Ahhh fall. Blame it on the pumpkin spice, but it has a way of inspiring cozy home projects. One minute, you’re setting a pumpkin by the front door. The next, you’re wondering whether the porch needs new lighting, the landscaping could use an upgrade, or this is finally the year to install those permanent holiday lights. Seasonal enthusiasm is wonderful. Architectural violations are considerably less festive. Before making an exterior change to your Harbor Bay Isle home, take a few minutes to determine whether the project requires architectural approval. The Community of Harbor Bay Isle Owners’ Association requires an application for exterior changes and replacements. That includes projects that may seem relatively minor but alter the appearance, structure, or surrounding

By late summer, even the most carefully maintained yard can look a little tired. Lawns lose some of their enthusiasm, flowering plants seem to be unable to keep up with the growing obsession with pumpkin spice everything, and everyone’s busy with back-to-school activities/traffic. With the kids back in school and summer vacations a mere memory, August is a great time to give your yard some attention, correct small problems, and prepare plants for the transition into fall, and the rainy season beyond. Check Your Irrigation When plants begin to droop or develop brown edges, the natural response is often to water more. But the problem may not be the amount of water but how the water is being delivered. Turn

If you’re old enough to remember the TV show Bewitched, you probably remember the nosy neighbor Mrs. Kravitz. She was always spying on her neighbor from behind her curtain. While her character provided a lot of comic relief and was chided by her husband for doing so, the “Mrs. Kravitz” of the world can turn out to be a valuable community asset. You can’t build that kind of vigilance with brick, concrete, or even pretty landscaping. We’re not suggesting you should carry binoculars with you everywhere you go, but it is handy when neighbors notice when a package has been sitting on a porch for days, or when a neighbor usually walks their dog, or when the garage door has

Before you get excited about your next home improvement—a new kitchen, a better driveway, a snazzy new roof, or maybe the outdoor space you’ve been imagining for years—know that while you’re getting a new space, your neighbors, however, get the noise, the trucks, and the dust. They’re also undoubtedly asking the daily question of “How long is this going to last?” That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t improve your home. Strong neighborhoods are made up of people who take care of their properties, invest in their homes, and keep the community looking good. But a little thoughtfulness before the work begins can make a big difference in how your project is perceived by the people around you. Plus, with many people