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Want Green Grass? Paint It

By Jeff Dowler, CRS

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

November 22, 2008 12:01 PM

Most folks who have a lawn want it to be green. Many spend a ton of money caring for their grass to make it look its best. Buyers who are looking at homes tend to be turned off by properties where the lawn is not in good shape or perhaps has died completely, as we so often see in distress sales (short sales, foreclosures and REOs).

Grass painting is becoming more popular and common, using a non-toxic paint (so it's environmentally safe)that lasts several months and which will not come off on clothing or shoes (and presumably the dog, too). It dries in about 2 hours.

There are many homes that could benefit from this service, either in small areas or the entire lawn. It could also be useful during the dormant season where some grasses turn brown.

In our local area of Carlsbad and North County San Diego, KEVIN DUNNE provides this service for fees which seem pretty reasonable to me.

2000 SF or less...$225

2000-3000 SF ...$275

3000 SF and larger...$275 + $50/additional 1000 SF

Kevin can be reached at (760) 295-8587 or on his cell at (760) 277-8570. Feel free to contact him witrh any questions or to arrange for service.

Grass painting may not be right for everyone but could provide a valuable service in many situations.

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If I can provide more information about Encinitas, Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

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Bill Gassett

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA

Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Interesting...I have never heard of this before today Jeff. I know I want real grass:)

Nov 23, 2008 12:38 AM

Mara Hawks

First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL

Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

I haven't seen that here either...but it sounds terrible and toxic!

Nov 23, 2008 06:20 AM

Lisa Hill

Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Real Estate

LOL! Well that's a new one. I guess it's a pretty good idea though... assuming the grass doesn't die so much that it rots away. How do you keep it alive if it's brown? Brown grass just dies doesn't it? I know Cali has more rock covered lawns. In Florida you're expected to have a full lawn of healthy, green, weed-free grass. So people water their lawns in the middle of the night, more than twice a week. FTR, twice a week, between certain hours at night, and one your assigned days, are when we're supposed to water our lawns. But some people take great pride in their lush, green grass and landscaping, so they cheat =/

Nov 23, 2008 06:52 AM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Jeff, I wrote about this very thing sometime back along with a video. Amazing isn't it. Certainly would take care of things during a water shortage...I guess you could say it's "Green."

Congratulations on achieving recognition with the CRS award. We are proud that you also represent AR.

Nov 23, 2008 12:18 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Jeff, I have never heard of this. I am quite intrigued, as I suppose it would save on water. I will keep my out for this service in Ann Arbor, must be really really new. As you know all things new come out of CA and migrate West.

Nov 24, 2008 02:26 AM

Betina Foreman

WJK Realty - Austin, TX

Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

Only in California would somebody paint the grass green. In Texas some grass may brown a little over the winter months, but most people just throw out some Winter Rye grass seed and the problem is solved naturally. Once spring rolls around the Rye dyes back and the healthy but temporarily dormant grass is back with a vengeance. Happy mowing!

Betina

Nov 24, 2008 02:58 AM

Sharon Paxson

Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Real Estate

Jeff - I have seen it before when grass goes dormant. It is a good idea to spruce places up for a reasonable price.

Nov 24, 2008 03:46 AM

Bethany Phillips, MBA

Fredericksburg, VA

lets see some photos!

Nov 24, 2008 01:04 PM

Anja Kerstens, 669.270.8034

Compass - Morgan Hill, CA

GRI, NHCB, CDPE, CHS. Silicon Valley Homes

Jeff,

I have never heard of such a thing as painting grass. How long does it last? A little fertilizer will produce the same result doesn't it? We have several homeowners in our community who have artificial grass installed and if it is not on a slope looks pretty nice and never needs any water or paint! http://www.bayareasyntheticgrass.com/?gclid=CKre77G3j5cCFQ0xawodCWcmow. Santana Row http://www.santanarow.com/ an upscale shopping center in San Jose also has artificial grass and has made it more popular. Heck, you can even order it at Costco of all places. That's how popular it is here in the bay area.

Nov 24, 2008 01:55 PM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

ALL:

Thanks for the comments. It is clearly gaining in popularity as more of you are learning about it. In our dry climate and with the drought it makes some sense, even though it is not permanent. We are seeing more artificial grass as some have noted, and I suspect over time we will see more restrictions on people's use of water on their lawns and a greater push for more xeriscape landscaping and drought tolerant planting.

This vendor is to send me some photos, but if you stop by the site I mentioned you will see some before and after. I saw a video as well and it is pretty impressive - but have not seen it live yet. I suppose if the grass is truly dead, shiwch seems to be the case of many REO's, this could be viewed as deceptive - I wull dthink it would need to be disclosed, although an inspector might pick it up.

GENA - will go check out your post, I missed it.

Jeff

Nov 24, 2008 03:42 PM

delete account

Clayton, MO

Hi Jeff. That sounds so bizarre! I am going to see if I can find some photos.

Nov 26, 2008 04:39 AM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Isn't it interesting how much value we humans put on a little patch of green grass? What will we do just for the sake of having a "green" yard. I think I would prefer to see a yard with no grass at all, just some nice low maintenance plants.

Nov 28, 2008 11:30 AM

Green canary

Green Canary - Fresno, CA

Hey ^_^

and I'm covering Central and bay area california

www.green-canary.com

Toll Free
1-866-485-6564

By Dale Yurong http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/video?id=6815855

May 16, 2009 06:41 AM

Anonymous

Mark

Hi,

What kind of demand do you think there is in North County San Diego for an additional business to start to providing the painting grass service to bank REO's and the residential community? Do you think there are enough of these businesses such as Kevin's and LawnLift in San Marcos or would say there is opportunity for another entrepreneur to start a similiar operation?

Thanks, I appreciate your response.

Mark, my email is mwj717@hotmail.com

Jun 16, 2009 03:24 PM

#20

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Mark - well I still think it is a neat idea, especially in these times of water restrctions. But quite frankly I don't see many homeowners making use of it. The banks do not seem inclined to spend any money on fixing up the homes they are selling, and the short sale homeowners certainly can't - their agents might, but I wouldn't count on it. It's tough to even get them cleaned, and I see ALOT of these homes.

Jeff

Jun 18, 2009 05:05 PM

Anonymous

Craig Baumgart

Hello to all,

Painting Grass! Nothing new actually! Look at the Pro-Athlete Field's, Green all year long!

I thought it was kind of a crazy idea to paint grass, but now I'm doing it in Austin, Texas! Why not, homes get staged inside, so why not stage the outside! Potential buyers first impression's on a Home are within the first 10-15 seconds! First Impressions can make a huge impact on a buyer's decision in choosing the right home. The extreme weather conditions in Austin, Texas and surrounding areas can be harmful on a lawn as well as being hard to maintain (costly). There are also water restrictions as well! The service I provide will instantly turn a lawn green, literally! 100% non-toxic dye spray application, will not stain (after dried), water resistant , can last weeks, and best of all a perfect green lawn! Perfect solution for Real Estate Property(s) and Foreclosure Property(s) to create a curb appeal and sell more Properties.

Craig Baumgart

Green-Green-GREENER-GRASS!

Professional Grass Painting

Perfect Green Lawn Everytime!

http://www.greengreengreenergrass.com/

Jul 11, 2009 06:09 AM

#22

Anonymous

Mark Bradford

I geuss it doesnt do much good if the grass is in bad shape to begin with. And if its in good sape why bother to paint it. goesnt seem to make much sense to me.

Anyway, my name is Mark Bradford and I own www.bayareasyntheticgrass.com and www.precisionputtinggreens.com. I want to thank Ana Kerstjens for the link from this site.

Sincerely,

Mark Bradford

CEO

Bay Area Synthetic Grass

408 230-0000

Mark Bradford

Sep 08, 2009 08:15 PM

#23

Anonymous

Carolyn

I tried a sample of grass paint. it's very concentrated and goes a long way. I'm trying to go lawn free and just have plants and there are a few areas that look brown and dry because my groundcover hasn't filled it yet. I seriously like this stuff and intend to buy a big container of it. It even makes the dry tops of the groundcover look good. I want to try the mulch dye also!

Jul 15, 2010 07:11 AM

#24

Michele Hanigan

Keller Williams Realty Plano, Texas - Dallas, TX

Realtor - Dallas & Plano Real Estate - (214)738-5555

I just wonder how this works when it comes time to mowing! Maybe a silly comment, but still.....

Jun 26, 2011 12:03 PM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Michele - great question. I think the intent is for it to be used when the grass is dormant and not growing much ro at all, or in cases where it is dead (e.g., short sale or REO).

Jeff

Jun 26, 2011 01:46 PM