When it comes to landscaping, it’s all about the curb appeal! Ensuring that the front of your home looks attractive as prospective buyers drive by is one of the easiest ways to help it sell more quickly, and landscaping is one of the most important factors. Here’s what to consider when you’re looking for landscaping that adds to your home’s value:
1. Outdoor lighting. A whopping 41% of home buyers consider outdoor lighting “essential,” according to the National Association of Home Builders. Consider adding tasteful, updated lighting on your walkways and soft, inviting lights on your front porch. We also recommend adding a few motion detector lights for nighttime — it makes your home less of a target for intruders!
2. Gardens. When it comes to gardens (whether it be a patch of veggies or fields of flowers), be sure to consider the overall size of your yard. For homes with an acre or more, a well-maintained, fenced-in veggie garden is likely to be an asset to your home’s value. However, if your backyard is small, be mindful of the size of your garden and ensure that it does not dominate the usable space in your yard.
3. Trees. Did you know that your trees (and your neighbors’ trees!) can add value to your property? It’s true! Well-maintained, healthy trees can add big bucks to your home’s value, and you can even calculate the benefits on the National Tree Benefit Calculator. And the most popular tree in the nation? A red maple!
4. Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! This one is especially true when your home is on the market. Ensure that your grass is well-trimmed, walkways are properly edged and swept, and flower beds are nicely mulched.
5. Don’t overdo it. Too much landscaping can turn off some prospective buyers, as they may be concerned that the landscaping will be too difficult or too expensive to maintain.
6. Consider a professional landscaping company. Thinking about making a big change to your landscaping or yard? Consider bringing in the pros! We recommend asking your neighbors for recommendations, as you’ll likely enjoy a discount from the landscaping company if they’re also serving a neighbor just a couple of doors down.