To answer these questions, we turned to Realtor.com’s new News & Insights section: Living. With great tips for updating your home and the latest housing trends, this page is a great resource for ideas. Recently they’ve had several posts focusing on outside living, including:

Is it Worth Adding a Deck?

While relaxing on an outside deck is at the top of many peoples’ summer to-do list, decks are not for everyone and require work. This article focuses on those pros and cons and whether a deck adds value during a potential home sale. Considering decking out your home? You’ll want to read this post.

Should I Add an Outdoor Kitchen: Pros and Cons? 

Outdoor kitchens have been trending since COVID, when people were looking to expand their living space. This article looks at what makes up a true outdoor kitchen – hint, it’s not just a grill! It also looks at some pros and cons that come along with planning, paying for and adding this space. Think high cost without a huge return on investment, particularly in New England with our short summers. Love entertaining outside and dreaming of an outdoor kitchen, read this post as your decision simmers.

Is Adding a Pool Worth It?

Prior to COVID, a pool wasn’t considered of really any value, particularly in New England. The pandemic brought a demand for pools. The main reason for this: it gave a homeowner a swimming hole in their own backyard, when they couldn’t go anywhere else. With increased demand came higher prices and long waiting lists for installation, so it is still important to weigh the decision before diving into the deep end. One big consideration – the appraised value of the pool will not be equal to the cost of the pool. With this in mind, think about how long you plan to stay in your home and enjoy the pool. After that, read this post for yourself and consider the pros and cons carefully.

Photo by Im3rd Media on Unsplash.

The post Do Outdoor Living Trends Add Value? appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

We are all whispering to ourselves, or shouting from the roof tops…RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY!

Spring is here and we New Englanders made it through another winter. We are ready to get outside. If you are like me, you are ready to take on some spring yard projects that create an outdoor oasis for you to enjoy through the summer.

To help with your planning, I took to googling outdoor trends for 2019. Realtor.com had a recent post with the top outdoor design trends for this year that take the action outside (sounds perfect!!). Top trends include:

1. Front yards and porches as an extended living room
2. Black and white patio furniture
3. Mixed material
4. Statement doors
5. High-top bars and outdoor islands

Are you incorporating any of these trends in your outdoor spaces? If not, what’s on your outdoor to-do list?

Mine includes an inviting entrance – painted door, layered welcome mat and flower pots; a garden section for vegetables and fruit; and sprucing up our fire pit area with plants and lighting.

Fingers crossed for some spring sunshine so we can stop dreaming as we look out our windows and make our outdoor spaces a reality!

Photo credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStockPhoto.

The post Outdoor Design Inspiration: The Year’s Biggest Trends appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.