A Backyard Landscaping Project

CB and I have been in our house for about a year and a half. I still remember the day we walked in the front door for our first showing. I'm pretty sure I jumped up and down after just seeing one room and exclaimed, "THIS IS IT!" 

We live in a neighborhood that is going through a rejuvenation, which I have a whole post about here. Basically, some of the houses are fantastic, clearly loved and well maintained... and some are the exact opposite. Our house is one that was brought down to the studs and rebuilt. I love every selection the builders chose from the subway tile backsplash in the kitchen to the marble tiles in the guest bathroom. 

I can't say there is much I would really change about the inside of the house. The outside of the house though, well, our backyard could really use a little (ok, a lot) TLC. 

We are one of the very few in the neighborhood to have a double lot - meaning two houses should be on our one lot. We have a gigantic backyard, one that we have no idea what to do with. 

As you can see, it looks like it is possible there was once a pool there? Maybe? Possibly? The builders had it all mulched and looking pretty in the photos posted on MLS - but then those record breaking Dallas floods two years ago came and wiped that all away. I wouldn't even know where to begin, what to do, what to plant, how to not kill said plant....

We would definitely need to hire someone to give the backyard a complete overhaul, which I think would drastically increase our resale value. First though, we should look into a Capital One Home Equity Line of Credit, which gives you the flexibility to withdraw what you need for a renovation project. 

Here in DFW, the home market is absolutely thriving. With higher home prices and smaller supply available on the market, CB and I are not alone in our desire to make some home improvements. About 58% of homeowners in DFW anticipate home improvement expenses in the next two years.  

Now, neither CB nor I have used this in the past, but after clicking around on their website, it looks like a fantastic option for exactly what we're trying to do with the backyard.  Just by visiting capitalone.com/home-equity, you can get your customized rate offer and estimated loan amount with no impact to your credit score. You can even begin the simple application process with no fees!

CB and I have very similar tastes, and are on the same page on each change we'd want to make. I know he would want to make a bigger back deck, or possibly even a second deck. He has also suggested hiring one of my favorite Dallas mural artists to work their magic on one of the walls. I am nothing short of obsessed with this idea. AND YES -- OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD PICK ONE THAT COULD EASILY BE PAINTED BACK OVER WHEN WE SELL.  

A Dallas pegasus, perhaps?

Whenever we decide to tackle the backyard, possibly Spring of 2017, we will of course take you with us on that project!  

Whether you’re looking to get that new gourmet kitchen, upgrading your backyard patio like us or adding an addition, with a home equity line of credit, you can start your “someday” project today! Go check out capitalone.com/home-equity for their current HELOC rates!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.