Articles Tagged "Curb Appeal"

Your dream house has a beautiful yard with grass, trees, shrubs, even a flower garden. There are plenty of Sarasota homes for sale that fit the bill. Our real estate agents can help you find the one that meets your needs. Caring for your new lawn, though, is up to you.

One of the most important aspects of lawn care is water - giving the area just enough water, just often enough, without doing it too much or too frequently. To do that, you'll need a sprinkler system that's designed just for your lawn's needs. You can have it professionally installed, but as long as you're reasonably handy, you might prefer to go the DIY route instead and install it yourself. Here are some tips for installing your sprinkler system.

What You'll Need

Before you begin the installation, you need to make sure you have all your tools and materials ready. Here's a list of what you'll need:

• PVC Pipes and Fittings. PVC pipe is sturdy and durable but easier to work with than metal, so you can cut it down to lengths of whatever size you need. The fittings let you put the pipe segments together in different formations, as needed: elbow fittings, for joining two lengths together around a curve, and T-fittings, for joining three.
• Sprinkler Heads. The most important part of your sprinkler system. You can choose the direction of the spray, as well as how much and in what pattern. You'll also need risers to connect the heads to the PVC pipe.
• Timer. Allows you to set when and how often your lawn gets watered. A smart timer can automatically adjust to weather conditions so it doesn't go off when it's raining.
• Valves. The valves allow you to control how much water flows through your sprinklers. They're accessed through a valve box and connected to the system with wiring.
• Drains. These remove the excess water from the pipes when the sprinklers aren't on. It can be done either manually or automatically.
• Backflow Prevention. Sometimes, water from the soil can flow back into your water supply, contaminating it with dirt and bacteria. A backflow prevention valve keeps this from happening.

What to Do

The first step is to find the pipe that you'll be using as the water source for your sprinkler system. Water will flow from that pipe through all of your PVC pipes and be distributed to your lawn. Check the pressure of that pipe to make sure it's up to the job.

Next, dig trenches around your yard in the pattern in which you want to place your sprinklers. Also, dig one from the water main to where you want to place your valve box, and dig a hole for the valve box. Dig the trenches between four and twelve inches deep. You'll want to rent a trenching machine to help you get them the right width and depth. Then, lay the PVC pipes in the trenches.

This is just the basics. There's a lot more to know about sprinkler installation. Don't attempt to install your own sprinklers unless you know what you're doing or have an expert on hand to help you. If you're unsure, call a professional.

If you're looking for Bradenton homes for sale with great lawns that are perfect for DIY gardening projects like this, contact us! We'll help you find the home of your dreams!

Adding curb appeal increases the value of your home and makes it more appealing to house hunters. Landscaping projects can be a quick and fairly inexpensive way to make your homes stand out from the other homes for sale in Sarasota. Our REALTORS® know what it takes to sell homes in our community.  Here are a few ways to boost your curb appeal and give potential buyers a great first impression of your home from the minute they pull up to the curb. 

Paint a Picture of the Salt Life

Buyers are looking for a Sarasota home that embraces the delight of living in paradise. Paint a picture with a few flowering bushes in lovely stone planters. Power wash your driveway, stone paths, and lanai to make everything sparkle. Most home improvement stores rent power washers, making this an inexpensive improvement that magnifies the appeal of your home. If you have a pool, make certain that the water is crystal clear and brightly clean. These little things add up to make your home even more attractive.

Add a Hummingbird Garden

A hummingbird garden is a lovely asset to any home. It's small, colorful and requires minimal maintenance. Hummingbirds are tiny, so you don't have to worry about the car damage some larger birds cause. Hummingbird-friendly landscaping also attracts butterflies, so you get two benefits from a single weekend project. Look for plants with vibrant colors (especially red). Flowers that flourish in Sarasota include:

• Red Bleeding Hearts
• Calice Bush
• Trumpet Honeysuckle

Each of these plants is low-maintenance. By planting several varieties, you can have butterflies and hummingbirds from May through August.

Consider a Lawn Upgrade

A beautiful yard provides a place for outside activities, prevents erosion, and releases sweet-smelling oxygen before a rainfall. A lawn with a dependable drainage system is extremely attractive to buyers. Low or easy maintenance is another benefit that home buyers are looking for in a new home. Before you make a major investment in upgrades, stop by one of our offices. Our real estate agents will be happy to share what types of lawns appeal to buyers in Southwest Florida. As a seller, you want to balance any investment you make with the benefits that it will provide.

Wagner Realty for Sarasota Real Estate Services

A few simple updates can make a major impact on the road-side appeal of your home. Look for ideas online or at one of our many nurseries in the area. One of the best resources for advice about lawn care and landscaping in Sarasota is free. The UF Agricultural Extension Department is available year-round with demonstrations and Q&A sessions at library branches in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Contact Wagner Realty to start the process of selling your home.

Landscaping can be an easy and fairly inexpensive way to increase the value of your home and add some much-needed curb appeal. When our REALTORS® are showing you Sarasota homes for sale, you'll certainly notice landscaping features you simply adore. Landscaping is often one of the first things you notice about a property, so keeping yours in top shape can really pay off.

• Add or update some basic features. After a while, just about anything can look a little outdated. Clothes, décor and yes, even landscaping. Don't be afraid to change things up a bit. Change the type or color of stone on a walkway. Swap out the plants in outdoor planters or pots for something a different shape, size or color. Add flowering shrubs or a tree. Add a fresh layer of mulch. Is your landscape missing some of these basic features? Feel free to add them to give your yard an updated look. If you're starting from scratch, you may want to invest in some mature plants to make the landscape look more established. Make sure any updates match the style of the home for a more cohesive look.
  
  
• Pay attention to design. The best landscape design will make your yard look interesting no matter what time of year. Go for a variety of plants, colors, and textures but not so much that things look chaotic or haphazardly thrown together. Using native plants is always an excellent idea. They are adapted to local conditions so they cost less to maintain, which means they'll thrive with little effort. A few well-placed trees can be a very desirable feature. They offer shade for lounging and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, they can even make your home more energy efficient. They're an eco-friendly feature, which is important to some buyers.
  
  
• Clean it up. Hardscape features such as decorative or retaining walls, walkways, decks, and patios should be repaired if necessary and power washed. Get rid of algae, leaves, and debris in water features and change the filters. Prune any shrubs or trees that need it.
  
  
• Lawn care is essential. A plush, green lawn looks inviting. The good news is that lawn care is fairly simple and budget friendly. Mow, fertilize, rake, aerate, and weed. Keeping the lawn edged makes everything look nice and neat. In addition to making your property look amazing, a well-kept lawn gives your home an easy to maintain vibe, a plus with potential buyers.
  
  
• Add a deck or patio. Decks and patios are among the most popular features potential homeowners look for. They're inviting, relaxing and great for entertaining. If your house doesn't have one, consider adding it. The project cost can often be recouped entirely when it's time to sell. ­

There are plenty of beautifully landscaped and well maintained Sarasota and Bradenton homes for sale. Contact Wagner Realty today to find your new dream home.