Federal Banking Agencies Propose Exempting CRE Property Sales of $400,000 or Less from Appraisals

Jul 19, 2017 - CoStar News

Responding to investor and lender concerns regarding the time and costs associated with completing smaller real estate transactions, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today proposed raising the sale price threshold for commercial real estate transactions requiring an appraisal to more than $400,000 from the current level of $250,000. 

The banking agencies proposed the sale-price threshold for residential real estate transactions should remain unchanged. 

The agencies believe raising the threshold for commercial property sale transactions will significantly reduce the number that require an appraisal, while not undermining the safety and soundness of financial institutions. 

The FDIC estimates that 17% of all current CRE property sales currently fall below the $250,000 threshold and do not require loan appraisals. Moving the threshold to $400,000 would increase that percentage of sales not requiring appraisals to 28%. 

"(This) will be a meaningful reduction in regulatory burden, particularly for rural banks who would be expected to originate many of these smaller transactions," noted FDIC Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg in a statement announcing the proposal. 

The revised threshold arose during a regulatory review process conducted as part of the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act (EGRPRA), which requires federal banking agencies to conduct a review of their rules at least every 10 years to identify outdated or unnecessary regulations. During the most recent review, financial industry representatives raised concerns that the current exemption level had not kept pace with price appreciation in the CRE market. 

“The current commercial real estate appraisal thresholds have been in place for a long time, about 23 years, and were the subject of frequent comment during the EGRPRA review process,” Gruenberg said. “In particular, bankers in rural parts of the country at outreach sessions expressed significant concerns with delays in completing real estate transactions due to a scarcity of appraisers in those areas.” 

Appraisers Oppose Move 

Federal banking regulators will be accepting comments on the proposal for the next 60 days. The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers, said it is working on an official comment to the proposal. The institute has been urging federal regulators against increasing the appraisal threshold for commercial property sales since 2014, 

“The Appraisal Institute is concerned by today’s announcement. We remain opposed to the proposed increase in the appraisal threshold level from $250,000 to $400,000 for commercial real estate loans,” said Appraisal Institute president Jim Amorin. “The agencies’ proposal contradicts federal bank regulators’ concerns regarding the state of the commercial real estate market and the quality of evaluation reports.” 

Instead of an appraisal, the proposal would require that CRE transactions at or below the $400,000 threshold require just an evaluation for approving a loan. As defined by agency guidelines, these evaluations are less detailed than full appraisals. They do not require completion by a state-licensed or certified appraiser while still providing a market value estimate of the property pledged as collateral. 

“Although the proposal represents a modest increase, as pricing in commercial real estate has increased, so have investment risks,” Amorin said. “If anything, federal bank regulators should be calling for heightened due diligence by regulated institutions - not an undoing of a fundamental risk management activity.” 

Copyright © 2017 CoStar News

Trendy Home Decorations to Consider This Year

By Craig Middleton

The comfort level of your home is significantly influenced by the design of the interior setting. It's important that you decorate with the latest trends to create a modern and contemporary setting that reflects your taste. If you're looking to update your home decoration, here are a few designs to consider using this year.

MarbleMarble is a luxe material that looks stunning when used in different areas of the home. Marble countertops create a regal environment in the kitchen or bathrooms and will boost the home's value. Marble accent pieces can also be used with a side table that is placed in the living room or a marble clock in a home office. Marble wallpaper or fabric will also make a statement if you want a more affordable option when furnishing your home.

Jewel Tones
Jewel tones add a subtle amount of color to the interior setting and help to brighten up the space. Jewel colors consist of pastel shades, emerald green, and violet. The colors will reflect the outside setting and will allow you to maintain a neutral environment that isn't overly bold or loud.

Nailhead DetailsNailhead details have made a comeback from past years and are a popular look for different furniture pieces that are used throughout the home. Choose a headboard that has a nailhead design or a sofa that incorporates the luxe look. Although it's commonly added onto upholstered pieces, it is also used to create intriguing patterns on the fabric for extra embellishment that looks eclectic.

Subway TilesSubway tiles continue to be a hit this year for their sleek and urban style that creates a light and airy setting in bathrooms and kitchens. Subway tiles are a versatile choice that looks classic and can work with a variety of different styles. You can utilize subway tiles to work with a farmhouse style or bohemian design. Use a dark grout with the tiles to prevent dirt from being visible as you use the space. The tiles are also available at different prices, making them affordable for most budgets. If you want to have a twist on the design, opt for installing matte glass subway tiles.

Metallic Details
Metallic details add extra shimmer to interior settings and can dress up the space. Use brass hardware on your kitchen cabinets or install a silver chandelier in the middle of the room to set the style of the space. Metallic features can also be added to the outside of the home with copper rain gutters that are installed.

Modern Holiday DecorationsWhen it's time to decorate during the holiday season, modern decorations are popular to create a chic setting that doesn't have to be traditional. Use a white Christmas tree that will stand out in the room and look beautiful with metallic ornaments that are hung on the branches. Real garland that is draped on the fireplace mantle will also look appealing and can add a touch of the outdoor setting into your home.

WallpaperMore people are choosing wallpaper over paint to add extra detail with fun prints and patterns that set the tone of each room. For larger spaces, choose an accent wall where you can apply the wallpaper, which should work within the color scheme of the setting.

When you want to transform the inside of your home, these are a few decorations to choose from. By incorporating trendy decor looks, you'll create a stunning environment that will look chic and updated for several years to come.

Foreign Home-Buying in U.S. Bounds to Over $150 Billion

Foreign home-buying in the U.S. leaped 49 percent to $153 billion in the last year, a record high in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate, recently released for 2017. The boost came as activity from Canada exploded to $19 billion, with buyers from China, India, Mexico and the UK also contributing considerable volume.



“The political and economic uncertainty both here and abroad did not deter foreigners from exponentially ramping up their purchases of U.S. property over the past year,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR. “While the strengthening of the U.S. dollar in relation to other currencies and steadfast home price growth made buying a home more expensive in many areas, foreigners increasingly acted on their beliefs that the U.S. is a safe and secure place to live, work and invest.”

All told, foreign buyers purchased 284,455 U.S. homes from 2016 to 2017, with a sizable share of transactions taking place in California, Florida and Texas. Activity on the part of resident foreigners and non-resident foreigners both expanded—the former up 32 percent to $78.1 billion, and the latter up 72 percent to $74.9 billion.

“Although non-resident foreign purchases climbed over the past year, it appears much of the activity occurred during the second half of 2016,” Yun says. “REALTORS® in some markets are reporting that the effect of tighter regulations on capital outflows in China and weaker currencies in Canada and the UK have somewhat cooled non-resident foreign buyer interest in early 2017.”

The median sales price of homes bought by foreign buyers was $302,290, according to the Profile. Forty-four percent made all-cash purchases, and 10 percent made $1 million-plus purchases.

Buyers from China comprised $31.7 billion of the total volume between 2016 and 2017, followed by Canada, the UK at $9.5 billion, Mexico at $9.3 billion and India at $7.8 billion. Home-buying activity originating from Canada was concentrated in Florida, while activity originating from China was focused in California and activity originating from Mexico occurred in Texas.

“In 2016 Chinese investment in international and U.S. real estate hit a historic high,” says Sue Jong, chief of operations for Juwai.com. “While we think the dollar amount is likely to decline somewhat this year, investment levels are still in the foothills of this mountain range. There are higher peaks ahead. Chinese buyers trust the American market and believe it is a long-term safe bet. The U.S. is also the most popular destination for Chinese immigrants, students, and corporate investment. All of these factors drive property acquisitions.”

“Inventory shortages continue to drive up U.S. home values, but prices in five countries, including Canada, experienced even quicker appreciation,” says Yun. “Some of the acceleration in foreign purchases over the past year appears to come from the combination of more affordable property choices in the U.S. and foreigners deciding to buy now knowing that any further weakening of their local currency against the dollar will make buying more expensive in the future.”

For more information, please visit www.nar.realtor.

For the latest real estate news and trends, bookmark RISMedia.com.

Homes Have Never Been More Valuable Than They Are Now

The national median home value has careened to over $200,000 for the first time, with a 7.4 percent annual gain rocketing it to a new high of $200,400, according to the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) in the June Zillow® Real Estate Market Reports. Values in 10 of the 35 major metropolitan areas assessed by Zillow are now within the $200,000 range.

Values are on a swift upswing due to low levels of supply and spiking demand. There are now 11 percent fewer homes for sale compared to one year ago, the Reports show.

“The national housing market remains red hot and shows no signs of slowing, even as some local markets like the Bay Area have noticeably cooled,” says Dr. Svenja Gudell, chief economist at Zillow. “But even in areas where the housing market has slowed, home values are at or very near peak levels, selection is limited, demand is high and competition is fierce.”

Of the markets assessed, values in 13 are still below the national median: Cleveland, Ohio ($134,600); Pittsburgh, Pa. ($137,400); Indianapolis, Ind. ($138,100); Detroit, Mich. ($141,000); St. Louis, Mo. ($148,600); Cincinnati, Ohio ($152,600); Kansas City, Mo. ($159,400); Columbus, Ohio ($162,500); San Antonio, Texas ($162,700); Charlotte, N.C. ($174,800); Houston, Texas ($178,400); Atlanta, Ga. ($179,900); and Tampa, Fla. ($185,700).

Twelve of the markets assessed, however, are far removed, with some sustaining values at least three times higher than the national median: San Jose, Calif. ($1,013,700); San Francisco, Calif., ($854,300); Los-Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calif. ($609,800); San Diego, Calif. ($548,000); Seattle, Wash. ($447,100); Boston, Mass. ($427,700); New York, N.Y. ($422,300); Washington, D.C. ($382,600); Denver, Colo. ($370,000); Sacramento, Calif. ($369,200); Portland, Ore. ($367,400); and Riverside, Calif. ($328,800).

The national median rent in the Zillow Rent Index (ZRI), meanwhile, has posted an annual gain of 1.1 percent, with the median rent totaling $1,422.

“Given these high costs and high competition, the most important thing you can do is get your finances in order so you know what you can comfortably afford, and find an agent who has experience with bidding wars and will help you stand out in a competitive market, especially if you’re buying for the first time,” Gudell says.

For more information, please visit www.zillow.com.

Suzanne De Vita is RISMedia’s online news editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at sdevita@rismedia.com.

Choose Your Battles When Buying a Home

A fenced-in yard. Double sinks. A wrap-around porch.  An open floor plan. Solar panels. There are just so many things we want our new home to have.

However, when shopping for our dream home, it’s essential to steer the dream a little bit more toward reality. No home will have every single feature you desire, so before you set out on the search, sit down, think hard and narrow down your list of must-haves.

Must-haves are usually rooted in practicality – a classic case of needs vs. wants. Some important musts, therefore, often involve:

• The number of bedrooms and/or potential to turn a room into an additional bedroom – are you planning on children? Need space for an in-law to move in?
• The master bedroom – is it big enough for your king bed and does it include a master bath?
• The number and condition of other bathrooms
• The yard – how much space and privacy do you need to be happy?
• The kitchen – do you need a new kitchen with high-tech appliances or are you willing to update down the road?
• Closet space – is there adequate storage for your current belongings with room to expand?
• The school district – an obvious factor if you have or are planning to have children, but also important if you don’t as it will affect your home’s resale value
• Proximity to work – are you willing to commute or is a walkable community a high priority?
• New construction – are you looking for a maintenance-free environment or the charm of an older home with DIY options?

Of course, your musts are very unique to you and, therefore, may vary from the above. The key factor in determining a must-have from a nice-to-have is whether it is something that can be cost-effectively and efficiently accomplished down the road, such as crown molding or an outdoor kitchen. Musts should be those features that are difficult and costly, if not impossible, to handle on your own, such as a bigger garage or a new roof.

Remember that above all, your “dream” home will be the one that grabs you for some intangible reason or for a combination of unexpected features you never knew you wanted until you saw them. So try to keep your must-list to a minimum and your open mind to a maximum—and most of all, enjoy the process.

Like this update? As your local real estate professional, I can provide more great tips like this and answer any real estate information questions you may have. Contact me today!

Tips for Veterans Buying a Home with a VA Loan

For veterans or service members looking to buy a home with a Veterans Affairs loan, there are some extra steps to take and home condition requirements that aren’t needed with other types of loans.

The home must be safe, clean, in good condition and move-in ready, partly because the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t want to back a loan where the military member’s finances are at risk because they have to make unexpected home repairs.

The extra work can be worthwhile. VA loans are 0.25 to 0.50 percent lower than conventional loans, don’t require a down payment or mortgage insurance, and have more flexible and forgiving requirements. Closing costs are limited and lenders fees are limited to 1 percent of the loan amount.

The government guarantees at least a quarter of the loan amount on a VA mortgage, which is why a down payment and mortgage insurance aren’t needed.

For buyers who qualify, here are some things to be aware of when buying a home with a VA loan:

Look for a move-in ready home: Homes that are structurally sound, safe and sanitary are more likely to pass the VA appraisal. The property must have adequate heating, roofing and safety features, and major issues must be repaired before the loan can close. If the VA expert has to return to reinspect something that needs to be fixed, the borrower will have to pay more inspection fees.

Be ready for an inspection: A home inspection is a normal part of buying a house, but a VA inspector will make sure the property is in good, working order. But a lot of the things they’ll be looking at are cosmetic, which a regular lender wouldn’t be concerned with. Though a VA inspection can sound like a professional home inspection, it isn’t and buyers can hire their own inspectors after the VA one if they’d like.

And more inspections: The VA also requires some inspections that other lenders don’t. A VA loan will require a pest inspection, along with a look at the septic tank, if there is one, and the water well if the property isn’t on a city water line.

Quicker timeline: VA loans have tighter timelines than other types of loans, which is why hiring a real estate agent and loan officer who have experience with VA loans can make the process smoother. Active-duty service members can have short buying windows if they’re ordered to move to another base.

I hope you found this real estate information helpful. Please contact me for all your real estate needs today!

Top 10 Plants for Designing a Water Wise Landscape

Wait! Before you spend thousands on landscaping—or on water-guzzling plants—try planting a DIY drought-tolerant garden. With the right plants, your landscape will be cost-effective, low maintenance, and beautiful.

Here is a list of ten plants that won’t break the water bank but will still let you enjoy lush greenery and flowers without having to replant every year. Just be sure to check your hardiness zone and your zone’s growing calendar before planting anything not mentioned on this list to ensure it can withstand your climate.

Northeast

GoldenrodGoldenrod is so easy to grow that some people call it a weed; it springs up practically everywhere once planted. If you don’t mind prolific yellow tufts that look cheerful in the late summer afternoons, then you’ll love goldenrod. These flowers top out at a couple feet high and bring lots of pollinators like butterflies and honeybees to your garden, so other plants will naturally grow and flourish.

Juniper
Juniper bushes are evergreen, providing a perfect backdrop for other plants during their growing and dormancy cycles. Whether it’s in the dead of winter or summer, you’ll have these fragrant and green bushes to look at. If you’re into attracting nature, you’ll especially love juniper; it was named one of the top 10 wildlife-friendly plants.

Southeast

Baby’s BreathBaby’s breath is ideal for garden filler flowers, bouquets, drying, and water-conscious people. This low-growing plant blooms all throughout summer and comes back each spring to do it all over again.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
For a flower with healing powers, it’s amazing the purple coneflower doesn’t need much TLC itself. This flower loves full sun and soil that’s part sand, clay, and silt (loamy). Plant purple coneflowers in the summer, water until they’re established, and then enjoy purple, red, pink, and white flowers every summer and fall thereafter. Echinacea is beloved by butterflies too and grows well in nearly all hardiness zones.

Southwest

Desert ZinniaSeeing lush, beautiful blooms in the desert is a real treat, which is what makes the desert zinnia so rewarding. Just plant the desert zinnia once, and you can watch it bloom for months out of each year with little to no effort on your part. It’s perfect for hot, dry, and sandy southwestern states because it can withstand droughts and it comes back each year. Plus, its flowers are bright white, so they integrate easily into your other landscaping plans and color schemes. Start these plants from seeds and enjoy them for years to come.

Prickly Pear
The prickly pear is a cactus—ideal for desert climates. It also provides your landscaping with added security. These plants grow one-to-seven feet tall and may be planted around entrances to limit burglar hiding places and deter access. The prickly pear also looks pretty—with vibrant flowers in summer—and produces fruit for your family. No one other plant on this list has all these benefits.

Midwest

DaylilyIf you don’t have a green thumb, you’ll love the daylily. It grows perfectly well in most hardiness zones and doesn’t have a soil preference. Add on the fact that daylilies don’t have diseases or chronic pests, and it’ll be one of your favorite plants on your property. Once planted, enjoy brightly colored blooms without worry.

Lilac
The lilac is a low-water tree that never grows more than fifteen feet tall, making it perfect to add depth and dimension to your garden. Lilacs rely on the hard frost of the Midwest and Northeast to set its buds and return with velvety soft purple and pink flowers each spring. After the root system develops, you won’t need to do much more than pruning and fertilizing once per year.

West

SageSage is a perennial drought-tolerant herb. Though sage dies off in the winter, you can cut it back at the end of the summer, dry the leaves for cooking, and watch fresh new shoots emerge in early spring. The honeybees go crazy over the bright purple flowers that bloom in late spring, helping the plant double and triple in size in just a few growing seasons.

Yarrow
Yarrow is a lovely, bushy perennial that shows off yellow, red, orange, white, and pink flowers each year. It’s perfect for southern areas because it can stand the heat and some cooler temperatures. Yarrow loves full sun and well-drained soil. If given ideal growing conditions, you won’t have to water it at all and it’ll still grow to about four feet tall. Plus, local deer and rabbits don’t generally find yarrow appealing, so it’s less likely to get munched on.

Planting with purpose saves you money, time, and precious water. Plus, in some cases, the plants you choose can enhance your yard’s security or offer medicinal and nutritional value. Get to planting so this season and seasons to come will be more water-conscious and beautiful.

By Krystal Rogers-Nelson

Posted on Jul 5 2017 - 11:28am by Housecall  http://blog.rismedia.com/2017/top-10-plants-for-designing-a-water-wise-landscape/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email

When it comes to curb appeal, it is normal not to know where to begin. As your local real estate professional, I wanted to share this insightful infographic on winning ways to boost your homes facade. Using any of these five methods will assuredly increase the aesthetic value of your home. Just imagine the results if you can follow through on each point.

Are you ready to sell your home in and around the Conejo Valley? Here is some advice to get you started.

The very first things you want to do are declutter and depersonalize.  I know you've probably heard this a million times, but it's true.  Some buyers have a hard time picturing their lives in a house that is filled with other people’s stuff and personal photographs.  Removing a good amount of these things will help sell your home sooner.  Another thing you want to do right away is make sure you don't have any faucet, sprinkler leaks and/or electrical issues.  Addressing any of these prior to having a home inspection will save you money, as you won't have to potentially pay a plumber and electrician your potential buyer wants to hire.  Doing this before a home inspection will also help keep you from losing a potential buyer.  Many people assume if there are minor leaks and electrical issues that could mean there are major issues as well.  And, they will back out on the purchase, causing stress for the sellers that could have been avoided.  You also want to make sure that all appliances are working properly.  In California you must make sure that your water heater is up to code with earthquake strapping.  Additionally, if your exterior and interior paint need sprucing up, repainting is an inexpensive way to brighten up your interior and give your home greater curb appeal.  This will also help it sell faster.  You want to make sure your front and back lawns remain freshly mowed.  However, don't put too much money into additional landscaping.  If your home ends up needing to be tented for termites and other pests, some of your landscaping may be affected by this.  All of these things will help you to sell your home sooner and help avoid unnecessary stress.  Selling and buying a home can be stressful regardless, why not avoid the stresses you can.

When I work with sellers I provide full service.  I come out to your home and am happy to give advice on getting it ready to put on the market for sale.  If you need my help in hiring plumbers, electricians, general contractors, painters, gardeners, stagers, gutter and drain specialists, termite and pest control specialists, etc., I will help in hiring and overseeing completion of work.  If your home will be vacant when put on the market, I highly recommend staging.  I partner with an excellent staging company and this has helped sell my sellers homes both at a higher price and more quickly.  I'll market your home on the MLS as well as all online real estate sites and social media including, Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, my blog, every possible place I can find the next buyer for your home.  I design beautiful flyers to place outside of your home for potential buyers and other real estate agents to take with them when they drive and or come to your home to preview it.  I'm happy to put a lock box on your home for other agents to come to show your property.  I ensure all showings are by appointment only and I coordinate all showing appointments with the sellers and the potential buyer’s agents.  If you prefer not having a lock box I will accommodate that as well.  I will do everything to make selling your home as smooth as possible.  Please do not hesitate to contact me for any assistance with your real estate needs.

I represent clients in the Conejo Valley, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Lake Sherwood, Hidden Valley, Oak Park, Simi Valley, Malibu, Malibu Canyon, Malibu Beach, Agoura Hills and all surrounding areas.

Below are just a few examples of flyers I have designed for homes that were both occupied and vacant/staged.  I work in all different price ranges and provide all services appropriate for your home type, whether in the $500,000's or in the multi millions, my service is the same for everyone.

The 10 Paint Colors Designers Use Most

With hundreds of paint colors to choose from, selecting the shades just right for your home can be daunting. Good Housekeeping magazine recently rounded up the top 10 paint colors most often used by professional home designers. Get inspired by them:

1. Palladian Blue – By Benjamin Moore, this blue-green-grey shade can be used in any room, and is especially ideal for cooling down a sun-filled room or adding tranquility to a bedroom.

2. Garden Stone – By Clark+Kensington, this classic warm grey shade is a designer favorite projected to stand the test of time.

3. Manchester Tan – By Benjamin Moore, this shade is a go-to warm neutral favored because it changes with the light, going from rich to fresh.

4. Compatible Cream – By Sherwin Williams, this creamy yellow shade is warm and inviting, but not too sunny.

5. Intense White – By Benjamin Moore, this shade gives off a light grey-ish tone. Designers use it as a backdrop for rooms with brightly colored furniture.

6. Sprout 0.6 – By Colorhouse, this shade has a slightly pinkish hue, and is often chosen for ceilings because it reflects flatteringly on people in the room.

7. Revere Pewter – By Benjamin Moore, this fail-safe neutral shade is the perfect alternative to white, ideal for open floor plans with just a hint of color.

8. Decorator’s White – By Benjamin Moore, this shade has pure white undertones that provide a crisp, clean look on ceilings or trim, or in bathrooms. 

9. Essential Grey – By Sherwin Williams, this shade is best paired with white trim for a clean, sophisticated aesthetic.

10. Wool Skein – By Sherwin Williams, this neutral shade coordinates well with any color.
 

Angela Yglesias
Real Estate Consultant
Levesque Realty
Westlake Village CA 91362
Office: (805) 490-4944
Mobile: (805) 490-4944

© 2017 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved.

Renovations That Cause Neighborhood Feuds

Homeowners doing renovations can develop feuds with their neighbors if they’re not cognizant of how work on the project affects the rest of the neighborhood. After all, one homeowner’s upgrade could be another’s downgrade. Realtor.com® recently ticked off common home improvement spats.

Additions that block views. Large additions that block views or cast shadows onto a neighboring lot are the most common sources of neighbor disputes involving a remodeling project, according to Mark Grisafe, an architect in Long Beach, Calif. Homeowners would be wise to consider what the neighbors will see from their windows—will they suddenly have a view of a brick wall?—once the addition is built.

Lengthy projects. Tension with neighbors is bound to brew if there’s “a permanent front yard landscape palette that features weeds and a chain-link construction fence that lingers for a year,” Grisafe says. Owners should work with contractors to limit construction noise and traffic congestion as much as possible to be respectful of the neighbors.

Distracting colors. “Bright primary colors are just not proper for exterior use unless you live in Key West or the Caribbean,” says Juan Carlos Daetz, a home design expert at Max Warehouse. “Any color that goes against the theme or general use of the neighborhood can be distracting and may harm property values.” Owners should consult HOA guidelines and neighborhood covenants when tackling an exterior paint job.

Too much lighting. “Make sure [construction] lights aren’t aimed at your neighbors’ windows, and be considerate about the hours that you use high-beam lights,” says Brad Woods, owner of American Turf and Tree Care in Colorado.

Source: “7 Home Improvements That Could Turn Your Neighbors Against You,” realtor.com® (June 29, 2017)