While a classic, green lawn is certainly beautiful, more and more people are considering alternative options. An increasing number of home buyers are turning away from high-maintenance lawns and searching for something that’s both easier and more eco-friendly in terms of water usage. If you’re of a similar mindset but aren’t sure where to start, then check out these 5 great landscape alternatives to lawns.

1. Patios

You’d be hard-pressed to find a lawn alternative that’s easier to maintain than a patio--or one that’s better suited for cookouts and get-togethers. In order to maximize the potential of your yard as far as enjoyment is concerned, make sure you include a shady spot where you can set up your patio furniture and recline safely.

To bring…

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In today's cut-throat and volatile real estate environment, sellers often find themselves struggling to attract suitable buyers for their properties. We live in a world where the housing market is brought to us at our fingertips, and platforms such as Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin are virtual online shopping catalogs for houses.

In order to attract buyers and sell successfully, one needs to understand and adapt to the fast-changing technology. Although other factors are important, the key to attracting buyers in today's world is making a strong first-time impression.

A strong impression can be efficiently achieved by providing as much visual detail as possible in a given property listing. If your goal is to attract quality buyers and truly showcase the…

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A housing bubble, or real estate bubble, is an unsustainable increase in housing prices powered by speculation, heightened demand, and "irrational exuberance."

A housing bubble, like other kinds of economic bubbles, often occurs in the context of predatory lending, poorly thought out mortgages, and lowered interest rates with the Federal Reserve. This very constellation of factors came together to fuel the 2008 Subprime mortgage; subprime mortgages were named such because they were mortgages of lower quality.

What's worse, these subprime mortgages were secured by the big banks leading up to the 2008 housing market collapse. The fact that what otherwise would have been decentralized assets - housing markets are traditionally thought to be…

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Five Home Improvements That Will Protect Your Home from Moisture Damage

With the climate changes that are occurring, the geographic location that you live in may have more wet weather conditions. Rain, snow, and ice can destroy the materials of your home, but there are things that you can do to protect it from the exposure to moisture. Here is a list of home improvement projects that can protect your home from wet weather.

Home Improvement 1: Checking the Windows

You should inspect your home's windows and window frames several times a year to make sure that the moisture from ice, snow or rain isn't leaking into your home. Perform this inspection inside and outside your home because the moisture can leak into the siding of a home to rot the…

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Metal shipping containers are definitely a popular trend in the tiny house movement. At first glance, a shipping container might seem like the perfect solution for small space living. They are affordable to purchase and are seemingly the complete package with exterior walls, a floor, and a roof. So, what could possibly be the downside? There are a few reasons metal shipping containers are not really as practical as they promise to be. Let’s explore 5 of the disadvantages so that you are properly prepared for this journey.

Transport and Delivery

Shipping containers are quite heavy. Weights can range from 2 to 4 tons. Once you purchase a container you then have to figure out how to get it delivered to your land. You will need to hire a hauling company…

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Having to relocate to another region or state can sometimes cause anxiety and stress because of the uncertainties associated with a move to an unfamiliar location. Intensive research, careful planning, and organization can alleviate some of the perceived problems associated with relocating to another area or state. House hunting has its own unique challenges regardless of the circumstances, but it is possible to meet these challenges head-on by keeping several important factors in mind. There is an abundant amount of information available online today that makes beginning the search so much easier than it was in the past. The Internet enables home shoppers to do homework in advance without having to personally visit the intended destination at the…

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There is no disputing the fact that drone photography produces remarkable images. As a result, it has revolutionized the real estate market, especially when it comes to producing images that are unique. Let’s take a closer look at how drone photography can make your real estate listings stand out.

Provides Broader Views of the Neighborhood

Location is critical in real estate and it will dictate the price of a property. Many potential home buyers want to know everything that can possibly be learned about a neighborhood before purchasing a property. Drone photography enables you to capture broader views of the area where a property is located. This includes parks, schools and other amenities that are nearby. It’s also an incredibly easy way to…

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The Most Important "To-Do's" on Your Spring Cleaning List

Spring cleaning can offer a way to freshen up the indoor and outdoor spaces of your home, while cleaning away the dirt and dust that has accumulated over the winter season. Many people also take advantage of the spring cleaning season to de-clutter throughout the home and clean up storage spaces like the attic and garage. Whether you live in a small apartment, or a large multi-level home, spring cleaning can help make your home a happier place to live in. The following are some of the most important things to consider when writing out your spring cleaning "to-do" list.

 

Clean Out Attic and Garage

Both of these areas tend to be catch-all spaces for junk that you don't know what else to…

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If you are selling your house, it is a given that you want it sold as soon as possible. Having your house sit on the market for a long period is costly and inconvenient. To sell it quickly, it is important to know some of the most popular qualities in a home that buyers are looking for.

 

1. Updated Windows

 

Buyers are looking for energy efficiency in the home they want to buy to save money and be more environmentally friendly. When buyers see old windows, they automatically think about high utility bills and drafts. The most effective way to increase energy efficiency is to update old windows with good quality, Energy Star-rated windows.

 

2. Open Floor Plans

 

A house with an open floor plan tends to top the "must have" list of…

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Smart Home Features Buyers Want in 2017

A recent survey by Coldwell Banker real estate revealed that two-thirds of its agents found out that homebuyers are interested in homes with smart features and technology than they were just two to five years. This trend is increasing, and research shows that homes with smart technologies are generally more desirable.

 

28% of U.S adults and 47% of millennials have smart home products and believe that these devices make life more comfortable, efficient and secure. If you are remodeling your old house, add these smart features to give it a touch of elegance and to make it more comfortable. On the other hand, if you are buying a new home ensure that it has these smart features.

 

Some of these smart…

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