How Important is a Managing Broker?

The availability of your managing broker is important.  Will your broker take the time to answer your questions?  How about share tips with you on building your business?  Can your broker tell you which buyers are likely to buy a house so that you are not wasting your time with people who are not qualified or walk away from those that can be qualified to buy a house?  Does your managing broker take you out for lunch and discuss ways to increase your business? 

 

Here at Homes & Equity Real Estate Group, we believe it is very important to help our brokers.  See what our brokers are saying about our managing broker, Max Nasab.

 

 

I have been in the real estate industry for over 19 years. During that time I have worked for two other real estate firms and it was a great surprise to find Max and Renee who run Homes & Equity Group in Bellevue. Both Max and Renee understand the needs of agents who work in this fast-paced and rather stressful business, and have a full understanding of what it takes to make for an effective work environment for agents and their assistants.

Both of them provide a great service and are fluid in all facets of this business. They provide legal advice, fast and reliable tech support, cutting edge understanding of online systems that make an agent’s work more mobile and accessible, and are constantly on hand and helpful for any real estate questions an agent might run into, a rarity in this industry.

Scott Townsend Relocation Specialist with Microsoft Relocation

 

 

 

I moved my license to Homes and Equity RE Group a year and a half ago and will tell those of you who are considering a change, this is an awesome company.

You keep all of your commission, they provide your signs, business cards, web site, and lock boxes so you have a very minimum out of pocket plus they also include your continuing hours.

Max is also one of the best mortgage brokers in the business along with his staff so you don't have to try and establish any other mortgage broker relationships which keeps your entire transaction in house so you can keep a better eye on your deals.

I have been in the business over 19 years and can say this is the best move I have made in my career.

Mark Jennings CDRS-CSSBR REO Asset Development & Sales

 

 

 

Your only costs with Homes & Equity Real Estate Group are $59 per month and a $195 per transaction fee.  With Homes & Equity Real Estate Group you can compete on a whole new level.  

Although we are a discount broker, we do provide a lot of services to our Brokers.  For our listings we provide:

• Yard signs
• Lock boxes
• A Boards for your open houses. 

For your business, we provide: 

• Free business cards
• Free web site with IDX feed to the MLS
• Free continuing education
• A Managing Broker that is willing to talk with you

You can learn more at our website at: http://www.joinhomesandequity.com/

Call Max Nasab at: 206-719-2694

For more information Call Max Nasab today! 206-719-2694 maxn@mortgagemoneystore.com

 

 

2014 Cost vs. Value: 5 Mid-Range Remodeling Projects That Offer the Biggest Returns

2014 Cost vs. Value: 5 Mid-Range Remodeling Projects That Offer the Biggest Returns

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Traditional Entry by West Palm Beach Paint & Wall Coverings D’Avco Painting Contractors Inc.

Just replacing that front door may offer some of the biggest bang for a remodelers’ buck, according to the 2014 Cost vs. Value Report. It’s one of the least expensive remodeling jobs and offers the potential of a 96.6 percent return on investment at resale – the highest of 35 remodeling projects recently analyzed. Front door replacement has topped the Cost vs. Value report since the first survey in 2009.

Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, each year takes a look at some of the most popular remodeling projects and gauges how well the projects retain their value at resale.

For mid-range projects, here are projects that retain their value by the highest rates, according to national averages:

1. Entry door replacement (steel)

Estimated job cost: $1,162

Estimated resale value: $1,122

Cost recouped: 96.6%

2. Deck addition (wood)

Estimated job cost: $9,539

Estimated resale value: $8,334

Cost recouped: 87.4%

3. Attic bedroom

Estimated job cost: $49,438

Estimated resale value: $41,656

Cost recouped: 84.3%

4. Garage door replacement

Estimated job cost: $1,534

Estimated resale value: $1,283

Cost recouped: 83.7%

5. Minor kitchen remodel

Estimated job cost: $18,856

Estimated resale value: $15,585

Cost recouped: 82.7%

View more remodeling projects that offer some of the biggest paybacks in REALTOR® Magazine’s feature article, “2013-14 Cost vs. Value: Remodeling Pays Off Big Time.” Also view HouseLogic’s slideshow of Best Bets for Adding Value to Your Home in 2014.

more info...

How long do I have to wait after a Short Sale or Foreclosure?

Have you ever been asked how long someone has to wait before buying another house after a Short Sale, Foreclosure or a Bankruptcy?  If not, you will hear this question in the future.  Being able to answer this question will set you apart as a broker that knows the business.  Below are the underwriting guidelines to answer this question.  There are a lot of people that will be able to buy another house shortly.  This will help you ask the right questions to see if your buyers can buy now in in the near future.

 

Short Sale

Conventional Loans:

                Minimum 2 years with restrictions up to 7 years

                2 to 4 years – 80% maximum LTV

                4 to 7 years – 90% maximum LTV

                7 years and after allow for maximum standard financing

 

FHA and VA Loans:

                0 to 3 years if borrower’s credit and mortgage payments were in good standing prior, and up to date of Short Sale

 

 

Foreclosure

Conventional Loans:

                7 years with exceptions considered between 3 to 7 years

 

FHA and VA Loans:

                FHA: 3 to 4 years with acceptable explanation of circumstances

                VA: 2 to 4 years with acceptable explanation of circumstances with 600+ FICO

 

 

Bankruptcy

Time frame for re-established credit starts at Discharge or Dismissal Date.

Conventional:

Chapter 7:  4 Years From Discharge Date

Chapter 13:  Years From Discharge Date, or 4 Years for a borrower who was unable to complete the Ch. 13 plan & received a Dismissal.

Multiple BK Filings In Last 7 Years – 5 Years from Most Recent Discharge

Exception:

            An underwriter may allow for between 2 and 4 years if a review of the file supports the bankruptcy was caused by extenuation circumstances outside of the borrower’s control and not likely to reoccur.  Extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to events such as: death of a primary wage earner, major medical expenses or loss of job due to companywide layoffs or closure.  Divorce is not considered an extenuating circumstance nor is financial mismanagement. 

 

 

FHA/VA: 

          Chapter 7 & 11: 2 years elapsed since the completion or discharge of Bankruptcy.

            Chapter 13: No minimum time required, provided:

§  One year of the pay-out period under the bankruptcy has elapsed, and

§  The borrower’s payment performance has been satisfactory and all required payments have been made on time, and

§  The borrower has received written permission from the bankruptcy court to enter into the mortgage transaction.

 

 

Modified or Restructured Loans

 

Not eligible if Modified loan was on Subject Property. 

If Modified Loan was NOT on our Subject Property: 

Exception:

            Extenuating circumstances, with supporting documentation, will be allowed between 3 and 7 year’s time period from completion date with the following restrictions:

§  O/O only.  Purchase of a second home or investment property is not permitted

§  Purchase and limited cashout refinances are permitted for all occupancy types pursuant to the eligibility requirements in effect at the time.

 

Be sure to call Max Nasab at 206-719-2694 if you, or your buyers have any questions about whether your buyers qualify for a home mortgage or not.

 

For more information Call Max Nasab today! 206-719-2694 maxn@mortgagemoneystore.com

 

A flyer with this information is available at: http://realestatebrokerconnection.com/sales-materials/

 

3/2014

 

No-Rooz, The Iranian New Year at Present Times

No-Rooz, in word, means "New Day". It is the new day that starts the year, traditionally the exact astronomical beginning of the Spring. Iranians take that as the beginning of the year. This exact second is called "Saal Tahvil". No-Rooz with its' uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrian (This was the religion of ancient Persia before the advent of Islam in 7th century A.D.).

Iranians consider No-Rooz as their biggest celebration of the year, before the new year, they start cleaning their houses (Khaane Tekaani), and they buy new clothes. But a major part of New Year rituals is setting the "Haft Seen" with seven specific items. In ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism. All the seven items start with the letter "S"; this was not the order in ancient times. These seven things usually are: Seeb (apple), Sabze (green grass), Serke (vinager), Samanoo (a meal made out of wheat), Senjed (a special kind of berry), Sekke (coin), and Seer (garlic). Sometimes instead of Serke they put Somagh (sumak, an Iranian spice). Zoroastrians today do not have the seven "S"s but they have the ritual of growing seven seeds as a reminder that this is the seventh feast of creation, while their sprouting into new growth symbolized resurrection and eternal life to come. - See more at: http://www.iranchamber.com/culture/articles/norooz_iranian_new_year.php#sthash.n0QTuf25.dpuf

 

Wheat or lentil representing new growth is grown in a flat dish a few days before the New Year and is called Sabzeh (green shoots). Decorated with colorful ribbons, it is kept until Sizdah beh dar, the 13th day of the New Year, and then disposed outdoors. A few live gold fish (the most easily obtainable animal) are placed in a fish bowl. In the old days they would be returned to the riverbanks, but today most people will keep them. Mirrors are placed on the spread with lit candles as a symbol of fire. Most of the people used to place Qoran on their Sofreh (spread) in order to bless the New Year. But some people found another alternative to Qoran and replaced it by the Divan-e Hafez (poetry book of Hefez), and during "Saal Tahvil" reading some verses from it was popular. Nowadays, a great number of Iranians are placing Shahnameh (the Epic of Kings) of Ferdowsi on their spread as an Iranian national book. They believe that Shahnameh has more Iranian identity values and spirits, and is much suitable for this ancient celebration. - See more at: http://www.iranchamber.com/culture/articles/norooz_iranian_new_year.php#sthash.n0QTuf25.dpuf

 

After the Saal Tahvil, people hug and kiss each other and wish each other a happy new year. Then they give presents to each other (traditionally cash, coins or gold coins), usually older ones to the younger ones. The first few days are spent visiting older members of the family, relatives and friends. Children receive presents and sweets, special meals and "Aajil" (a combination of different nuts with raisins and other sweet stuff) or fruits are consumed. Traditionally on the night before the New Year, most Iranians will have Sabzi Polo Mahi, a special dish of rice cooked with fresh herbs and served with smoked and freshly fried fish. Koukou Sabzi, a mixture of fresh herbs with eggs fried or baked, is also served. The next day rice and noodles (Reshteh Polo) is served. Regional variations exist and very colorful feasts are prepared.

The 13th day of the new year is called "Sizdah Bedar" and spent mostly outdoors. People will leave their homes to go to the parks or local plains for a festive picnic. It is a must to spend Sizdah Bedar in nature. This is called Sizdah Bedar and is the most popular day of the holidays among children because they get to play a lot! Also in this day, people throw the Sabze away, they believe Sabze should not stay in the house after "Sizdah Bedar". Iranians regard 13th day as a bad omen and believe that by going into the fields and parks they avoid misfortunes. It is also believed that unwed girls can wish for a husband by going into the fields and tying a knot between green shoots, symbolizing a marital bond. - See more at: http://www.iranchamber.com/culture/articles/norooz_iranian_new_year.php#sthash.n0QTuf25.dpuf

 

Another tradition of the new year celebrations is "Chahar-Shanbeh Soori". It takes place before Saal Tahvil, at the last Wednesday of the old year, well actually Tuesday night! People set up bon fire, young and old leap over the fires with songs and gestures of merriment like:

(Sorkhi-e to az man) Give me your beautiful red color
(Zardi-e man az to) And take back my sickly pallor!

It means: I will give you my yellow color (sign of sickness), and you give me your fiery red color (sign of healthiness). This is a purification rite and 'suri' itself means red and fiery.

No-Rooz Greetings:
No-Rooz Mobarak (Happy No-Rooz, Happy New Year);
Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak (Happy New Year to you);
No-Rooz Pirooz (Wishing you a Prosperous New Year);
Sad Saal be in Saal-ha (Wishing you 100 more Happy New Years).

After all No-Rooz is a fun time for all of the Iranians, old and young. - See more at: http://www.iranchamber.com/culture/articles/norooz_iranian_new_year.php#sthash.n0QTuf25.dpuf

 

San Francisco Raises Loan Limits for First-Time Buyers

San Francisco Raises Loan Limits for First-Time Buyers

The city is doubling the amount it will lend to first-time home buyers toward a down payment on their first house or condo — from $100,000...

more info...

Attention Real Estate Brokers, Life just got easy!

Attention Real Estate Brokers, Life just got easy!

20 reasons to use Mortgage Money Store, your local mortgage broker for your clients financing needs

1.       Loans will close in 15 – 20 days guaranteed

2.       Loans for stated income with strong down payment

3.       Loans with no credit are available

4.       Loans with FICO scores as low as 500 are available

5.       Loans for brand new condominium projects without the HOA being turned over to the residence

6.       Loans for manufactured homes on their own land

7.       Loans for up to 10 properties.  Great for investors with rental houses

8.       Loans for rentals with no rental experience.  We can use rental income on subject property

9.       Loans for rehab of primary and investment properties

10.   Loans for using assets only for income qualification

11.   Loans for people with H1 Visa

12.   Loans for using gift funds for the entire 5% down payment

13.   Loans for 1 day after discharge of chapter 13 bankruptcy

14.   Loans for refinance of flipped properties one day after purchase

15.   Loans for Good Neighbor program for teachers, fire, police workers

16.   Loans FHA

17.   Loans for FHA 203 Rehab

18.   Loans for VA

19.   Loans for USDA

20.   Loans for HomePath

With all of these reasons to use Mortgage Money Store you better call Max Nasab today at 206-719-2694.

maxn@mortgagemoneystore.com

NMLS #112686

 

Stated Income Financing for Luxury Homes

Stated income loans are back for the solid borrowers

 

Financing for a luxury home can be challenging without the right lender connections.  High income earners often do not show the real income on their tax returns.

 

This loan is for your clients that have cash assets and would like to buy their dream house.  Their tax returns do not tell the whole story of their income, or their income has increased dramatically in the last year.  This loan is underwritten by real people on a make sense basis. 

 

Ø Primary Residence SFR

Ø Loan amounts $417,000 – $2,000,000+

Ø 5/1 and 7/1 ARM’s

Ø Must have 5 years employment

Ø Must have 100K+ in liquid reserves

Ø Maximum loan to value 70%

Ø Maximum debit to income ratio 38%

 

With Mortgage Money Store you will have a knowledgeable and experienced team of experts working to close the loan and you will get your commissions on time.

 

Please call today to get the right financing for your clients that wish to buy a luxury home with stated income. 

 

Max Nasab

Mortgage Consultant

206-719-2694

maxn@mortgagemoneystore.com

www.mortgagemoneystore.com

NMLS ID# 112686

 

All loans must qualify through lender underwriting and are subject to interest rates available at the time of application.  Approval is subject to acceptable appraisal, title, homeowner’s insurance, verification of assets and a minimum FICO score of at least 700.

 

A flyer is available at: http://realestatebrokerconnection.com/sales-materials/

Click Below To Download Our Free Real Estate Search Application

Are You Selling the What or the Why?

Recently, I sat in a meeting — no, not the kind you fall asleep in, but one that actually piqued my interest. It was a talk organized by real estate marketing firm 1000watt that spoke to the principle of branding, which is near and dear to my heart.

Marc Davison, co-founder of 1000watt, had a simple question: Do you sell the “what” or the “why” first?

Let me rephrase for those left-brained people out there: Is it about the thing that’s being sold or the ideals of the people who are selling it?

The answer is YES.

The most successful companies have proven time and again that the experience of buying outweighs the rhetoric of empty promises. Everyone sells things, but the company that stands behind those things makes all the difference.

For instance, if you want to buy a toy, where would you go if distance wasn't an issue? Toys ‘R’ Us or FAO Schwarz?

Not sure? Come on. Close your eyes. Tell me: What is the difference between the two? One delivers a kind of wonderment, and the other, well, at least for me, creates a panic attack. FAO Schwarz sells a place where dreams come true. Toys ‘R’ Us is the Walmart of toy stores. Now, there is nothing wrong with Walmart if you are looking to save, but if you want to pay a premium for a great experience, it's not exactly the first place to look.

What about Zappos? They don't sell shoes. Really! They sell happiness. Shoes are just a part of the equation.

Take Virgin Atlantic: Not exactly Delta, is it? Virgin is selling an oasis in what many people consider to be hell itself: the flying experience. I once paid $150 just to go into Virgin’s club before a flight. I swear it was the best airport experience I have ever had.

The Apple Store, my favorite place in the entire world, is the best example of all. Within the clean, white walls demonstrating the acme of spatial winsome, you can find every grown-up toy one might require to fill the consumerist's soul. Healthy? Maybe not. (At least my wife and wallet don't think so.) But damn, does it feel good to be there.

See, all around us are examples of companies who exude the “why” before they provide the “what.” They simply get it, and all the while, their competitors don't understand.

So, I will make this radical statement: We, as real estate practitioners, don't sell houses. We sell the experience of dreams. Now, how each of us delivers those dreams to our clients is vastly different, but I believe to my core that this is true.

However, the sad fact is that as long as we believe we are widget peddlers, shelling out houses in vast numbers from one person to the next, we will never grow when our industry desperately needs us to do so.

So, as you mull over the somewhat controversial position I have taken, think of things this way: Do you Walmart or Apple?

In that answer is our future.

 

Darrin Friedman

Darrin Friedman

As co-CEO and founder of Real Living | At Home in Washington, D.C. and Chevy Chase, Md., Darrin Friedman operates as the right-brained side of his brokerage. He specializes in brand development, social media outreach, marketing, and broadcast video. You can contact him at info@rlathome.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome Back the Front Porch

Welcome Back the Front Porch

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Traditional Porch by Chappaqua Architects & Designers Fivecat Studio | Architecture

The front porch is making a comeback in home designs. Builders recently said the front porch is one of the most popular amenities in 2014, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

The rebirth of the front porch in the past decade may be in partial nod to younger generations who have shown recent preferences toward smaller homes in more dense neighborhoods that boast greater social interaction.

The front porch used to be a mainstay in home designs in the early 1900s, according to a historical paper on “The Rise and Decline of the American Front Porch” published by the Montana Heritage Project. But soon, the front porch became replaced by a garage facing the street. The front porch was moved to backyards as a deck that offered home owners greater privacy.

The popularity of the front porch once was as a gathering place, allowing children to play in the front yard and offering families a cozy place to sit outside, relax, and socialize with their neighbors. But after World War II, front porches began disappearing from newer houses, according to the Montana Heritage Project. The article speculates it was partially due to people becoming “more individualistic and less communal-minded,” and home owners preferring to take their barbecues to the backyard in privacy.

Some home owners are welcoming back the front porch as a way to add more character to your home’s curb appeal. Even if your listing doesn’t have a big front porch, adding some seating may help give buyers that image of this iconic symbol to American homes. Stage it with rocking chairs, a porch swing, or outdoor furniture to show it as an extension of the home, and a place to sit back and connect with your neighbors.

Check out some of these examples:

Beach Style Exterior by Washington Architects & Designers Barnes Vanze Architects, Inc

Traditional Porch by Wilmington General Contractors plantation building corp

Traditional Porch by Covington Design-Build Firms Highland Homes, Inc.

Beach Style Porch by Coronado Design-Build Firms Flagg Coastal Homes

more info...

Success in Real Estate and the ‘Latte Factor’

Success in Real Estate and the ‘Latte Factor’

If you buy yourself a latte every morning on the way to the office or when you head off to show a client a house, prepare to say goodbye to a good $1,000 a year in your hard-earned commission income. That’s about how much buying a latte every workday will run you. Would that money have been better spent marketing your business or getting a professional certification to help set yourself apart from the competition?

That’s the kind of question you want to ask yourself when you sit down to prepare your budget each year, says Victoria Gillespie, director of business development at REALTORS® Federal Credit Union, a division of Northwest Federal Credit Union.

As independent business people, real estate practitioners can benefit from planning their expenses at the beginning of each year just as a business does, Gillespie says in the fourth video in REALTOR® Magazine’s financial planning series, Your Money Matters. That means examining even small expenses like dry cleaning and getting your car washed, both of which are necessary expenses for maintaining a professional appearance but which can be managed through attentive planning. For example, buying clothes that don’t have to be dry cleaned and buying a light-colored car that doesn’t show dirt as much as a darker car can save hundreds of dollars a year in expenses.

One way to get a handle on your expenses is to identify the minimum expenses you need to do your job: office costs and marketing expenses are two examples. Once you have a projected dollar amount for the year, calculate how many transactions you have to close to reach that number. You can do that by identifying your total income from the previous two or three years, dividing that number by the number of transactions you had, and deriving an average commission amount for each transaction. Then divide your minimum expense number by your average commission income to get the minimum number of transactions you need to meet your expenses. Once you know that number, you’re in a good position to look at what you’re spending your money on to see if your dollars spent are getting you contacts with customers who eventually will close a deal with you.

Will the latte help you get there? If not, that might be one expense to curb. Get more on these ideas in the six-minute video above. You’ll find the previous Your Money Matters videos below.

Watch the fourth video now.

Go to the third video on credit unions.

Go to the second video on reserve accounts.

Go to the first video on taxes.

more info...

You have not missed the boat! You can still get very low interest rates !

If you are the average American who moves once every 7 years, why not consider a 7 Year ARM?

 

You can get approved for  loan amount up to $2,000,000.00 with 3.5% APR

 

 

Max Nasab

Mortgage Money Store

Phone: 206-719-2694

www.mortgagemoneystore.com

Loan Officer NMLS # 112686

Company     NMLS # 108306

 

 

 

 

Perks of Hiring Private Equity Firm in Eastside

Each and every branch of the government serves an important role to the nation; Just as their private counterparts are needed essentially to revive back lost opportunities. It may be too impossible to think about but the market and the economy is not only about being the only one at the top. Especially in private divisions, competition may be too tight but there are other great things that the market brings. This is can point to the specific role of private equity firms and what they actually do in the community. Here are some of the perks one can get when working with a Private Equity Firm in Eastside region.

Private equity firms have three most important roles in the economy, using mainly alternative forms of investment. These private entities look for companies they can get good profits from. Not that they are only using the companies to make money, they actually make that certain company work better. In a better phrase, they improve a company’s present condition.

Most of these private equity firms hunt for companies that are not that doing well in the market but have an excellent potential to expand into a better organization. These firms work their ways to recreate the company and make it more profitable. In some situations, these private equity firms help in selling a certain company to a better investor to make it function at its maximum potential. Companies that often fall to situation like this are usually those that are in the last leg.

The amazing part about having these types of equity organizations is that they use incredible ways to raise funds without spending too much from their own pockets. What these firms actually do is raise funds from different private sectors, willing wealthy investors, and even pensioners. They may also raise funds from affiliated foundations that are supporting their grounds.

The fact that private equity firms can perform based on their firsthand exceptional experience is another plus side you’ll get when you hire them to work with you. Basically, they work with utmost systematic and consistent procedures. They are equipped with highly competitive techniques that make it very easy for them to actually to deal with matters in the market.

Another thing is that these private firms can give you helpful insights on the latest trends in the market. They practically study almost every move in the market to see what they can do with the changes and effectively adapt to it. They also do researches that will all the more help them make better choices and decisions on their every move. They can give you suggestions as to what properties are perfect for your needs and if a certain property is still viable for business.

One of the things that private entity firms do is to monitor performances of certain companies. They get database of their target companies and study about them to see what things they would need to do to improve it. Also, they make efforts in learning ways to develop the organization and make it profitable. However, the procedure in making sure that everything is in their right places is not easy. That is why these firms arm themselves with apt knowledge and skills with everything that is related to the business.

Private equity firms in Eastside actually work well for the government. They mostly make the economy work better. Companies that are diving down in the market can be saved by these firms and make it stable again. Instead of letting companies fall, whether big or small, the private equity firms can do their best to help a company recover. They are actually able to return money to enterprises that are almost losing their hopes about their down trailing situation. 

The Hottest Outdoor Trends for 2014

The Hottest Outdoor Trends for 2014

Spaces by Dc Metro Home Builders National Association of Home Builders

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR(R) Magazine

A home’s inviting outdoor space may be just enough to get a home buyer to fall in love. The American Society of Landscape Architects recently surveyed nearly 180 landscape architects asking them to rate the expected popularity for 2014 of a variety of residential outdoor elements.

Across all categories, respondents rated the following as “somewhat” or “very in-demand” for 2014: lighting, seating/dining areas; fire pits/fireplaces; grills; installed seating, such as benches, seatwalls, ledges, steps, and boulders.

“Home owners know that designed landscapes add value to their lives as well as their property values,” says Nancy Somerville, ASLA executive vice president and CEO. “They’re interested in livable, open spaces that are both stylish and earth friendly.”

Here’s a breakdown of how home owners are sprucing up their outdoor spaces, and some of the top trends that landscape architects pinpointed for 2014 in each category.

Top Outdoor Design Elements

1. Gardens and landscaped spaces

2. Outdoor living spaces (kitchens, entertainment spaces)

3. Outdoor recreation amenities (pools, spas, tennis courts)

4. Sustainable design practices

Top Outdoor Living Features

1. Lighting

2. Seating/dining areas

3. Fire pits/fireplaces

4. Grills

Top Outdoor Recreation Amenities

1. Decorative water elements, such as ornamental pools, splash pools, waterfalls, grottos, water runnels, or bubblers

2. Spa features (hot tub, Jacuzzi, whirlpools, indoor/outdoor sauna)

3. Swimming pools

4. Sports/recreational spaces (tennis courts, bocce ball, etc.)

Top Landscape/Garden Elements

1. Low maintenance landscapes

2. Native plants

3. Fountains/ornamental water features

4. Food/vegetable gardens (including orchards/vineyards, etc.

Top Sustainable Design Elements

1. Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants

2. Drip/water-efficient irrigation

3. Permeable paving

4. Reduced lawn

Top Outdoor Structures

1. Terraces/patios/decks

2. Fencing (includes gates)

3. Pergoals

4. Decks

more info...