When families are looking for new homes to buy, they look at a lot of factors: what schools in the area are like, what kind of amenities are close by, the state of the houses in the neighborhood, how long it would take to drive to work, and many other elements. What people sometimes forget to look at is what kind of green space an area has, or if it has one at all.

Along much of the country's coastal regions, big storms are an unwelcome yearly visitor but don't let stormy weather keep you from enjoying living in some of the most beautiful areas in the country. Some people will tell you that storm-proofing your home is an unnecessary expense. It's true that not all storms reach the hurricane or tornado level of destruction, but why not play it safe and be prepared?

If you are contemplating flooring for your new home or looking to increase the salability of your existing home, you may well have looked into hardwood floors. Few things can add pizzazz to a house like a fresh new hardwood floor after all. But if you are interested in hardwood and want something a little more unique, why not take a look at bamboo flooring?