By Lance Mohr


Homes come in every size and style imaginable, and options for those homes are just as numerous. The outside of a home can have self watering gardens and lawn sprinklers that have timers to water our landscape and shrubs that make the home more efficient and comfortable.

You can even consider concrete and stone paving areas. Those who want to relax after a hard day's work can retire to the patio or garden. They are great places to relax or even provide entertainment if your heart desires. All it takes is a few modern products or devices to make the home comfortable and more valuable. Plus you always have a sense of security.

When a prospective home buyer is searching for the home of their dreams , the amenities that a property has or doesn't have determine the type of prospective buyer interested in the property. There is the occasional buyer who will be more interested in the inside of the home than the outside; the less yard there is to maintain, the better.

Some buyers are just as happy with a yard covered in gravel or concrete as fescue or Bermuda grass. Trees are a very popular piece of landscaping greenery for most people, but some buyers see trees as leaf and limb liabilities.

Buyers in the Southwest use the natural flora as their guide. Sand, cactus and wild flowers replace maple trees and tulips in the desert southwest. Common sense also dictates what will and will not grow in any given area. Water and weather make the choices a given in some areas of the country. The mid West is full of trees and shrubs that go with the region and the landscaping is there most often before a home is ever built.

Another thing to consider is your outdoor activities, especially in places like Florida and Arizona. Whether it's simple family time, playing in the pool, or relaxing in the hot tub; each one is enjoyable. If you live in the Carolinas and various parts of the northeast then you will find gazebos and pergolas. Then of course the outdoor kitchens and cooking center seem to be popular everywhere.

Since the economy is constantly up and down there are more buyers looking into the operating costs of a home. This is especially true for individuals who are into solar or "green" energy. Solar panels are very popular, especially since they reduce the overall costs.

The technology today has allowed windows and doors to provide bigger benefits keeping everything comfortable indoors. So instead of cold drafts during the winter and heat coming in during the summer, you can enjoy a home that blocks everything out. One of the best options is Low E products.

Many new homes do not carpet the entire home. Wood floors and stained concrete that may even be patterned to resemble stone are becoming more commonplace, and this has brought back the area rug as an alternative to carpet. When shopping for a new or used home the assistance of a good Realtor will speed up the process whether you are buying or selling. Using a Realtor makes good sense, especially in today's hectic market.




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