Does my home have “curb appeal”?
If you’re considering putting your house on the market in the near future, you may be wondering how much landscaping can add to your curb appeal. And if adding curb appeal translates into more value for your home.
The bottom line is yes; landscaping can improve your curb appeal which will, in turn, improve your value. There’s a big “if” here though, and that is if you do it right. Pulling a few weeds and planting a tree will definitely improve your curb appeal, but it won’t do much for your home’s value.
Why Is Curb Appeal So Important?
Curb appeal is the first impression your home makes on your visitors and prospective buyers. An unkempt lawn will immediately make prospective buyers wonder about the condition of your home’s interior.
Imagine being invited out on a first date and your date shows up with muddy shoes, a wrinkled t-shirt that’s half untucked, and hair that looks like they just got out of bed. Would you be impressed? Doubtful.
A first impression is very important when putting your home on the market and asking top dollar for it. In fact, it’s so important that research shows it can increase your home’s value by as much as 15%. That’s $45,000 on a home price of $300,000. Now do you see why it matters?
Landscaping Tips for Increasing Curb Appeal and Value
The kind of landscaping you do to your home can make a big difference on the added value and increased curb appeal. Here are the best ways to improve both:
Create a Design
Without a plan for your yard, it can end up looking messy and disorganized. Before you buy plants and trees and start digging holes, create a plan for where everything will go. If you’re not sure, hire a design specialist from a local nursery to help you figure out the best and easiest way to improve your curb appeal.
When creating a plan, consider how much water each plant will need, what kind of sunlight they need to thrive, and the best type of soil for planting.
Plant Trees and Shrubs
Planting trees is a quick and easy way to add curb appeal; they give your home more of an estate feel. And, depending on where they’re placed, they can block an unsightly view.
Make sure the tree or shrub is properly placed and not planted in an area that’s to small for it. Take their sunlight needs into consideration when choosing placement and also consider their colors. What will they look like throughout the year during the varying seasons? If most of what you’re planting dies out in the winter, that will leave your landscaping bare during those months. Choose plants, trees, and shrubs that thrive in various seasons.
You can also use trees and shrubs in place of a fence to separate your property from your neighbor’s and increase your privacy.
Keep It Low Maintenance
Create a landscape that a new homeowner will have to work hard to maintain can be a deterrent in considering your property. Whatever plants, trees, and shrubs you use, make sure they’re low maintenance. They should be able to thrive in the type of sunlight the area gets naturally, the type of soil that is in your yard, and for the most part, can survive on rain water and only need watering in extreme situations.
Add Appeal to Your Entryway
Now that your yard is looking nice, don’t forget to add some curb appeal to your entryway. Adding pots of flowers and plants to your front porch and around your front steps will make your home feel inviting. Prospective buyers will look forward to seeing what’s on the other side of your front door.
You can add these extra touches to your back deck or patio as well to make the space feel more inviting.
Adding some landscaping, or improving on the landscaping you currently have, will not only increase your curb appeal and value, it can make your home sell faster. It’s a small investment of both time and money that can pay off big in the end.
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