites, two-story additions, grand entrance installations, and family room additions. The increase in value on those projects ranged from 5.6 percent to 7.4 percent from a year earlier.

Show & Sell Your Homes

$299,900, 1.71 Acres, 4BR/3BA, Oneonta, MLS #111432

QUALITY! QUALITY! QUALITY! Custom kitchen, top-of-the-line appliances, slate floor. Large living room w/fireplace, dining room, lots of storage. Master bath w/jetted tub, separate shower, large walk-in closet.

Two add. BRs. Enormous family room w/bar, wall safe, wood stove, 3rd BR has 3/4 bath, plus utility and storage area. Professionally landscaped. Covered front porch. Spacious wooded lot. Country feeling minutes from Oneonta and I-88. Immaculate home. Priced right!

TWO HOUSES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!!!!

This listing is two separate parcels with two separate homes. Main house has 3 bedrooms and the guest house has 2 bedrooms.

Large lot size in the Hamlet of Schenevus.

Walking distance to school and Main Street.

Potential for rental income from the guest house.

$179,900, 1.72 Acres, 4BR/2BA, Walton, MLS #113766

$159,000, 0.2500 Acres, 4BR/2BA, Oneonta, MLS #114645

$182,500, 0.67 Acres, 5BR/2BA, Schenevus, MLS #111726

Solid 2-family home center city in excellent MAKE AN OFFER!!! condition. Good sized rooms w/nice floor plans.

Tastefully restored farmhouse. Hand crafted Separate utilities, 2-car garage & off-street parking. maple cabinets, built-in china cabinet and 2017 Updates: 1st floor - New H/W heater, W/D, real hard pine wainscoting in the dining room. refrigerator & stove. Second floor - new furnace, Includes carriage house over the brook. new H/W heater 2011, new W/D 2017 & refrigerator.

Thousands of nearby acres of state & NYC Insulated stone foundation, 6' treated privacy fence, land. Interior just repainted. Gardens, flowering replaced 6' of septic line near house. Seamless trees, stone wall, also historic milk house on gutters over rear deck, resealed driveway 4 years the property. If you are looking for something ago. Just move in and let other living area pay the mortgage or rent entire property for nice income. wonderful please look at this lovely home!

Advertise your homes for sale in Upstate Real Estate & Home Services and reach thousands of potential buyers right here in our area!

UPSTATE Real Estate & Home Services

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March, 2018 | 3

HOW TO CHOOSE NEW CARPET A new color and style can transform your home.

The decision has been made. You want to purchase new carpet and the time is now! Your mind is already shifting into fast forward with such issues as light or dark colors? Soft and velvety or tight and firm? Smooth or textured? Wall to wall or bordered? There’s so much to consider.

HOW WOULD A DESIGNER DESIGN MY SPACE? If a designer were to help you design your home, they’d begin with you. So you begin with you! Put yourself through an initial interview — ask what a designer would ask.

THE INTERVIEW Start with the size of your family and the age of your children (if any). Are there pets? Is there the possibility for grandchildren or elderly parents moving in? Are 4

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March, 2018

there family members living outside your home who should be consulted?

Are you doing one room, several rooms, or an entire apartment or house? Now take a hard look at how your family lives. In which rooms do you spend most of your time? Is your living style relaxed or formal? Do you like everything in its place or do you consider a casual room more comfortable? Do you entertain? Are the groups small or large? How often do the children bring friends home? These are practical matters you must consider.

THE MAGIC OF COLOR? You may have heard that dark colors make a room look smaller. It’s true.

So you should stay away from dark colors, right?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Determine whether you are doing one room or several rooms.

Know which colors are right for you.

Wrong! If your objective is to create a warm, cozy and sheltered look, a smaller “feel” is exactly what you want and dark, rich colors like hunter green or burgundy can work great. If a dark color is what you love, and it helps you capture the mood you want, go for it!

Pastels and color tints enlarge a space. These colors create a restful and soothing mood. They’re ideal when you want a formal, orderly, and romantic tone.

Strong contrasts of colors are lively, exciting and energetic and can be a gold statement for your family’s style of living.

Color can also change the feel of a room. In rooms facing north and in cool climates, you can “warm up” a room with a warm color scheme featuring reds, yellows, oranges, peaches, and apricots. In south facing rooms and in warm climates, a room can be made to feel more comfortable by using colors such as blues, purples, greens and teals.

WHICH COLOR IS FOR YOU? If you’re redecorating, often an existing fabric or a cherished piece of furniture can be a starting point and can stimulate your creativity. Working around an existing piece is an excellent way to start when making your color choice. Important: it is rarely desirable to match a color exactly. More visual interest is created by blending colors.

Carpet color is an emotional issue. But with these color selection tips, you can enter a carpet retailer with more confidence!

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARPET “TYPE” FOR YOU To shop with confidence, you need to know what kinds of carpet are available and what each is designed to do. All capes begin with a “loop pile.” To make a “cut pile” the tips of the loops are sheared off, which pro-

Decide whether you want casual or formal carpeting and which type of carpet you prefer.

Avoid cheap carpet — it’s easy to spot.

duces the smooth finish of velvets and other styles. Cut pile carpets are by far the most common type bought by consumers because they have the most luxurious look and feel.

Specifics of Different Carpet Styles: • Multilevel Loops — Consists of loops of varying heights creating a wide range of styles. Some look like carved patterns while others offer a more random effect.

• Level Loops — The visibility of each loop and the way light reflects from the surface gives this carpet a charming appeal that blends well with any decor.

• Cut and Loop or “traceries” — Combines cut and loop piles to offer an infinite variety of effects. On solid colors, their subtle shading creates a unique style of multi-toned beauty.

• Velvets — Are the ultimate in elegance. All the pile fibers blend together in these extra-dense, cut pile carpets to give you an ultra-smooth sweep of rich, luxurious color.

• Saxonies or “Plushes” — A cute pile, versatile beauty. Not as formal as velvets, but easier to live with.

Also called saxony plush.

• Textured Saxonies — The most casual and rugged of cut pile carpets. Tightly twisted yarns curl back on themselves creating a distinctive nubby look or pebbled texture.

• Friezes — Classified as cut pile berber, probably the most durable carpet made. Soft, luxurious feel, seams together excellently, developed to replace wool.

OTHER CARPET BUYING CONSIDERATIONS Avoid bargains. Cheap carpet is easy to spot; it’s thin, lightweight and flimsily made. Buy good quality padding; it absorbs up to 90 percent of the impact of foot traffic. A higher investment in carpet padding will extend the life of your carpet. It’s worth the initial extra cost.

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in the zone

Why

zoning laws?

W

hen buying a piece of land or a property, it’s important to consider what kind of zoning laws are in place for the area you’re looking into. Zoning laws (especially in residential neighborhoods) exist to ensure that everyone is satisfied with what goes on in their neighborhood.

Continue reading to find out what kind of zoning laws might affect you before you decide to buy.

Running a home business If you’re looking to buy in a residential neighborhood and planning to run a business out of your home, you’ll definitely want to check the zoning laws beforehand.

If your business could cause undue disturbance to others living around 6

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you, it’s likely that zoning laws will prohibit you from doing so, and your business could be shut down.

Talk to your neighbors before starting a business; find out how they’d feel about having it on their block.

Often, this will only become an issue if an official letter of complaint is sent to local authorities. So do your due diligence before you decide on where to buy.

Expanding an existing property Sometimes, when you decide to buy, you do so with the idea in mind that you’ll be expanding the property to include an extension on the house. There are a number of reasons why you may not be allowed to extend (proximity to a neighbors fence, for example), so proceed with March, 2018

caution and find out before you make any add-on plans.

Repurposing your land Planning to buy in a rural area with the intent on changing the use of the land in question? Be sure to consult your local government before doing so to make sure that your lot is properly zoned for whatever changes you plan on making.

Zoning laws exist to protect your neighbors’ interests as much your own. They ensure that everyone is held to the same standard and that everybody’s interests are equally served. Get informed before you commit to the purchase of your new home or plot of land.

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March, 2018 | 7

HOW TO BUY A NEW TELEVISION

The technology of today is vastly different from that which was available as recently as 20 years ago. Perhaps nowhere is that more evident than with regard to televisions. Once heavy and relatively small, televisions are now lightweight and larger than ever. In addition, televisions now come with enough specifications and gadgets to make the average consumer’s head spin when it comes time to purchase a new TV. While the right TV depends on a host of factors, the following are some tips to simplify your next television purchase.

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March, 2018

• Give strong consideration to 4K televisions.

4K televisions have become more affordable in recent months but still come with a slightly higher price tag than the alternatives. However, many consumers feel the extra money is worth it. 4K televisions, often referred to as “ultra HD,” offer substantially more pixels than more the HD TVs of yesteryear. Many 4K TVs come with high dynamic range, or HDR, which produces more intense colors for viewers.

Rare is the new television that does not come with HDMI ports, but make sure any TV you’re considering has enough ports to support all of the things you hope to do with it when you get it home.

• Pay attention to refresh rate.

According to the technology and consumer electronics website CNET. com, refresh rate is how often a TV changes the image on screen. LCD and OLED televisions are subject to motion blur, which refers to the blurry look that can develop around objects in motion on your television screen. That blurry look is partially a byproduct of your brain noticing the motion and anticipating where that object is going to be next. Refresh rate can help to combat motion blur, but only if the refresh rate is high enough. CNET notes that TVs with refresh rates no less than 120Hz can

be enough to combat motion blur.

Any TV with a refresh rate less than 120Hz might still bother viewers affected by motion blur.

• Look for a TV with multiple HDMI ports. HDMI ports enable viewers to plug their devices into their televisions. That’s important as viewers are increasingly relying on alternatives to cable and satellite companies to provide their content.

Rare is the new television that does not come with HDMI ports, but make sure any TV you’re considering has enough ports to support all of the things you hope to do with it when you get it home.

For Service Call...

P.O. Box 96 Gilbertsville, NY 13776

607-783-2289 www.gilbertph.com

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• Heating System Repairs & Cleanings

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• Consider a sound system or sound bar. Today’s televisions are thin, lightweight and aesthetically appealing. But that thinness does affect the sound quality of modern televisions because the speaker drivers must be smaller for the TVs to be so thin. As a result, the sound created by modern televisions is not as robust as the sound produced by the televisions of yesteryear. At the very least, consider a sound bar to improve the sound coming from your television. If you have some money to spend, a home audio system can dramatically improve the sound coming from your TV.

Milford School, Almost 2.5 Acres, Plenty of Storage, Minutes to Cooperstown; These are just some of the features making this home a must see! 3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths, Formal Dining Room, Home Office space, spacious deck and out building completes the package here.

Don’t miss an opportunity to view this home whether a first time home buyer or Dream Park Rental Opportunity!

2670 County Hwy 35 Westford NY $129,000 Adam Pierce NYS LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON, PSA Phone: 607-431-2540 x110 Mobile: 607-287-2956 adampierce@kw.com

www.UpstateNYHomesAndLand.com

UPSTATE Real Estate & Home Services

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March, 2018 | 9

to buy or not to buy

What to know when buying an

older home to renovate If you’re handy with home repairs and in the market for a new house, investing in an older home can be a great idea. Sometimes, however, people who love to build can focus too much on what they’re going to change and ignore some other essential points about older houses. Be sure to keep in mind these three things when looking for an older home to renovate.

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1. Energy efficiency Renovating an older home is best when most of the problems are simply cosmetic. One fundamental issue to take care of, however, is your home’s energy efficiency. Will it be costly to insulate it, or will it simply be a matter of replacing a few windows?

2. Water quality Not all the things you

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March, 2018

need to check are inside the house itself. If you have water on your property, have it tested to be sure it’s safe (particularly if you’ll be drinking it).

3. Historic status If enough people agree with you that an older home should be preserved, either your home or some aspect of the surrounding area may have historic protection

status. This can, in some cases, affect what changes you can and cannot make to a house or property. Be sure to check the status of any home before you buy.

Your real estate agent is an invaluable resource when navigating the complexities of buying a home. Contact one today so you can know you’re getting the best advice.

3

DEAL BREAKERS

when buying an older home

F

or many people, the unique character of an older house is a great attraction on the real estate market. But such properties also have unique problems that you should know about before buying.

near structural elements or that mold covers more than 10 square feet of the house, you may want to look elsewhere for a home.

Mold and termite damage

If the house you’re looking at was built before 1980, be sure to have the inspector check for lead pipes and asbestos. Lead pipes and asbestos were widely used in homes before their toxic effects on humans were recognized.

While all homes are susceptible to these threats, older homes are often at a much higher risk than others, as they are more often made of materials attractive to these organisms. If you see extensive termite droppings

Hazardous materials

Dubious numbers Be sure to check the numbers before buying an old house. Figure out what the house would cost on the market if it was fully repaired. If the difference between that number and what you’re planning to pay for it is less than the cost of repairs, don’t buy the house.

If you enjoy home renovation, an old house can be a great investment. But be sure it’s worth it. An experienced real estate agent can help you through the process of finding the right house for you.

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UPSTATE Real Estate & Home Services

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March 2018 | 11

now trending

2018 Home architecture

trends

Whether you’re planning to renovate in 2018 or simply buy a home that is fashion-forward, here are four trends to know about this year.

1. Multiple master bedrooms With more and more children living at home for longer, one of the newest trends is to have multiple master bedrooms. This can also give you twice the opportunity to decorate.

2. Recycled materials Going green has also been a style revolution lately. In 2018, expect to see more homes built using recycled and organic materials.

3. Open concept 2017 was the year where open concept floor plans dominated not just the office, but the home as well. Expect this trend to continue this year, though it may reach its peak sooner rather than later.

4. Laundry rooms can be so much more We’ve seen kitchens and bathrooms dominate people’s attention for a few years now. Combining style and function will only continue. The next room that people will start to pay attention to will be the laundry room, typically an undeveloped place in homes.

Whatever the current fashion is, your local real estate agent can help you navigate between what’s going to look good for now and what will look good for the next decade.

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natural beauty

Wood decks: durable and affordable

Treated lumber is the perfect choice of material for a beautiful and durable deck your family can enjoy for years to come.

A

mong all of the flooring options available on the market for decks, terraces and patios, treated lumber is undeniably one of the more popular choices, mainly for its reasonable cost and long lifespan. Often made from pine or spruce, these pressure-treated wooden planks are equally suitable for ground-level patios and elevated balconies. Are you looking to complement your yard with a beautiful deck design? Treated wood might be exactly the building material you’re looking for.

Easy to cut, carve and paint, treated lumber is the perfect choice of material for a terrace that is unique in design and resistant to insects and rot. In addition to its superior resistance, it’s also very easy to work with. For example, to preserve the natural beauty of the surface, you can stain or paint the wood in a color of your choosing. Furthermore, to ensure your deck remains in prime condition for years to come, you can apply a transparent, waterproof sealant available at any hardware store.

Contrary to popular belief, wood is actually one of the more eco-friendly options available for deck flooring. Given their exceptional durability, wooden planks limit the number of trees chopped down each year. Additionally, wood is a reusable and biodegradable material that is highly regulated by environmental agencies worldwide. To build a timeless wooden deck of the highest quality, entrust your project to a professional carpenter!

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March 2018 | 13

Create a sale-worthy

SHOWPLACE

T

he sentiment “don’t judge a book by its cover” can be applied to many situations. When it comes to selling their homes, homeowners should remember this adage as they prepare their homes for prospective buyers.

Statista indicates that there were 560,000 houses sold in the United States in 2016. The Canadian Real Estate Association said a record 536,118 residential properties changed hands in 2016, marking a 6.3 percent increase from 2015.

Homeowners who want to make their properties stand out can take the following steps.

De-personalize the home.

Homeowners fill their spaces with family photos, heirlooms, personal interests, and other conversation pieces. Prospective buyers may not be able to see past personal belongings and may even be distracted by them. For example, buyers who have strong beliefs

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March, 2018

about animal welfare may not buy a home displaying hunting trophies. Remove personalized items where possible, replacing them with generic items.

Improve the exterior.

HGTV says that curb appeal is crucial to making a strong first impression. A messy or lackluster landscape can turn buyers away even before they reach the front door. Mow the lawn and make sure shrubbery has been trimmed. Seasonal potted flowers and plants can help make the house look polished. Repair cracks or damaged walkways, and consider a fresh coat of paint on trim around windows and doors.

Pressure-wash siding if necessary.

Put things in storage.

Rent a storage unit to house items that can make a home appear cluttered. Clean out closets and cabinets, so that when buyers “snoop” during appointments or open houses they see orderly storage areas.

If closets are brimming with stuff, buyers may assume the house doesn’t have enough storage space and move on.

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Make it light and bright.

Open up all of the drapes and blinds, and turn on overhead lights so the house is well-lit. Add table lamps or other fixtures to especially dim rooms.

Create a hotel experience.

Forbes suggests making bathrooms look like a spa.

Stack a few pretty washcloths tied with ribbon, add some scented candles and faux plants and buy bathmats and towels in coordinating tones.

Remove extraneous items from kitchen counters and replace them with vases of flowers. In addition, set up dining spaces as if one were sitting down to a meal, and ensure appliances are sparkling clean.

SENIOR APARTMENTS APARTMENTS FOR AGES 62+

Use common “scents.”

Skip the fish, bacon or other aromatic meals for a few days, as such foods can leave lingering aromas.

Baked goods, vanilla and cinnamon might make for more appealing scents.

Making a home sell fast involves preparation and the knowledge that buyers are often greatly influenced by their first impressions.

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it’s all natural

Whether you dream of a modern or rustic design, natural stone patios integrate beautifully with any type of property.

It’s all in the

N

atural stone integrates perfectly with every type of property, regardless of style.

Whether you dream of a modern terrace design or something more rustic that will complement your garden and surrounding landscape, your dreams can become reality with a beautiful, natural stone floor! It all depends on your choice of stone and installation technique.

There are many reasons why natural stone terraces have remained a popular choice among homeowners for so long. First and foremost, stone is a robust material that requires very little maintenance. Forget about repainting or re-staining each year! Next, because every stone is unique, it’s very possible to create an original patio design that won’t go unnoticed. In fact,

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landscaping experts, as well as companies specialized in the manufacture of natural stone, can skillfully create real works of art. For a sophisticated design, natural stone carved with a guillotine offers a cleancut finish, while stone cut by hand is ideal for those more rustic projects. The installation of natural stone is in itself a creative process that requires exceptional attention to detail.

Limestone, silica, slate and granite are all natural materials that enhance the beauty of your yard and increase your home’s overall market value. Available in a wide array of colors and textures, natural stone combines elegance and durability—two widely soughtafter qualities for many homeowners.

W

hen you’re looking to buy a new house, the foundation is one of the most important aspects of any home you inspect. It’s literally what everything else about the house rests upon. Repairing a home’s foundation can cost in the five-figure range, so be sure to check the following three parts of a house when doing the rounds of openhouse visits.

It’s foundational

Look up, not down Foundations, by their nature, tend to be out of sight, so finding evidence of problems can be tough. If the lines of the top floors and attic are askew, that may be a sign of trouble below. If ceilings are uneven or if attic walls aren’t straight, this can also be a sign that the foundation has problems.

Windows and doors Check to see if doors and windows close properly. If they jam for no apparent reason, the house itself may have foundational problems.

Walls Your exterior walls can sometimes change their shape from normal settling over the years and are therefore one of the least reliable indicators of foundation damage. Extreme bowing (walls sticking out in the middle), however, can be a sign of structural problems.

Consult with your local real estate agent to make sure you’re getting what you pay for when buying a home. He or she will help you avoid huge renovations from these kinds of hard-to-identify sources.

UPSTATE Real Estate & Home Services

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March, 2018 | 17

make it appealing

3 ways to use your lawn to

improve curb appeal

R

eturns on home improvement projects vary.

In its annual Cost vs.

Value Report, Remodeling magazine notes the projects that yield the best returns on investment in a given year. But a host of factors, including the type of market (buyers’ or sellers’) and the region where the home is being sold, ultimately combine to determine if homeowners’ investments in home improvement projects will provide the returns they were hoping for.

Though there’s no way of guaranteeing a home improvement project will yield a great return, real estate professionals often cite improving curb appeal as an excellent way to attract prospective buyers and potentially get the asking price or more when selling the home. Improving curb appeal

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makes even more sense in today’s real estate market, when many people do their own searching via real estate websites such as Trulia or Zillow. When using such sites, buyers will likely be less inclined to click on a listing if exterior photos of the property are not eye-catching.

Various projects, including tending to lawns and gardens, can improve curb appeal. An added benefit to focusing on landscaping to improve curb appeal is it promotes spending time outdoors in spring and summer. In addition, many lawn- and garden-related home improvement projects need not require professional expertise.

1. Maintain a lush green lawn.

Lawns that fall into disrepair may not give buyers a correct impression about how homeowners

March, 2018

maintained their homes. Lawns with multiple dead spots and grass that appears more brown than green may lead many buyers to assume that the home’s interior was equally ill-cared for. Maintaining lush green lawns is not as difficult as it may seem. Applying fertilizer and aerating at the appropriate times of year (this varies by region) can promote strong roots and healthy soil, making it easier for grass to survive harsh conditions like drought. When watering in summer, do so in early morning or evening so as little water is lost to evaporation as possible.

2. Address brown patch.

Even well-maintained lawns can fall victims to brown spots.

According to the lawn care professionals at TruGreen, lawns in

regions with hot temperatures and high humidity can be infected with brown patch, a common lawn disease that is caused by fungus, which can produce circular areas of brown, dead grass surrounded by narrow, dark rings.

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences notes that removing dew that collects on grass leaves each morning, which can be accomplished by mowing or dragging a water hose across affected areas, can be an effective way to reduce brown patch. Homeowners without much lawn care experience can consult professional landscapers to address the issue. But those looking to sell their properties should note that buyers often walk the grounds of homes they are considering buying. So addressing any issues on

the lawn should be a priority for sellers.

3. Confine dogs to certain areas.

Dog owners may want to let their pets roam free in their yards. But homeowners about to put their properties up for sale may want to confine their four-legged friends to certain areas. That’s because dog urine can be high in nitrogen. Nitrogen itself is not harmful to lawns, but in high concentrations it can contribute to yellow or brown spots.

Also, highly acidic dog urine may even adversely affect pH levels in the soil.

Curb appeal can go a long way toward helping homeowners sell their homes, and a lush lawn can be used to catch the eye of prospective buyers.

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