When you finally got that hard-earned raise or settled down with the person you love, you moved out of your apartment or modest condo and started searching for real home. Along with the extra closet space and the square footage you’d dreamed of for years, your first home also needs to have a spacious backyard with a beautiful view of Colorado’s natural mountain landscapes.
Even though you feel excited to about this new phase in your life and experience the benefits of owning your own property, you should consider how your yard will affect your lifestyle.
Before you close on a home, you should take a moment to think about the additional factors that your yard brings to the table. Below, we’ve listed four important aspects to think about while you search for your first home.
- Do You Prefer Sunlight of Shadow?
The arrangement of trees within your yard can affect your view from your bedroom window-and shade trees can even influence your thermostat on a hot summer day. A conveniently located shade tree will protect you and your guests from the sun’s rays during a picnic or barbecue, and it will also determine which plants you can use in your garden.
But trees planted too closely to your home block your view of the landscape or even damage your house’s exterior with overgrown branches and fallen leaves.
When you visit a home listing, take time to walk around the perimeter of the yard. Notice the distance between the home and large existing trees, particularly near windows. If you see trees too close to your abode, you’ll likely have to remove them to better your view and prevent structural damage to the building.
- Have You Determined the Root of the Problem?
Trees increase the size and length of their roots as they grow taller and fuller. When you’re in the market for a home, pay attention to the location of roots throughout your yard.
Young trees with long roots that threaten to collide with sidewalks, pathways, and your home’s foundation could present a problem when the trees mature. When roots run into your home’s features, you’ll have to replace a cracked sidewalk or a damaged foundation to avoid other more serious problems.
Factor into your budget the cost of tree removal or home repairs for any damages you see from tree roots.
- Do Your Trees Branch Out in a Healthy Way?
If the previous homeowner failed to perform regular tree trimmings and limb removals, you could face risks from heavy branches that jeopardize your home’s structure and the safety of anyone in your yard.
Check carefully for the following issues in your yard’s trees:
- Branches that dangle. When a branch dies, it will often separate from the rest of the tree and fall to the ground. But dead or detached branches can also get caught in other plant life and perch out of your reach. These branches threaten to fall on anything that stands under the tree-your garage, parked cars, your patio, and even children playing outside. Enlist the help of an arborist to help you remove unwanted branches before disaster strikes.
- Branches that grow close to power lines. If your branches creep towards electrical lines, you could experience a power surge or a power outage throughout your home. The offending branches also present a fire hazard, because they could conduct electricity into your yard and start a fire.
- Branches that carry disease. Diseased branches sill show signs of decay, usually in the joint between two tree limbs. Discoloration or unusual growths on branches signify that the tree may not survive much longer. If the sickness infects the entire tree instead of a few isolated branches, you’ll also have to pay for costly tree removal.
During your home tour, circle each fully grown tree in the yard to inspect for potentially dangerous branches. If you notice anything serious, talk it over with your agent or the current homeowner. Expensive branch or tree removal also provides you with evidence to negotiate on the price of your house.
- What Are You Willing to Pay for Yard Upkeep?
Even in your ideal situation with perfectly planted, healthy trees, your new home will require landscaping and maintenance throughout the years. Accommodate the information from your home tour into your landscaping budget to find out if you can afford a house with a giant backyard, or if you’d prefer a low-maintenance alternative.
Remember that all trees need yearly pruning to keep them from growing in the wrong direction. Fruit trees especially need a helping hand to produce the best quality fruit without dropping overripe produce on your lawn.
Whatever your situation, consult your local arborist for a cost estimate, and factor his or her appraisal into your final budget.
You can get the home you want with the yard you’ve always imagined. When you remember these four steps, you’ll have the tools to judge potential homes and find the perfect fit for your finances and lifestyle.
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