FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 •AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 35
Five ways to boost your home’s curb appeal
It’s no secret that the U.S. housing market
is booming right now. According to
realtor.com, “Strong demand and insuffi -
cient supply pushed home prices up at a
record-breaking 16.6% pace. Th e combination
of historically low mortgage rates,
businesses reopening and the lift ing of
pandemic restrictions fueled a buying
frenzy with multiple bids,” creating a seller’s
market, while making the path to
home ownership diffi cult for some buyers.
Whether you’re purchasing a fi xerupper
as an attainable option to home
ownership or selling your home and
want to create a positive fi rst impression,
licensed landscape contractor, author, TV
personality and STIHL spokesperson Sara
Bendrick suggests fi ve ways to boost your
home’s curb appeal.
Create a welcoming front walk
Th e entrance of your home should be
your fi rst point of focus. A great way to
work with what you already have is to
add color to your concrete walkway and
steps. Concrete can wear over time and
become somewhat of an eyesore and dull
in nature. Staining is an easy and perfect
way to soft en up the look of concrete in
any landscape and many colors of stain
are available to complement your outdoor
spaces. Always remember to pressure
wash your concrete before staining
it to remove dirt. Th is is important as
you need a clean surface so that the stain
can absorb easily and evenly. A clean surface
will also help the stain soak entirely
through.
Trim hedges and shrubs
for defi nition
Bushes, hedges and shrubs possess a
natural beauty that can boost the curb
appeal of your home, while providing
an attractive complement to lawns, trees,
gardens and hardscapes. Well-trimmed
plants also prevent your outdoor spaces
from looking overgrown and open up
walkways and sightlines. Consider pruning
low-hanging branches that obscure
the view of your home from the road and
reduce the aesthetic impact of your landscaping
features.
Don’t forget to mulch
Aft er trimming your hedges and shrubs
for defi nition and planting fl owers, add
two to four inches of mulch to your beds.
Mulch keeps weeds down and helps dissipate
heat from the sun to protect the
soil from drying out, and it also provides
a refi ned look to your landscape. As an
alternative to mulch, you can purchase
wood chips made of bark.
Make a statement in your yard
with fl owers and blooms
Pick fl owers with colors that complement
the house colors, which will bring
soft ness to the front yard. Be sure to
choose plants that are climate appropriate
and thrive in your area; local nurseries
are great resources for this. Consider
using an auger instead of a shovel to help
get through the planting process quickly.
Also, be sure to spread your new plants
out so that they have enough room to
grow and thrive.
Add a fi nishing touch
To draw the eye toward the entryway
of your home, hang a wreath on the front
door, place a potted plant near the steps
and add a water feature such as a self-circulating
fountain. Water features such as
ponds and fountains can add an architectural
element to soft en your landscape
design and may also attract natural wildlife
to your yard.
Whether you’re a seller trying to create
an unforgettable memory for a prospective
buyer, or a new homeowner
trying to make your home more inviting,
these landscaping improvements
are easy ways to boost your home’s curb
appeal.
— Courtesy of BPT
/WWWo.QNS.COm
/realtor.com