A good first impression is everything—whether it’s a first date, job interview, or putting your house on the market. This is why it’s vital sellers to invest in landscaping to increase property value. Your home’s curb appeal is the very first thing a potential buyer sees. You must make sure the property looks as appealing as possible so buyers can fall in love with it at first sight.
While landscaping can be time consuming, you want the grounds to be in the best possible condition before you sell your Austin home, or else you risk not having the deal go through.
Here are some ways you can increase the property value of your home through strategic landscaping projects:
Go green
“Good landscaping can add up to 28% to overall home value.”*
While we encourage sustainability, the green we’re referring to here are trees, plants, and flowers. A beautiful, well-maintained garden is a natural attraction for buyers. It shows that you’ve put a lot of care and effort into the property and this sentiment will be planted in the buyer’s mind before they even see the inside of the home.
Yet, there is more to well-kept greenery than just the looks of it. Having trees on the property provide shade that can keep a house cool in the summer or they can shield the home from harsh winds in the colder weather—both of which can help cut down on energy bills. And lower energy bills are a definite selling point buyers like to hear.
Light up your space
“Outdoor lighting consistently tops the NAHB’s list of most wanted outdoor features in its annual ‘What Home Buyers Really Want’ survey: 41% rate it ‘essential;’ 49% say it’s ‘desirable.’”*
Are you casting your property in the best possible light? If a buyer pulls up to a home that’s dark and poorly lit, it can have disastrous consequences. First, they won’t be able to get a full appreciation of the property. And second, it can be dangerous! The last thing you need is for a prospective buyer to trip and fall due to poor lighting.
Proper use of flood lights to illuminate the home or solar paneled pathway lights to guide visitors inside can go a long way in terms of curb appeal.
Put up fences
“Privacy wood fences and solid fences like concrete or cast iron can net a profit of at least 50% of the material and installation costs on resale.”**
The value of adding a fence is entirely dependent on the type of property you have. Adding a little picket white fence to the front of a charming cottage would definitely increase value. On the other hand, adding a chain link fence haphazardly to the side of a modern home could look sloppy or cheap.
When it comes to adding fences, consider the following:
- Does the property look better with the fence?
- Does the quality of the fence match the style of the home?
- Is the fence being used to create a privacy space or a sanctuary for pets?
If the answer is yes to the above, then you might want to consider adding a fence to boost your property’s value.
Line the property with pathways
“If you get too fancy, you won’t see a return on your investment; if you don’t meet the standards of the neighborhood, appraisers will punish you.”*
A well-defined pathway on the property can go a long way. The pathways are what guides prospective buyers into your home so you want to make sure it’s a pleasant experience (trudging through wet grass or a worn out trail is not).
This could be anything from a brick walkway or a mulch-covered trail. These pathways can define the space and add charm to the landscaping.
As with any property-value enhancing project, it’s important to stay true to the style of the home and keep things simple. Anything you can do to increase the home’s value to buyers is well worth the money and effort.
*Source: Gorgeous Landscaping Ideas: Trees, Lighting, and Retaining Walls, House Logic
**Source: Fencing Can Add Value To Your Home, Realty Times
