Homeowners just can't get enough of backyard getaways these days. So whether you're planning to sit tight for now or list your home for sale in the near future, you can't go wrong by adding some outdoor feature to your back or front yard. Our real estate agents recommend the following outdoor additions to your home.

Enticing Outdoor Features

1. Promote neighborliness from the porch. 
   Do you have an ample front porch? Is it expandable by installing a pergola from the front door or steps, covered in vines for shade, where visitors can sit outdoors in lawn chairs, have drinks, and pass the time. Bistro seating and chairs might be part of the plan. Think hard about how "open" you want your front yard to be to passersby. Will some people feel left out if you're entertaining an invited few? Do you want everyone to stop and share? Some strategic shrubs to form a boundary between your company and the street might be in order.

Long Island is rich with history, with several sites that make ideal destinations for trips that are fun and educational. Theodore Roosevelt, as well as the Guggenheim and Vanderbilt families are part of the area's history, so you'll be able to visit their former homes as well as other interesting locations.

Our real estate agents suggest making a trip to visit the past at these historic Long Island destinations and making sure of any restricted hours due to COVID-19 before your visit:

• Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium – 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, NY 11721   
  Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium is located near Centerport homes for sale and is on a 43-acre estate, the centerpiece of which is a spectacular Spanish-Revival mansion of William Vanderbilt II. Take a tour of the mansion's living quarters and then visit its Marine Museum to see wild-animal habitat, dioramas, and more. Then head to the planetarium to watch a show, complete with a full-dome view and surround sound. Finally, finish your visit at the observatory, where you can look at the evening sky through telescopes that provide amazingly detailed views.

Is it time for a spring makeover for your front yard? It is the "face" of your home, and to passersby, it is an indication of what the inside of your home looks like. An unkempt yard gives the impression of a home that is just as messy and disordered, while a well-maintained one builds the expectation of an orderly, tidy home.

Along with spring cleaning your home, consider doing a spring makeover for your front yard. The weather is perfect for it, and so are the bright, uplifting plants and flowers that come with the season. The following guide will take you through how to do your makeover:

• Take stock of what you need
  When you get started, you want to keep going without stopping to get supplies. You can do that by taking stock of what you need and getting everything before starting. Start from one corner of your yard and work toward the other, working from the top down. Start with the exterior walls of the front of your house and decide what you would like to do here: Would you like to plant climbing plants or vines, and would you like them to be flowered or not? Perhaps the exterior walls could do with a fresh coat of paint.

Our real estate agents love introducing new residents to the area. This includes helping them find the best local restaurants and watering holes. When we learned that Beer Day was coming up soon, we knew now was a great time to take a closer look at some of the excellent craft breweries nearby. 

Whether you're a beer connoisseur or just open to trying something new, we recommend visiting one (or more!) of the following local breweries. You never know what awesome new beverage you're going to discover. 

1. South Shore Craft Brewery: 3505 Hampton Rd., Oceanside, NY 11572
   Nassau County's newest craft brewery is already making a name for itself. South Shore Craft Brewery is a farm brewery, meaning they source most of their supplies from New York State growers and suppliers. They brew up a variety of beers and cider and also stock NYS wine and mead. Stop by their tasting room to enjoy a pint or a flight. While you're there, you can also grab a bite from their food truck and engage in a riveting game of Jenga. On your way home, we suggest taking a drive around so you can get a look at some of the beautiful Oceanside homes for sale in the neighborhoods nearby.