It's Spring. Do you have a yard to play in?

Spring is finally here. We can get outside again and enjoy the flowers, the sound of birds, and we can spend time in our yard. I know, by June, that will be more like work, but right now it is an enjoyable way to relax for most folks. Unless, you don't have a yard.

The yard is a very important feature to home buyers when they begin the home search process. Families that have children place the importance of the yard on a level almost equal to the number of bedrooms, or the schools they wish to attend. However, most buyers can only describe what they are looking for as "Well we would like a fairly level lot" or "We'll know it when we see it."

If you are going to be buying soon, you should start really thinking seriously about the features you would enjoy in the new yard.

• If you are a minimalist, wanting only to cut the grass and sit on the deck, then you probably don't want to buy a home that has been owned by a master gardener. You are probably more of a candidate for a fairly level "postage stamp" lot.


• However, if you are the master gardener, then you probably need no landscape advice, but you do need to be thinking about how you will want to use your new yard and how it should lay. Every gardner does not want a level yard. Do you want a landscaped yard that you can maintain, or do you want to start from scratch?


• How big do you want the new yard to be? If you want a large lot, tell your agent so you don't waste your time looking at homes on a quarter acre lot.


• If you want acreage with your new home - the really big yard, then you need to think about how you will use the land. If you want to mow 2-5 acres or you need pasture land, you don't want mountain acreage. However, if you want woods around (so you can become a hermit), then a level tract of land is not as important, in fact some steep grades might better serve your privacy purposes.


• If you want a home with a water feature, do you have the time needed for proper upkeep of the plants, fish, etc.? Are you willing to spend the money needed to maintain the function and beauty of the feature?


• If you really want an in-ground pool in the future, you need to evaluate the yard as to how well suited the space is for a pool. Will it cost a lot of money to level the lot, build retaining walls, move septic tanks or sewer lines? Just because there is a "good spot" for a pool, doesn't mean it will be easy to install. You might consider having a pool contractor do an evaluation of the property before you buy (or make his evaluation a contingency in your offer.) This is not a job for your home inspector!


• If you need a fenced backyard, don't limit yourself to only houses with fences. The right home for you may require that you add the fence. Make the fence "a plus" if it is already there and usuable, but don't eliminate the right house because there is no fence yet.


• Trees should be evaluated carefully. Mature trees are valuable for their shade and beauty. However, a tree in the wrong place, such as too close to the house, can be very expensive to remove. A diseased tree is costly to treat, prune, or remove. A professional opinion in advance may save you money and heartache later. Again, this is not a job for your home inspector.


• When you find a possible new home, consider carefully the drainage around the foundation of the structure. Water is the number one enemy of a home. The grade of the lot, landscaping, gutters and even soil absorbency all play a part in keeping water from entering the structure. Water needs to always drain away from the house, never allow water to drain against the foundation or run down the siding. Pay attention to the flow of water around the house, before it becomes your house.

Make your new home more enjoyable by considering the yard before you own the yard. There is an old saying "If money can fix it, it is not a problem" but most new homeowners don't have the extra money to fix something they could have avoided with a careful evaluation before making the offer. A top notch Realtor® can help you successfully negotiate a purchase that gets you into the right home, addresses all your concerns, including professional inspections, which allows you to enjoy the new home and the new yard for many years.

Your comments are always welcome, so if you have a success (or horror) story you want to share with others, please feel free to enter your comments and read those of others who have responded to this blog. I will respond to your questions and comments.

When you are ready to start looking, my experienced team of Realtors® is ready to WOW you with service that is second to no one... you can start here: UpwardRealty.com.

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