NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE 5-3-21

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

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EASY AT-HOME DIY PROJECTS TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE FEATURED AGENT

ROBIN MALSBURY GOOGLE ADWORDS: HOW TO MAKE GOOGLE DO THE WORK FOR YOU MODERN EMAIL ETIQUETTE FOR TODAY’S AGENTS

SMALL YARD? BIG STATEMENT: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MICRO OUTDOOR SPACES COVER STORY

DERRICK CRUMMY

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

ROBIN MALSBURY “I’m all about relationships,” says Robin 9 Malsbury, Branch Manager, Loan Officer, and Owner of Old Republic Mortgage. “I deliver what I promise. Even if I have to go into the negative on a loans profit, I deliver to people what I say I’m going to deliver to them. I’m available and always answer my phone, even weekends and evenings. I close my loans on time and rarely have contract extensions and very fewDERRICK deals fall apart at CRUMMY the table due to a proactive approach.”

I work with new pe Robin says. “I love and turning it into a bo get into a home when never would. I don’t c size. It’s not about the long time ago that if y need it most, you hel credit and get them in going to tell ten peop ROBIN MALSBURY person who knows they can get a l with home ownership. It’s extremel Robin has been in the lending industry for the majority CONTENTS of her professional career. She began as a processor for Robin is deeply involved in her Sp mortgage loans while she was in college. When she One organization near and dear to h 4) MODERN EMAIL 15) 3 EASY AT-HOME DIY moved back to Spokane, Washington, she worked with Angels, a foster care program. In pre ETIQUETTE FOR PROJECTS TO INCREASE a local credit union for seven years.

“I started out in the has served on Spokane Angel’s boa TODAY’S AGENTS PROPERTY VALUE teller line, started doing car loans, and then moved to tragedy, she has stepped back more home loans,” Robin explains. “Then I decided to start her children. However, she still do 6) GOOGLE ADWORDS: YARD?financially. She also my own busines. I started this mortgage company,21) and SMALL the program HOW TO MAKE GOOGLE BIG STATEMENT: HOW TO I’ve been doing it ever since!”

Youth Emergency Services, in New 20

DERRICK CRUMMY

DO THE WORK FOR YOU

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MICRO OUTDOOR SPACES

Robin heads a team which includes four licensed Outside of working hard for her clien originators, including herself, an assistant branch Robin loves to travel and spend tim manager/loan officer assistant, and a processor. They She also teaches a class at her churc | Fax 310-734-1440 cover aPhone wide310-734-1440 range of loans, ready and able to meet three to five each Tuesday. mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com their clients’ needs.

No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine Looking to the future, Robin is e is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top cannot bebusiness held responsible for opinions expressed or facts suppliedgrowing by its authors. her business. She is cu AlmostAgent allMagazine of Robin’s comes from returning To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. clientsPublished and referrals from REALTOR® partners. “I larger team, and she has brought on in the U.S. don’t do a lot of advertising,” Robin says, crediting who are new to the industry. “The her relationship-building skills with her high rate change in order to better suppo Top Agent Magazine of2 repeat business. “I’ve always been REALTOR® Robin says. She is mentoring and driven.” officers “They’re excited and fres

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Modern Email Etiquette for Today’s Agents In today’s tech-forward culture, consumers are constantly inundated with promotional emails, alerts, invites, and social media blasts. As a real estate agent or a loan officer, how do you stand apart from the noise? What’s more, how do you stay relevant in a digital landscape that’s constantly changing?

For starters, there are a few timeless techniques you can apply to up your skillset when it comes email and digital communication: asking questions that 4

inspire conversation, politeness, and following up regularly—to name a few. Likewise, there are surely new tricks you can add to your arsenal to stay ahead of the curve. Let’s outline a few ways you can refine and update your email etiquette to compete in today’s virtual marketplace.

Make your subject line count Too often, we labor over the content of our emails without giving much thought to subject lines.

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Though email is no longer a new-fangled invention, there are certainly ways you can modernize its use and take advantage of its ubiquity.

However, these little headlines can go a long way in luring the consumer to open your email and ultimately click through to your website in search for your services. An enticing subject line should be short and sweet, ideally less than fifty characters.

You might also include the name of the recipient, and be up front (though concise) about the subject matter of your message. Remember: the first thing a client will see is your name and subject line—be sure to make this prime real estate shine.

Think mobile Research tells us that 79% of Americans check their phones within fifteen minutes of waking up. In fact, much of modern day correspondence occurs by smartphone. Accordingly, you’ll want to account for email readability on a mobile phone.

For instance, incorporating paragraph breaks for each new thought allows information to be parceled out in a palatable way for readers utilizing small screens. Also, any sort of graphic flair or links within your email should be shortened and streamlined for mobile consumption. Send yourself an email every now and again and access it from your phone—you’ll be able to double-check that all the elements of your emails are working well on a mobile platform.

Incorporate email tools There are excellent tools out there to enhance your email experience. With just a quick download, Top Agent Magazine

you can add spellcheck, a URL address shortening feature, or a delay option that holds emails for thirty seconds before they’re sent. Think about the possibilities! Haven’t you sent an email without including the attachment you intended, or realizing you sent correspondence to the wrong client? If that’s the case, a delay feature can help you save face and build in a window for error— just in case. Regardless of which tools speak to your email habits, there are plenty of add-ons out there that can revamp your digital correspondence style.

Use email to maximize your online presence These days, there are plenty of ways to communicate—email, text, phone, apps, and social media.

When you interact through email, consider it an opportunity to invite your client to follow you elsewhere online. Ensure that your email signature includes unobtrusive, streamlined links to your social media accounts, professional website, or review page. This will build in an opportunity for clients to engage with your brand, and you may even add an online follower for the long term.

Though email is no longer a new-fangled invention, there are certainly ways you can modernize its use and take advantage of its ubiquity. Keep these approaches in mind as you reenergize your email technique and fortify your communication in the digital era.

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Google AdWords:

How To Make Google Do the Work for You There is no denying that the internet is the first place a buyer begins looking for a new home in this digital age. Knowing how to put the powerful tools available on the internet to work for you can give you a decided advantage when it comes to attracting prospective buyers to your listings, as well as you as an agent. Google is easily one of the major superpowers of the internet, and they have one of the most powerful advertising tools available. Knowing how to utilize Google AdWords in the correct manner can make your internet advertising immensely powerful and possibly your best way to reach prospective buyers.

Google AdWords is also extremely cost-effective. This multifaceted tool gives you much more control over your advertising campaign than other more traditional methods. You can target specific audiences, choose the specific search terms, also known as keywords, that will bring up your ad in someone’s search results, and you can set a budget for each campaign that will dictate it’s reach and how long the campaign will run. Here are some tips for how to put Google AdWords to work for you.

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ent websites. You want to set yourself apart from every other real estate website users are viewing in their search for a house.

MAKE SURE YOUR ADS ARE GOING TO SEND USERS TO A SITE THAT WILL CAPTURE THEIR ATTENTION

You can spend an infinite amount of money on Google advertising campaigns, but if those ads don’t send users to a site that will capture and hold their interest, then you’ve just wasted all that money. Don’t put your cart before the horse. Make sure you are considering exactly where these ads are going to send users. To set up your website for success, at the very least you want to make sure users are greeted by clear call-to-action, such as a message that will encourage them to sign up for your newsletter or subscribe to your blog. You want to set up your website to maximize and capture the leads the ad campaign sends your way.

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BUILD CUSTOMIZED OR CUSTOM-MADE WEBSITES RATHER THAN TEMPLATE WEBSITES It is easy and tempting to use template websites, or to offer your agents template websites if you are a real estate manager or broker. While this offers a cost-effective solution to providing every agent with a website, it does little to set you or your agents apart and capture the attention of users that are used to seeing a wealth of differ-

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MAKE SURE YOU ARE OFFERING VALUE ON YOUR WEBSITE

Don’t simply use your website as a kind of brag sheet. Let users know what makes your particular services valuable to them. Highlight your expertise in a certain location through tools such as blog posts, providing market updates, or giving pertinent information on a unique type of property. This will ensure that your online advertising campaigns are much more successful.

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LOCATION IS EVERYTHING!

Location is everything in real estate, and the same holds true for Google AdWords. You can target specific locations in your ad campaign. While one approach is to focus on the area around your location, a more advanced approach would be to link AdWords campaigns to your Google My Business account. This is a Google service that includes your address in the ad, allowing people to then click on it and see exactly where you are located on a map.

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USE GOOGLE ADWORDS IN YOUR CAMPAIGN TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS IN GENERAL

Focus an AdWords campaign on expanding your business by incorporating specific zip codes and neighborhoods that will help you establish a presence in an area where you would like to increase your real estate business. Making sure that your ad appears in search results that are related to the real estate in a specific area will help shape the image and brand of your business as well as bring in new leads.

HARNESS THE POWER OF DATA

When you run a Google AdWords campaign Google Analytics captures a wealth of information about your target client demographic.

You can gain real insight into your online visitors, such as when they visit, what they do and look at on your site once they get there, and what search terms they use. You can use all of this information to grow your business. Use Google Analytics to determine which users (location, gender, age) are utilizing specific aspects of your site, such as looking at multiple listings, reading your blog, etc. You can then use this information to target these specific demographics in your AdWord campaigns, Gmail ads, the Google Display Network, and other advertising.

Using the internet to help advertise your business and your listings is one of the smartest moves you can make as an agent in this modern age. However, you don’t want to simply go into the process blind or you’re wasting a lot of potential resources and data that could make all the difference. To reap the benefits of Google AdWords, you must apply an intelligent strategy to using these campaigns.

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DERRICK CRUMMY Top Agent Magazine

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“As a loan officer, I continue in the spirit of giving, with my whole objective being to set the servicemember or veteran up for success, not failure,” Derrick says. “I am a nontraditional lender, and tend to be more of a resource and other times an actual activist on behalf of some service members who need extra help.”

With a passion for helping veterans, Derrick Crummy has created a successful career as a loan officer in Washington state for the past 16 years. A Merchant Marine and Navy Veteran, he decided to enter the mortgage field after a fellow veteran encouraged him. Derrick now works with Mortgage One Northwest, and primarily serves veterans and active duty service members. “It seems to be a good fit, and I can relate better to Veterans,” he says. “The difference between a veteran and a civilian is this: a civilian says ‘thank you for your service,’ and a veteran says ‘I’ve been where you’ve been.’”

Derrick’s journey into the military started when he graduated from Cape Fear Community College with a degree in Marine Technology.

“I joined the U.S. Merchant Marines which allowed me to travel and explore the world,” he says. “After my first tour, I came back to Wilmington to complete my bachelor’s in Communication Studies at UNCW.” Then he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Dam Neck, Virginia, San Diego, California and finally, Everett, Washington.

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“As a loan officer, I continue in the spirit of giving, with my whole objective being to set the servicemember or veteran up for success, not failure,” he says. “I am a non-traditional lender, and tend to be more of a resource and other times an actual activist on behalf of some service members who need extra help, whether it be with their home refinance, disabled veteran property tax discount, or high interest auto loan.”

Today he works with a partner, Karl Wiesner, and the two have a team of processors with a loan assistant soon to join. By creating an atmosphere of trust and truly wanting what is best for his clients, Derrick stands out as a loan officer.

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“I teach classes frequently, consisting of 150 soldiers, marines or coast guardsmen, and I’m always telling them the difference between a civilian and a veteran is that a civilian says ‘thank you for your service,’ while a veteran says ‘I’ve been where you’ve been,’” he explains. Derrick is able to relate to his clients on a deeper level, not only because he’s served his country, but also because he takes the time to get to know them. “My whole incentive is to set soldiers up for success. I keep my phone on 24/7, I think outside the box, I don’t judge them and instead I authentically try to understand them. I make it so people feel comfortable.” Whether it’s a client who found him through a class, a referral or the VA, Derrick goes above and beyond to get them towards their goals.

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“The thing you want to do is ask people, what is their ‘why’ in what they do, and treat service members like service members, not a commodity. It’s not about me, it’s about them. I am so interested in my clients’ lives, that if they don’t buy a house at that time, they will tell their friends about the experience they had with me and will come back to me when they are ready.”

From helping a client lower their car payment, to getting them approved on a loan they didn’t think was possible, Derrick is always looking for creative ways to help his clients reach the next chapter in their lives. “The thing you want to do is ask people, what is their ‘why’ in what they do, and treat service members like service members, not a commodity.

It’s not about me, it’s about them. I am so interested in my clients’ lives, that if they don’t buy a house at that time, they will tell their friends about the experience they had with me and will come back to me when they are ready.”

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Derrick makes giving back to his community a priority as well. Raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, he credits his parents for instilling this in him.

“Growing up, I watched my father coach and mentor underprivileged kids who had no fathers. During Thanksgiving and Christmas we would hand out food baskets to seniors in need. Little did I know at the time, as an adult, I would also join various organizations such as the Navy League Tacoma, Everett, Seattle and Bremerton Chapters, AA PTSD Center in Lakewood, and the AA Combat Veterans Group at the Seattle VA.” Top Agent Magazine

When Derrick isn’t working, he’s traveling, with France, Germany and Holland being his favorite places to visit. As for local activities, he loves auto racing, boating, sailing, and saltwater fishing. You can also find him restoring European cars, working with leather belts or writing poetry.

Looking ahead, Derrick has his sights set on continuing to grow. He loves everything about what he does, and can’t imagine himself doing anything else. “To be successful in this industry, you have to care about others. I found a job where I can do that and excel.”

In Lieu of a recent automobile accident on 30 Jan., I want to take time to reflect. At this time I want to

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acknowledge those outstanding individuals who helped me through my ordeal, my Career and life in General.

Ms. Carma Clark Seattle PD Police officer and army Veteran first person on the scene to render assistance to me. EMTs on the Scene, Washington State Patrol Officers on the Scene that rendered aid.

Valene Taylor at ER. My Family who has stood by me through thick and thin. Geraldine and William Crummy. Siblings Rada, William T. and Reuben Crummy, and my many nieces and nephews. Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Crummy. My Surrogate Parents and Family Dr. Joseph M. James,

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Mrs. Eleanor James, Dr. Thaddeus Dunn, Elizabeth Dunn, Charlotte Eleanor James.

My Partner Karl Weisner. Thank you Karl for all of your support and encouragement. My managers at Mortgage One NW CJ Poundstone, Brad Hargrave and Cassandra Rabina. Thank you for listening and being there and providing the best atmosphere to work. My additional staff at Mortgage One Shiloh Rabina who provided all my VA marketing, Krista Titus with upfront Operations and my 3 processors Ami Gutierrez, Karen Reveal, Megan Cook. Without my processing staff I would be like a ship without a Rudder.

To my friends Houston Jackson III & Yvonne, Dr. Rodney Despaigne and Mrs. Jamaye Despaigne, Dr. Lucien

Wilkins, Mrs. Freda Wilkins (Deceased) Ina Wolst, Cheryl Garrison, Dick T. Brinkley, Dina J. Bristol-Cain, Ms. Suzanne Van Schoor, Phil Ross, Joan & Les Wyatt, Mr. Robert Claybrook Senior, Robert Claybrook Jr. Ellen Dashielle, Kevin & Nancy Griffin, Chris & Kevin Keadle, Cliff Holland, Roosevelt Ward, Steve Riggins, Dr. Murray Raskin, Bob Shaw. Jorelle Borman.

To My military Colleagues Active Duty and retired, Rear Admiral Don Gabrielson, Admiral Jack Vogt D13 Seattle, Admiral Eric Ross, Admiral Eric C. Young Ret Brad Kyker Capt. Ret. Ronald Jones Col Ret., Adria Jones, Col. Brent Orr, LTC Karl Tinson, LTC, LTC John Wheeler, Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler, LTC James Braye Ret., Mrs. Lydia Braye, MAJ Richard Smith, Dorian Parker LCDR Ret., Sgt Major Harold Lucas Ret.

For more information about Derrick Crummy, please call 206-679-6208 or email Derrick@mortgage1nw.com

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3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The Top Agent Magazine

list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.

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Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value.

In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 16

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you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage.

Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios Top Agent Magazine

neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.

Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces.

Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,

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bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,

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or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look.

No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition.

Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.

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ROBIN MALSBURY “I’m all about relationships,” says Robin Malsbury, Branch Manager, Loan Officer, and Owner of Old Republic Mortgage. “I deliver what I promise. Even if I have to go into the negative on a loans profit, I deliver to people what I say I’m going to deliver to them. I’m available and always answer my phone, even weekends and evenings. I close my loans on time and rarely have contract extensions and very few deals fall apart at the table due to a proactive approach.”

Robin has been in the lending industry for the majority of her professional career. She began as a processor for mortgage loans while she was in college. When she moved back to Spokane, Washington, she worked with a local credit union for seven years. “I started out in the teller line, started doing car loans, and then moved to home loans,” Robin explains. “Then I decided to start my own busines. I started this mortgage company, and I’ve been doing it ever since!”

Robin heads a team which includes four licensed originators, including herself, an assistant branch manager/loan officer assistant, and a processor. They cover a wide range of loans, ready and able to meet their clients’ needs.

Almost all of Robin’s business comes from returning clients and referrals from REALTOR® partners. “I don’t do a lot of advertising,” Robin says, crediting her relationship-building skills with her high rate of repeat business. “I’ve always been REALTOR® driven.”

When asked about her favorite part of her chosen field, Robin doesn’t hesitate to answer. “It’s exciting.

I work with new people every day,” Robin says. “I love taking a hard file and turning it into a borrower’s ability to get into a home when they thought they never would. I don’t care about the loan size. It’s not about the money. I learned a long time ago that if you help those who need it most, you help them build their credit and get them into a house, they’re going to tell ten people versus that one person who knows they can get a loan. I help people with home ownership. It’s extremely rewarding.”

Robin is deeply involved in her Spokane community.

One organization near and dear to her heart is Spokane Angels, a foster care program. In previous years, Robin has served on Spokane Angel’s board. Due to a family tragedy, she has stepped back more to devote time to her children. However, she still donates and supports the program financially. She also gives to YES, the Youth Emergency Services, in Newport, Washington.

Outside of working hard for her clients and community, Robin loves to travel and spend time with her family.

She also teaches a class at her church for children ages three to five each Tuesday.

Looking to the future, Robin is excited to continue growing her business. She is currently building a larger team, and she has brought on two loan officers who are new to the industry. “They needed a career change in order to better support their families,” Robin says. She is mentoring and training these loan officers “They’re excited and fresh, and I can teach them what’s made me successful. I’m growing, I’m training, and my biggest plan is to grow people who can grow themselves.”

To learn more about Robin Malsbury, call her cell at 208-660-3190, her office at 509-447-5626, email RobinM@oldrepublicmortgage.com, or visit oldrepublicmortgage.com www.

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Small Yard? Big Statement: How to Make the Most Out of Micro Outdoor Spaces When house-hunters compile their lists of musthave home items, a dreamy backyard space is often near the top. After all, who doesn’t want an outdoor oasis of their very own? From summer barbecues to open space for your dog to frolic— everyone has their own aspirations when it comes to creating the perfect backyard paradise. But as homebuyers seek properties deeper within city limits, and Millennials opt for properties with Top Agent Magazine

urban amenities and access, home-connected outdoor spaces are becoming a bit smaller in stature.

Of course, size isn’t everything when it comes to outdoor space. Even balconies, rear patios, and ultra-tiny yards can provide homebuyers with the outdoor reprieve they crave—even on a smaller scale. For a few ideas that can help you envision all the possibilities of a micro outdoor space, read on for inspiration.

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Think vertically.

When space is at a premium, think up instead of out. In other words, make the most of small spaces by capitalizing on your backyard, balcony, or patio’s overhead height. Mood-setting string lights, hanging pocket or wall gardens, floating shelves, and modern overhead hangings can create a sense of privacy and luxury without cluttering the square footage on the ground.

Soothing sounds set the mood.

Upgrade the look of structural components.

Not in love with your patio pavers? Don’t have the sweetest view off your balcony? Whatever your small backyard living space gripe may be, there’s always a solution if you go back to the basics. Consider the structural components of your outdoor space that you aren’t in love with and there’s likely an affordable, eye-pleasing solution. For instance, plenty of home goods 22

retailers make a variety of punchy or luxe outdoor rugs that can disguise stained or lackluster outdoor flooring. Power-washing is another great solution for old grime and dirt that’s an eyesore. Don’t have a great view? Planting ivy on bare walls, installing adjustable mood lighting, or hanging planters can create a more inviting ambiance.

While there may not be room for a swimming pool or pond in a micro yard or balcony, you can still bring the calming presence of water to your outdoor oasis. Fountains run the gamut in sizing and price, making this amenity an easy acquisition. What’s more, a running fountain not only adds a soothing sound to your space, but it also helps drown out noise from the street or the neighbors—making your space entirely your own and stress-free.

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Don’t compromise on your culinary dreams.

If you love to entertain in outdoor spaces or relish the chance to man the grill—small outdoor spaces don’t have to trip you up. Grill options (both propane and charcoal) come in a range of sizes, many of which can be outfitted securely to balcony posts or be tucked away and out of sight when out of use. Consider nesting tables or those with a removable leaf to adjust your seating and dining options depending on company.

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Another trick? A small, oscillating fan can keep air flow moving in a small space during grill season—and can be easily affixed to walls or posts, as well.

Don’t let yourself or clients be discouraged by spaces with more limited square footage in outdoor areas. Furniture and design trends have already begun shifting toward providing better small-space options, and at the end of the day, a backyard space is all about providing an area for relaxation. With a few well-placed, strategic choices, you can still have it all.

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