Curb Appeal Landscaping
If you are considering selling
your home, you may have been hearing a lot about "curb appeal.” This relatively new term refers to the way your home is able to
attract prospective buyers from the outside. Is the exterior of your home
welcoming, attractive and architecturally pleasing? Or, does it look
old-fashioned, outdated, or even rundown? Real estate professionals have found
that when owners invest a small amount in a home’s exterior, they can expect
greater returns on resale. But, your home itself is not the only consideration.
One major aspect of curb appeal is the yard. A beautiful yard increases curb
appeal exponentially – so if you are putting your home up for sale, consider
hiring a professional skilled in curb appeal landscaping.
Common Problems
There are dozens of things that can
make your yard look less appealing. These can include:
- A lawn that’s patchy or overgrown. Most lawns need constant care and attention, so it’s easy enough for grass to become less than perfect. Many homeowners are moving away from the perfectly manicured lawn toward a more organic type of coverage for their yards.
- Overgrown or straggly shrubs. Without regular pruning, bushes can overgrow. Conversely, sometimes bushes refuse to flourish, leaving a gap in a hedge. These types of problems with shrubbery can leave hedges looking neglected.
- Problem trees. Healthy and beautiful shade trees are usually a great selling point. However, trees with dead branches and/or leaves give a "haunted” look to your yard and can even appear (or be) dangerous. Gnarly, heaving tree roots can also signal problems for erstwhile buyers.
- Rickety fence or lattice. If you have a fence, it should be in tip-top shape. Many homeowners are hanging onto latticework that is in poor repair and that should be removed.
- Broken or cracked sidewalk. Sidewalk or steps that are cracked give your home a neglected appearance.
- Garden ornaments. Many people enjoy collecting lawn ornaments, but they may be unappealing to prospective buyers. Any type of "fussy” element should be cleared.
- Evidence of pets. Pets may dig up, urinate or defecate on lawns. No signs of this should be seen.
- Clutter. Auto parts, children’s toys, recycle bins and other types of clutter are deadly to curb appeal.
- Dead plants. Garden bed, window boxes or climbing ivy with dead leaves or blossoms must be cleared.
Getting Professional Help
Ideally, your landscaping should complement the exterior of your home. Professional
design-build/landscaping firms can help you design a unified look and feeling
for your home and yard that maximizes its curb appeal. A design-build-landscape professional will use various elements to bridge the indoor space with the
outdoor, creating flow that’s harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Contact a design-build firm that also
specializes in landscaping, and ask to have an assessment done for your
property. A professional will find it easy to pinpoint the areas that need to
be improved and will be able to come up with a plan for boosting your home’s
curb appeal. Investing in your home’s exterior and landscaping can ensure that your
home sells for the best price possible!