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Jason Cameron's Curb Appeal Tips

Start with a healthy, green lawn.

  • A healthy, green lawn is one of the easiest ways to draw people in and show that you care about the quality of your home.
  • And, did you know that your home is actually being judged by its lawn? Here's a fact to consider… according to TruGreen's new Lawn Lifestyles National Survey, the majority of homeowners said that the quality of a homeowner's lawn can tell you a lot about the quality of the home overall.
  • In fact, a good lawn would warrant a higher price, according to the survey.
  • So, if there are brown spots or weeds throughout your lawn, a potential homebuyer may not stop and consider. And, you don't want your nosy neighbor judging either.
  • Did you know too much or too little watering can cause brown spots? One helpful trick that I use is a one-inch empty food can. Place the can in the middle of your lawn to measure depth of water collected each watering cycle. This will help to ensure your lawn is getting just the right amount of water. Usually about one inch of slow, steady watering once a week is ideal. Watering in the cool of early morning is best, as watering later in the day may leave sitting water and cause problems with root rot or fungal diseases. Also be sure to adjust watering for rainfall.
  • So, invest in a lawn you love now for a better payoff in the future. Especially if you're planning to sell your house this year or next.

Complement with color.

  • Dead plants can quickly wilt your home's walk-up allure.
  • Another easy way to make the outside of your home more appealing is to create an instant pop of color, whether it's selecting flowering plant combinations for plant beds, window boxes, or front porch planters.
  • With a white house, any color combination will work well. With a yellow house, red or pink blooms tend to complement best. You can even have fun exploring different shades of one specific color.
  • Or, consider painting your front door or shutters an attractive color.
  • Protect tree and shrub bases with three inches of mulch to conserve soil moisture and keep weeds at bay. Be mindful not to cover the flare of the tree base.
  • Prune trees and shrubs to enhance growth and help curb appeal blossom.
  • And, trees and shrubs need to be fed and checked for plant damaging insects. It's much easier to maintain than to replace a beautiful tree that is instrumental to your curb appeal. Consider the expertise of a TruGreen PhD-certified specialist trained in the health of trees and shrubs.

Arrange an outdoor living room.

  • Now this is one of my favorites. Create an outdoor living room so that potential homebuyers can imagine relaxing with family and friends.
  • Use your imagination to create a comfortable outdoor green space to boost backyard curb appeal.
  • Consider your backyard as your living room without a ceiling and your lawn as a plush carpet.
  • Start with a natural focal point, such as a healthy, green lawn, large shade tree, relaxing water feature, or even a fire pit.
  • And think comfy, full, and colorful when selecting outdoor, weather-resistant furniture and furnishings. Have fun accessorizing with vibrant colors, graphic prints, and bold florals.
  • Don't feel restricted to a basic table and chairs. Bring together sofas and arm chairs to make it a place where you want to kick back and relax.

Consider accent lighting.

  • Lights add a welcoming glow to your home's outdoor allure.
  • Solar powered-LED lights are a simple way to add an inviting ambiance to a driveway or pathway for nighttime appeal.
  • What's great about lights is that they're available in a variety of styles and price points.
  • These solar powered-LED lights generate their own power when installed in direct sunlight. No wires are needed and installation typically takes less than a minute per device.
  • Or, you can get creative with these colorful and sparkly lights that glow at night.
  • You don't have to reserve them for a special occasion. Keep them up all season long.

Create a shaded area.

  • If your outdoor space doesn't have an awning, create your own with a fabric canopy.
  • You can have fun with colorful umbrellas.
  • Or, position seating areas under an area of trees and enjoy nature's cover.
  • Protect tree and shrub bases with three inches of mulch to conserve soil moisture and keep weeds at bay. Be mindful not to cover the flare of the tree base.
  • Prune trees and shrubs to enhance growth and help curb appeal blossom.
  • And, trees and shrubs need to be fed and checked for plant damaging insects. It's much easier to maintain than to replace a beautiful tree that is instrumental to your curb appeal. Consider the expertise of a TruGreen PhD-certified specialist trained in the health of trees and shrubs.

Please visit trugreen.com for more information.

How to Start a Garden
How to Start a Garden
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