Landscaping Affects House Values

Landscaping can often enhance price and reduce a home’s time on the market. The question to consider: Is the landscaping attractive enough to make the prospective buyer walk through the front door? Landscaping is typically associated with lawns, trees, bushes and flowers. But other items also can be considered part of landscaping, such as fire pits, decks, patios, waterfalls, swimming pools and outdoor lighting … all of which could add to the value of the home. Curb appeal is essential when selling a home, it is the homeowner’s opportunity to make a great first impression. A home with lackluster landscaping or an exterior in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint will likely be unappealing to prospective buyers and ultimately could affect the home’s potential resale value. Homeowners should keep the design contemporary and in line with comparable properties in the area. Trim growth regularly, replant approximately every 5 to 10 years depending on growth and not “overwhelm” the house. Landscaping improvements could make an impact on resale value, and homeowners need to consider how long they’ll be in the home and whether to make short-term updates or plan for the long haul.