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Choosing the Best Fence for Curb Appeal

~ Joseph DeSimone II ~ Leave a comment

Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with the Perfect Fence

Fences aren’t just for keeping the neighbors out—or the dog in. They play a significant role in shaping your home’s curb appeal, especially when you choose the best fence for curb appeal. Whether you’re looking to impress potential buyers, keep the nosy neighbor at bay, or just add a little extra style to your yard, selecting the right fence can make all the difference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore different fencing options, their benefits, and essential maintenance tips to help you make the right choice for your home.

The Best Fences for Curb Appeal: Finding Your Perfect Match

Not all fences are created equal, especially when it comes to boosting your home’s curb appeal. Choosing the right one depends on your goals, style preferences, and, let’s be honest, how much time you actually want to spend maintaining it. Here’s a look at some top fencing options that can help your home stand out in the best possible way.

A beautifully crafted wooden fence in a residential backyard, showcasing natural wood grain
This wooden fence is like the little black dress of your yard—classic, versatile, and always in style!

Wood Fences

Wood fences have long been the classic choice. They’re like the little black dress of fencing—timeless and versatile. Whether it’s a traditional picket fence that says “Welcome, neighbor!” or a horizontal slat design that whispers “I’m modern and chic,” wood can suit any style. A wood fence can be one of the best options for curb appeal. Just remember, wood fences are kind of high-maintenance. Think of them as the friend who always needs a ride to the airport; it’s worth it, but only if you’re prepared for regular upkeep like sealing, staining, and inspecting for pests. For tips on enhancing your outdoor space, check out our blog on Landscaping to Increase Your Home Value!.

Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fences are the low-maintenance cousin of wood. They look good, don’t require constant attention, and are resistant to the elements—think of vinyl as your friend who somehow always looks great, even if they just woke up. The upfront cost is higher, but you won’t be spending weekends dealing with rot or peeling paint. It’s a solid choice for homeowners who want the best fence for curb appeal without sacrificing their Saturday afternoons. For more information on vinyl fence options, visit Vinyl Fencing Guide for ideas.

Metal Fences

Metal fences offer a touch of sophistication that says, “Yes, I have thought about security, but I also want to look classy while doing it.” Wrought iron, aluminum, or steel fences can enhance the curb appeal of any home while adding a layer of security. If you’re going for elegance, metal fences are definitely a win, but be prepared for some maintenance with wrought iron—rust is a real buzzkill. If you’re not up for a paint job every few years, aluminum might be your new best friend. ou can read more about the benefits of metal fencing at This Old House.

Chain Link Fences

Chain link fences may not scream “luxury,” but with a little creativity, they can still work some magic. Think of it as the functional fence that doesn’t try too hard. Adding some privacy slats, hanging decorative plants, or letting vines do their thing can transform a basic chain link into a backyard feature. It’s like that person who can turn a plain outfit into a fashion statement with the right accessories—it’s all about how you dress it up.

Composite Fences

Composite fences offer a blend of the natural look of wood with the low-maintenance qualities of vinyl. These fences are like the eco-conscious friend who always brings their own reusable shopping bag. Composite materials resist rot and pests while offering an attractive look, though the higher cost may cause a slight case of sticker shock. The good news? You’ll get your money’s worth with long-term durability and curb appeal that lasts.

Enhancing Curb Appeal with Fencing

Choosing the best fence for curb appeal isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about making a statement. A well-chosen fence says, “This house is loved,” while a neglected one says, “Don’t worry about the grass growing through the cracks; we’ll get to it someday.” For sellers, curb appeal is key to making a great first impression. If potential buyers are greeted by a stylish, well-maintained fence, they’ll be inclined to think the rest of the property is just as polished. On the flip side, if you’re a buyer, a good-looking fence can help you fall in love with your new home a little faster. Plus, it gives your dog somewhere classy to bark at the mailman.

Blurry background behind a chain link fence, highlighting its functional design.
This chain link fence proves that practicality can be stylish! It may not steal the spotlight, but it sure knows how to keep things contained.

Installation Tips when Fencing

When it comes to installing your fence, planning is everything. Think of it like a road trip—you wouldn’t just start driving and hope for the best (at least, not if you want to end up anywhere worth going). Check local regulations, mark your property lines, and lay out the fence path with stakes and string before you start. This is the kind of preparation that prevents disputes with the neighbors—and trust us, that’s the kind of drama you can live without.

If the idea of doing it all yourself feels overwhelming, or if your fencing plans are starting to look like the Great Wall of China, it might be time to call in a professional. A fence that’s installed correctly will not only look better, but it’ll also hold up longer—saving you headaches down the road. For further guidance on the home buying process, check out our post on Buying A Home.

Maintaining the Best Fence for Curb Appeal

Let’s face it, maintenance is the part nobody looks forward to, but it’s what keeps your fence from looking like it’s on the brink of retirement. Here’s how to keep your fence looking good:

Wood Fence Maintenance

Wood fences may need a little more attention than other options. Think of them like a vintage car—they’re beautiful but require some love. Resealing or staining every few years, inspecting for signs of trouble, and cleaning occasionally will keep your wood fence from looking like it’s seen better days.

Vinyl Fence Care

Vinyl fences are the opposite—they’re like that friend who’s always ready to go, no matter what. A quick rinse with soap and water once or twice a year is usually enough to keep vinyl looking fresh. Just avoid abrasive cleaners; they’re like kryptonite to vinyl.

Elegant wrought iron fence with intricate designs
This wrought iron fence adds a touch of sophistication to any property, proving that security can be stylish!

Metal Fence Maintenance

Metal fences (especially wrought iron) may need rust-preventive measures and an occasional touch-up. Aluminum and steel are less needy, but it never hurts to give them a little attention. If you see rust, think of it as your fence’s way of asking for a spa day—sanding, priming, and painting will work wonders.

Chain Link Care

Chain link fences are low-maintenance, but you’ll want to keep an eye out for rust and give them a wash now and then. If they start to look a bit plain, a little landscaping or decoration can help dress them up, kind of like adding a stylish scarf to an otherwise boring outfit. For more landscaping tips to complement your fence, don’t miss our blog on Dos and Don’ts of Home Trends.

Composite Fence Upkeep

Composite fences are the set-it-and-forget-it option. Occasional washing with soap and water should do the trick. Just don’t go wild with a pressure washer—save that enthusiasm for cleaning the driveway.

Stylish Options for Your Backyard

Choosing the best fence for curb appeal means finding the right balance between function, style, and maintenance. Whether you’re going for a rustic wooden look, a polished metal aesthetic, or a practical yet stylish vinyl setup, the right fence can make your home the talk of the neighborhood. A beautiful fence doesn’t just keep the dog in—it keeps your home looking its best.

Remember, a great fence isn’t just a boundary line; it’s a statement. And when it’s done right, that statement is “This house is worth it.” So go ahead, pick your fence, make it fabulous, and enjoy the extra curb appeal—you’ve earned it.

Swimming Pools 101 – Types/Materials

~ Jacqueline Johnson ~ Leave a comment
Swimming Pools 101
Swimming Pools 101

If you read our last article, you know a swimming pool can add home value. Did you know, 92% of people with swimming pools installed reported a greater desire to stay at home once completed? In addition, roughly 80% of Florida homes feature a pool. With numbers like those, we thought it important to get some basic swimming pool information out there.

Types of Swimming Pools

While the most common pool is a concrete pool, there are actually a number of ways to build a swimming pool. Choosing between the style of pool, the material of the pool itself, and whether you want to use a salt or chlorine system, make a pool project a rather large endeavor.

Inground Pools

Fiberglass Pools: Built off site and delivered to your home, the surface has a gel coat, making the surface virtually non-porous. This means a fiberglass pool will not have the same water chemistry/ algae growth issues a concrete pool has. When compared to a concrete pool, you will spend roughly 75% less time and money on a fiberglass pool, according to River Pools and Spa. These pools are incredibly durable, lasting 30 years without resurfacing. They are also easy to maintain and are compatible with salt systems. Not to mention the speedy installation, taking just weeks to install versus the months a concrete pool will take to construct.

The biggest downside to fiberglass pools is they are not customizable in size and shape. So while getting a kidney shaped fiberglass pool or a 10 foot depth is not possible, the pool itself can feature customized colored finishes, ceramic tile, tanning ledges, water features, water lights, and more.

Concrete (or Gunite) Pools: The most common type of pool because concrete pools are customizable in size and shape. They also have the highest initial cost as well as the highest cost of ownership of all the types we will discuss. This actually makes concrete pools the most expensive and the most desired. Made with concrete pools and reinforced with steel, they are incredibly durable. However, the concrete is porous, and algae sticks/ imbeds easily in it. This translates to more chemical costs as well as more time simply cleaning the pool. Paying for a pool cleaning service is usually recommended for these types of pools. They will not only keep the pool clean but also make sure the water chemistry stays balanced. While you can use a salt system with a concrete pool, the salt could erode the concrete making maintenance more expensive.

Concrete pools have the highest cost of ownership of all pool types mentioned. They require an acid wash every 3 to 5 years and refinished every 10 to 15 years. This, in addition to chemical/service cost, and an estimate higher usage of electricity.

Vinyl Pools: The vinyl lined pool has the lowest initial cost for an inground pool. It is completely customizable in size and shape, which allows for your creativity to shine. The liner is non-porous, making it easy to keep clean and the water balanced. However, there are areas, behind lights for example, where the water does not circulate and algae can grow. The liners themselves need replaced every 5 to 9 years, making this type of pool more difficult to maintain than a fiberglass pool but less than a concrete one. Vinyl pools are compatible with salt systems however, make sure the side walls are plastic, not metal. The water/salt will erode when the liner leaks, which it will do.

Swimming Pools 101 - Types
Swimming Pools 101 – Types

Above Ground Pools

The most economical option for the pool owner is the above ground pool. Above ground pools, as they state, sit above ground in your yard. Sometimes they feature a deck or patio around the pool. The construction of these pools include aluminum, steel, or resin, and vinyl liners. Sometimes referenced as a DIY pool, it can be purchased at the local pool store and constructed at home. One of it greatest appeals is that it can be disassembled and taken if you move. While the pool can last between 10-20 years, the liner will need to be replaced every 5 years. Above ground pools can also be made into semi inground pools, partially burying the pool bridging the gap between the top of the pool and the ground. These pools are also compatible with salt systems, just remember to be diligent with leaks if your framework is metal.

Stay Tuned

Choosing the best option for you may take some research. As you get into deck and patio options, the project becomes even larger. However, there is no shortage of companies to interview to help determine the best option for your future plans. We always recommend calling at least 3 companies, no matter the service provided.

Stay tuned for our next article explaining specialty pools and the difference between a salt and chlorine system!

Swimming Pools 101 - Types
Swimming Pools 101 – Types

Sources:

Seller’s Market, What Do You Mean??

Seller's Market
Image ~ ~ Jacqueline Johnson ~ 1 Comment

Investopedia.com defines a “seller’s market” as, “A market condition characterized by a shortage of goods available for sale, resulting in pricing power for the seller.” In general, a seller’s market means that more buyers looking for homes exist than homes on the market, in that area or price range. In fact, both price range and area affect which type of market situation you experience. For example, homes priced under $250,000 in Central Florida sell extremely fast, however, if you go up to $400,000 the market shifts and you start to see more homes on the market than buyers shopping for them. As a result, those homes will sit on the market for upwards of 3 months instead of 2 weeks.

Let’s break this down by perspective –

 

Seller Perspective in a Seller’s Market

As a home owner…… what a great time to sell! A Seller’s Market means as long as you price your property according to what the market suggests, you could end up exceeding your list price. Many sellers can find themselves in a “multiple offer situation”. This gives them the ability to choose the best offer for their situation – which does not always equate to solely money! Sometimes flexibility in various ways wins out over a higher net profit.

The one thing we cannot stress enough however…. A seller’s market does NOT mean you can price your home as high as you would like and someone will buy it. Not the case at all. In order for the property to sell, you must price it according to similar properties in the same area. This is where a CMA comes into play.

 CMA in a seller’s market

A CMA, or a Comparable Market Analysis, gives a detailed report on a subject property and the market around it. Calculated by Real Estate Professionals, we use this report to find the value of any property a client would like to sell or purchase. The value comes in the form of a range a values with a suggested target value. The “suggested value” depends on the current features and upgrades the property has. We recommend using this value as a starting point to help determine the price at which to list the home. The range gives you an idea of what you could sell the property for, provided specific upgrades are completed.

When a seller decides to list their home within the range but higher than the suggested list price, this is what we call “pushing the market”. When done accurately, a CMA gives you an idea of the value the appraiser will find. A CMA completed by a Realtor is NOT an appraisal nor can a Real Estate Professional legally call a CMA an appraisal however, it is the standard for pricing a home to sell and also finding the value to make an offer in the Real Estate Industry.

Read more here about How A Home Appraisal Kills The Deal

How to handle being a Seller in the Seller’s Market

  • First and foremost – you should always work with a trusted Real Estate Professional for any Real Estate transaction! We help facilitate the deal and get everyone to the closing table smoothly.
  • If still living in the home, you will need to prepare yourself for Realtors to show the property. Real Estate is all about numbers, the more buyers we can show the property to, the more chances there are for offers. We recommend to our clients that are still living in the property they are wanting to sell, to leave for the first weekend to allow access to as many buyers as possible in that first weekend. This is especially true is you are looking for a niche buyer i.e. selling a home in a 55+ community or a cash only sale.
  • Know your bottom line. Negotiating can be much easier and go a lot more smoothly if you have an idea of what your absolute bottom line is and what that means for your sale. This is especially true for sellers pushing the market to purchase their next home. Understand if you are pushing the market with price and won’t budge from the top of the range, your home will more than likely sit on the market longer which means dealing with the hassle of showing for longer as well.

Buyer’s Perspective in a Seller’s Market

If you’re a buyer… it’s a great time to buy! While the national interest rate stays relatively low,  the value in most areas continues to increase. At the current rate of value, year over year, the same home could cost you up to $40,000 more to purchase if you wait. So – don’t wait!

Buyers in a seller’s market

One of the main challenges for buyers in this market pertains to multiple offers. Many times a “multiple offer situation” for a seller becomes a “highest and best situation” for the buyers. This means they need to decide what their limit is and make the strongest offer they can. Sometimes the strongest offer is one that is flexible and open to the seller’s needs. Many times this will create a situation where the seller accepts an offer higher than the price they listed for.

Property values in a seller’s market

Now, this doesn’t mean buyers are “overpaying” for property – the property still has to appraise. If it doesn’t appraise for the loan amount the parties will have to renegotiate the terms of the contract. The buyer can choose to pay out of pocket or walk away and get their escrow deposit back. Regardless, it does mean that seller’s are pushing the market and buyers are eating it up. So let’s discuss how to handle being a buyer in a seller’s market.

How to handle being a Buyer in a seller’s market

  • Again, hire a trusted and experienced Realtor! This point is even more important from the buyer’s perspective. There are more hurdles to overcome when you purchase a home versus when you sell a home. Also, in case you didn’t know, the sellers pay our commission so you should not go without representation.
  • Know what you have to work with. This one seems obvious but time and time again seems to be forgotten. Something small will come up and our buyers will lose the home they wanted because they didn’t think ahead. Sometimes getting into your dream home could mean a monthly mortgage payment just outside of the comfortable budget you set for your family. Perhaps for your dream home closings costs and fees exceed what you budgeted. You will need to come up with just a little more which means dipping into savings you previously said you did not want to touch. These are all possible situations we have seen buyers go through. You need to know your limitations from the beginning. This will help with not only finding the right home but then negotiating when you find it, if need be.
  • Don’t be afraid to be aggressive. This one has a few caveats which we will discuss in a moment. However, if you are getting ready to put an offer in on your dream home, be aggressive and make a strong offer based on the  current market in that area and your specific situation.

Difference in Realtors

Any Realtor will do a CMA on a property a client would like to make an offer on. However, a good agent will go a step further and look at the market in the area. They will give you a value for the property and also tell you how long similar properties in the area took to sell. A good agent will look at the sold properties to see if they sold for list price and if not, will look at how close it sold for. Looking at these factors plus the buyer’s specific financial situation is the best way to determine how to make an offer. Remember that you can always back out during the inspection period. Also, because the property will have to appraise for the loan amount, you do not have to worry about getting stuck paying more for a home than it is worth.

Conclusion

We always recommend to work with a trusted and experienced Realtor!! Moreover as a seller, we recommend to price the property accurately, be ready to show to prospective buyers, and know your bottom line. For the buyer we recommend you know what your hard limits are in terms of walking away from a property. You also need to be aggressive with your offer and/ or negotiations if the market suggests to do so.

Understanding the market right now is vital to getting the best deal possible. This is especially true at a time when properties sell at or above market value with inventory dwindling. This is a great time as a seller or a buyer to get into their next dream home. While a seller’s market currently dominates most areas making the process of finding a home a little harder on buyers, sellers are getting top dollar for their homes creating a great situation for most new buyers with values continuing to rise.

 

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Buying Points When Buying A Home

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Buying Points
Buying Points When Buying a Home

As millennials and other first time home buyers begin their quest of buying a home, they face ever increasing costs of home-ownership. To help combat these increasing costs, lenders may provide some options to consider such as buying points.  A caveat we have to mention (almost by law) – we are not financial advisers or mortgage experts. Any information we provide derives from personal experience and working with families buying a home.  Please obtain counsel from a professional financial adviser to help you determine what option suits you and your family best.

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Home Loans for Students

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Home Loans for Students
Home Loans for Students

So you and your spouse have completed your undergraduate degrees. You both have decided that you will continue your graduate degrees while working. Each of you has an annual income of roughly $50,000. You both have good credit, and you have put aside money for a down-payment for your first home. You both decide to begin your search for home loans for students so you can buy your first home! Happy day!

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New Home Construction – A Client’s Story (Part 2)

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New Home Construction
New Home Construction – Model Exterior

Welcome back! In our last article, we discussed wanting to provide as much information as we could about new home construction. In doing so, we decided that while the information coming from our perspective could certainly help many families, we wanted to make sure we obtained our potential customer’s perspective as well. So we contacted our past client’s, many of whom we now call friends if we did not prior to this shared experience.

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New Home Construction – A Client’s Story (Part 1)

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New Home Construction
New Home Construction – Courtesy of one awesome client and friend

As we truck along in the new year, families have started to file their tax returns.  This leads many to contemplate the option of home ownership using their tax refunds.  A number of factors have gone into the prediction that the housing market may see an extended “sellers market”.  Those looking at buying their first home, or their first home since the Great Recession may feel the effect most. This extended sellers market may lead many families to look at new home construction.   With that in mind, we wanted to share some insight from one of our past clients, and build on that experience with some (hopefully) helpful guidance.

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How A Home Appraisal Kills The Deal

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Home Appraisal Kills Deal
Home Appraisal Kills Deal

For those thinking about getting into home ownership, one issue that many forget to consider until too late includes the home appraisal. Forgive me for my marketing blurb here, this issue also points to a great reason to utilize the assistance of a real estate agent.  This article will talk about a few ways a home appraisal can kill a real estate transaction using a few personal experiences. We will also note some options to help prevent this situation.

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Learn About Your Down Payment Gift

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Down Payment Gift
Down Payment Gift

So, you have contemplated thinking about maybe possibly looking into the option of considering potentially purchasing a house, sorta kinda…. Maybe. Usually in instances such as this, the potential home buyer delays for one major reason – the down payment. We have written a few articles speaking about different options for programs available to many families. One about general programs available, and another about programs specific to Central Florida. However, we wanted to discuss one option that does not originate with your lender or the government – receiving a down payment gift. Some families may not have this option available to them, but for those that do, this article is for you!

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