6 minute read
SMALL YARD? BIG
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 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.
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.
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 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.
Soothing sounds set the mood.
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.
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. 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.
JIM TINMAN
After 26 years saving lives as a paramedic, Jim saw a newspaper ad recruiting new real estate agents. A natural people person, Jim made the switch to selling homes in 2012, quickly finding his way to buying his own franchise with RE/MAX by 2015.
Jim sees roughly 40% repeat and referral business, drawing a lot from customers shopping for vacation getaways, and families looking to buy their first home. Also, Jim’s brokerage does a
lot of business right in their small community, often inviting prospective buyers to chat over coffee, and keeping up with past clients and their family goings-on through the years. Jim explains that at his company, they strive for this down-to-earth, friendly tone as opposed to a more high-pressure sales approach. It’s a method that pays off, with repeat customers often returning to ask Jim to help them sell the house he helped them buy years earlier.
Jim backs up the family-style approach with timely attentiveness to all his customers, giving out his personal cell phone and taking calls around the clock to attend to a current client’s needs. Past clients receive home-buyer’s anniversary cards, birthday cards, newsletters and more to maintain that personal connection, assuring homeowners that Jim and his family are invested in these relationships for the long-haul. Each new listing receives a far-reaching marketing campaign, spanning Multiple Listing Services in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as through various social media platforms from Facebook to Tiktok, to old-fashion billboards. Each property gets a complete digital marketing package featuring professional and drone-shot photography. Jim’s brokerage currently sees about $8 million in volume per year.
While working with such a wide range of properties, Jim always looks forward to interacting with a variety of clients. Selling everything from 80-acre farms to cozy lake-front homes keeps him outdoors and active on the job. But it’s making those personal connections, getting to know all different kinds of people that Jim loves most about the work.
Jim stays involved in his community, donating a portion of each sale through the RE/MAX Children’s Miracle Network program, Miracle
Homes. He is active in his church and local booster clubs, has been president of his local Lion’s Club chapter, and has sponsored the We Are Network, a northwest Wisconsin organization for sharing video of community, school and local sporting events.
When he’s not connecting a buyer with their dream home, Jim loves camping, hiking and fishing at the lake, taking advantage of Wisconsin’s beautiful outdoors spaces to relax and spend quality time with his family.
For the future, Jim plans to build on his brokerage team, taking on a new buyer’s agent, and growing their sales base, expanding their listing territory without losing sight of the stock they put in cultivating lasting relationships with clients. “Keeping that down-home feel is where we’re focused,” Jim says. “We want to keep things personable.”
Connect with Jim via email at jimtinmanrealestate@gmail.com, by phone: 715-566-0004, and online at http://jamestinmanrealestate.com or www.remax.com/real-estate-agents/james-tinman-frederic-wi/100089323
