Realty Executives East Tennessee Realtors
Fall is a great time for local events that help you connect with your neighbors and increase your home’s value. By joining area gatherings and activities, you make your home more attractive, build better relationships and camaraderie with your neighbors, and create a sense of belonging. Here are some fun fall events to consider that could enhance your property’s value and add charm to your neighborhood.
Any budding artists in your local community? Encourage them to display and sell their work at a fall arts and crafts fair in your area. This event not only promotes local talent but increases awareness about the neighborhood’s cultural identity.
Homes in artistic communities often enjoy increased value due to their unique charm and character. Plus, it’s a great way for residents to connect and network over shared interests.
Organize a neighborhood home tour to show off everyone’s fall and holiday decorations and lights. Residents can tap into their competitive spirits to create stunning displays. This event not only promotes community spirit but allows homeowners to take pride in their properties.
Parents love to pack the family into the car and drive around looking for free light shows, so inviting your neighbors to showcase their best displays will not only help spread holiday cheer, but also leave a lasting impression on potential buyers. Afterall, a vibrant, well-decorated, and well-lit street is an attractive feature for anyone searching for a new home.
As the temperatures cool, hosting an outdoor movie night could be a great way to bring neighbors together. Set up a projector and screen in a local park or even someone’s backyard, and invite families to bring blankets, snacks, and beverages like hot chocolate and warm apple cider. This gathering not only creates a cozy and fun environment, but also strengthens community connections. Properties near areas that host regular social events are often more desirable, adding to their market value.
Organizing a fall clean-up day can significantly boost curb appeal in your neighborhood. Rally your neighbors to help clean up parks, plant trees, and remove litter and graffiti from common areas. A clean and well-maintained neighborhood attracts potential buyers and can lead to higher property values. Plus, it instills pride among residents, making your community a more inviting place to live.
As Thanksgiving approaches, a community potluck can be a great way to celebrate this season of thanks, while enjoying a good meal with your neighbors. Invite them to bring a fall or winter meal that they love to share with others. Warm pumpkin soup, chili, and pumpkin bread are all popular options. This ‘Friendsgiving’ allows neighbors to bond over a hearty meal while also highlighting a strong sense of community which can be a significant selling point for your property.
These fall events are not only fun and engaging, but also serve as an investment in your community. If you’re considering putting your home on the market, highlighting these strong community ties can resonate with potential buyers who visit during an open house. In fact, these seasonal gatherings could be the key to generating multiple offers on your property.
About the Author: Tammy Pitts has an extensive background in journalism, media relations, social media strategy, marketing, and brand management. She resides in Michigan with her family which includes her two sons and their Goldendoodle, Max. In her free time, she loves to read and travel.
DIY, eNews, Landscaping & Outdoor Design
Winterize Your Wonderland: Backyard Prep for the Cold
As the days get shorter and temperatures start dipping, it is easy to look at your yard and think it is now off-duty season. On the other hand, the steps you take now to winterize your yard have a significant impact on how well your outdoor space will thrive come spring. This involves more than tidying up things before the first frost, as you need to give your shrubs, trees, and garden a head start for the coming growth season. Keeping your yard healthy in the off-season pays dividends all year long.
Pruning is one of the most crucial tasks when doing winter yard prep. Trimming plants when it is cold and plants seem dormant can seem counterintuitive. However, it is one of the most effective times to do this. Pruning in late fall or during the winter takes advantage of the primary dormancy period for most shrubs and trees. Seize this advantage to help rejuvenate and shape them for the upcoming growing season.
Pruning is the opportunity to remove damaged, diseased, and dead branches. Doing so improves the health of trees across your landscape. It also minimizes the risk of limbs falling off during winter storms. Winter pruning of flowering trees and shrubs encourages more abundance among the springtime blooms. Pruning stimulates growth because it redirects the energy of plants into the fewer branches that get stronger.
When pruning, use sharp, clean tools so you can make clean cuts. Do not leave ragged edges behind that can be an invitation to disease.
Emphasize thinning out tree canopies for better air circulation. It reduces the risk of potential fungal diseases known to thrive in stagnant, moist environments. If you are not sure which branches to remove or how far to cut back, consult professionals for guidance or hire them to manage this for you. Doing so ensures your shrubs and trees will bounce back nicely when the temperatures start rising again.
Mulching is another crucial aspect of winterizing your yard. Many homeowners think of it as a summer activity, but a fresh application of fall mulch provides crucial protection for plants during the winter. Mulch is an insulating blanket that regulates moisture and temperature levels in the underlying soil. That is particularly important during winter’s freeze-thaw cycles when soil expands and contracts, a process that can damage plant roots.
Just two or three inches of organic mulch is a layer thick enough to protect shrubs, garden beds, and tree bases. Organic mulches, including compost, leaves, and shredded bark, break down slowly over time and add valuable nutrients to your landscape. This enrichment primes the soil for spring growth but also prevents weed growth and soil erosion.
Do not pile mulch directly against the trunks of shrubs or trees. You will risk creating moist environments that bring rot and pests. A small gap around a plant base lets proper air circulation happen.
Caring for your plants is a primary focus when winterizing your yard, but you also need to take care of your equipment and tools. This ensures they are ready to go when spring arrives. Tools such as lawnmowers, shears, and pruners see months of heavy use during the warm season, so they benefit from getting attention prior to being stowed away for the winter.
Start this process by thoroughly cleaning your tools to remove accumulations of rust, sap, and dirt. Sharpen the blades on lawnmowers, hedge clippers, and pruners so you ensure efficient, clean cuts better for plant health when you use the tools next season.
Extend the lifespan and smooth functioning of tools by lubricating moving parts. Pick a safe, dry place to store everything to prevent rust and protect tools from getting damaged by the elements.
Winter might seem like you get the season off from yard work, but it is an essential time if you want to set the stage for healthy, vibrant growth when things start warming up again. Investing in effective winter preparation protects your plants, ensures your tools stay in good condition, and improves soil health. When spring arrives, you will have a thriving, lush yard that should impress neighbors.
Do not let the winter season catch you off guard. Whether you do it yourself or utilize professional services, winterizing your wonderland primes your landscape for success in all seasons.
Realty Executives East Tennessee agents are real estate experts in Greeneville, TN. We have the education & expertise you need to navigate the process of buying or selling a home. From listing at the right price to making the best offer, our Executives have witnessed the best - and most regrettable - decisions homeowners & homebuyers can make. Every day, they are immersed in every aspect of real estate that includes comparable home price analysis, property surveys, credit reports, open houses, HOA agreements, lenders, title companies, homeowners’ insurance, walk-throughs, terms of sale/purchase, repairs, concessions & closing documents. Let our accomplished Executives help navigate you through the process of buying or selling a home.
