Celebrate Spring with Simple Landscaping Updates

No matter where you live, spring is the perfect time to freshen up your yard with some easy landscaping changes. You don't need to invest a lot of time or money to make a significant impact. Here are four simple ideas to give your yard a charming upgrade this spring.

1. Plant Just One Tree

Planting a single tree is a small effort that yields lasting results. A well-chosen tree can add color, shape, and texture to your landscape, boosting your yard's appeal for decades with minimal maintenance. Japanese maples are an excellent choice because they thrive in most climates and offer vibrant colors and unique forms.

2. Add a Color Punch with Mulch

Mulch is an easy way to introduce color and texture to your yard. "Next to a green lawn, coffee bean-colored mulch provides a striking contrast," says Paul Fraynd, owner of Sun Valley Landscaping in Omaha, Nebraska. Mulch comes in various colors like red, black, gold, and cedar-toned, allowing you to customize your landscape. For something unique, consider using pine cones, which add a knotty texture that breaks up the monotony of flat lawns and shrubs. Just be sure to keep mulch away from wood or siding to prevent rot and insect attraction.

3. Add Some Edging

Define walkways or garden beds with creative edging materials. According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), you can use personal or found items like colored hockey sticks or wine bottles planted neck down in the soil. If you prefer a plant-based solution, low-maintenance ground covers like lily of the valley, vinca, lamb's ears, or pachysandra make excellent edging choices, adding both color and texture.

4. Create a Personalized Focal Point

Use your passions and memories as inspiration to create a unique focal point in your yard. Transform an old toy truck, tricycle, or wagon into a colorful planter. Alternatively, use hard materials that contrast with the greenery, such as an oversized flower pot or lobster trap filled with items that represent your interests—golf balls, sea shells—and cover it with a wood or glass top. These personalized touches can spark conversations and give your yard a distinct personality.

Make Your Yard a Reflection of You

Your yard should reflect your individuality. By incorporating these simple yet effective landscaping ideas, you can create a space that's not only beautiful but also uniquely yours.

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12 Essential Steps to Take When Settling into Your New Home

Moving into a new home is an exciting time, but the to-do list from deciding to move to closing day and beyond can feel overwhelming. A good real estate agent can help ease the burden significantly. Cameron and Adam Geesaman share their expert advice in BeLocal Fishers Noblesville, offering twelve essential steps to ensure a smooth transition into your new home.

1. Change Your Address

Update your address with the post office and all online shopping sites immediately after closing. This prevents the inconvenience of retrieving packages from your old address. Both USPS and Amazon make it easy to update your address online.

2. Change Locks and Reprogram Garage Door Openers

For security, change all the locks and reprogram the garage door openers in your new home. You never know how many copies of the keys the previous owner distributed. Home improvement stores offer various options, including Wi-Fi locks with keypads for added convenience.

3. Introduce Yourself to Neighbors

While it might be daunting, especially for introverts, introducing yourself to neighbors helps you get a feel for the neighborhood. You might even find a new friend or the perfect babysitter next door.

4. Confirm Utilities, Cable, and Internet Transfers

Ensure that all utilities, cable, and internet services are transferred to your name before moving in. Double-check with each utility company to avoid any service interruptions.

5. Plan Your Commute

Now that you've moved in, drive around the area to understand the best routes to work. Check for any construction closures and the time it takes to access major highways.

6. Locate Essential Shops and Services

While driving around, locate essential shops and services such as gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and shopping malls. Knowing where these are can save time and effort in the future.

7. Join Local Social Groups

Explore your neighborhood's social media pages or community forums to connect with locals. Consider joining a local place of worship or other community groups to expand your social circle.

8. Visit the Town Hall or Visitor Center

For information on local events and community involvement, visit the town hall or visitor center. Farmers markets, concerts, and family-friendly activities are great ways to meet people and learn about your new area.

9. Find New Health Professionals

If you've moved from a different city or state, ask your previous healthcare providers for recommendations in your new area. Your insurance company's website can also help you find local health professionals.

10. Register for a Library Card

Libraries offer more than just books. They provide access to e-books, DVDs, music, public computers, and even 3D printers. They also host social clubs and provide free Wi-Fi.

11. Update Your Driver's License

If you've moved out of state, visit the Bureau (or Department) of Motor Vehicles to update your driver's license. Be aware of the time limits for making this change in your new state.

12. Utilize BeLocal for Local Favorites

BeLocal magazine is a great resource for discovering local favorites, from soccer clubs for your kids to the best parks and coffee hotspots. Check it out to find the best your new area has to offer.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable transition into your new home, making it feel like home in no time.

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The Importance of Pre-Sale Home Inspections in Order to Avoiding Surprises and Stress

Without a professional inspection, sellers cannot accurately gauge the condition of every aspect of their home. Identifying issues like termites early allows the seller to address them in a timely manner. If a seller skips the cost of an inspection and the buyer's inspector uncovers major problems, the seller loses any advantage and faces repair decisions under the threat of the buyer backing out.

However, inspection reports can be overwhelming. The worst approach is to expect the seller to address everything in the report. This turns the process from simple repairs into a full-scale renovation, straining everyone's nerves.

Differentiating Repairs from Renovations

Electrical Work: Fixing a couple of dead outlets is a repair; rewiring the entire house is a renovation. The tipping point is cost and time. If electrical repairs exceed 10% of the total house cost, it's considered a renovation.

Realistic Expectations: Unlike DIY shows where massive projects are completed in 45 minutes, real-life repairs and renovations take time. Be upfront about project timelines to set realistic expectations.

Permits and Governmental Oversight: Once a project requires a permit, it moves beyond a simple repair to a renovation. It's crucial to follow local regulations to avoid complications.

The Advantages of "AS IS" Deals

In my company's listings, "AS IS" means the seller has the property professionally inspected before listing. This eliminates disputes about repairs and how they should be done, providing clarity and reducing stress.

Fully Informed Buyers: Prospective buyers are informed about the condition of the property. They can choose to conduct their own inspections or rely on the seller's inspections and receipts. The seller's terms for repairs are already set.

Simplicity and Transparency: The "AS IS" approach simplifies the transaction, focusing negotiations on price rather than repairs. It avoids the drawn-out process of differentiating between home repairs and renovations.

Calmer Transactions: This method eliminates the drama often associated with inspections and repair negotiations, leading to a smoother and more straightforward sale.

Pre-sale home inspections and the "AS IS" approach streamline the selling process, reducing stress and focusing negotiations on price. By addressing issues early and setting clear expectations, sellers and buyers can avoid the pitfalls of turning a simple home sale into an extensive renovation project.

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The Evolution of Home Offices in a Post-Pandemic World

Despite companies' fervent requests for employees to return to the office, the work-from-home (WFH) trend that took hold during the COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of disappearing. The Wall Street Journal notes, "Around a quarter of total American workdays happened off-site in 2023. While that is down from more than 60% during the pandemic lockdowns in 2020, many expect working from home to become a permanent practice as hybrid models take root." With this shift, home offices are evolving to be more dynamic, personal, and suited to collaboration. Here are six ways home offices are changing.

1. Multifunctional Rooms

Gone are the days when home offices were confined to closets or cramped corners. Today, WFH setups are integrated throughout the entire home, making nearly every room multifunctional. Joseph DiNapoli, co-founding principal of Study Architects in San Francisco, emphasizes the need for flexibility: "A CEO's home theater could double as a meeting space or room for video calls. A covered outdoor area could function as an al-fresco office."

To make these multifunctional spaces work, infrastructure such as robust Wi-Fi, flattering lighting for video calls, noise-dampening features, and versatile furniture are essential.

2. Enhanced Delivery Security

With more work being done at home, the need for secure delivery solutions has increased. To protect against "porch pirates," MB Sentinel offers the Box Gobbler, a stainless steel parcel safe with keypad access and conveyor rollers. This secure delivery box ensures that important packages remain safe until retrieved.

3. Focus on Wellness

The time saved from commuting is often redirected towards wellness activities. Home designers are incorporating features that promote health and well-being, such as home-wide air purification systems, sun-tracking skylights, Wi-Fi-enabled meditation gardens, and fitness equipment integrated into workspaces. Porcelain tile flooring, which offers antimicrobial properties and durability, is becoming a popular choice for wellness-oriented home designs.

4. Video-Ready Workspaces

The rise of digital conferencing tools like Zoom and Teams has transformed the aesthetics of home offices. Bradley Nelson of Sotheby's International Realty notes that workspace designs now incorporate "video-ready sightlines" that reflect the user's identity while maintaining a professional appearance. This trend has also driven demand for high-quality digital meeting cameras, lighting, and microphones.

5. Homey Yet Functional Furnishings

As hybrid work becomes more permanent, people are seeking workspaces that blend the comforts of home with the functionality of traditional office furniture. Joseph DiNapoli's company, for instance, is designing custom desks that look like dining tables but offer cable management and storage features. Companies like MillerKnoll are also producing office furniture that integrates better with home aesthetics.

6. Design Hacks for a Professional Look

Creating a professional yet warm home office can be achieved with design hacks like accent walls. Fusion™ thinBRIK from Acme, a glazed thin brick, can soften the look of a home office while providing a stylish backdrop for video calls.

A Worthwhile Investment

Investing in a well-designed home office can pay off, especially as many first impressions now happen via digital meetings. Consulting with an interior designer or architect can help create a professional yet inviting workspace. However, some challenges, like managing a barking dog during conference calls, may still require creative solutions.

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