Despite a weak economy, Americans are expected to continue their love affair with the world outside their doors—and perhaps spend a little more time in it this year, as indications show they plan to spend their summer vacations at home.About 94% of residential landscape architects polled by the American Society of Landscape Architects earlier this year said that outdoor living spaces, including cooking and entertaining areas, would be popular in 2010. Improvements are expected to have few frills as homeowners stick to the basics in this cool economy.
“Homeowners want to create a sense of place for their family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy outside, but an uncertain economy means many will dial back some of the extra features we’ve seen in past years,” said Nancy Somerville, executive vice president for the group.
According to the survey results, some of the most popular features this year include: outdoor seating and dining areas, including benches and seat-walls or weatherized outdoor furniture, as well as fire pits and fireplaces, the classic outdoor grill and outdoor counter space. More lavish outdoor kitchen appliances, including refrigerators and sinks, are expected to be less popular, as are stereo systems and outdoor heaters.
Survey results found a growing interest in low-maintenance landscapes and native plants. There’s also a continued resurgence of the home garden. According to the National Gardening Association, a well-maintained food garden yields an average $500 return, considering a typical investment and the market price of produce.
When designing any outdoor area, it’s important to create a series of places that you can inhabit, whether it’s a covered space to entertain in or a vegetable bed to attend to, said Sarah Susanka, an architect and author of The Not So Big House series of books. Don’t forget your garden’s view from the inside either, she added.
And while many homeowners are making these outdoor improvements to their homes so they can enjoy them—especially in a real estate market where moving to another home is financially difficult for some families—a well-planned and maintained garden and outdoor area will serve an owner at the time of resale too.
Arbors, water features such as fountains, pergolas and decks are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures for homeowners this year, according to the architects group. And making an investment in a deck, for example, might set an existing home apart from a newly constructed one.
We in Ormond Beach and other central Florida communities have the weather to enjoy our gardens and outdoor spaces most of the year. Contact me to discuss which improvements will add the most value to your home for resale. Search other Ormond Beach homes for sale on my web site and see what your neighbors are doing.
Use the tax credits available now for appliances and energy efficiency to make some of those upgrades you've considered. Call or email me for ideas.
Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
“Homeowners want to create a sense of place for their family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy outside, but an uncertain economy means many will dial back some of the extra features we’ve seen in past years,” said Nancy Somerville, executive vice president for the group.
According to the survey results, some of the most popular features this year include: outdoor seating and dining areas, including benches and seat-walls or weatherized outdoor furniture, as well as fire pits and fireplaces, the classic outdoor grill and outdoor counter space. More lavish outdoor kitchen appliances, including refrigerators and sinks, are expected to be less popular, as are stereo systems and outdoor heaters.
Survey results found a growing interest in low-maintenance landscapes and native plants. There’s also a continued resurgence of the home garden. According to the National Gardening Association, a well-maintained food garden yields an average $500 return, considering a typical investment and the market price of produce.
When designing any outdoor area, it’s important to create a series of places that you can inhabit, whether it’s a covered space to entertain in or a vegetable bed to attend to, said Sarah Susanka, an architect and author of The Not So Big House series of books. Don’t forget your garden’s view from the inside either, she added.
And while many homeowners are making these outdoor improvements to their homes so they can enjoy them—especially in a real estate market where moving to another home is financially difficult for some families—a well-planned and maintained garden and outdoor area will serve an owner at the time of resale too.
Arbors, water features such as fountains, pergolas and decks are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures for homeowners this year, according to the architects group. And making an investment in a deck, for example, might set an existing home apart from a newly constructed one.
We in Ormond Beach and other central Florida communities have the weather to enjoy our gardens and outdoor spaces most of the year. Contact me to discuss which improvements will add the most value to your home for resale. Search other Ormond Beach homes for sale on my web site and see what your neighbors are doing.
Use the tax credits available now for appliances and energy efficiency to make some of those upgrades you've considered. Call or email me for ideas.
Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
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