3 Ways to Use Landscaping to Improve the Value of Your Home
Improve the Value of Your Home
When a home is put on the market, the listing always lists all of the amenities of the home like the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, appliances, heating, cooling, etc. but not much about the outside is usually included other than the acreage. Your home’s landscaping is the first thing that potential buyers see when they view your home. A nicely designed and maintained landscape will leave a good first impression and a house with curb appeal will be memorable and in turn improve your home value.
Putting money into your landscaping is an easy and efficient way to improve the value of your home. It contributes to the curb appeal of your home but also to the attractiveness of the neighborhood which is something people consider valuable when looking into buying a house. A well-manicured landscape can add 5.5 – 11.4% to your home’s value so a little investment can go a long way and if you focus on a few things, it can make a big difference.
Plant Trees
People love trees. According to the Wall Street Journal, adding trees can help your home sell for up to 15% more than your asking price. Trees also make your home less expensive to cool in the summer, help cut down on wind and rain erosion, and clean the air. The best time to add trees is now, even if you won’t be selling your home any time in the near future. A landscape that has mature plants and trees that have been growing for years on your property instead of being slapped in at the last minute before you put the house on the market, shows potential buyers that you take care of the outside of your property so you probably take care of the inside too. Use lots of mulch around your trees and keep it fresh. Mulch helps keep moisture in and weeds out and it gives a more professionally landscaped look to your trees.
Maintain a Healthy Lawn
A thick, lush carpet of green makes your whole house look beautiful and fresh. It takes more than a weekly mowing to keep your lawn healthy. It will require an irrigation system, if you don’t have one, preferably a smart system with rain sensors so you don’t overwater when it rains. Be sure to edge the lawn. Putting a crisp edge on your lawn will make it look like you use a landscape professional even if you do it yourself. More tips on maintaining a healthy lawn can be found here.
Don’t Just Focus on the Front
Sure, how your landscape looks from the front is important, but potential buyers will want a backyard that is good for kids and pets, as well as for entertaining friends and relaxing. People love a backyard that feels like an extension of their home so be sure to include a landscaped patio/deck area with lots of seating. Shrubs and trees can cut down on noise pollution and hide unsightly things like gas tanks and air conditioning units. Colorful flowers and lots of greenery can create a lovely backyard oasis that will put your home value at a premium.
Alexander’s Property Maintenance is a full-service commercial landscape company serving commercial properties in West Central Florida. We focus on quality, consistency, and reliability for all our clients. We do it right the first time. Check out our website to see what we have to offer or to contact us for an estimate.