Creating the perfect outdoor living space

Now we all know that a patio can increase the value of your home, but some of you may be wondering, how do I spruce up this space? 

Create a perfect place to spend time with family and friends or a place where you can simply sit back and enjoy the breeze of fresh air. Here are a couple of tips we'd like to share.

Comfortable Seating

There must be plenty of seating in your outdoor living space. You want to make it inviting for you and guests that will be coming over. Consider space-saving furniture such as foldable benches and multi-purpose sofas

Play with Lighting and Textiles

Lighting and textiles can turn an ordinary outdoor living space into an extraordinary one. Cozy up metal furniture with new cushions & pillows, and add throw blankets for coziness.

Create an all year round garden

Outdoor living spaces are no longer only for summer enjoyment. Make the most of your backyard all year long with the use of outside heaters or fireplaces.

Functional Spaces

Consider what you plan to have for activities in your backyard as you create a design that works for you. The more versatile your design is, the easier it will be to plan for gatherings.

Make sure to have a plant section!

Of course, a garden isn’t much without plants. Even if you’re planning on paving the entire area to reduce the amount of mowing you need to do, having some pot plants is essential for colour and ambience.

5 Great Reasons to Add a Patio to Your Home

Tired of feeling cooped up inside your home all day? Craving a sunny spot to relax and soak up some vitamin D? Adding a patio can transform your space—and even boost your home's value! In fact, experts say that investing in outdoor improvements like patios and landscaping can increase your home’s resale value by up to 10% or more (source).

Let’s dive into five popular reasons why you should add a patio to your property:

1. It Can Be a Big Selling Point for Buyers

A well-designed patio adds usable square footage to your home, extending your living space outdoors. Buyers love functional outdoor areas, and a beautiful patio can make your home stand out in a competitive real estate market.

In fact, curb appeal—including patios, decks, and landscaping—plays a major role in how quickly a home sells and for how much (National Association of Realtors).

2. It Expands Your Living Space

Think of a patio as a bonus room—without the need for costly renovations! Whether it’s a cozy spot for morning coffee or an open area for a backyard barbecue, a patio gives you endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in comfort and style.

3. It Creates an Entertainment Area

Dreaming of hosting summer parties or evening get-togethers? A patio provides the perfect setting. With some stylish outdoor furniture, twinkling lights, and décor, you can create an inviting entertainment space that your family and friends will love.

4. It Improves the Home’s Functionality

Adding a patio improves the flow and functionality of your outdoor space. Set up a dining table for alfresco meals, create a lounge area for relaxation, or even install a firepit for year-round enjoyment. Your patio becomes a versatile extension of your lifestyle!

5. It’s a Cost-Effective Home Improvement

Compared to major home renovations like kitchen remodels or home additions, patios are often much more affordable—and they offer a high return on investment. Plus, they’re easy to customize over time with furniture, plants, or updated finishes.

Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?

If you’re considering adding a patio or enhancing your landscaping, we highly recommend scheduling a hardscaping consultation with Josh and JK Landscaping! Josh specializes in creating beautiful, functional outdoor spaces that not only look amazing but also add real value to your home.

📞 Call Josh at (614) 753-7858 to get started!

Looking to Renovate Other Spaces?

If you’re planning more updates to boost your home’s value, we’ve got you covered! Check out some of our other renovation blogs for ideas and inspiration:

• Ceiling Lighting for Vaulted Spaces— Simple improvements that make a big impact.

• WHEN To remodel before selling— Smart upgrades buyers notice.

• Remodeling that can Hurt your Home's Value— How some remodeling projects can hurt your home value.

• Kitchen Updates with the best ROI — top five kitchen upgrades that can help sell your home faster and for a higher price—without needing a full renovation.

Looking to make a smaller investment but still increase ROI?
Don't miss our Lighting Blog for affordable ideas that immediately add value and style to your home!

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you're dreaming of a backyard patio, upgrading your lighting, or tackling bigger renovations, our team is here to help you make the right investments for your home’s future.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a more beautiful, valuable home you’ll love for years to come!

Selling your home is a big milestone—and with so many moving parts, it’s easy for a few things to slip through the cracks. Staying organized with a checklist can help you keep everything on track and ease your transition into the next chapter.

Here are 5 important things to do as you prepare for closing day:

1. Request a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service so your mail follows you to your new home.

2. Gather important info for the new owners—this might include receipts for repairs or updates, warranty paperwork, and appliance manuals.

3. Contact utility companies to schedule shut-off or transfer dates so you're not paying for services after you’ve moved out.

4. Do a final sweep of the house—clean thoroughly and check all cabinets, drawers, and closets for anything you might’ve missed.

5. Leave behind all keys and garage door openers so the new owners can settle in smoothly.

It’s a small list, but each step goes a long way in creating a stress-free closing (for both you and the buyer!). Need help staying organized during your sale? I’m just a message away.

Know anyone else looking to sell? Share this link for a free valuation! Free Home Valuation

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 15th from 7-9 PM we are having an event at Grove Sheek Boutique! This event will include all things shopping, snacks, and fun. RSVP for our private event and get 20% off your purchase. You won’t want to miss this!

Buying a home can be a huge learning curve with lots of obstacles along the way. That is why having a great agent to help you through the process is crucial. That is why we are here, and why I have created this list of just a few “Do’s and Don’ts of buying a home!”

Do: 

Take a thorough look at your options→ You want to make sure you are exploring all of your options, and not just putting an offer on the first home you see. Exploring your options can add time to the process, but is always worth it in the end. 

Get pre-approved before you begin searching→ This will help you have a clear picture of your financial situation, which plays a huge role in your options. 

Know your must-haves and deal-breakers→ This is very important! Creating these lists will set your standards for a home, so that you aren’t settling. Having a clear image of what you want and don’t want in a home can also assist your agent in helping find the best home for you.

Find a reputable realtor you feel comfortable with→ You want someone who is going to take care of you, recognize, and value your needs. Finding a realtor who you trust will help ensure that you’ve got someone who has your back and is always keeping you in mind throughout the whole buying process. 

Get to know the area you’re looking to buy in→ Think about what you like to do in your free time. Do you want an area with lots of parks and trails because you love to hike on weekends? Or do you like living a fast paced life, and want to be fully immersed in the city life? Knowing yourself and the area you are looking to buy in can help determine what is right for you. Getting to know the area can also help you plan for the future, is this the safest area to raise a family? Asking yourself these questions and educating yourself will only continue to help you find the best home.

Don’t:

Don’t ignore the extra costs of renovations→ Always being aware of the costs compared to your finances is very important. Before purchasing a house that needs renovations, you want to sit down with a contractor to get a quote or plan out your renovating process to make sure you aren’t in way over your head.

Don’t look at options outside your price range→ Doing this can cause a lot of heartbreak. It is important to be realistic and also smart with your finances. You wouldn’t want to waste time looking at homes that aren’t realistic for you.

Don’t skip conducting a home inspection→ There are many reasons why a home inspection is important, but mostly because you want to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong with the home or any major repairs or upgrades needed. It helps give you a gauge of what you are getting into. 

Don’t be afraid to ask your realtor questions→ Knowledge is power! Your realtor is happy to answer your questions and make sure you understand any and everything. I mean this is about YOU and finding YOUR home!

Ask any and all questions→ There is never a dumb question, getting clarification on something you might not understand or asking a question, can help the process and could also change everything. You don’t want to hold back.

What we'd invest in if we were considering selling

When it comes to selling your home, you want to make sure that you are getting what you know and believe your home is worth. Making sure you are making the best financial decision and putting your money into all the right things is so important. Here is my list of the top four things I’d invest in if I was considering selling my home.

Deep clean-Starting offwith one of the most important and valuable things, a deep cleaning service. A deep cleaning service will make your home sparkle and shine, which will make a great first impression on buyers. It will reinforce to potential buyers that the home has been well cared for.

Fresh paint-The next investment I would make would be in a professional interior painter. Painting the interior of your home a neutral color will make it more appealing to a wider range of buyers. Professional vs. DIY is easily spotted by buyers. Don’t skip this step!

Declutter- Investing in a storage unit can be crucial to the selling process of your home. Decluttering and depersonalizing your home before you put it on the market is a must. If you can’t part with your things, rent a nearby storage unit to hold them securely until you sell.

Show it off- And finally, investing in professional photos and videos. A professional photographer and videographer can create stunning visuals of your home that will make it stand out from other properties on the market.

Let’s recap!

Invest in…

1. A deep cleaning service
2. A professional interior painter *
3. A storage unit
4. Professional photo and video

*Call our friends at Five Star Painting 

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We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.