When your house is on the market, it’s common to look for ways to increase your home value. One of the first places you should look is right outside your front door. We all know that first impressions are everything – when it comes to meeting people and looking for homes. That first impression begins as soon as your home comes into view by potential buyers. What will their initial thoughts be? In this article, we’ll discuss how much of a return you can expect on your home value for landscaping projects and what projects you may want to take on first.
Does Landscaping Increase Home Value?
In one recent survey, over 90% of agents said that home landscaping puts money in your bank account at closing. The even better news is that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to reap the rewards. Regular lawn care like mowing, applying fertilizer, and weed control recovers an estimated 267% of the cost of upkeep at the time of sale. But if you really want to see an improvement in home value, you can spend a little bit more.
It’s important to note that when we talk about landscaping, it goes further than just the plants in your yard. It also includes lighting, fences, fire pits, decks, and more. Both landscaping professionals and real estate experts agree that the way your home looks on the outside is important for prospective buyers. It builds the anticipation for what they will see inside. But how exactly does landscaping add value and what projects should you tackle first for your own home?
How Much Does Landscaping Increase Home Value?
The vast majority of top real estate agents agree that well-landscaped homes are worth from 1% to 10% more than homes with no landscaping. Seeing that you put attention into your landscape helps buyers attach much more value to your home. This could be roughly 5% to 12% more, depending on where you live.
If you’re wondering exactly how much money you should invest in your landscaping, it’s up to you. However, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) does have recommendations. They recommend investing about 10% of your home’s value into landscaping. You may be able to see an increase of 5% to 15% of your home’s value by spending that much on maintenance and upgrades.
Why Hire a Landscaping Professional
The number one mistake homeowners make when it comes to their curb appeal is beginning projects without a plan. They may start to clear certain areas and plant a few flowers without having a concrete plan of what they’re doing. This creates an assortment of plants and gardens with a disorganized look and feel. Getting a plan from a landscaping professional can help you achieve a beautiful property without breaking the bank.
Another reason you should hire a professional is that design sophistication affects home value the most. Plant size and maturity come in second. What does this tell us? It tells us that getting the services of a landscape professional can help optimize the value of a home. A professional will be able to create a sophisticated design that you probably won’t be able to achieve on your own.
What Projects Should You Tackle?
So now you know that landscaping and gardening can affect your home’s value, but how do you know what types of projects are worth your investment? We’ll tell you!
Shrubs and Trees
When it comes to shrubs and trees, not all of them are created alike. Young trees aren’t necessarily bad, but mature trees will give you the biggest return. Homebuyers often look for tall trees throughout a neighborhood when they are searching for a home. However, mature trees can be extremely expensive. If you’re interested in a tree that already has some size but doesn’t break the bank, look for one in a 15-gallon pot. These can often hold trees up to 8 feet tall and typically for a reasonable price.
Landscaped Pathway
When prospective buyers visit your home for the first time, where do you know they will tread? Up your walkway to your front door! Make sure you pay attention to that pathway. If it’s a concrete sidewalk, make sure you repair any cracks that could get in the way of the first impression. If your pathway is made from pavers, make sure none of them are cracked and that any weeds between them are controlled. You can also use a pressure washer to get rid of any built-up dirt or moss, which is common on these types of surfaces.
Lighting
There are countless outdoor lighting options on the market today. Plus, they come in all price ranges, so you’re sure to find a cost-effective solution for your home. Buyers often look for well-lit yards as it adds a layer of security from burglars. It can also work in your favor if you ever have home showings after dark. Strategically-placed lighting shows off your garden even at night, silhouettes your trees, and keeps everyone from tripping.
Fresh Mulch
Mulch is a purchase you can make for your yard that can almost instantly make it fresh for an economic price. Adding mulch around shrubs and other plants serves a practical purpose in addition to an aesthetic one. Mulch reduces evaporation, inhibits weed growth, moderates soil temperature, and prevents erosion. Often, homeowners like to see brand new mulch at a home they are buying.
Built-In Deck or Outdoor Kitchen
One of the trendiest projects you could tackle is also one of the most expensive. A built-in deck for entertaining and cooking is a big selling point as it essentially increases the usable square footage of a home. Your outdoor kitchen or living space could be the thing that keeps your home on a buyer’s shortlist. If you can properly finish and weatherproof the space, that will help even more. After all, who doesn’t like to grill even in the winter?
Increase Your Home Value With Arbeen Landscaping
If you’re still on the fence about investing in landscaping, consider this: it can certainly affect home value in a negative way as well. Poor landscaping can make property values drop by as much as 30%!
Arbeen Landscaping provides professional landscape design and installation for residential properties in the suburbs of Chicago. We can help you create a home landscaping design that will best increase the value of your home, so you can make the most money during your sale. Reach out to us to learn more about our options today!
