Tips & Trends

SURVEY REVEALS HOW YARDS AND LANDSCAPES IMPACT HOME BUYING BEHAVIOR

7/8/2015

A survey conducted on behalf on the National Association of Landscape Professionals reveals that the absence, or quality of home landscaping highly impacts purchasing decisions of prospective home buyers.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals' (NALP) "Survey of Consumer Perceptions about Yards and Landscapes" polled 2,034 adults ages 18 and over to gauge how important it is for Americans to live in an area close to nature or landscaped areas, to have and spend time a yard, and whether a yard or nearby natural elements impact purchasing decisions.

Across the board, the survey reveals that Americans deeply value surrounding natural elements and yards where they can spend time outside their homes.

Significant findings from the survey include:

84% of respondents agree that the quality of a home's landscaping would affect a yay-nay decision to purchase a homeNine out of 10 Americans prefer to live in a home surrounded by trees, grass, and other living plants
91% of Americans think it is important to live in close proximity to trees, grass or nice landscaping, and more than half of them (60%) say it is very important.
Regionally, Mid-Westerners (94%) are more likely than those who live in the Northeast (87%) or West (89%) to say proximity to trees, grass or nice landscaping is important

Even in the age of the smartphone and T.V. show binge watching, the love affair with the American yard is not over. Americans think it is important to have a yard, keep it looking well-maintained and live in an area with nice landscaping. Despite the perception that the younger generation is only focused on a high-tech lifestyle, nearly three quarters (74%) of Millennials (18-34 year olds) think spending time outside in their yards is important.

NALP's infographic showcases more of the surveys findings, including how important Americans find yard maintenance to be (for them and their neighbors) and their likelihood to see professional landscape help.

The True Weight of Building Codes

7/5/2015

Constant changes, all year-every year, to the building codes are an increasingly heavy burden for builders to bear.

Now, we have proof, unassailable facts, and a handy visual aid. NAHB Codes and Standards staff put together this graphic to show how regulations have increased over the years. (Codes: Council of American Building Officials, and the Int'l Residential Building Code)

Since 1983, the total weight of residential building code books has grown from less than a pound to almost 5 pounds! And this doesn’t take in to account the building and energy codes specific to Massachusetts.

Five Ways to Implement Universal Design in Your Home

6/29/2015

Whether you’re raising a young family or beginning to enjoy an empty nest, the design of your home should meet your changing needs. Families looking to customize their homes to suit their lifestyles both now and in the future can easily implement universal design techniques.

Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design at a later point in time.

Keep Unwanted Summer Guests (pests) Away

6/17/2015

Summer is a great time to entertain visiting friends and family. There are some guests, however, that you shouldn’t allow into your home — pests such as ants, roaches, rats and termites.

Pest infestations are more than a nuisance. It is important to protect your family from disease due to food contamination and allergens and your property from wood and foundation damage.

Hot Housing Trend: Outdoor Kitchens

6/16/2015

Many home owners enjoy the summer months — and sometimes spring, fall and winter, too — with the sizzle of their outdoor grills. But running back and forth between the kitchen and the barbeque can be a hassle.

Outdoor kitchens make life easier for those who enjoy grilling their meals and entertaining outdoors, making your deck or patio an extension of your family’s living space. It also can enhance your home’s resale value.

Top 5 Tips to Enjoy your Summer BBQ

6/15/2015

If enjoying your home in the summertime includes a barbecue on your patio or deck, follow these five safety tips for your grilling equipment and the food you will be cooking.

Location Always Matters
Maintaining an adequate distance between the grill and the outside wall of the house is important to reduce the chance of fire. Gas and charcoal grills should never be used indoors, in closed garages or on enclosed patios and balconies. Not only is fire a threat in these areas, the toxins released by the charcoal can be dangerous.

5 Benefits of Ceiling Fans

6/14/2015

There are many benefits to incorporating ceiling fans into your home’s design that go beyond cooling off a room. Using ceiling fans throughout the home greatly reduces energy costs, while also providing comfort, style and beautiful lighting.

Here are the top five benefits of ceiling fans which include gains in both fashion and function.

Summer Living on a New Front Porch

6/14/2015

Outdoor living spaces are an "essential design trend" for homes nationwide, and continue to be on many home buyer and renters’ must-have lists. Adding a front porch to your home has become increasingly important, whether you are remodeling or selling your home.

The front porch was described as a “transitional space between the private world of the family and the public realm of the street,” by Andrew Jackson Downing, a well known 19th century landscaper. While the purpose of a porch may have evolved from a place to drink sweet tea and gossip to a place where families sit to enjoy a meal or the sunset together, the fact still remains that a porch is an essential and desired feature for many home owners.

Spring Cleaning Safety Tips

6/14/2015

If spring cleaning is on your to-do list this month, it’s important to work safely, whether you’re simply clearing winter debris from your lawn or tackling a major renovation project.

Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure that you are protecting yourself, your family and the environment as you check off the chores on your list.

Five Electrical Safety Facts Every Home Owner Should Know

6/14/2015

Electricity is such a fundamental part of our everyday lives that we hardly ever think about how it works or any safety issues that could occur as a result of our plugged-in homes. Here are five electrical safety facts that you should know to protect your family and your home.