The rain has finally stopped. It took until the Sunday of Memorial weekend, but the rain finally stopped .
After the very rainy spring, many homes on the Midwest had a number of home improvement and home repair projects. And while much of the lawn maintenance and the landscaping services had been started as soon as it warmed up, it had been difficult to even keep the yard mowed with so many days of rain. In fact, it was very common for all of the neighbors to be mowing at once on the rare occasion that it was dry enough to do so.
Landscaping Services Add to the Value of a Home
A front yard is your home?s first impression to your neighbors and your visitors. Investing in landscaping services, in fact, adds to the resale value of a home. Landscapers who keet trees, bushes, shrubs, and flowers properly maintained send the message that the home owners takes time to properly maintain their property. Seasonal color provided by perennials return year after year, but still need to be thinned, trimmed, and watered.
And while front yards are a home?s window to the world, back yards often provide an oasis of entertainment for families. A recent survey by Harris Poll for the National Association of Landscape Professionals indicated that in a survey of more than 2,000 American adults, 75% feel that it is important to spend time outside in their yards. And the back yards of today are certainly more elaborate than the backyards of a decade ago. Several popular options make backyards nearly as comfortable and functional as the indoor space of many homes:
- Swimming Pools.
Today?s back yard swimming pool choices have extended far beyond the traditional choices of pools in the past. Instead of simply deciding between a kidney shaped pool or a rectangular pool, today?s choices include options like horizon pools that drain over the side and two pools that are joined by a narrow channel that is covered by a small walking bridge. - Decks and Patios.
Composite materials that are virtually maintenance free create patios and decks that extend the living area of many homes. Outdoor dining options allow families to enjoy a relaxed meal together away from the television and other indoor distractions. - Outdoor Cooking Centers and Fire Pits.
The most elaborate outdoor cooking spaces are a far cry from the simple grill that many of us grew up with. Current designs include large tiled counters that surround outdoor grills with additional burners for preparing sauces and sides while the grilled items cook. In fact, some outdoor cooking spaces are even bigger than what is available in the house. Fire pits provide gathering places that can be used year round. While some families use these spaces for marshmellow roasts and other activities, some families use these fire pits for burning some types of trash and tree trimmings. - Back Yard Gazebos.
Some acreages have gazebos that can be used for meals, or simply for relaxing. With the option of removable screens and windows some of these structures can be used for several months even in climates that include all four seasons. - Outdoor Movie Theaters.
With both permanent and temporary screen options, an outdoor movie theater can include comfortable seating and surround sound options that can be hidden in trees.
More than 50% of the homeowners who are upgrading their outdoor spaces indicate that they often spend six or more hours outside every week. While relaxing, gardening, and entertaining are the top three uses of these outdoor spaces, many other family activities are going on in the backyards of America.
Apartments with Attractive Green Spaces and Landscaping Services Draw More Renters
Although back yards are often the focus of home owners, renters also look for outside options as well. In fact, 63% of respondents indicate that they are willing to pay more for an apartment if it is located in an area with good green spaces. The percentage of people looking for out door space is greater than the number of people who are looking for homes or rentals that are close to good shopping and cultural venues.
Whether you are a home owner or a renter, open outdoor space is an asset to property values.