Oct 30

Interest-Rates-In-Real-Estate-Sarasota-Realty

Effects of Rising Interest Rates on Real Estate

By Raeann Abbott | For Buyers, For Homeowners, For Sellers

The Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Real Estate

As we approach the late months of 2023 and into 2024, the real estate market is poised for potential changes due to rising interest rates. Whether you’re considering buying or selling a property or have an upcoming mortgage renewal, understanding the effects of these interest rate shifts is crucial. This article delves into what rising interest rates mean for buyers, sellers, and homeowners during this period.

Effects on Buyers: Navigating Affordability Challenges

The increasing interest rates can have a significant impact on prospective home buyers. Higher rates mean increased borrowing costs, potentially reducing affordability for new buyers. However, strategies such as locking in rates and exploring different loan options can help mitigate the challenges.

Effects on Sellers: Adapting to Changing Market Dynamics

For sellers, rising interest rates can mean a potential slowdown in demand as higher mortgage costs may deter some buyers. To adapt, sellers must strategically price their properties and focus on marketing efforts to attract serious buyers.

Mortgage Renewals: Evaluating Financial Plans

Homeowners with mortgages up for renewal during this period should carefully consider their options. Rising interest rates could lead to higher monthly payments upon renewal. Exploring early renewal or refinancing can help homeowners manage potential financial impacts.

As the effects of rising interest rates can vary depending on your role in the real estate market, it’s essential to be prepared and informed. Let’s delve deeper into each scenario:

Effects on Buyers: Navigating Affordability Challenges

The prospect of higher interest rates may impact your purchasing power. To mitigate affordability challenges:

Consider Fixed Rates: Fixed-rate mortgages can provide stability by locking in your interest rate. This shields you from potential rate hikes during the term of the loan.
Explore Loan Options: Different loan types, such as adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), may offer lower initial rates. However, be cautious of potential rate adjustments in the future.
alculate Your Budget: With higher rates, calculate how much you can afford in monthly payments, factoring in potential rate increases over time.

Effects on Sellers: Adapting to Changing Market Dynamics

Selling a property in a rising interest rate environment requires careful planning:

Set Realistic Prices: Understand that buyers’ purchasing power might be reduced due to higher rates. Price your property competitively to attract serious buyers.
Highlight Unique Features: Emphasize the unique selling points of your property to differentiate it in a potentially more competitive market.
Be Patient: The sales process might take longer as buyers assess their options. Patience and effective marketing will be essential.

Mortgage Renewals: Evaluating Financial Plans

Homeowners facing mortgage renewals can take proactive steps:

Review Terms: Understand the terms of your current mortgage and any potential rate adjustments upon renewal.
Explore Early Renewal: Consider renewing your mortgage early to secure a lower rate before further increases.
Refinancing: If you’re concerned about higher payments, explore refinancing options to secure a more favourable rate.

As interest rates rise in late 2023 and into 2024, the real estate landscape is set for changes. Buyers, sellers, and homeowners should be aware of the effects these shifts can bring. Buyers need to navigate affordability challenges, sellers must adapt to changing market dynamics, and homeowners should evaluate their financial plans. By understanding these impacts and being prepared, you can make informed decisions in the evolving real estate market. Remember, staying informed and seeking professional advice are crucial steps in making the best choices for your real estate journey.

Oct 30

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Free Home Staging for Sellers - Sarasota Realty

Benefits of Staging Your Home When Selling

By Raeann Abbott | For Homeowners, For Sellers, Home Staging & Interior Design

Selling your home is a significant endeavour, and in today’s competitive real estate market, making a lasting impression is crucial. One strategy that has gained immense popularity is home staging. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the numerous benefits of staging your home when selling. But what sets us apart is that we offer home staging free of charge! Unlike other realtors who burden you with hefty fees, we believe in helping you maximize your home’s appeal without breaking the bank.

Staging Homes For Lasting Impressions

First impressions matter, and that’s where home staging comes into play. By strategically arranging furniture, decor, and personal touches, you can showcase your home’s best features and create a welcoming atmosphere. A well-staged home captivates potential buyers from the moment they step through the door.

Elevating Visual Appeal

Professional home staging enhances your property’s visual appeal in listing photos and during in-person showings. Bright, airy spaces with carefully curated furnishings make it easier for potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the space, increasing their emotional connection to the property.

Showcasing Functional Spaces

One of the key benefits of staging is its ability to highlight the functionality of different spaces. Whether it’s turning an underutilized corner into a cozy reading nook or transforming an empty room into a home office, staging demonstrates the versatility of your property.

Standing Out in a Competitive Market

The real estate market is competitive, and staged homes stand out. They leave a lasting impression on potential buyers, making your property more likely to be remembered among a sea of listings. Staging can help your home shine brighter and command attention.

Sarasota Realty FREE Home Staging

Unlike many other realtors who charge significant fees for home staging, we take a different approach. We believe in your home’s potential and are committed to helping you present it in the best light possible. That’s why we offer comprehensive home staging free of charge!

No Hidden Costs, No Monthly Fee

Other realtors may present home staging as an attractive option, only to burden you with hidden costs. Consultation fees, staging fees, and monthly rental fees for furniture can quickly add up. With us, you can enjoy the benefits of staging without financial stress. Our free home staging covers all aspects, from initial design to final setup.

Unlock the Power of Home Staging In the competitive world of real estate, home staging emerges as a powerful tool that can make all the difference. Some advantages are creating a captivating first impression, elevating your property’s appeal, and showcasing functional spaces. While other realtors charge significant fees for home staging, we stand by our commitment to helping you succeed without financial strain. Say goodbye to hidden costs and hello to a beautifully staged home that captures hearts and sells quickly!

Don’t miss out on our exclusive offer of free home staging. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you maximize your home’s potential and stand out in the market.

Jul 13

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Sustainable Homes: Enhancing Energy Efficiency, and Value

By Raeann Abbott | For Buyers, For Homeowners, For Sellers

In an era of increasing environmental awareness, sustainable homes are gaining traction as a vital component of a greener future. This blog post explores current best practices in creating sustainable and energy-efficient homes. By discussing renewable energy options, energy-efficient upgrades, the impact on property values, and the role of green features, we’ll shed light on how homeowners can embrace sustainability while reaping multiple benefits.

Harnessing Renewable Energy:

Renewable energy sources offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional energy generation methods. Among these, solar power has emerged as a leading contender in the quest for sustainable homes. By installing solar panels, homeowners can tap into the sun’s abundant energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing their carbon footprint. Integrating solar panels contributes to environmental sustainability and offers long-term financial advantages. Through incentives and subsidies, homeowners can significantly offset the upfront costs, potentially achieving substantial savings on energy bills over the system’s lifespan. Additionally, solar-powered homes can enjoy increased resilience during power outages, as they can continue to generate electricity even when the grid is down.

Embracing Energy-Efficient Upgrades:

Energy-efficient upgrades are crucial in reducing a home’s energy consumption and environmental impact. Homeowners can significantly enhance energy efficiency and improve comfort by implementing various measures. One notable area for improvement is lighting, where transitioning to energy-efficient LED bulbs can yield substantial energy savings while providing superior quality and a longer lifespan. Another valuable upgrade is the installation of smart thermostats, enabling precise temperature control and optimized energy usage. Energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and HVAC systems can reduce energy consumption. Moreover, investments in proper insulation and energy-efficient windows can enhance a home’s thermal performance, minimizing heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer. These upgrades reduce utility costs and create a more comfortable living environment.

Positive Impact on Property Values:

Integrating sustainable features in a home can positively impact its value and appeal to prospective buyers. Increasingly, homebuyers prioritize energy efficiency and environmental considerations when making purchasing decisions. Homes equipped with energy-efficient features, such as solar panels, high-performance insulation, and smart home technologies, often command higher resale values and enjoy shorter time on the market. Certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or ENERGY STAR provide a stamp of approval, assuring potential buyers of a home’s sustainable credentials. These certifications validate a property’s energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and overall environmental performance, bolstering buyer confidence and contributing to a premium price. The growing pool of environmentally conscious buyers actively seeking sustainable homes makes investing in energy-efficient upgrades a wise choice for homeowners aiming to maximize property value.

The Role of Green Features:

Beyond renewable energy and energy-efficient upgrades, incorporating green features further enhances sustainability and environmental stewardship in homes. Water conservation measures, such as low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and drought-resistant landscaping, can significantly reduce water consumption. Furthermore, sustainable materials and practices in construction and renovation, such as recycled or locally sourced materials, eco-friendly paints, and energy-efficient building techniques, contribute to a home’s sustainability profile. The presence of green features, such as green roofs, living walls, or permeable pavement, reduces environmental impact and enhances a property’s aesthetic appeal and uniqueness. These features can create a harmonious blend of sustainability, functionality, and beauty, attracting environmentally conscious buyers who appreciate the holistic value proposition of a green home.

Sustainable homes are at the forefront of environmentally responsible living. Homeowners can make a positive difference in the environment and their financial well-being by harnessing renewable energy, embracing energy-efficient upgrades, recognizing the impact on property values, and integrating green features. Embracing sustainability in housing paves the way for a greener future and a more sustainable way of living.

Dec 28

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What is the Impact of Canada’s Rising Interest Rates on Real Estate?

By Raeann Abbott | For Buyers, For Sellers, Real Estate

Homeowners and potential buyers closely watch the Bank of Canada’s interest rates. The interest rate rose for the first time in four years in March 2022, and another wasn’t far behind in October 2022.

The interest rate after the October and December increases was at 4.25%, and homeowners can expect a significant impact. Here are a few ways homeowners and prospective buyers will feel the pinch.

Why is the Interest Rate on Borrowing Going Up?

Several factors are contributing to the increase in the interest rate. At the start of the pandemic, the Bank of Canada offered some relief by dropping the interest rate to 0.25%. Borrowers then didn’t have to pay as much interest on their loans and mortgages.

However, in June 2022, we saw inflation of 8.1% – the highest it’s gone in thirty-nine years. So experts think there’s a link between the reduced interest in 2020 and 2021 and rising inflation.

Add both those factors to several mortgage providers’ stocks going down, and it’s a perfect recipe for costly mortgages.

Homeowners and prospective buyers will see the impact firsthand in their mortgages.

What Does the Interest Rate Increase Mean for New Buyers?

Before being approved for a mortgage to start shopping for your home, you must pass a stress test if your down payment is less than 20%. The purpose of the stress test is to make borrowers prove they can pay their mortgage expenses.

Borrowers need to prove that they can pay either the rate offered by their mortgage lender or the Bank of Canada’s five-year fixed rate – whichever is higher. High-interest rates make the stress test more challenging to pass.

Happy property owners shaking hands with real estate broker after a deal. Young couple handshaking real estate agent after signing contract.

What Does the Interest Rate Increase Mean for Mortgage Renewal?

The interest rates will affect your financial plans if you’re due for a mortgage renewal. Depending on your mortgage type – variable or fixed – the interest rate increase will affect you differently.

Interest Increase for Variable Mortgages

If your current mortgage is at a variable rate, you’ll notice the increases right away. While it’s possible that your mortgage payment won’t increase, you’ll be paying more towards interest rather than principal.

Interest Increase for Fixed Mortgages

With a fixed mortgage rate, you’re locked in at the interest rate you agreed upon at the beginning of your mortgage term. The rate won’t change until you’re up for renewal – that’s when you’ll see the increase.

How to Overcome the Interest Rate Increase?

Even though prime rates are on the rise, there are options for securing financing. Regardless of who your lender is, you can talk to other lenders to find the lowest rate possible.

When you change lenders, however, you’ll have to go through another stress test, and if you break your current term early to switch lenders, they can charge a fee.

When it’s time to renew your mortgage, and you’re optimistic about interest rates going down, a shorter mortgage term of three years can let you reassess sooner. A fixed-rate mortgage would lock you into this high-interest rate. A variable mortgage renewal will be a favourable decision if the rates go down, but if they continue to climb, you’ll be stuck paying less against your principal.

Bottom Line

There’s no right or wrong mortgage term to choose – no one can see the future. In the next few years, the interest rates look promising and will go down again. If you have a mortgage broker you trust, they can guide you through the possible outcomes of either option or explain how it can affect you.

Need a resource to point you in the right direction? Sarasota Realty knows the market and the professionals you need to transform you into a homeowner. Contact us to explore listings and get started on the homebuying journey.

Oct 18

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How to Prepare for Moving Day

By Raeann Abbott | For Buyers, For Sellers, Lifestyle

Packing up your whole life for moving day can be stressful. It’s more about strategy than you may think, and something always seems to go wrong. But there are some secrets to lifting the stress of moving day and making it manageable.

Moving is the Perfect Time to Purge

Moving day starts long before the day circled on the calendar. Going through all the books, art, plants, or odds and ends is a project. In the weeks up to moving day, it’s the best opportunity to see everything in front of you and ruthlessly donate, recycle, or give away.

You don’t need to bring everything you own with you. This is a vital thing to keep in mind when you’re downsizing.

What Moving Supplies Will You Need?

Free boxes you scrounged up from your favourite stores and tons of packing tape and bubble wrap are often the go-to packing supplies. While they’re a trusty option and are popular for a reason, they’re not the only option anymore.

Stackable bins are a great reusable option and are also great for storage when you get to your new home. They also have handles that cardboard boxes don’t have, so you are less likely to hurt yourself if you’re doing the moving yourself.

What’s the Best Moving Strategy?

Beyond the packing process, transport hacks make the move easier.

Have dollies handy. They make the process go a lot faster with fewer accidents or injuries.
Label everything. When everything’s packed up, it all looks the same. Differentiating between your kitchen items versus your office supplies will be challenging when you get to the new place, causing a dent in your morning coffee routine.
Make a list of everything you have to do. It’s easy for things to fall through the cracks when juggling every aspect of moving. A list will help you remember all the moving day essentials and miscellaneous tasks, like forwarding your mail and changing your address.

The most important thing to remember is that what you pack in the truck first will come out last. You should pack a box with all the necessities you’ll need right away last, so it’s the first box out.

Should You Hire a Moving Company or Do It Yourself?

Moving yourself can be miserable, but it can also be a significant money saver. If you want to round up your friends and pay them in food, that’s a budget-friendly way to move.

Hiring a moving company is more efficient. Movers are professionals. They carry out moves daily, are experts at taking care of large items, and have insurance. If hiring movers fits your budget, it’s a great option to save yourself time and potential injuries, and you won’t have to force your friends to help.

Bottom Line

While packing up and moving is stressful, home buying can be fun. Sarasota Realty has a wide variety of listings to suit your preferences and budget, so your home shopping is smooth and straightforward. Contact us, and our realtors can help you find the right property for you.

Jun 21

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Virtual Staging: How to Attract Buyers to Your Home

By Raeann Abbott | For Sellers, Home Staging & Interior Design

Staging is a critical step in successfully selling your home that realtors recommend for a reason. Open houses are on their way out, and with the internet being the primary source of finding homes, virtual staging can make or break interest in your home.

What is Virtual Staging?

Virtual staging consists of decorating a home to make it more attractive to potential buyers – it’s a great way to get buyers to imagine their own furniture and décor in the space and feel at home.

Good photos that buyers can see online can help them cement their decision to see the home in person or put in an offer! A professional stager can use their expertise to create an aesthetic space buyers will love.

How is Virtual Staging Different Than Physical Staging?

Buyers appreciate staging even if they don’t consciously know it, and while physical staging is still valuable, virtual staging is a time saver. You don’t have to have a busy stager constantly in the home or wait for furniture or décor items to arrive.

The ultimate benefit is that stagers can easily make changes and adjust the look of the space more efficiently until it’s perfect. Whether your home is vacant and bare or has older furniture, virtual staging can completely remove older items and transform the space with new ones without lifting a finger.

Of course, you don’t have to commit to virtually staging your entire property. Focusing on a few rooms can make a significant impact.

Rooms That Benefit from Virtual Staging

If you want to limit your virtual staging to only a few rooms, some spaces benefit from virtual staging more than others.

Living Room

The living room of any house is full of personal items and photos, which makes it hard for buyers to imagine themselves in the space. Experts recommend keeping the virtual staging filled with muted colours and greenery to make the home feel neutral.

Kitchen

For food lovers and amateur chefs, the kitchen is one of the most central spaces in the home. Some buyers make their entire decision based on the kitchen, so it’s important to stage it to make it appealing. Buyers want to see minimal décor and the storage space – light, fresh paint is necessary to make the kitchen look well-maintained.

Master Bedroom

Master bedrooms are another critical space that buyers take seriously. This is another room that holds many personal items, and virtual staging can remove them. People also want to see storage and closet space and the ensuite bathroom. Adding texture through textiles during the virtual staging can fill the room beautifully.

Pros and Cons of Virtual Staging

Pros

Practical and convenient: With virtual staging, you’re not physically moving things in and out of the house. As a bonus, you don’t have to coordinate schedules with multiple people to stage.
Flexible: A top benefit of virtual staging is that you can design the same room with different functionalities. You can turn your spare bedroom into a home office or an exercise space – it leaves you with so many options.
Quick: It goes without saying that virtual staging is less of a time commitment than physical staging. You’re not waiting for physical items or furniture to complete the look.

Cons

Physical showings will look different: After looking at the stunning virtual staging photos, the showing will look different in comparison, which can be a little unexpected for buyers.
Furnished homes can be more challenging: Vacant homes are easier to stage virtually because they’re a blank slate. Occupied homes are trickier. Designers will have to remove furniture digitally before going back to stage, raising the cost.

Is Virtual Staging Right for You?

The choice between traditional staging and virtual staging can be challenging. At Sarasota Realty, our professional realtors can suggest the best route for your space to help your home sell faster. Contact Sarasota Realty to help you sell your home and find another one.

Mar 23

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Why Should You Hire a Real Estate Professional?

By Raeann Abbott | For Buyers, For Sellers

Buying a home can seem straightforward – go to a few open houses, find a home you like, put in an offer, and move in. Or if you’re selling, it could seem like enough to put out an advertisement and find a buyer.

But it’s not so easy. There’s more to buying a home than getting mortgage approval. You and a potential buyer or seller have different interests, and managing a big purchase can be high stakes.

Having a real estate professional on both sides of the selling-buying process helps things run smoothly in several ways.

1. Realtors Know the Market

Experienced realtors have a grasp of the ebb and flow of the housing market and can help time your purchase or sale to maximize the benefits. Keeping your home on the market too long without a sale makes the house seem undesirable to buyers. Getting the timing right is an art that realtors are constantly perfecting.

2. Realtors Know How to Negotiate

Real estate is all about negotiation – buyers want to spend the least money they can, while sellers want to come out on top. Not only will your realtor advocate for your best interests, but they have superior negotiation tactics that can help you save or make money.

3. Realtors Can Tell You the Fair Value of the Home

If you’re selling your existing home, the market could be different from when you first purchased, changing its value. Realtors compare other listings in your area with upgrades and renovations you’ve done on your home and get a fair price point.

If you’re buying without a real estate professional, it can be tough to determine if a home is overpriced. Their eye for detail will notice even small things that can affect the house’s value and get you the best deal.

4. Realtors Can Make Your Home Attractive to Buyers

Selling your home is just as much an art as it is a science. Real estate professionals know what buyers are looking for and how to appeal to potential buyers. Whether through staging, virtual staging, simple upgrades to do, or what paint to choose, realtors can help you elevate your property before you sell.

Bottom Line

Buying and selling a home without a real estate agent is a gamble you shouldn’t make. Beyond vetting buyers and sellers, they’re a sounding board, know all the legalities, and have contacts with lawyers and mortgage brokers to help ease the process.

If you want to discuss the sale or purchase of a home, contact us to start finding the ideal home for you.

Jan 25

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How to Sell Your Home from Another Province

By Raeann Abbott | For Sellers

Selling your home can be stressful enough, but when you have to do it from another province, it can be an even more daunting task. There are several reasons why you may need to sell from afar, but the process to do it seamlessly is in the details.

Here are some tips for selling your home from another province stress-free.

How Do I Sell My Home From A Distance?

1. Find the Right Realtor

The first and most obvious step is finding the right realtor for the job. Having someone who knows the local market, especially when you might not, is the most valuable resource you can have.

Make sure your realtor will be able to keep in touch with you to keep you updated on the status of viewings, offers, and any other essential details.

If you’re unfamiliar with the provincial real estate laws, your realtor will be able to recommend lawyers in the area who can walk you through the local regulations.

2. Be Available to Your Realtor and Lawyers

Working with a realtor and lawyers through phone and email can be challenging when you’re local, but factor in time changes and different schedules, and you can struggle to connect with your team.

It’s essential to be available throughout the process, especially regarding time-sensitive decisions. Scheduling check-ins in advance is helpful, but sometimes pressing issues come up that you need to deal with at the moment.

Keep your phone on you and have the email notifications on – it can save you from telephone tag later.

3. Make Sure Your Team Are Familiar With One Another

Introducing your team to each other and giving them the go-ahead to talk amongst themselves helps keep the process smooth and reduces any communication issues. If they already have a professional relationship, that’s beneficial but unnecessary.

All the people on your side must be at least aware of each other’s roles and responsibilities. That way, things don’t fall through the cracks. When all the professionals in your corner work together, it will ease your stress and stop endless games of telephone.

4. Give Up the Control

Ultimately, you’re not physically there to deal with the ins and outs of the sale process. You need to relinquish control to your team to get the job done effectively. Put your trust in the people you hired to get this done. They’re the professionals, and their expertise will get you the best result you can ask for.

If you’re planning on selling your home from out of province, contact our expert team at Sarasota Realty for the smoothest experience.

Apr 11

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Juggling Multiple Offers on Your House

By Raeann Abbott | For Sellers

What a problem to have! Having multiple offers on your for sale home is very exciting but can also be a bit nerve-wracking. Luckily you’ve hopefully hired the Sarasota team to guide you through this process.

When time is of the essence, and you have one clear stand-out offer, you can opt to speed up the process by choosing to move forward with the winner and reject the rest. When you receive an offer from a buyer, you (or your agent) have no ethical or legal obligation to keep it a secret. In some cases, sellers may make other buyers aware that your offer is in hand, or even disclose details about your offer to another buyer in hope of convincing that buyer to make a better offer.

This type of scenario marks the makings of a true bidding war.

Your agent will know whether buyers in your market can traditionally stomach the stress of a bidding war. In competitive cities filled with high-profile business professionals and a fast-paced way of life, it might be the best way to go. This might not be the case in smaller towns or cultures where people put a premium on being polite and easy to work with.

You want to get the sale done as quickly as possible, naturally. But you might be surprised to find that the buyer making the best offer wants months to close the deal. If you have the time on your hands and are not in a hurry, it may be worth it to get the higher offer. For most sellers a quick closing is ideal. You can get your money, move into your new house and get on with your life.

With multiple offers on a home, the time to close is usually a significant consideration for both the buyer and seller. You may have to weigh what is most important to you if one buyer doesn’t blow you away with the exact terms you would like. Having a bidding war of your house really gives you the opportunity to get the terms and conditions out of the sale you want. With bidding wars, you are in the driver’s seat dictating the outcome as you would like to see it unfold.

Sep 01

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Bumpin’ Backyards

By Raeann Abbott | For Buyers, For Homeowners, For Sellers, Home Staging & Interior Design, Lifestyle, NEW, Real Estate

SUMMER 2021… #yardgoals

While we were livin la vida covid this summer we made a list of outdoor livingspace renos for safe + enjoyable summer fun. Is it time to spruce up your backyard? Planning to host an outdoor gathering and need a revamp? We have you covered with the top summer patio trends of 2021.

Take a peak and start your 2021 yard remodel plan now!

Dream it.

What do you and/or your family need from your yard space – privacy, shelter, views, entertainment space, playing room, etc? This will dictate your layout and materials used. Scour the internet for inspiration pictures to drive your vision. Just make sure your photos are relevant to our climate so the dream is realistic. I mean, I love me some oversized banana trees, but our reality is more “ Alberta reed grass.” Establish a timeline and a budget for your project to set the wheels in motion.

Prep it.

You should always start with a solid clean up of your yard to set the stage. Remove fallen leaves, spread around existing mulch as it can move and build up with the elements, prune overgrown bushes/trees, rake dead grass spots, remove overseeded plants and pick every last weed down to the root. Look for signs of water, rodents, fence durability, pet damage etc.

Plan it.

Map out your space to visually understand what you’re working with – what areas get sun / shade? This will help when you’re plant shopping to ensure you have plants that are well suited to their growing environment. This is the “green thumb” – “black thumb” difference and will help reduce the costs of replacing plants down the road. If you’re going for a larger scale plan – do any major services need to be moved? Remember to call before you dig.

Decor Tips: Beef up your planter game. Make sure your planters themselves compliment each other in size and color. Inside, add an element for height, an element for full and an element for trailing. A trio of planters if you have the space make for a summer statement. Add a fresh weather resistant rug and toss cushions to pull your color scheme together.

Do it.

No money option – Do a plant swap with friends. Either propagated or full plant removal, this can provide you with better suited plants for your space and give your inner plant mama a new baby to tend to. Refurbishing planters w/ spray paint and planting grass seed are also an inexpensive ways to freshen up your yard quickly and easily.

Mo money option – Invest wisely in maintenance free materials – decking, drought resistant perennials, quality artificial plants, xeriscaping, easy clean/putaway furniture etc. It’s also important to invest in quality work. Don’t be afraid to hire out the professionals to do jobs like land prep, pouring level concrete, building a pergola, pond, 3 season room, or maintenance free deck, doing oversized tree removal, etc.

Light it up. Once everything is in place – add a few elements of light to add ambiance. String lights from the top of a pergola or privacy wall, add upward facing spotlights to reed grass, a tree, or fountain feature or add integrated lighting to your deck/patio space + stairs. This is going to be epic!