053124 Real Estate Directory

ELEVATE YOUR OUTDOOR RETREAT

4 innovative hardscaping designs

BRANDPOINT

As spring and summer approach, it’s time to consider how you’ll use your outdoor spaces this year. Your backyard, patio, front lawn and garden aren’t just for outdoor activities. They are natural living areas that you can use to cook, eat, entertain and relax.

Belgard wants to help you take your outdoor spaces to the next level. From eye-catching driveways to stunning patios and serene landscapes, the company offers an array of products to complement any home. Here are four hardscaping design ideas you can add to your home to extend your living spaces and maximize your time outdoors.

Pave the way

Paved pathways are a practical and striking addition to front or back lawns. They guide guests through your outdoor spaces while adding visual interest and definition. Consider incorporating curves and bends in your pathways to create a sense of discovery and intrigue. You can also enhance paved pathways with landscape lighting that illuminates the way during evenings for added safety and ambiance.

door luxuries in outdoor living spaces. Whether it’s a cozy patio, a spacious deck or a stylish pergola, these structures provide comfortable areas for relaxation and entertainment in nature.

Integrate features like built-in seating, fire pits or outdoor kitchens to enhance functionality and create a welcoming atmosphere that your friends and family can enjoy. Choose durable materials that can withstand the elements and require minimal maintenance.

Water features

In addition to a paved pathway, you can also consider a paver patio. Paver patios create a relaxing outdoor space that you can enjoy after a long day at work or use to entertain friends and family. Also, adding a paver patio to your home can potentially increase your home’s value. Once you choose what you want to pave, you’ll need to decide on the materials you’ll use. Whether you prefer the modern appeal of concrete pavers or pavers that mimic the rustic look of natural stone, there are various options to suit your style and budget. Choose a style like Papy-

Number of ‘millionaire cities’ rises to 17 in South Florida

Lisa J. Huriash

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL

South Florida now has a larger number of “millionaire cities.”

There are 17 cities in South Florida where the typical home is worth at least $1 million, according to an analysis done by Zillow, in which it identified its millionaire cities across the country. That’s compared with 16 last year.

Newly on the list this time: Palmetto Bay, a village that’s 8 square miles and has 25,000 residents.

“It just confirms what the people who live in Palmetto Bay already know: It’s a great place to live, work and play,” said Mayor Karyn Cunningham. “It is exciting.” The village isn’t far from Cutler Bay and Pinecrest, just 9 miles from Coral Gables. (Pinecrest and Coral Gables are both millionaire cities, too.)

Of the rising values, Cunningham said: “There’s not a lot of inventory (and) folks who live there stay there.” The mayor, 60, is among those who’ve enjoyed staying, living there for 30 years. “We have a tendency to want to age in place.”

Nationwide, the number of affluent towns is growing. There are currently 550 U.S. cities where the typical home value is $1 million or more, up from 491 a year ago.

Rising values

Low inventory is keeping competition high and home values rising, according to Zillow.

“If mortgage rates drop later this year, as many expect, we may see a surge in million-dollar cities as even more buyers jump in and drive prices higher,” said Anushna Prakash, an economic research data scientist at Zillow, in a statement.

Amid the changes, there were three states — Florida, as well as Texas and Delaware — that had fewer “millionaire cities” in total over the past year.

rus pavers for an organic textural experience with a touch of modern elegance. Need material with style and installation efficiency? Check out Basalt pavers for a flame-textured stone design engineered to maximize pallet layout. For homeowners seeking a more traditional aesthetic, choose Charlestone pavers reminiscent of early American streets and walkways for a distinctive look of weathered hand-cobbled stone.

Retaining walls and freestanding walls

Retaining walls are a multipurpose outdoor struc-

ture that serves functional and aesthetic landscaping needs. They can help prevent soil erosion, create terraced levels for planting, and define different zones within your yard.

Retaining walls can also double as seating areas or garden beds. Whether you’re a gardener or regularly host family gatherings, retaining walls can maximize your outdoor living areas for planting and entertaining while adding visual appeal to your environment.

Freestanding walls are most effective when the ground is flat and often used to divide landscapes

into distinct areas to enhance the visual appeal of the yard.

Shelton Wall is a small freestanding wall that exudes old world charm with its rustic finish and earth tone blends. You can create intimate outdoor spaces with the privacy offered by this charming and durable wall, great for moderate height retaining walls to add terraces and more usable space in your landscape.

Outdoor living spaces

Think of your backyard as an extension of your home and find ways to seamlessly incorporate in-

Create a visual focal point, add tranquility and mask noise pollution from nearby streets or neighbors in your outdoor spaces with water features. From elegant fountains to serene ponds, water features create a vibrant and dynamic outdoor ecosystem.

Once you choose a water feature that suits your taste and space, find other elements to complement it. Rocks, plants and lighting enhance the natural beauty of your water feature, creating a harmonious balance with the surrounding landscape.

These are just four hardscape and design ideas you can easily add to your home this spring. To find all the products you need to build your outdoor oasis, visit Belgard.com.

COURTESY OF BRANDPOINT

Left: Built-in seating, fire pits or outdoor kitchens create a welcoming atmosphere. Right: Paved pathways guide guests through your outdoor spaces while adding visual interest and definition.