We’ve officially entered the shortest month, but the one with the potential to have the biggest impact on the rest of the year! What are your plans for February? While some have already abandoned their New Year’s resolutions, we’ve been working away on new projects. If these backyards look a bit messy now, that’s because construction usually looks worse before it gets better. Rest assured that we’ll have these spaces polished up in no time. If you want to take your backyard from this "before" to the "after" below, give the Pros a call to get started, and stay tuned on our socials to see how these homes shape up!

In our January newsletter, we talked about how starting your project plans now will help you get a head start on enjoying outdoor living space faster. One very important step in this process is the "F" word... Financing.

When you're ready to transform your outdoor space, we're here to help you navigate financing options! Although the financial aspect of your project may seem daunting and out of reach, our goal is to assist in finding the right plan for you.

Property Pros routinely works with a few branches of local, accredited, and FDIC-insured banks to help our clients find the right financial support plan to assist in their home’s outdoor improvement project. If you are unsure where to start and would like some guidance, here are some options to explore:

• Property Pros Installment Plan
• STAR Financial Bank Platinum Credit Card
• KeyBank Pool Program Loans
• EnerBank Project Loans
• Home Equity Line of Credit

For a detailed description of each option, head to our blog on how Financing Can Bring Your Outdoor Plans to Life.

Home renovation shows on TV love to dramatize construction challenges and unexpected surprises, and while most real-world projects go much more smoothly, this one threw us a few curveballs. Our team had to navigate several challenges that arose, but in the end, it was completed just in time for warmer summer months. If you like watching home makeovers and love a good before and after, then tune into this project spotlight! 

In 2021, these homeowners saw previous projects that the Pros had completed and contacted us to start their backyard overhaul. Designer, Chris Sander, considered multiple aspects of the project before creating this design. Going in, he knew the elevation changes across the yard, as well as the slope coming out from the back of the house, would cause a big challenge. The different grades influenced this design, resulting in the need for multiple tiers, retaining walls, and thoughtful drainage to protect from flooding the detached garage. 

The extra planning prior to construction was worth it. What was once a large dirt pile was renovated into a stunning final result. From the tri-level paver patio to the 20-foot sandstone boulder wall and natural stone walkways, these clients now have a space fit for entertaining come spring, summer, or fall. We can picture family evenings by the pool, game nights with friends, and cozying up with a cocktail and a blanket when it gets a little cooler outside. But, the real treat is that this home is just as functional now as it is beautiful.

Red Velvet Truffles

If you're looking for a cute and sweet Valentine's Day treat, look no further than these red velvet truffles! The key is to buy some fun, themed sprinkles and have fun decorating! Enjoyed by all ages, these simple treats are the perfect addition to a dessert charcuterie board, for your kid's classroom party, or to pop them on a stick! Pro tip: Change up the cake mix and the toppings and these can work for any holiday!

Ingredients

• 1 9×13 cooked red velvet cake, crumbled
• 1 container of cream cheese frosting (16oz)
• 1 ½ bags of white chocolate melting wafers (10z)
• 1 cup red candy melts
• Valentine’s sprinkles

Instructions

1. Prepare a large baking tray or cutting board with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Mix the crumbled cake with half of the cream cheese frosting, then add more as needed to get a mix that can easily stick together.
3. Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form 1 ½ inch balls from the cake mix.
4. Place them all evenly on the baking tray.
5. Freeze for 30 minutes, and in the meantime, melt the white chocolate in the microwave at 30 second increments, stirring each time until it has melted completely.
6. Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and work quickly, dip the balls into the white chocolate, drain and set them back down on the tray and let them cool and harden. (You may need to melt the chocolate again halfway through as it starts to thicken up).
7. If you’d like to add sprinkles directly to the dipped truffles without the red candy melt drizzle, sprinkle them on before the chocolate hardens.
8. Melt the red candy melts according to the instructions on the package, add it to a Ziploc bag, and cut a pin-size hole in the bottom.
9. Lightly drizzle it over the truffles and add sprinkles.
10. Let the red drizzle harden up, then serve.

As we're gearing up for a new season, Property Pros is hiring! Check out our open positions and tell those you know who may be interested.

• Landscape Designer
• Landscape & Hardscape Crew
• Irrigation Technicians
• Fertilization Technicians