Smart Landscaping Adds Curb Appeal (and Value) to Your Home

First impressions are lasting impressions, and in the highly competitive real estate market smart landscaping can enhance curb appeal and benefit both Realtors® and their clients, says the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA). Gina Carr, Broker/owner of Century 21 Advantage in Atlanta, agrees. "The main reason Realtors® don't show a house is lack of curb appeal. Take a so‑so house, add nice landscaping, and it's going to get shown more frequently and sell faster," Carr explains.

The details around the front door, the presence of trees, shrubs and attractive plants, and the overall appearance of the front yard are among the first things the buyer sees. This first impression leads the buyer to make assumptions about the entire house. A neat and inviting yard encourages the buyer to think positively about what's inside and a "nice yard" becomes a “nice home." A tired, poorly maintained yard, on the other hand, suggests that there may be other things inside the home that the owner has neglected to take care of.

Text Box: 29 North Brookfield Road Spencer, Mass.01562 (508) 885-4247 FAX (508) 885-4490  

 All things being equal, and given properties of similar size, shape, design, floor plan, and price, landscaping can be a key deciding factor in how quickly a house sells, and at what price. To reinforce the economic value of smart landscaping, Money magazine found that the "recovery value" on landscaping investments can earn between 100 to 200 percent ‑ a greater return than any other home improvement.

How can a Realtor® help the client to build curb appeal through smart landscaping? Here are some suggestions from landscape professionals:

Consult a landscape professional if you plan to sell within a year. Lawns and gardens that receive professional attention three to five times in a year will look sharp when the house enters the market. Landscaping should be attractive, but not complicated. "Home buyers react favorably to a park‑like setting. Your goal is a beautiful yard that looks easy to care for," says Carr. Most buyers are not landscaping experts, but they do look for quality.

Fast fixes are possible when selling in a hurry. A trip to the local garden center and a few hours of "sweat equity" may translate to a quicker sale. Dress up, beds and around trees with a fresh layer of much. Place several containers of colorful annuals at the house entrance for a favorable first impression ‑ and consider an attractive wreath for the front door. Green up your lawn with fertilizer or over‑seed to build a healthier looking lawn. Trim back shrubs for a neat appearance. Any landscape gets a lift from mowing, weeding, and edging.

Where Successful Gardeners Shop - - - Since 1947