Hi,

I hope you had a great week and made it through our first snowstorm in one piece!

Last week, I shared why I’m more optimistic about the Lehigh Valley than ever. I told you that despite the gloomy national headlines, I see opportunity on the ground every day.

But as a business owner and a "Planner," I don’t like to rely on gut feelings alone. I rely on data.

Over the last month, I’ve been compiling deep-dive research on where our local economy is heading in 2026. The numbers paint a picture of a region that has transformed from a "sleepy" secondary market into a Tier 1 economic powerhouse.

This week, I’m sharing two resources with you that connect that big picture directly to your backyard.

In analyzing the luxury segment, one statistic stood out above the rest. Homes with integrated sustainability and wellness features are commanding a 12–18% price premium.

But here is the catch: When the market says "Sustainability," they aren't talking about unkempt meadows. They are talking about Green Infrastructure—though they probably don't use that term.

In academic circles, this sounds complicated. For a homeowner, it’s simple: It’s Asset Protection.

It means designing your property to handle water naturally rather than fighting it.

Increasing your soil's organic matter by just 1% allows your property to hold an additional 20,000 gallons of water per acre. That stops erosion, protects your foundation, and keeps your basement dry.

Buyers aren't paying extra for "green" just to be trendy.

They are paying for resilience.

If the market data tells us what is valuable (Sustainability/Resilience), my second resource tells you how to build it.

I’ve taken our internal company resources and practices—the science we use on high-end estates—and compiled them into a guide for homeowners.

Introducing: The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Lawn Care (Mid-Atlantic Edition)

This isn't about letting your yard go wild. It's about engineering a landscape that protects your asset.

I typically reserve this level of market insight and technical documentation for my private clients. However, because you’ve been part of the Ruggiero Sustainable Solutions community, I want you to have these first.

We are also working on a guide to Native Medicinal Herbs that will be coming soon. But for now, this Market Forecast is solid, and I’d love your eyes on the Lawn Care Guide. It’s a living document, and your feedback helps me refine it.

[Click Here to Read the 2026 Market Forecast]

[Click Here to Download the Sustainable Lawn Care Guide]

I’ve been reading through industry reports on what is trending globally in the Home & Garden space for 2026. There are some fascinating movements happening—from "Goth Gardening" (yes, that's real) to high-tech irrigation.

Next week, we’re going to step away from the data and go back to my roots.

I’ll be sharing some personal stories about growing up in the Slate Belt—memories of foraging for watercress in freezing streams with my dad and why my grandmother insisted we eat dandelions (and calf brains!).

It turns out, the famous "Roseto Effect" wasn't just about community; it was about what was on the dinner plate.

Until then, I hope these reports help you plan for a prosperous 2026.

Best,

Mike Ruggiero

Ruggiero Sustainable Solutions

P.S. If you know anyone looking to buy or sell in the Valley next year, forward them the Market Forecast. The inventory numbers (Section 6) are something every buyer needs to see right now.