The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/964179
D-2 Spring Home and Garden Wednesday, April 11, 2018 The Press-Dispatch Returns on home improve- ment projects vary. In its an- nual Cost vs. Value Report, Remodeling magazine notes the projects that yield the best returns on investment in a given year. But a host of factors, including the type of market (buyers' or sell- ers') and the region where the home is being sold, ul- timately combine to deter- mine if homeowners' invest- ments in home improvement projects will provide the re- turns they were hoping for. Though there's no way of guaranteeing a home im- provement project will yield a great return, real estate professionals often cite im- proving curb appeal as an excellent way to attract pro- spective buyers and poten- tially get the asking price or more when selling the home. Improving curb ap- peal makes even more sense in today's real estate market, when many people do their own searching via real es- tate websites such as Tru- lia or Zillow. When using such sites, buyers will like- ly be less inclined to click on a listing if exterior pho- tos of the property are not eye-catching. Various projects, including tending to lawns and gardens, can improve curb appeal. An added benefit to focusing on landscaping to improve curb appeal is it promotes spend- ing time outdoors in spring and summer. In addition, ma- ny lawn- and garden-related home improvement projects need not require profession- al expertise. MAINTAIN A LUSH GREEN LAWN Lawns that fall into dis- repair may not give buyers a correct impression about how homeowners main- tained their homes. Lawns with multiple dead spots and grass that appears more brown than green may lead many buyers to assume that the home's in- terior was equally ill-cared for. Maintaining lush green lawns is not as difficult as it may seem. Applying fertiliz- er and aerating at the appro- priate times of year (this var- ies by region) can promote strong roots and healthy soil, making it easier for grass to survive harsh con- ditions like drought. When watering in summer, do so in early morning or evening so as little water is lost to evaporation as possible. ADDRESS BROWN PATCHES Even well-maintained lawns can fall victims to brown spots. According to the lawn care professionals at TruGreen, lawns in re- gions with hot temperatures and high humidity can be in- fected with brown patch, a common lawn disease that is caused by fungus, which can produce circular areas of brown, dead grass sur- rounded by narrow, dark rings. Penn State's Col- lege of Agricultural Scienc- es notes that removing dew that collects on grass leaves each morning, which can be accomplished by mowing or dragging a water hose across affected areas, can be an effective way to re- duce brown patch. Home- owners without much lawn care experience can consult professional landscapers to address the issue. But those looking to sell their proper- ties should note that buyers often walk the grounds of homes they are considering buying. So addressing any issues on the lawn should be a priority for sellers. CONFINE DOGS TO CERTAIN AREAS Dog owners may want to let their pets roam free in their yards. But homeown- ers about to put their prop- erties up for sale may want to confine their four-legged friends to certain areas. That's because dog urine can be high in nitrogen. Nitrogen itself is not harm- ful to lawns, but in high concentrations it can con- tribute to yellow or brown spots. Also, highly acid- ic dog urine may even ad- versely affect pH levels in the soil. Curb appeal can go a long way toward helping home- owners sell their homes, and a lush lawn can be used to catch the eye of prospec- tive buyers. 1704 HART STREET, VINCENNES 812-882-1191 • rcsappliances.com Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9am-5pm, Fri. 9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-5pm We Service What We Sell! RCS SUPERSTORE PUZZLED ABOUT WHAT TO READ? ..and you will have your solution. subscribe to 812-354-8500 CURB APPEAL Use your lawn to improve gardens & lawns