Tips for Reviving Your Lawn After Winter

 
 

Waking up your lawn can be challenging, and there is added pressure if you want to put a home on the market.

Early spring is one of the best times of the year to make your home look great. This busy season coincides with an uptick in activity in the real estate market, making it that much more critical for you to get your lawn back in great shape.

Here are a few helpful tips for reviving your lawn after the beating it likely took this winter:

Feed It Well

Spring is the most critical time to give your lawn a boost. Winter drags on in many areas of the country, which can deplete a yard come spring. If you find yourself in this situation, try applying a quick-release fertilizer to prepare your lawn for spring. This fertilizer will get to the roots and green up your yard in a few days. However, be cautious when applying a quick-release fertilizer, as putting too much in one spot can kill your grass.

Other fertilizer options include slow-release fertilizers that'll feed your lawn over time. This kind of fertilizer usually comes in granules or pellets that sit on top of your soil. They dissolve over time and provide the best long-lasting energy option for lawns.

Water in the Morning

Fertilizer applications need moisture to work best. Watering your lawn in the spring may seem counterintuitive given the rainfall that some climates receive, but watering your lawn regularly is essential to help the grass grow strong. Consider watering your yard in the morning before 10 a.m., as this will allow the lawn time to soak up the water and dry out under the afternoon sun. Watering in the evening or at night may seem smart, but it can actually cause lawn care problems such as disease and fungi.

Ease Into Mowing

While your lawn may have grown a little throughout the winter depending on your location, lawns need some time to ease into the spring. Refrain from mowing your lawn on a low setting as temperatures go up. Short lawns expose the root system, which can create a stressful situation for the grass. Consider doing a light mow early on in the season to take off the tips of the blades. Doing so will ease your lawn back into the growing season and will help keep it looking great.

Start Fighting Weeds

Homeowners looking to put their home on the market should combat any weeds in their lawn. There are many weed and feed chemicals to help prevent weeds. These mixes often include different fertilizers, so be sure to read the directions so that you don't give your lawn too much. Locate any problem areas in your yard and consider applying weed control to those areas, as well.

Seed Thin Spots

It's common for bare spots to appear after a long winter. Immediately care for areas of the lawn that have thinned or are completely bare. These spots can cause problems, not only with weed growth, but also in presenting a beautiful lawn to a prospective buyer. Rake out these spots in your yard and apply a good amount of seed. Give these spots extra water a few weeks after you seed them to encourage new grass roots to take hold.

There are many ways to help your lawn come back after a long winter. Mow the grass on a high setting until it has had time to recover, fertilize and water the lawn to boost growth, and be sure to keep weeds away by using preventive measures. Follow all the tips listed above and your lawn will be back to its former glory in no time.

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The 10 Most Pet-Friendly Cities in America for Dog and Cat Lovers

 
 

Americans are obsessed—with their pets.

Regardless of whether you’re a dog lover, a cat fanatic, or an exotic-animal enthusiast, there are certain cities that are more pet-friendly than others. That matters a lot to pet parents who are increasingly focusing on their animals’ happiness when choosing a place to live.

And it’s why pet owners might want to consider living in Tucson, AZ.

Tucson tops the list as the best place for pet parents and their furry, feathered, and scaly babies, according to a recent Forbes Advisor report. The city boasts good access to low-cost veterinary care and plenty of pet stores. There are also plenty of dog-friendly businesses, including many restaurants with patios that allow diners to eat outside with their pups.

“Pet ownership is on the rise nationwide, making pet-friendly amenities and pet-related costs top of mind for many Americans who are looking to relocate,” says Forbes Advisor spokesperson Zoi Galarraga.

About two-thirds of Americans are pet owners, according to Forbes Advisor. Roughly 4 in 5 pet owners considered their animals’ needs before renting or buying a home, according to a recent Realtor.com® survey. And about 87% of homebuyers with animals take their pets’ needs into consideration when choosing a neighborhood.

To come up with its findings, Forbes Advisor analyzed the availability of pet-friendly apartments, veterinary costs and access, pet-friendly spaces, and the concentration of pet stores in the 91 largest cities.

These are the top cities for pet owners:

  1. Tucson, AZ
    Median home list price*: $384,500

  2. Raleigh, NC
    Median home list price: $498,000

  3. Nashville, TN
    Median home list price: $659,900

  4. Wichita, KS
    Median home list price: $319,600

  5. Cincinnati, OH
    Median home list price: $322,500

  6. Plano, TX
    Median home list price: $560,000

  7. Albuquerque, NM
    Median home list price: $391,500

  8. Kansas City, MO
    Median home list price: $337,500

  9. Louisville, KY
    Median home list price: $250,000

  10. Glendale, AZ
    Median home list price: $449,950

The least pet-friendly cities were also the most expensive for real estate, veterinary care, and just about everything else.

Los Angeles was deemed the worst for animal lovers. It was followed by New York City; Silicon Valley’s San Jose, CA; San Francisco; and Boston.

* The median home list prices in the city are as of March using Realtor.com data.

Learn more on Realtor.com

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5 Remodeling Trends to Watch as More Owners Upgrade

 
 

Home improvement remains a hot trend as people update their spaces to be more functional for the long-term.

Facing lean housing inventory, more would-be move-up home buyers may be feeling stuck in place. As they wait out the market, many continue to tackle remodeling projects on their current home. In fact, remodeling activity surged to a record high last year, according to the 2023 U.S. Houzz & Home Study(link is external), a survey that reflects responses from about 46,000 homeowners. The trend is likely to continue, as more than half of homeowners surveyed say they intend to renovate this year, too, consistent with 2022 levels.

“Faced with shortages of housing stock and high interest rates, we’re seeing homeowners update their current home to make the space more functional for the long term,” says Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing at Houzz, a home remodeling resource. “We’re also seeing an uptick in additions, with the vast majority of homeowners hiring professionals to achieve their goals.”

Many renovating homeowners may not have intentions of reselling immediately, but they’re eyeing how much their home could be worth as the housing market pendulum swings. Sixty-two percent of owners say their main motivation for tackling a renovation is to increase their home’s value, according to a separate survey(link is external) from Cinch Home Services, a home warranty company.

Homeowners expressed concerns about selling their home in its current state, expressing fears that their home was in need of too many repairs (65%); has an outdated interior (60%); lacks trendy fixtures (38%); or lacks curb appeal (33%), according to the Cinch Home Services survey.

To combat home dissatisfaction, Houzz uncovered some recent home improvement trends that emerged from the 2022 boom.

1. Expanded living spaces. The number of renovating homeowners who are adding square footage is on the rise. The rooms most popular for expansions are kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms, the Houzz survey shows.

2. Remodeling budgets are rising. The median expense for home renovations in 2022 was $22,000—up 22% from 2021. Ten percent of owners were willing to spend six figures: $140,000 or more. Expenditures are likely rising because materials and products are getting pricier. Kitchen and bathroom renovations were the most expensive projects homeowners took on; in 2022, the median spend on a kitchen remodel reached $20,000, and $13,500 for primary bathrooms, up 33% and 50% year over year, respectively, according to Houzz.

3. Aging homes are getting upgraded. The median age of a home in the U.S. continues to rise as homeowners try to keep their properties current. Nearly 30% of homeowners upgraded plumbing, followed by electrical and home automation, the Houzz survey shows. Among home system updates, cooling and heating systems were the two largest expenditures at $5,500 and $5,000, respectively. Check out the most popular home updates based on a home’s age.

4. Contractors remain in demand. The long wait for contractors may linger in some markets because of overheated demand. Homeowners hired specialty service providers and construction professionals, such as general contractors and bathroom or kitchen remodelers, more often in 2022, the Houzz survey finds. Homeowners continue to cite “finding the right service providers” as their biggest challenge for home renovations, followed by finding the right projects and staying on budget.

5. Owners turn to loans for pricier projects. Eighty-two percent of homeowners paid for their projects using cash from their savings while 28% who used credit cards. But one trend to watch is that in 2022, the percentage of homeowners financing their renovation projects with secured home loans rose to 16% from 14% in 2021. Homeowners tackling pricier projects—from $50,000 to $200,000—are more likely to take out a loan than those with lower price tags, the study finds.

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Just Listed: Discover the Gem of Whisper Creek: A Beautiful Two-Story Home with Mountain Views and Endless Amenities

 
 
 

This beautiful two-story home is perfectly nestled in the desirable Whisper Creek neighborhood and has arguably one of the best lots available!

Backing to a beautiful greenbelt + pond with stunning Mountain Views that can be seen from your Family Room, Kitchen and Backyard...what a gem! The main floor features an office with large picture windows, powder bath, spacious kitchen w/breakfast nook, open concept family room; complete with two story ceilings making this home open and airy and a perfect place to entertain! All of this plus a main floor laundry [w/ utility sink] and a 3 car garage, plus a large unfinished basement - ready for you to design as you wish/need. Upstairs, you will enjoy a large primary bedroom complete with a 5-piece bath and vaulted ceilings, two secondary bedrooms and a secondary bathroom with dual sinks! Enjoy all that West Arvada has to offer. Whisper Creek is a darling neighborhood with parks, trails, tennis courts, pool and clubhouse and lots of great amenities nearby! Grab breakfast or a drink at the neighborhood bar + grill; Jack's or enjoy some delicious farm to table food at Lot One. Minutes to everything and easy access to the foothills/mountains, Denver or Boulder - truly about 20-30 minutes from IT.ALL.

Listed by Kendra Lanterman for West + Main Homes. Please Contact Kendra for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(405) 652-6635
hello@westandmain.com

Presented by:
Kendra Lanterman

720-434-6432

kendra@westandmainhomes.com



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Just Listed: Light-filled Townhome in the Heart of The Meadows!

 
 
 

Welcome to your new home!

This light-filled townhome is located in the heart of The Meadows, a desirable neighborhood, just minutes from local amenities, shopping, and restaurants. With its open and airy floor plan, this townhome boasts plenty of natural light, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Step inside and you'll immediately notice the updated kitchen, complete with modern appliances, sleek countertops, and ample cabinet space. Perfect for entertaining or preparing family meals, the kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining and living areas, creating a comfortable and functional space for everyday living. Upstairs, you'll find three spacious bedrooms, including a primary suite with its own private bath. The updated bathrooms feature modern fixtures and finishes, providing a spa-like retreat for you and your guests to relax and unwind in. Outside, the townhome offers a private patio area, perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or hosting summer barbecues. With its convenient location, updated features, and plenty of natural light, this townhome is a must-see for anyone looking for a comfortable and stylish living space. Don't miss your opportunity to make it your own!

Listed by Debbie Wilkins for West + Main Homes. Please Contact Debbie for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(405) 652-6635
hello@westandmain.com

Presented by:
Debbie Wilkins

314-283-3754

debbie.wilkins@westandmain.com



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