Spotlight on Alaska – Thousands of Coastline Miles, Great Fishing and Gorgeous Vast Expanse

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Sitting down with a true Alaskan, mayor of North Pole Douglas Isaacson, was a real pleasure and with all the interesting facts and information about the town, area and region – we just had to share it with you. So get ready to learn about a great state that, aside from a few really general things like “no daylight” and “whale watching”, not too many people really know too much about.

Winters in Alaska Are Fun!

Believe it or not, there is more to do in Alaska than to watch whales and wait for the few hours of daylight to pop around. Since North Pole, Alaska is considered the Christmas capital of the world, in a sense, the winter wonderland keeps its holiday stature all year round. Though you will not find skiing as a winter activity in the great state, you will find amazing ice sculptures that are created by artisans from around the world and celebrated globally. Here’s a link that shares the incredible designs and structures that are all centered on Christmas themes.

Living in the North Pole

Aside from Santa (you can catch a glimpse of him on the Santa cam here) people that live in the North Pole feel it’s a great place to live. Located in between two military bases, the city is Southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Keeping with the Christmas theme and reputation for being Santa Claus’ hometown, you will find plenty of holiday decorations, year around. There are many street roundabouts that are decorated with candy cane light posts and thousands of lights.

One thing that proves very challenging for residents of North Pole is the cost of electricity. An astronomical $1000 or so each month to power (including heat) the average 2,500 square foot home is typical. Compared to the lower 48 states, this is almost four times as much in many cases.

If you do decide to move to the great state of Alaska, particularly to the North Pole area, the cost of an average home is currently about $225,000. Contrary to popular opinion, there is a reasonable amout of daylight in the region and even during the winter solstice when the days are shortest of the year, the extremely bright moonlight illuminates the entire area fairly well. Situated about 120 miles south of the arctic circle, North Pole does have limited daylight of only three hours but temperatures are deceivingly warmer than they may appear when you factor in the “what it feels like” scale. Where in the Midwest, for example, the wind chill factor might make a 37-degree day feel more like 20 degrees – the opposite holds true for this part of Alaska.

Hanging Out For Recreation in Alaska

There are a lot of beautiful aspects to life and time spent in Alaska – such as the extraordinary fishing industry and everything that goes along with it. Though not commercial fishing, there are plenty of opportunities for recreational fishing. To learn about licenses that are required by the state, visit the official Alaska website.

If you travel during the week of July 4th when it is hot and humid in most states, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the comfortable temperatures and wonderful festive activities planned each year in the North Pole. The summer festival includes lot of fun for families, including a parade and fair-like atmosphere.
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If you are looking to explore new potential places to live or visit – you should definitely go to Alaska, making it a point to try to see as much as you can while there. Amid much natural vast beauty is the fabric of the region, it’s diverse cultural melting pot of people ranging from Native Americans to Russians and so many more. Considering purchasing a home there? Be sure to check with your local Realtor who can help you find the perfect agent up there with experience in anything from military moves to long-distance relocation and of course one that is well versed in the Alaskan landscape.

Financing New Construction: Locking in Low Interest Rates

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There are 2 types of loans when you build a new home. There is the short term loan, also known as the “builder’s loan” or the “construction loan.” This is the loan for the construction of the home. Then, there is the long loan. This is the loan that pays for the home over a number of years. Since rates are at an all time low for this type of loan right now, it’s important to lock those rates in so they don’t’ climb on you in the coming years.

“Builder’s Best” Program

The “Builder’s Best” program acts as an insurance policy against future interest rate rises. You are able to lock in on an interest rate, based on today’s historic low rates. It can be locked in for 6 months, 9 months, or even up to a year.

The “Builder’s Best” program establishes a ceiling interest rate. That means whatever the interest rate is when the program is set up is the highest the interest rate will ever get. If the interest rate drops while the house is being built, you have the ability to adjust it to the lower interest rate, too. Once the house is 60 days from completion and the interest rate is down from what it was when the program was initially started, the buyer has the ability to re-lock the interest rate.

If the rates rise during the construction phase of the home, there is no worry of the interest rate on your loan rising. Once you lock in a rate it cannot go higher than that. You can even lock in a lower rate years down the road with a small fee.

How Much Does the “Builder’s Best” Program Cost?

Prices will vary from year to year, and even month to month. Currently, on the 10 year adjustable rate, all that’s required is a 1% deposit. Additionally, you will get that deposit back at closing. For a fixed rate “Builder’s Best” loan, there is a small fee. For example, for a $200,000 home you could expect to pay approximately $1,000.

Buy Discount Points for Additional Savings

There is a way to lower your interest rate even more and that’s through the use of discount points. Discount points are fees paid to a lender at closing to lower your mortgage interest rate. When using this strategy to bring your interest rate down, however, it’s important to make sure that the amount you’re paying for the discount points doesn’t exceed the amount you will be saving in interest.

Want to hang onto today’s interest rates tomorrow? The “Builder’s Best” program allows you to lock in today’s historic low interest rates. Even if the rates sky rocket in the coming years, you will be left paying the interest rates of today with this great program.

Keeping a High Credit Score: A Fundamental Element to Buying a New Home

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One of the most important things when buying or building a new home is to have a good credit score. Yet, good credit takes time to build. Credit scores are important and need to be taken into consideration when doing any sort of financial planning. There are, however, some practical things you can do today and in the future to keep your credit score low so it’s low when you’re ready to buy or build a home.

Why are Credit Scores so Important?

With the changing economic times, credit scores are becoming more and more important. They are the barometer those lending money use to see if you are worth the risk of lending money to for a new home, or anything else you might consider asking to borrow money for.

Credit scores vary widely from 300 to 850. Anything you do where you borrow money, such as buy a new home or car, is influenced by your credit score. The higher your credit score is the better. It’s important to monitor your credit score so you know what it is and where you stand if you wish to borrow money.

How is A Credit Score Determined?

Each credit reporting agency has their own formula of how they determine a credit score. In general, however, a credit score is determined by:

1. Making Payments on Time (35% of score): Making a late payment can impact you for years to come. Always make your payment on time for great credit.

2. Amount of Revolving Debt (30% of score): The less you owe on your credit card compared to how much you can borrow on your credit card, the better. The ideal credit score has 2 or 3 lines of revolving credit. It’s not just credit cards that’s included in revolving debt, it includes any type of credit lines.

3. Length of Credit Accounts (15% of credit score): Have a higher available credit limit on fewer cards. This strategy will give you the amount of credit you need but will allow you to have a better credit score with fewer accounts opened in a short time period.

4. New Credit (10%): The term “new credit” as it relates to your credit score is a combination of “credit inquires” and opening up new credit.   “Credit inquiries” are when you apply for a new credit card or line of credit and your credit has been checked. The last 90 days before you make a major purchase are the most important when it comes to credit inquires. Plan ahead and don’t apply for any form of credit before you make a big purchase so this inquiry doesn’t show up on your credit report.

The important thing with credit is remembering it’s not something that can be fixed overnight. So it is not something that should be taken lightly. It’s important to review each component of what makes up the credit score and practice good habits consistently in the long term. In the end, you will be left with great credit and the ability to buy the exact type of house you want when you want.

Check out these FREE forms to help you with your credit score:
- Where is Your Credit Score Heading?
- Credit Flyer

Nebraska Elite: A Workout All Its Own

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Sometimes something great happens and you just have to take note of it. A new business has come to town and it’s so awesome it deserves an entire blog post all its own. It’s called Nebraska Elite and it’s just what the doctor ordered for both great health and a good time. Nebraska Elite is for both kids and adults.

There are many enhancements to the incredible Nebraska Elite facility that will be done in the next couple of weeks and ready for use in the Omaha area and make it a state of the art facility.

What Does Nebraska Elite Have to Offer?

Nebraska Elite has a lot to offer! At one time this facility just had volley ball courts. Now it is a state of the art work out facility with something for everyone, no matter what your workout level. They have a large weight room and intense weight equipment.

Nebraska Elite prides itself in the wide variety of full size courts it offers its members. There are several full size tennis courts. You can receive private lessons on these if you wish. There will also be 2 full court basketball courts. On these courts, we will have youth basketball programs, tournaments, and more. The basketball courts will offer state of the art basketballs, hoops, and scoreboards.

Volleyball courts will be found in abundance at Nebraska Elite. There will 7 of them total, allowing for specialized instruction, team play, league play, and much more for most of the year.

There is a pool for those who prefer to keep in shape by swimming laps or other forms of aquatic exercise.  There is also a private aerobic area for those who prefer to keep in shape with aerobics. In addition, there is a group exercise room for activities like boxing and Zumba.

Specialized Training

One program Nebraska Elite is very excited to offer is the Y2E (Youth to Elite Enhancement) program. This will be run by select trainers with a separate membership for kids who are 8-18. It is for youth who are trying to enhance whatever sport they are involved in. It offers intense, specialized training.

Many of our other areas, such as tennis and volleyball, offer individual instruction, as well.

If you want a tour of the facility or would like to schedule a party at the facility, call Mike Ryder at (402) 706-4109. The address is 1212 N. 102nd Street.

Information Overload!

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Life is much more complex than it used to be. The same can be said about real estate today. There are so many decisions to be made when it comes to buying or selling a home that just weren’t around several years ago. The sheer volume of information makes it hard to know what the right answer is.

Information…Overload?

We are bombarded with information today. Even when you sit down to watch the news, you can watch someone talking about the world’s latest events, while also reading one or two crawlers at the bottom of the screen giving you even more news from the day.

No matter what we do, we are bombarded with information. Even when you try to buy or sell a house, you can be overwhelmed with the amount of information out there and it can be downright paralyzing to make any type of decision.

Call on a Professional

Information overload with real estate is one of the main reasons you need to call on a professional who knows the industry inside and out, who can answer your questions with clarity so you know exactly what you are doing when you make the biggest investment of your life.

Finding the right professional is key, someone who knows the market inside and out and can give you the correct answer from the very beginning. A good real estate agent knows virtually everything about buying and selling real estate so you don’t have to. A good agent will also know key facts about neighborhoods, something that can go a long way in helping you either buy or sell your home. They will also provide wise counsel on pricing your home when you put it on the market. This is very important on whether your home will sell or not.

There’s no doubt we have information overload today. With so many things coming at us at once, it’s hard to know what the right decisions are when it comes to buying or selling a home. That’s why it’s important to call on a professional who knows the ins and outs of the real estate industry and can handle all of your home buying or home selling needs with the expertise you need.

Surround Yourself with Professionals When You Buy a Home

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Buying a home is serious business. It’s not a job that should be taken lightly. There are a lot of people in the real estate business who have your best interest at heart, but there are some who don’t. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with a team of professionals early in the buying process so you know exactly what you are doing when you buy your next home.

If you approach home buying as a job that should be handled professionally, you are much more likely to get a house you are proud to call home. A house is the largest investment you will probably ever make so it’s important to make a wise and informed decision.

Important Questions a Professional Can Help You Answer

• How much house can I afford?
• How can I find the best loan?
• Where will I come up with a down payment, and how much will I need?
• Should I buy a new or used home, and which will go up in value?

A Professional Will Help You Understand the Home Buying Process

A true professional wants you to understand what you are doing during the buying process. They’re interested in the relationship more than the commission. It doesn’t matter if you are buying a $1.2 million dollar home or a $25,000 trailer, they should treat you with the same respect. They should explain each step of the process in detail. If you don’t understand, you need to be able to ask for a clear explanation. In the end, you need to have a complete understand of the home buying process from start to finish.

A Professional Knows You are the Most Important Part of the Home Buying Process

When you are dealing with people who know more about certain things than you, it’s easy to get a little intimidated and overwhelmed. It’s important for you and your real estate agent to remember you are the reason for the business. Without you, the buyer, the transaction will never take place.

You can approach the home buying process with confidence when you are surrounded by a professional team. It makes everything run smoother and you will feel much more comfortable from start to finish.

A Peek Behind the Scenes at CBS Homes

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Over the past year, I’ve shown you in detail how to build a house. I’ve talked about all the important details involved in the home building process and focused on things that are vital to a well-built house.

My sincere hope is that you have learned a lot about house and home building from these detailed videos.

Now, in the next several upcoming videos, we are going to switch things up and talk to people who are on the other side of the home building process. These are the people who are buying the homes, either to live in or invest in. They are the ones who are interested in and will benefit from all the hard work we have talked about that goes into building a home.

We will also talk to home builders. They are the ones who labor over homes and truly care about the fine details. We will hear their perspective of a house, from the inside looking out.

You don’t have to take my word for how important all these things are, you can actually hear it from those who know first-hand. It’s a behind the scenes look.

You can look forward to those in the upcoming weeks in the blog! It will help you learn and understand even more about the home building and buying process.

Awards and Reward: It’s All About Service

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I am asked from time to time what awards I have won. Since my pictures shows up in the paper people wonder why. The awards that I win are always very special to me. They show that I am valued doing something I love.

Here are the awards I have won in the last year.

Top Sales

There are over 450 agents within CBS Homes. In April 2011 we won the award for All Company Top Sales. This award means our team sold the most homes out of all of the 450+ CBS Homes agents.
This award reminds me that our team is working hard and we know what we’re doing and we’re doing it well.

Top List

In June 2011 our team won the All Company Top Listing award. This means people have either been referred to us or have just called us after learning about us by some other means. People want someone who knows how to sell a house and they have come to us. As a result, we’ve won the top listing award.

It’s Not All About Awards…It’s About a Reward

We enjoy being good at what we do. We enjoy receiving rewards recognizing that fact, too. The reward we get from helping our customers is what we truly enjoy though. Sure, it sounds cliché to say that, but it’s true.

We enjoy taking the 28 years of experience we have and helping our customers make the best decision possible decision on the largest investment they will ever make: a new home. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

What’s Your Favorite Phone App?

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Are you an app lover?  Phone apps are all the rage right now and for good reason: they make life easier and more fun.

Do You Have an App You Love?

If you have a phone app you love, we want you to tell us about it! We know the power of apps and we love to learn about even more apps.

If you have an app you would like to share, email me at bill@cbshome.com. We will pick out the best phone apps and share them on our next video blog!

Our New Favorite Apps

I recently discovered freecaddy, a free app for anyone who loves to golf. It knows where all the golf courses are all over the United States. It actually acts as a GPS on the golf course. When you hit your golf ball and stand by it, the app can tell you how far away you are from the hole.

I also really enjoy slydial. This is perfect for those people in your life whom you love dearly, but often get caught on the phone with for way too long. In fact, they can unintentionally be real time drains if you let them. Sometimes, however, you need to get a message to these people.

Slydial actually bypasses that person’s ringer and goes straight to their voice mail. This allows you to get your message across quickly without getting trapped on the phone. Pretty cool, right?

Email me your favorite app at bill@cbshome.com and you might see it featured on our next video!

Corporate Relocation and The Future of Omaha

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Bringing business to Omaha is important. That’s why The Bill Black Team offers corporate relocation as one part of our multi-faceted services. It’s about more than business, it’s about doing the right thing.

What does our corporate relocation service include?

An Education about Omaha

When you have recruited someone new to your Omaha-based team and are ready to bring them on, it can be tough to know what the next logical step should be. That’s where The Bill Black Team comes in.

When encouraging someone to uproot and move to Omaha, we recognize that’s a big step in a person’s life. That’s why it’s important to educate the person about Omaha. There are many things that make our city unique but those from out of town don’t know what it is until we tell them.

I spend a certain amount of time with someone who is considering relocating to Omaha just introducing them Omaha and telling them about what makes Omaha a great place to live. I answer any questions they might have about this area. This service is often overlooked by other builders, but is valuable to anyone who has ever relocated to a new area.

An In-Depth Tour of Omaha

How can I possibility tell someone how great Omaha is without actually showing them? I also give tours of Omaha. These tours can be short or as in-depth as they need to be until a potential new resident feels as confident and comfortable as they need to be to make the decision if Omaha is right for them.

I offer tours for:

• 4 hours
• ½ day tour
• All day tour
• One and a half day tour

Corporate Relocation: A Free Service

The right thing to do doesn’t need to cost anything. The Bill Black team doesn’t charge for corporate relocation services. We simply want to help others and, if they choose to move to Omaha, we hope they will allow us to help them with their housing needs.

Again, this is the right thing to do, so we may receive nothing in return and that’s OK.

Do you know someone whose business might be relocating them to Omaha? Or, do you just know someone who might be considering moving to Omaha, even if their job doesn’t require it? Whatever the case may be, our corporate relocation services may be just what they are looking for.

Why Use the Services of a Real Estate Agent?

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This question is often asked, especially by homeowners who consider selling their homes by themselves.

The fundamental first answer to this question is that an experienced realtor is an expert at what he or she does. Through hard work and education, they’ve acquired a set of skills that make the process of home buying and selling a lot easier than it would be by doing it yourself.

So, what are the skills in the set I’m talking about?

Well, for one thing, we have the skill of being the go-between. We’re the people who handle people and calls and separate the “wheat” (real buyers) from the “chaff” (non-buyers) without you ever having to deal with such situations. In Internet terms, we make sure you’re not “spammed” with worthless offers and target real deals for you.We’re also the ones who save you a lot of time by making sure you’re looking at appropriate properties and neighborhoods right from the get-go.

And, speaking of neighborhoods, an experienced realtor will know them inside-out or will know how to find the latest information on them. That means he or she can get you into neighborhoods where the crime rate is low or non-existent, find you ones with great school systems, rising property values, etc.

By the same token, an experienced agent will steer you away from neighborhoods where the trends are downward; that is, rising crime, falling property values, and so forth.

And what about the prices of homes? Well, some people believe that we select them for our clients. Not true! We have no way of setting prices. They’re set by the market! However, we can guide you toward properties that fit your individual needs and are comfortably within your price range. Frankly, it’s not in our best interests to put you into a home beyond your means or that’s not right for you. When that happens, we lose clients and money!

So, we’ll do our best to work within your price range and, based on current information (market supply, demand, etc.), we’ll come up with the best negotiation strategy possible. Current information can include cost-per-square-foot of homes, ratios of list-to-sold prices, knowledge of the buyer/seller, etc. All this information is gathered by the agent and used to formulate solid offers.

Another important skill experienced Realtors possess is objectivity. We have the ability to stay out of the emotional process that often occurs with the buying and selling of a home. Instead, we present your case in the best light possible, all the while holding your information confidential from any competing interests.

One realtor skill that’s often not apparent is our ability to network with other service providers (housing inspectors, title companies, etc.) Professionally, we can’t recommend one specific vendor over another. However, we do keep lists of vendors with excellent reputations as well provide references for the vendors. This service allows you to choose the best provides for your particular situation.

Now, here’s one realtor skill that everyone truly appreciates – the ability to handle tons of paperwork! Today, purchase agreements can run 10+ pages, and that doesn’t even include all the state and federal disclosure statements that are required in the current market! Heck, a real estate file can end up being 2-3 inches thick with paperwork these days!

And it’s not only the heavy paperwork handled by realtors; it’s also the attention to detail within that paperwork. It’s their job (or a lawyer’s, depending on the state) to make sure all the information is correct because if it isn’t, it can end up costing the client hundreds of dollars. 

So, as you can see, there are many reasons why it’s wise to use an experienced Realtor for the purchase or sale of a home! To find out about the services I haven’t mentioned in this article, contact me today.

What's a CRS

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education.
Since 1977 the Council of Residential Specialists has been conferring the CRS Designation on agents who meet its stringent requirements. Currently, there are more than 30,000 active CRS Designees.

About CRS


Why Use a CRS?

You have a valued client moving to another state. But you don't have any REALTOR® contacts there. How can you find another REALTOR who has the appropriate education, expertise and professionalism and who will care about your client's needs as much as you do? With nearly 30,000 CRS Designees located throughout the country, it’s easy to find just the right professional for the job.

More important, they are pre-qualified for your clients. As CRS Designees, they have completed advanced training in residential real estate and have a proven track record of sales transactions required to earn the CRS Designation.

Like you, they are consummate professionals. And you know your client is being cared for as if you were their REALTOR® in the new city and state.

The Final Phase of the Building Process: The Final Inspection

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You’re almost to the finish line! Your new home is built…you’re almost ready to move in! But wait…there are a few final hurdles to cross when it comes to inspecting your home. Here are a few important things to know and make sure your home is just where it should be so it is as beautiful structurally as it appears to be.

The Final Inspection

Final inspections are performed five days or a few hours before closing the sale. The main purpose of a final home inspection is to make sure the home is in as good of condition as agreed upon, that repairs were made and no changes have been made that have not been included in the final negotiations.

A good “check list” for a homeowner to perform during a final inspection would include:

• Check every light fixture to see if it is functioning by turning it on and off.
• Check for possible water leaks by opening faucets and looking under sinks.
• Make sure appliances are functioning properly by turning them on and off.
• Inspect door hinges by opening and closing doors and windows.
• Flush toilets to ensure that they are not clogged.
• Check walls, floors and ceilings for cracks or leaks.
• Turn on exhaust fans and garbage disposal.
• Turn on air conditioning and heating to test if they are functioning properly.
• Debris should be removed from the house.

Multiple Inspections

If your homebuilder only gives your new home one inspection, they are doing something drastically wrong! Different experts in different fields need to examine the various areas of your new home.

After a home is built it should be inspected several times. These include:

• Footing Inspection
• Framing Inspection
• Electrical Inspection
• Plumbing Inspection
• Insulation Inspection
• Final Inspection

The “Punch List”

The tasks that need to be completed to satisfy the terms of the contract are frequently referred to as “the punch list.” They are usually a result of the final phases of construction as people walk through the site notice deficiencies that need to be resolved.

Make sure you get your contractor to complete your punch list before you close. Some builders make promises of completing things and then disappear after the contract is complete.

There are many decisions to make as the final stages of the building process of your new home come to a close. Your home inspection is a crucial component to make sure your home is properly constructed. Make sure you keep the important elements in mind so nothing is overlooked during this last phase of the building process.

Decks and Deck Construction: The Nuts and Bolts of a Good Deck

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A deck is a place that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It can surround a pool or just be a place to escape in a grassy backyard. There are a few things to remember as you build your deck to make sure it is properly built and as safe as possible.

Use a Heavy Duty Post

The best type of post to use when building a deck is a 6’x6’ post. This is very secure and will make a safe and sound deck. Many builders use 4’x4’ posts but these simply are not secure enough to hold the weight a deck presents.  When picking materials for your deck, also make sure you select cedar or treated lumber for your deck.

Spacing in Your Deck

You also need to make sure you have proper spacing between the planks on your decks. Typically you would like to have them the width of a 16 penny nail. The reason for this spacing is to allow for the wood to expand and contract. You don’t want the wood to push on each other and cause damage over time.

The Best Place for Your Balusters 

Make sure your balusters are installed correctly. This is frequently overlooked by many builders. Most builders put the balusters on the outside of the railing. This does not leave the railing secure enough to hold the banging and pressure that could be put on them by small children or other things that could push or pound against them. They should be put on the inside of the railing to be as secure as possible.

The Importance of Footing

The footing on the deck is also important. Going four foot into the ground is a good recommendation. It’s very important to have a firm foundation since the deck itself will be heavy and will also hold a lot of weight, too.

Things like post thickness, spacing in your deck, baluster placement, and your footing are all important considerations when you build your deck. When you take into consideration the important safety factors in these aspects of your deck, your family can enjoy it for years to come.

Landscaping Tips for Spring – How to Care For Your Home’s Exterior

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It’s that time of year again when everyone will be seen working on their yard! What exactly does your yard say about you? Is it messy, unkempt and in a total state of disarray? Or has it been meticulously manicured to a level that even glossy magazines couldn’t compete? No matter where you fit on the spectrum of the landscaping scales, there is no question that the exterior appearance of your home is an important one. Too many homeowners neglect to look after the very first noticeable part of their abode – so here’s how to make sure you are not one of them.

Time to Spring Clean Up Last Year’s Messes

That’s right. Very often by the time this year’s snow melts, we tend to find last year’s garden messes all over the place. Maybe that first snowfall was enough to make you hang up the rake and wait it out till the following season, but too often there are many things left behind. Anything from garden tools, piles of left over (and very moldy) mulch or an old garden statue that you meant to put away in the shed before the snow set in – all these things can tend to look very bad after a season of ice and cold. And if you’re in a warmer climate, things sitting in the yard for so long just keep gathering more dirt and grime, making your front (and back) yard look like a major eye sore.

Make a Plan, Check It Twice and Implement It

Many times an over-zealous homeowner will make a trip to the home and garden store, buy everything they see in the main aisles, that are currently being hyped by the store, and then end up back home with no plan in sight as to how to implement it. By carefully reviewing the space you have, taking notice of the areas that need more help than others and realizing where the opportunities lie for you to enhance your outdoor space, you will be in a better position in the long run. Use the help of the technicians and associates at the home and garden store, since they are very well versed with these projects and have a lot more experience.

Invest In Some Help

Unless you are an avid lawn and garden enthusiast, have all the time in the world or are just not too concerned about perfection, it would be a good idea to invest in some help. By hiring a landscaping company to jumpstart the look of your home’s exterior, you will benefit from the high-quality and often expensive equipment that you may not own plus the knowledge and expertise of skilled, quality craftsmen and women. Landscapers also offer a maintenance plan where they come during the week at pre-set times and make sure the lawn is kept up.

Water the Plants, Shrubs and Trees

Thirsty vegetation can be seen from a mile away. Instead of having dry, cracked and brittle brown leaves and grass, be sure to water your lawn, the surrounding leaves and greenery with enough water to sustain it. Whether you install a complex sprinkler system or a purchase a $20 single unite that you need to manually move around throughout the day and weekend, the important thing is that your greens stay green.

Make the Space Pretty, Or At Least Easy on the Eyes

With just a few simple enhancements you can make all the difference in the curb appeal of your home. Retouching the fence paint, trimming the hedges to a reasonable height, removing all extra items, planting seasonal plants and flowers (especially along the walkways) or including interesting garden elements – are all ways to enhance the space.
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As long as you realize that the landscaping of your home is just as important aesthetically as the interior, you will begin to make changes that will improve the overall look and feel of your house. Not only will it be more enjoyable to spend time outdoors, but it will also be a source of pride for you when visitors (and neighbors) comment on the fabulous look you have going!