Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Can’t Get a Pool This Summer? Beat the Heat With These 6 Creative Alternatives
Getty Images
Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water—you can’t! Yup, a perfect storm has converged right when homeowners were hoping to open up (or install) a pool in their backyards this season.
Since the COVID-19 lockdown forced folks to stick close to home, the desire for pools has skyrocketed. That’s created a dearth of pool-building materials and contractors who can put one in. Plus, there’s another problem you may not have expected: There’s a big chlorine shortage.
This essential chemical agent is in short supply not only because of high demand, but also because of a major fire last summer at a plant that makes a large share of the chlorine tablets that homeowners rely on.
The result? If you don’t already have a pool, you might not be able to put one in this year. And if you already own one and didn’t stock up on chlorine earlier this year, you may have to keep the cover on your pool for a while longer.
But in the interim, you can still stay cool without having to resort to a Slip ‘N Slide. (Save it for the kids!) Instead, check out these six cool pool alternatives.
1. Inflatable pool
Amazon
There are kiddie pools, and then there are full-size inflatables—which are bigger, stronger, and sturdier than blowups of yore. This well-priced pool ($102, Amazon) has a built-in bench and backrest for lounging when you’re beat, plus there’s room for a couple of adults and a little one to splash about.
Shell out for a decent inflatable if you want it to last out the season.
“We bought an inflatable last year, and it didn’t hold up well under the weight of the water. We had to prop it up with a lawn chair,” says Darla DeMorrow, author of “Organizing Your Home with SORT and SUCCEED.”
2. Stock tank
Photo by Legacy Crafters, Custom Decks & Outdoor Spaces
Sure, it may sound a little hokey to fill a metal tank meant for farm animals and then submerge yourself in it, but stock tanks are affordable (usually just a few hundred bucks) and they can be surrounded with attractive pavers, plants, or decking.
While this backyard perk probably won’t add anything to your home’s resale value, stock tank pools will keep you cool in the trendiest way, notes Tony Mariotti, a real estate agent with RubyHome in Los Angeles.
“A stock tank’s rugged aesthetic goes very nicely with a xeriscaped yard, and it’ll absolutely grab the attention of home shoppers, particularly those in the first-time homebuyer price range,” he says.
3. Plunge pool
With some plunge pools sized as small as 4 by 6 feet, this diminutive alternative is about half the cost of a full-size in-ground pool, which usually ranges from $60,000 to $70,000. A petite pool can fit nicely into a tiny backyard or a corner of larger lawn where it won’t attract too much attention.
You’ll still need chlorine for this type of pool, but the maintenance for it is much lower (there’s less space for leaves and other debris to drop in), and it can be interred or rest above ground with decking or another surface around it.
4. Rental pools
Photo by Township Pools Houzz
You rent cars, right? Pools are the next big thing in the rental world. So if you need a place to cool off for only a couple of hours, renting someone else’s pool might be just the ticket.
Via a company that’s aptly named Swimply, all you have to do is find a pool in your area. (It’s like Airbnb for pools.) Once you’re approved to rent the pool, you’ll receive the exact address along with WiFi details and how to unlock the gate. How easy is that?
5. Soaker
1stDibs
Soaker tubs, also known as Japanese ofuros, are chemical-free and typically fit one or two people easily. Some ofuros are made from traditional hinoki wood, while others are crafted from copper, steel, concrete, or old-growth redwood, as shown here ($15,900, 1stDibs).
Keep in mind that whatever water feature you choose needs to be easily emptied every day if it doesn’t have its own filter, says DeMorrow.
“Even a capful of water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes in just a day, so make sure your pool alternative can be drained or tipped over,” she says.
6. Outdoor shower
While a shower may not seem in keeping with this list, rinsing off in a cold spray on a hot day is just as refreshing as dunking your head under water. And after the inflatable option, an outdoor shower is a very cost-conscious choice.
You can simply tap into your indoor plumbing by installing piping through an exterior wall. And you might make your outdoor shower more deluxe with a custom surround, bench to sit on, hanging plants, and even a landscaped pathway that leads to the entrance.
The post Can’t Get a Pool This Summer? Beat the Heat With These 6 Creative Alternatives appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
5 Simple Ways To Renovate Your Backyard on a Budget
Getty Images
You might be gazing out at your backyard and thinking it’s seen better days. Sure, the past year was tough on all of us—and even your backyard may be showing battle wounds.
But does fixing up your outdoor space really need to be a big financial commitment?
The American Society of Landscape Architects recommends homeowners budget the cost of a major landscaping project at 5% to 10% of the value of their home. And if you have that much to spend, god bless. But whether it’s a whole outside concept or a revamp of the patio, renovating your yard doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or be too time-consuming.
To get started, use these clever design tricks to transform your basic yard and make it look like you had it professionally done.
1. Define your spaces
“Cleary defined spaces in your backyard will give your yard dimension and purpose,” says Matt Blashaw, TV host and licensed contractor. “This is why designing a yard is so hard to do for some people. In a home, the spaces are already defined for you, but outside you have to organize those spaces and add all of the features.”
For example, define an outdoor sitting area by gathering a few all-weather chairs, facing them inward. Add an outdoor coffee table in the middle.
Blashaw says he also likes to use an outdoor area rug under a dining table and chairs to define the space and add color and texture to the yard.
Clearly defining an outdoor kitchen space doesn’t have to break the bank either.
“Place a kitchen cart topped with butcher block behind the chef to add more workspace and perfectly define your outdoor kitchen,” he says.
2. Create a garden path
Photo by Living Space Landscapes
Add a meandering path to give a more polished look to an otherwise untamed space.
“I love bringing old brick or stone pathways that have been overrun by weeds back to life,” says Blashaw.
He uses Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer ($8, Home Depot) to eliminate weeds in between bricks and stones and breathe life cost-effectively into walkways.
You can also lay a new path with gravel, pavers, or concrete slabs.
“One of my favorite pathways is made from a decomposed granite mix with polymeric sand,” says Blashaw. “Create the pathway by installing thick lawn bender board, add the decomposed granite, compact with either a hand tamper or plate compactor, then lightly mist with a water. In a few hours the surface will harden giving you a very solid surface.”
3. Add some paint
Consider painting the back of your house a different color than the other three sides.
“Painting the back of the house has been one of my most cost-effective backyard renovation tricks for many years. Sometimes it takes me a little while to convince a homeowner to do it, but when they do, it makes an instant impact to the yard,” says Blashaw.
He recommends imagining the back of your house as an accent wall for the house. Choose a wall color that coordinates with the rest of the house’s exterior color scheme. And be sure to take into account the landscaping in your yard so you don’t clash. For example, a back wall painted green in a yard with heavy foliage will get lost.
“A lighter color will brighten a space and make your existing backyard elements stand out,” Blashaw says.
4. Think vertically
Terrain
Switch up your perspective and add some vertical elements to your backyard.
If your backyard has a large, flat lawn, add some dimension by bringing in a colorful glazed pot with some colorful annuals planted inside, Blashaw says. “This will give you color even during the winter.”
You can also add a birdbath ($125, CB2), a geometric chiminea ($528, Terrain), a trio of planters ($129+, Frontgate), or a hanging garden wall ($24.95, Amazon).
5. Mulch it up
By laying like-colored mulch on all flowerbeds and exposed soil in your backyard, you can give your space a finished, unified look, experts say.
“Adding mulch to your garden beds is one of the most important things you can do for the health of your plants and soil,” says Aaron Lynn-Vogel, horticulture answer service coordinator for the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Lynn-Vogel says several studies have shown that mulching can conserve water, reduce weeds, prevent soil compaction, and increase soil fertility.
“I describe mulch as ‘the paint of landscape.’ It’s a very inexpensive way to make your planter look brand-new,” says Blashaw. “I personally love a good cedar mulch. It lasts longer, has amazing color, and it smells great.”
The post 5 Simple Ways To Renovate Your Backyard on a Budget appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
‘The House My Wedding Bought’ Reveals How To Swing Marriage and a Mortgage
Discovery+
As the recent reality TV show “Marriage or Mortgage” made clear, cash-strapped couples who hope to throw a huge wedding and buy a nice house often can’t do both at once.
Or can they? A new reality TV show, “The House My Wedding Bought,” proves it is possible—if you pick the right house.
In this Discovery+ series, designer and real estate expert Breegan Jane helps couples balance their budget so there’s enough money to purchase property while also walking down the aisle. In the series premiere, “Party or Entertaining,” she meets Ray and Allison—an Austin, TX, couple who have $60,000 to spend.
While Allison wants to have an intimate wedding and save most of their money for a down payment, Ray wants to throw an epic event his 150 guests will never forget.
The compromise? Invest in a house that’s made for entertaining—that way, Ray can celebrate with his friends not just on his wedding day, but also well into the future.
To find the perfect party space, Jane takes the couple to tour three very different houses. Find out which property they pick, what renovations they require (and are worth the investment), and how much money they have left over to walk down the aisle in style.
Light colors can modernize a kitchen
Discovery+
The first house Jane, Ray, and Allison visit has four bedrooms, three baths, tall ceilings, and plenty of space for entertaining. Ray loves the large living room, but Allison is worried about the kitchen.
“Those counters don’t match that backsplash, and the cabinets are dark,” Allison says when she first sees the space.
Jane explains that updating the kitchen with lighter features would cost about $7,000, but she makes some style suggestions.
Discovery+
“This, to me, with the height of the ceilings, is screaming tuxedo kitchen,” Jane says. “I would keep a dark lower, maybe more in a gray tonality; brighten up the top with the whites, which will really add height to this whole thing; change out the backsplash. You’re going to get the complete modern feel.”
And as thrifty Allison points out, making these changes will surely increase the value of the home.
Change your flooring before you move in
Discovery+
House No. 1 has a great floor plan for entertaining, but Allison hates the actual floor. There’s carpet in the bedrooms, and Allison emphasizes how much she hates carpet.
“It gets so dirty,” she says.
Jane points out that the carpet could be easily switched out for hardwood floors for about $3,000. Jane also points out that Allison and Ray will want to do this update before moving in. After all, tearing up carpet is much harder to do when furniture needs to be moved first.
The take-home lesson? Some updates, like cosmetic touches in the kitchen, can wait until you have more money. But new flooring should happen fast, and ideally be budgeted into the purchase price of the house.
A big patio offers the perfect party space
Discovery+
With house No. 1, Allison and Ray learn that they’d probably need to put about $7,000 into the kitchen and $3,000 into the new flooring. Plus, they’ll have to spend money on the backyard.
Ray knows right away that the the patio is just too small for all his friends.
“With the amount of people that we have visiting, we’d probably want to bring it out to, like, here,” Ray says, gesturing out into the grass. Meanwhile, Allison says it would be nice to plant some bushes to give the yard more privacy.
Jane says pouring concrete and landscaping can be pricey, estimating these upgrades would cost around $10,000. It’s a lot of money, but if the couple want to truly enjoy their outdoor space, it’s worth the investment.
Kitchen and bathroom renovations are smart investments
Discovery+
Next, Jane takes Allison and Ray to a traditional, four-bedroom, two-bathroom brick home. The home provides some great spots for entertaining, but Ray just can’t look past the dated master bathroom. However, Jane points out that run-down bathrooms can be a great opportunity for handy homeowners.
“Updating bathrooms and kitchens is your best home investment,” Jane says. “If they can swing it, putting a little money into this en suite bath would totally pay off. You could easily swap out the vanity, do a soaking tub, and add a wall of tile behind it for a more modern, spalike feel, and you’d spend about $5,000.”
Discovery+
These updates could make a big difference in the master suite, but Ray wants something a little more turnkey. Still, it’s good to know exactly how much renovating you’re comfortable with before committing to a house.
Extend your outdoor space to get more room
Discovery+
With so many issues with the first two houses, Jane shows Allison and Ray a third house that’s totally unique. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is a new build. Though small, it’s “plug and play,” just as Ray likes it. Plus, it has a detached garage, which could be a perfect spot for Ray to have his own man cave for hanging out or inviting friends over.
However, Jane points out that the courtyard between the house and garage feels like wasted space.
“There’s sort of a missed opportunity to connect these two spaces,” Jane says.
She comes up with a plan to extend the tiny back patio and create a pergola above it. She explains that this could be a nice little sitting area, perfect for enjoying morning coffee or hanging with friends. This extended patio would be an added cost, but if it makes this house function better for Ray and Allison, it’s worth it.
Discovery+
Which house do they pick?
After seeing three houses, Allison and Ray decide to save some money and go with the cheapest option, house No. 1, which was listed for $297,000. They buy it for $307,000, putting $15,000 down and setting aside $20,000 for renovations.
With $35,000 going toward the house, Ray and Allison have $25,000 to spend on their wedding. It might not be the huge bash Ray had hoped for, but with plenty of space to entertain in his new house, that’s reason to celebrate in its own right.
The post ‘The House My Wedding Bought’ Reveals How To Swing Marriage and a Mortgage appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.