Magic for your lawn

🪴 If you think curb appeal is just about throwing a couple of petunias in a pot and hoping for the best, bless your heart—but let’s talk.

🌿 In the lush Pacific Northwest—specifically Oregon City, where moss got it's masters degree —your home’s first photo matters. A lot. In Oregon, it’s not just recommended, it’s the law: the front exterior of your home has to be the first image in your online listing. That single photo is your home’s first impression, its virtual handshake.

How your lawn looks can seriously impact how your HOME looks.

🪻First Impressions Are Everything (And Science Agrees)

According to the National Association of Realtors, 99% of home buyers start their search online. And guess what? Most of them decide whether or not to click on your home based on that very first photo. So yes, your front yard matters. Your walkway matters. Your hanging flower pots? Only if they’re lush and thriving. I'm not saying you need grass to sell a home because trust me, I'm all about waterwise landscaping. But if you have grass already, it needs to look cared for. Psst... this isn’t just for homeowners looking to sell. If you’re styling or renting out a vacation home on Airbnb or Vrbo, your exterior photos matter there too.

🦗Your Lawn Might Be Working Against You

Let’s talk lawn science for a moment (stay with me, it’s good). A brown, patchy yard is a curb appeal killer. The fix? My go-to miracle worker: Milorganite. It’s a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that greens your lawn like a Pacific Northwest golf course. Think lush. Think envy-inducing. Think I’d like to see inside this home, please.

🪴Here’s the secret sauce:

1. Start early—at least two months before your photography.

2. First, lay down a weed and feed fertilizer to tackle those unwelcome guests (looking at you, dandelions).

3. A month later, follow it with Milorganite (which you can snag online—because I love a click-and-go moment).

4. Pair it with regular watering and your yard will transform into a carpet of green that screams “come inside, it’s even better in here.”

🌿 Landscaping Rules to Live (and Sell) By

Now, I’m all for self-expression, but when it comes to landscaping for a home sale? Boring-ish is beautiful. Stick to a controlled color palette—greenery and texture is your friend. If you must add color, make sure it complements the home’s exterior. The house is the main character here, not your hot pink geraniums.

More quick hits:

• Vary textures of green to keep things interesting but calm.

• Trim low-hanging tree branches so we can SEE your house.

• Make sure the walkway to your front door is totally clear. That means no scooters, no garden gnomes, no rogue flip-flops.

• Full, healthy hanging baskets only—or none at all. I love a series of large hanging ferns if you've got a large shaded porch to showcase!

Why You Need a Realtor Who Gets It

It’s hard to see your own home objectively. You’ve lived there, loved there, stashed one too many skateboards and a kayak in the front yard “just for a second.” I get it. That’s why when you list your home with me, we walk your property together—outside and in—months ahead of time. No stress, no last-minute mulch marathons. Just a smart plan, expert advice, and real results.

Bonus: Your Vacation Home’s New Best Friend

PSA to all second-home owners out there: I don’t just sell and decorate homes—I help decorate vacation homes too. Want your mountain getaway or coastal cottage to feel dialed-in with photography to draw people in? Let’s make it magazine-worthy and highly functional. As a Home Functionality Coach, I do all these things below, so people hire me for their vacation homes because one person is easier to bring in than five. For people who want to also rent out their vacation homes through a service like AirBnb, I use this same nitrogen treatment because that exterior photo is still key to getting it rented! 💡 Guests scroll fast, and a lush, tidy front yard or dreamy porch shot can stop the scroll and start the bookings. I help vacation homeowners make their spaces look memorable—from the curb to the wall mural; people want an experience.

✨ Ready to Make Your Home (or Vacation Home) Shine?

Whether you're prepping to sell and looking for a real estate broker, dreaming up your next vacation home vibe, or just want to finally tame that wild front yard, I’ve got you.

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🎥 Real tips. Real houses. Real fast.

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If you’re searching for real estate agents near me or Googling Realtor in SE Portland or Oregon City, you’ve found the right gal. Can’t wait to see your house—and help you make it shine.

Cheers, Kristina