Real Estate Is Best Long Term Investment 4 Year Running

Every year, Gallup surveys Americans to determine their choice for the best long-term investment. Respondents are given a choice between real estate, stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs, or bonds.

For the fourth year in a row, Real Estate has come out on top as the best long-term investment! This year’s results showed that 34% of Americans chose real estate, followed by stocks at 26%. The full results are shown in the chart below.

The study makes it a point to draw attention to the contrast of the sentiment over the last four years compared to that of 2011-2012, when gold took the top slot with 34% of the votes. Real estate and stocks took second and third place, respectively, while still in recovery from the Great Recession.

Bottom Line

As the real estate market has recovered, so has the belief of the American people in the stability of housing as a long-term investment.

Great Ideas For Summer Outdoor Lounging

Photos from 10 gorgeous decks and porches offer inspiration for just about every region, style and mood!

If the weather in your area is starting to warm and the sun is hanging around a bit longer, you’ve probably been eyeing any and all slivers of outdoor space with big dreams of soaking up the spring and summer air. But a single fold-up chair goes only so far to entice you out of your indoor cocoon. Let these 10 new outdoor lounge areas on Houzz give you more ideas.
1. Lovely by the LakeThis lakeside home has enough room to accommodate 16 guests, so a large outdoor entertaining area was key. Flexible seating lets the homeowner host large or small groups, while thoughtful details keep any size party hopping. “Texas summers are hot, so we wanted to help our client look like an incredible hostess by giving her guests easy-access areas for grab-and-go-drinks,” says designer Carolina Gentry. A trough sink built into the island can double as an ice trough for soda and beer. A fun coffee table also can house ice and beverages.

2. Blissful in BarcelonaYou don’t need much for a successful lounge space. This Spanish home features a compact outdoor area with enough room for a couple of chairs, an outdoor rug and a hot tub, all encased in walls of green foliage.

3. Fabulous in FloridaA front porch on an island off the coast near Jacksonville, Florida, is done up right with wicker pieces and cushy pillows. The addition of side-table lamps and a fiddleleaf fig makes this outdoor space feel like an extension of the interiors.

4. Stylish in SydneyThere’s not much wrong with this Australian hangout, which incorporates palm tree trunks into the design. A steel cable rail keeps views open and air flowing no matter where you’re lounging, while a rich deck stain and a natural black bamboo fence add to the organic feel. Landscaper Ben Kingsworth, who designed this space, says he’s been seeing more clients “open to the idea of creating multiple, smaller linked entertaining areas rather than one large single area, such as a large level deck or patio.”

5. Awe-Inspiring in AustriaPlush cushions on wood-frame furniture, two large coffee tables and an old-world-style light fixture lend a homey vibe to an otherwise rustic outdoor space in the Austrian countryside.

6. Sunny in SausalitoA colorful, graphic painted deck design energizes this lounge atop a houseboat on San Francisco Bay. A steel cable rail doesn’t disrupt the view, while string lights can quickly turn this spot into a late-night party perch.

7. Alluring in AustinModern white furnishings pop against a feature wall and a rich wood deck overlooking a hilly Texas landscape.

8. Laid-Back in Los AngelesWispy grasses in container boxes create a private hideaway at a beachside Los Angeles home. Cushioned furniture and a fire-feature coffee table complete the lounge vibe. “We decided to keep the furnishings neutral and allow the colors of nature to stand out, such as the blue of the ocean or sky, or the greenery in the landscaping,” says designer Megan Crane.

9. Majestic in MontanaThis wood-wrapped outdoor lounge in the mountains of Whitefish, Montana, has just about everything you need — grill, fireplace, furniture and a marvelous view that makes the TV obsolete during the daytime. “When it is nice outside, the last place you want to be is inside,” says designer and builder David Brandt. “I feel like it’s the most important room in the house on those days, so we want to make it comfortable and enjoyable. We often design the deck to take in the best views and then design the house around the deck.”

10. Enchanting in EnglandIt’s not just the comfy sectional and the leafy surroundings that make this a successful lounge. The subtle dollops of color bring vibrancy. The painted wood furniture base and the combo backrest-raised planter are particularly nice touches.

How To Build A Potting Bench

This handy piece of outdoor furniture will serve as headquarters for your gardening gear. Even if you love gardening, re-potting plants or dividing flats can feel like a real chore if you have to scavenge for supplies in the dark corners of the garage. Park them on a dedicated workstation, however, and you’ll never waste time hunting them down again. Our simple, three-tier potting bench features a wire mesh backing that keeps your favorite hand tools right at your fingertips. If you plan to leave it outdoors, make sure you build it from cedar or exterior-grade lumber. An indoor bench should get a weather-resistant finish, at the very least, to prevent water, soil, and fertilizer from damaging the surface. And for those of you who don’t want to DIY this project, we have good news: There are potting benches on the market that suit all budgets. Just make sure the one you buy has a work surface at a comfortable height for you. Once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you ever did without this green thumb’s staple.