If you’re looking to sell your home soon, you’ve probably got a list of improvements you want to make before hitting the market. For many people, that includes making adjustments to your landscaping. The curb appeal of your home can make a big difference when it comes to the value of your home.
A study done by Virginia Tech found that landscaping can increase your property value by 15%. It also found that design sophistication is the top factor in increasing the value of your home through landscaping.
Here’s our guide to ways you can add some design sophistication to your landscaping.
Maintaining Your Lawn
The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your lawn is green and tidy. Depending on your property, the lawn can be a big part of what potential buyers see first.
As we’re heading into the warmer months, your lawn might be bouncing back from the cold winter days. The rain that spring brings could also mean a more muddy lawn. While you can’t control the weather, you can ensure that your lawn has proper drainage, pathways, and barriers where needed.
Outdoor Living
You might not be able to add an extra bedroom to your home, but you can add more liveable space by updating your outdoor areas. A patio, firepit, or even a pool can help buyers feel like there are more areas in the home for entertaining and relaxing.
If you have a large yard, it can be particularly helpful to incorporate landscaping that zones the yard into different living areas. There can be a spot for children to play, a garden area, a firepit for gathering, or a patio for a BBQ. You’ll want to think about the type of people who might buy your home. If your home is great for families, your yard should be too.
Trees and Shrubbery
When prospective buyers are touring your house, they’ll be looking for any potential red flags. If you have a tree that hasn’t been trimmed in a while or shrubs that look dead, that can tell buyers that they’ll have some extra maintenance to deal with once they move in.
Trees and shrubs can also obstruct the view of your home from the street. If you’re planning to sell soon, you’ll want to make sure that your front landscaping doesn’t distract from your home. It should be an added accessory, not something blocking the view.
However, you can also use trees or shrubs to add privacy or shade where needed. If your house is close to the neighbors, shrubs can make the yard feel more intimate.
Pathways
Take some time to think through the pathways that homebuyers will walk during the tour. How stable and clean are these areas? Are there areas that you don’t have a path on that might need one? Walk through your landscaping as if you were seeing it for the first time, and you’ll likely notice some areas that could be improved.
Color & Lighting
Adding some color to your yard with flowers or shrubs can help increase the curb appeal of your home and make it stand out from other houses on the market.
You’ll also want to consider how the outdoor lighting is affecting the look of your home. If someone were to tour it in the evening or drive by after sunset, would the house still look special and appealing on the outside?
If you’re starting to think seriously about selling your home and know that landscaping is going to be a big part of the process, now is a great time to get in touch with our team. We can help design and build landscaping that speaks to potential buyers and increases your home’s value.