Lifestyle

How To Increase The Curb Appeal of Your Home

Published

5 years ago

June 22, 2021

Whether you’re doing seasonal upkeep or preparing your home for sale, creating curb appeal starts at the front yard. In many regions of the country, homeowners are looking for ways to add curb appeal and create a welcoming yard.

As a homeowner, you know that first impressions make a difference – especially for potential buyers. If you are seeking to sell your home, you’re probably weighing and balancing out the big questions of cost, landscaping effort, and expertise.

Here are key ideas to keep in mind for adding curb appeal.

Boost Mental Toughness

There are many issues when it comes to front yards. Some are very shady, while others have full-on sun. If you’re facing drought conditions and water shortages, your lawn may be looking sad and tired.

That’s why it’s important to have mental toughness, a concept popularized by former NFL player, Roy Hall. Hall is a motivational speaker devoted to helping others in his community to overcome life challenges. He encourages people to be strong in responding to challenges, saying: “Life is 10-percent what happens to you, and 90-percent of how you respond to it.”

Before you jump into landscaping, consider your attitude. Boosting your mental toughness is the most important place to start.

With a ‘can-do attitude, you’ll be charged up and ready for action.

Fill With Flowers

There’s nothing like perennials to add color, beauty, and a sense of home.

Depending on your climate and space, use perennials to fill in the big sections of your yard. They’ll add punches of color that will return year after year. Then, fill in smaller sections with annuals for immediate bursts of color.

Naturally, consider water usage. Pick plants that do well in drought-like conditions.

Add An Arbor

Are you looking for a way to highlight the entrance to your home? Add old-world charm with an arbor over the entry gate. This may help you create a dramatic entrance, while also adding some security for your home.

An arbor is a perfect place to support climbing plants such as roses, clematis, or vines.

Add a Flagstone Pathway

Do you have a charming cottage-like home? If so, you can highlight this look by adding a curving flagstone pathway. This walkway may add an element of anticipation and surprise to walking up to the front door.

Of course, along the walkway, you can plant interesting flowers, herbs, and ground cover. One of the fastest-growing ground covers is creeping thyme. Depending on your climate, this is a quick way to soften the edges and fill in the gaps between flagstones.

Choose Xeriscape

If you’ve had it with watering, you will find xeriscaping appealing. Drought-resistant plants and shrubs, such as ones that grow in a Mediterranean climate are a very attractive solution. Some communities are asking homeowners to cut down on water usage by opting for drought-tolerant plants.

As you may not be familiar with all the possibilities of plants, and setting up low-flow drip lines, get help from an expert. Just do a quick search to find a landscaper for “landscaping near me.” A local landscaper can help you pick the best water-wise plants that can thrive in your climate. You’ll have a beautiful, lush yard and a lower water bill.

Pick Ground Cover

If you have unsightly areas near the house, you can fill in these spots with fast-growing ground covers. These plants come in all varieties – some thrive in shade, while others are sun-loving.

Ground covers are especially useful near home because they don’t grow against the house. In the long run, this means less mildew, rot – and less maintenance.

Add Beautiful Features

A front yard is a great place for adding beautiful features that can be highlighted by staging but also come with the home once fancy furniture is removed from the patio. These may include a fountain, pool, or water feature. It may include a birdbath, bird feeders, or bird-friendly plants. Depending on your climate, you may be able to attract unique birds such as hummingbirds.

If you have the room and inclination, consider filling in odd corners or shady spots with a sculpture. Perhaps you have an artistic streak that’s waiting to be explored. Or you may know a local artisan who you could work with to design a piece specifically for the spot in your yard.

Also, consider the very simple solution of adding a bench, hammock, or sitting area. With a place to sit, you may just find yourself stepping outside for a cup of morning coffee or tea – in your garden.

Lifestyle

Finding the “Best Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me:” A Complete Guide

Published

2 days ago

March 4, 2026

Michelle Langton

Getting injured in a car accident is a stressful time. After all, you could face serious injuries that affect you for the rest of your life.

Thankfully, a good personal injury lawyer can help you navigate this complex moment in your life, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed finding the right one. If you are a resident of the Old Dominion and Googling “best injury lawyer near me Virginia,” look no further than the Richmond law firm Burnett & Williams.

One of the most common questions people ask about hiring an attorney after a car crash is “When should I contact a lawyer?” The answer is as soon as possible.

After receiving medical care, your next call should be to a personal injury attorney, as they will be able to get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim. A sense of urgency will help them fight to get you the compensation you deserve and prevent you from making any mistakes with the insurance company that will hurt you in the long term.

An important thing to keep in mind when hiring a personal injury attorney is the statute of limitations, the state-imposed deadline by which a victim has to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you could be barred from receiving any damages for the accident.

Although the statute of limitations can vary from state to state, in many states, including under Virginia law, it is two years from the date of an accident. If you delay hiring an attorney, it gives them less time to prepare your case.

Why hire a personal injury attorney?

But what does a personal injury attorney do that helps your case? The main benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney include:

Investigation: After hiring an attorney, they will begin an extensive investigation process. They will collect all records, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos you took of the scene. They may also revisit the scene of the accident or consult expert witnesses, such as medical experts or accident reconstruction specialists, to build the strongest possible case.

Negotiation: Your lawyer will then get to work crafting a demand letter to the insurance company (or companies). One of the best things about hiring a personal injury attorney is that they handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. Not only does this mean that you are less likely to fall victim to the insurance adjusters’ pressuring tactics, but it also allows you to focus more on what matters most: your recovery.

Trial representation: While many personal injury cases end in settlements, sometimes both sides cannot come to an agreement for fair compensation. In these cases, your claim will proceed to trial, where it will be heard by a judge and/or jury. When a personal injury case goes to court, it is important to have a skilled trial lawyer on your side who is willing and able to argue your case.

How to determine which Virginia personal injury lawyer is best for your Virginia injury claim

However, it can be difficult to determine which personal injury attorney to hire. There are tons of radio ads, billboards, and Google search results that all claim to be the “best injury lawyer near me,” so how do you know which ones actually are the best? Attorney C. James Williams III, principal at Burnett & Williams, guides us through what injury victims should look for when hiring an attorney.

One of the first things to look for when hiring a personal injury attorney is their fee structure. The best personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are paid a percentage of the final settlement or award. These are the “we don’t get paid unless you win” guarantees.

While other specialties, such as criminal law, operate on an hourly basis, the status quo for personal injury law is a contingency fee. “Be suspicious of anyone who asks for an upfront retainer or hourly rate for your personal injury case, as this could imply that they don’t think they can win your case,” Williams advises.

It is also important to look for a law firm with a specialty area that correlates with your specific accident. “Not every lawyer is trained and equipped to handle every personal injury case,” explains Williams. “For example, truck accidents involve additional complex laws beyond the typical auto accident case. So do motorcycle accidents. An attorney who has only ever handled standard car accident claims might not be the right fit to handle one of these cases.”

But perhaps the single biggest factor to consider when choosing the best injury lawyer near you is their track record. “More often than not, experienced personal injury attorneys’ results should be able to speak for themselves,” says Williams.

If a law firm has good reviews online and has a history of winning big settlements and jury awards, chances are they are a good choice to hire. “And as a bonus, the better the reputation, the more leverage you get in the negotiation process,” Williams adds. “Insurance companies are often scared to go to trial against a lawyer they think they might lose to.”

If you are looking for the best Virginia personal injury lawyers, look no further than the skilled and experienced attorneys at Burnett & Williams. “Contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Williams. “We will review your case and determine if we can help get you the compensation you deserve.”