Potential homebuyers often base their first impressions on curb appeal, and all too often a home’s outdoor landscaping is overlooked in the selling process. A well maintained and inviting exterior landscape can add as much as 12% to the value of your home according to research.
Here are a few fabulously simple ideas for creating eye-catching curb appeal that you can implement if a home sale is in your future.
1. Trim and edge your lawn
Edging your lawn makes the landscape look clean and defined, and gives the appearance of being easy to maintain–a major selling point with potential buyers. A sharp spade can be used to cut a neat and simple separation between the lawn, garden beds, walkways, and fences. Physical barriers such as timber, stones, bricks, or steel can also be used.
2. Implement native trees and shrubbery
Planting native species can not only improve the curb appeal of a home, but boost its resale value and minimize time on the market. Furthermore, native flowers, trees, and shrubs provide a natural habitat for regional bird species and insect pollinators.
Reputable suppliers like Central Farm and Garden specialize in lawn and garden products and can provide assistance in determining what vegetation will work best for your yard.
3. Add landscape lighting
Outdoor lighting is an elegant way to highlight your landscape’s best features, as well as provide visibility to potential buyers viewing the property during evening hours.
Major home improvement outlets offer guides and how-to’s for installing outdoor lights, with energy efficient LED fixtures a preferred choice by many homeowners. Additional options include motion detectors, dimming features, and solar panel varieties.
4. Add a water feature
The addition of a simple water garden or reflecting pond can add instant appeal to your home’s landscape, as well as provide a further opportunity to incorporate native plants, ferns, and water flowers. Spherical water fountains are easy to install and add a modern touch to your home, while bubbler fountains are a wonderful way to reuse containers and assorted materials.
Putting a home on the market is no doubt an overwhelming task, but it’s easier when you work with a licensed professional. Contact a First Team agent to get a full and complete home valuation and professional advice on what you can do to raise the worth of your home.
This guest post is written by Meghan Belnap, a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
