Charles, Interesting that I caught your post.  From a Feng Shui Perspective, a Water Feature properly placed helps a person feel "graced" into the home.  I live on the East Coast as well, many of my clients have used both indoor and out door water features and fountains. 

Charles, another post on improving your home! You are becoming an expert in your area on adding value to homes. Water features are very cool. I have been worried with pets and kids about doing one. Are there options that are safe for those? 

I love water features at a home, it just makes people relax when they hear the water.  They also look really nice.

CAROLE - Thank you that makes a lot of sense.

STEPHEN - I have a friend who just posted about a pond problem.... see Becky Reid's post :

http://activerain.com/blogsview/233286/Pet-Safety-Blue-Green

LINDA - I agree a nice addition

Charles that is some waterfall you created. What talent!

Water is a calming feature 9 unless it is drippin) and can only enhance any lising if done well. Great post!

Ginger

GINGER - Thanks, I enjoyed that pool adn water fall a lot

I would have never thought to add a fountain to a yard where noise may be a problem (near a busy road, etc.)  What a wonderful idea!  Charles, I'll remember this and hopefully be able to suggest it to those who do have this "problem" selling their homes. 

Gorgeous pics BTW!

Being in MN, we still do sometimes suggest a portable type water feature and definitely have put them in an entry foyer in a few houses.

KRIS - As long as you put a plaque in from of the fountain "THE CHARLES McDONALD INSPIRED FOUNTAIN" we will be even! lol

KATHLEEN - I love the idea of one inside!

Charles - I love all three photos, but the fact that you did that waterfall is fantastic! It is beautiful! Great job!!!! You could start a second business with  those skills -

BARBARA JO and BILL - We agents need to be versatile! lol

Charles - I'm starting to think you're a stager in costume :)  Your clients really are very fortunate to have you on their side - I'm glad more REA are beginning to speak out about even the little things that we have so long taken for granted.

I'm a big fan of water features.  I've not found a way to incorporate one outside here yet (darn deep freezes), but there sure is something very soothing and grounding about an inside water feature.

Jackie

JACKIE - LOL, (I will have to tell my wife that!) I do not have that kind of talent But I sure do appreciate the compliment!!

If I come up with a great way for an outside water feature, I will do a post for you!

Thanks for the link, I live on a buzy street,  someday I'm going to need ideas tol

Becky

BECKY - Every little bit helps! You are most welcome

I use to live on a busy street in Califonria too!  Actually it was my backyard and I had a "spool" with a waterfall... sure helped with the noise!  I even had a fountain in the front.  Love water features... don't see them much here on the East Coast.  Too bad.  Your pool/waterfall looks great... bet it was an easy sell to those California buers!

Charles - Great post and you are absolutely right!  Any little detraction helps and a good noise buffer is a great idea.

I wish this had been my water feature! I wrote about a water feature in my present home that wasn't wanted. The gutter people made the gutters to long, instead of cutting the gutters the put a hole in to the wall to make them fit. Hmmm....Wonder where that water went when it rained.

JUDY - Crazy we do not see them in the East. Yes, my Calif home sold quickly (even on a busy street).

CANDY - Thanks I think so too. Do you see them in Texas?

TODD - LOL, now I am not really sure that is a water "feature" lol!!!

Hi Charles - This post reminds me of my first house that was close to the freeway.  My husband and I use to say if you closed your eyes it sounded like the roar of the OCEAN!  We still laugh about it today!  :) 

Our dogs are even more calm with our waterfall on!  It definitely soothes.

Charles, thanks to the heads up to Becky's post. I went over there. It has some great tips for protecting small animals from other animals. I am looking forward to seeing more information about animal and child safety with water features. Maybe I should research it and do a post myself.

JANICE - Yes, I can remember that roar in the bay area.

DIANE - We all like the sound of running water. Must be a zen thing!

STEPHEN - Do a post my friend, I think it is a valuable subject!

Charles, I am a firm believer in water features.  We even have a table fountain on all 3 levels in our home - the master bedroom, the kitchen and our basement office.  Yes, we have a fountain on our patio - it really attracts birds, Karen

KAREN - WOW, that sounds great!

Charles, what a great idea and I love the water fall! Thanks for another great suggestion.

Charles, Your waterfall was quite a creation!  We have a waterfall at our pool and a fountain inside the foyer of our house.  I like water features.  I'm not sure if they help sell homes but they do make it a soothing environment.

PEG - You are most welcome!

ROBERTA - That they do!very soothing!

Charles -- The sound of rushing water from our spillover spa into our pool convinced me that this was the house for me.  A decision that I made while peering through the front windows and viewing the lanai and pool area as the REA was opening the lock box.  You are right...it is so soothing.  It has been 7 years and I still enjoy the sight and sounds of the water cascading over the steps of the spa.

Charles,

I live next to a busy street in California and I have a large fountain in my courtyard.  It does help somewhat with the noise problem.  I want to put one in the backyard as well.  I think the one you put in your backyard would be perfect.

The buyers we've worked with sure seem to like water features.

I love this waterfall! It's beautiful!!