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The Ultimate Guide to Lawn Care Part 1: Tips for a Healthy and Beautiful Yard

June 6, 2023

By Kym Preslar, Content Manager of SodLawn There’s just something about a well-manicured lawn that gives a property that special touch. A beautiful lawn not only adds curb appeal, but it can also increase the value of your property. Achieving a healthy and beautiful lawn, however, is not as simple as mowing the grass every other week. It takes effort and the right know-how to get that perfectly lush and green yard you’ve always wanted. In this ultimate guide to lawn care, we’ll give you tips and tricks that will help you achieve a lawn that will make your neighbors green with envy! Whether you’re a new or seasoned homeowner, this guide covers everything you need to know to achieve a healthy and beautiful lawn. Understanding Your LawnYour lawn is the centerpiece of your home’s outdoor space, and it deserves the utmost attention and care to look its best. Understanding your lawn is the first step to achieving a lush, green oasis right in your backyard. Different Types of GrassesDid you know that there are more than 10,000 varieties of grasses? Choosing the right grass for your lawn is an essential step in maintaining a healthy lawn. The most common

How to Host a Memorable Backyard Barbecue

May 29, 2023

Summertime brings a special kind of excitement and plenty of opportunities to spend time with loved ones. The backyard barbecue is a classic way to spend a hot evening. Although everyone wants to throw a cookout for the ages, it’s important to take the right precautions beforehand to make sure your barbecue is memorable in all the right ways. Seamless and safe barbecues are all about preparation and safety. So for your next backyard bash or summer shindig, consider these tips to take it to the next level. Practice Safe GrillingThe grill master is a role that’s not to be taken lightly. Not only is the grill master responsible for satisfying everyone at the party, but any negligence on their part can lead to major damage or potential injury. Grilling spaces should always be carefully selected and at a minimum, 10 feet away from any structures to avoid dangerous stray embers. This may go without saying, but never grill inside! Any overhead coverings can also cause ventilation problems, and unstable bases can lead to grills tipping over. Ideally, grills should be set up with plenty of space, separate from toppings stations, side tables, and dessert spreads. The final and most

Home Maintenance Items to Prioritize After Your Inspection

May 22, 2023

Home inspectors and other real estate professionals know the truth that every new homebuyer will have to swallow: no home is perfect. Each house has a unique array of attractions and eye-catching features sure to draw in families. At the same time, there isn’t a home that doesn’t have its share of warts or bruises as well. Your local home inspector is the key to identifying building and property maintenance issues while keeping the weight of each concern in perspective. To review the differences between which features should be addressed as soon as possible and which can be put off until later on, here are your home maintenance priorities post-inspection. How Is The Condition of the Roof?One of the top priorities of every new homeowner should be to understand the condition of their roof. Roofing is considered one of the main cornerstones of home systems for a few reasons. The roof is the home’s primary defense against weather and the elements. Without solid integrity, leaks are just the start of a slew of problems including the potential for mold and energy inefficiency. All roofs have a natural lifespan until shingles begin deteriorating beyond the point of serving their use. Since

American Architecture: Touring Regional Styles in the US

May 15, 2023

The United States has a rich history of architecture that draws influence from many different parts of the globe. Throughout its history, regional climates and cultures have heavily influenced the ways that their iconic cities grew and the unique look of their homes. Although recent trends toward a common, international look have reduced regional influences, a legacy of architectural taste still has considerable impact in the US. Per an article by design specialists at Dwell, architect Marlon Blackwell describes the current context as “…a shared language, that’s almost global, based in the International Style or Modernist language…Where it becomes geographically and culturally specific, then that’s where it becomes altered.” Although many American cities will see a variety of architectural styles in their neighborhoods today with only small variations that pull from regional factors, these styles cut their teeth on the shores of New England, in the wide open midwestern plains, and in the sandy Southwest. Today, let’s take a brief tour of some of the United States’ favorite architectural styles. The Northeast – Cape CodSome of the US’s most iconic homes were built by pioneers in the Northeast, with their styles slowly adapted and updated over time. Unsurprisingly, there are

Why Do The Suburbs All Look Alike?

May 8, 2023

Fans of architecture and those that frequent open houses “just for fun” may have expressed a similar sentiment. Why are all the homes in that new development so “same-y”? Old homes seem to have much more character – why would anyone buy a new home? Or, put in another way, why do the suburbs all look alike? Every city has similar areas. Rows upon rows of houses that are identical to one another, maybe with slight deviations in color, which all result in a dizzying maze of monotony. The truth behind this phenomenon finds its beginnings nearly eighty years in the past, when a sudden need for housing led to an innovation that was too good not to replicate. The Beginnings of Tract HousingAs veterans were returning from their service in World War II, society had to adjust quickly to the sudden surge of people and the new families looking to settle down with their own homes. With demand through the roof, the real estate investment group Levitt and Sons realized that they could purchase a large tract of land with the intent to divide them into small plots for quick, easily-constructed homes. This idea proved to be a huge

Why Is Vinyl Flooring So Popular? Should Homeowners Be Concerned?

May 1, 2023

Anyone familiar with the home real estate market has surely experienced the impressive prevalence of vinyl flooring. From the basement to the dining room to the family room and everywhere in between, it can seem impossible to avoid this synthetic flooring option. In fact, it has officially become the most popular flooring option on the market (just behind carpeting). However, for designers and homebuyers who prefer natural materials, the massive footprint of vinyl in the flooring market is a frustrating turn. After all, vinyl flooring is ultimately just an imitation of the authentic stuff (hardwood, stone, or tile). Other than affordability, is there any benefit to opting for vinyl flooring? To help drill down the real reasons for why vinyl flooring is so popular, let’s look at its potential benefits before discussing its lesser known problems. What is Vinyl Flooring?Far from a recent invention, vinyl can trace its history back to a legacy of “resilient flooring,” or flooring materials that were bendable and flexible, which made them much easier to install. In the late 1800s, vinyl was developed and first introduced to the public when incorporated into golf balls, shower curtains, and shoe heels. Vinyl actually wasn’t proposed as an

Did You Skip Your Buyer’s Inspection?

April 24, 2023

In competitive housing markets where availability is low and sellers seem to have all of the leverage, buyers sometimes feel the need to compromise in order to find a home that fits their needs. As this dynamic combines with tough economic times or financial strain, many homeowners in search of an answer to these issues have opted to skip their buyer’s inspection altogether. A home inspection is the only way for owners to get the full picture of their home’s condition. Without this professional assessment, homeowners are playing a dangerous game, as minor issues can escalate into major expenses down the road. If conditions forced you to skip your buyer’s inspection and you are searching for options, look no further! In this article, we outline the best steps for homeowners who missed their home inspection. Why Do People Skip Their Buyer’s Inspection?For those who are aware of the value that a home inspection brings during a home-purchasing negotiation, the thought of bypassing it altogether can seem surprising. With that said, some people have opted to go this route for a number of reasons. According to an article published by Forbes, 85% of Americans opted to sidestep a number of essential

Tiny Homes: A Forgotten Fad Or A Major Movement?

April 17, 2023

Where most look to trade up, tiny home-owners downsize and purge in order to follow this minimalist trend. For those wondering what the draw is and whether the movement has already passed by, here is a bit more information about the absolutely endearing tiny home.

How To Improve Your Home’s Ventilation (And Why It’s Important)

April 10, 2023

Staying on top of a home’s upkeep can often feel like a full-time job. With every project checked off the list, oftentimes homeowners end up adding two more in a never-ending quest for home improvement. While some home maintenance and home upgrade projects can seem to add a lot to a homeowner’s plate, improving a home’s ventilation systems tends to eliminate many pesky household issues. What is Home Ventilation?Ventilation refers to the systems a home uses to cycle out pollutants and carry in fresh air, while also regulating a comfortable indoor environment. Older homes were able to get by with natural ventilation through windows, doors, and natural air leaks in walls and ceilings, but current systems are more sophisticated. The modern home has become much more air-tight than in the past in an attempt to improve energy efficiency. The side effects of these building philosophies have led to many new maintenance issues and even health problems for families. Homeowners who are unaware of the state of their house’s ventilation systems will benefit from a regular home systems inspection. Why is Ventilation Important?Poor ventilation leads to problems throughout the home. A home has two key contributors to pollutants and condensation: the

What To Consider Before Getting A Pool

April 3, 2023

New homebuyers have so much to consider as they search for their dream home. Outside of architectural style, location, number of bedrooms, or whether it has a multi-car garage, homeowners need to be able to picture life within the house. Can they picture their kids playing in the backyard? Is this the type of place where they can see their family and friends wanting to come and visit? One amenity that has the ability to generate a great deal of excitement and ensure that a new home will be a gathering point for friends and family is the swimming pool. However, there are a lot of added responsibilities that come with managing and maintaining a pool. Whether you’re a homebuyer looking at a property with a pool, or you’re a homeowner who is thinking of making a dynamic addition to their home, here are a few things to consider before getting a pool. The Effects on Your ROIWhen making any major alteration to a property, homeowners should consider what impact that change will have on their property value. Even if the expectation is to stay in the same home for a long time, plans can change quickly! Although conventional wisdom