You’ve probably heard the term curb appeal. Curb appeal is the aesthetic look of your home’s exterior from the street. It’s a potential homebuyers first impression of your home. It’s what entices them to call (or not to call) a realtor to get through the front door and see more. Did you know curb appeal can help you sell your home faster and increase the value by five to eleven percent?
But remember, it’s not just what your house looks like. It’s also your landscaping. Improving your landscaping costs less than trying to upgrade the outside of your home. Check out these landscaping updates that will increase curb appeal and increase the value of your home.
1. Ensure your lawn is healthy and vibrant
A vibrant, healthy lawn brings your landscape together. It provides potential homebuyers with a first impression of how you maintain the rest of your property. Therefore, it’s important to make a commitment to a lawn care routine that delivers results. Follow these five tips:
- Devote lots of time in early sprng
- Look for evidence of grubs
- Don’t bag your clippings in the summer
- Hydrate and add lime
- Don’t forget to fertilize
2. Trim shrubs and bushes
Pruning and shaping shrubs and bushes is an easy improvement that some homeowners overlook. If they don’t look neat and trimmed, it’s noticeable and shows lack of care. It may lead a potential homebuyer to believe the rest of the house isn’t well taken care of either. So, make the time to get rid of dead branches and overgrowth. Not only will it look better, but it’s critical for healthy plant growth.
3. Add fresh mulch
Another easy landscape improvement is adding a fresh bed of mulch. New mulch keeps your landscaping looking fresh, as it keeps moisture in the soil. Additionally, it insulates the soil and provides plants with essential nutrients, making them look healthy and vibrant.
4. Plant trees
Trees provide benefits, which will increase your home’s value. Most people enjoy the look of a healthy tree. They’re aesthetically pleasing and some experts believe trees can promote well-being by inspiring a feeling of longevity. Plus, they offer shade, which saves you money by keeping the inside of your home cooler during the warm summer months. Finally, they take in carbon dioxide that helps purify the air around your home.
Just don’t overdo the number of trees around your yard. Too many trees too close to the house can deter buyers due to the potential risk of storm damage. Plus if the family has young children, they will be looking for more open space so their kids have a place to play. Remove dead or dying trees and those poorly placed either too close to the home or are crowding other plants.
5. Enhance your home with landscape lighting
Landscape lighting has become one of the most desired outdoor landscaping features for homebuyers. This easy landscaping element can increase the value of your home by adding security and enhancing your landscape at night. Use a variety of lighting such as up-lights, down-lights, and tree-lights to highlight landscape design elements. Use cost-effective LED and solar lighting options which will be bright enough to light up the outside of your home.
6. Don’t forget the hardscapes
Homeowners often forget about the hardscapes when it comes to improving their landscaping. Cracked and unclean driveways and walkways are unappealing to look at. So, it’s important to fix the cracks and get a pressure washer to clean off the dirt and grime. Finally, make sure bricks or pavers are in place securely so they’re not a tripping hazard for your potential homebuyers or guests.
And as always, if you need help or want advice with these affordable landscape improvements, contact an expert today!