In the current booming real estate market with record-high home prices, maximizing the value of your property is a smart move, especially if you’re considering selling your home. A well-chosen landscaping project can be an effective way to add value and make a lasting impression on potential buyers, motivating them to offer a higher price to secure the deal.
Beatrice de Jong, a broker and consumer trends expert for Opendoor, emphasizes the significance of landscaping in increasing a home’s value. Curb appeal plays a crucial role in making a positive first impression, setting the tone for potential buyers’ expectations regarding the interior and overall condition of the house.
The data consistently shows that attractive landscaping significantly contributes to curb appeal. According to de Jong, sellers can potentially gain anywhere from 5% to 12% more value for their homes (depending on the location) by investing in well-maintained landscaping. Here are 10 landscaping projects recommended by industry experts that are worth the investment to enhance your home’s value.
Plant trees
One word: trees. Planting trees is a landscaping project that experts universally recommend for increasing a home’s value.
According to Bryan McKenzie, co-founder of Bumper Crop Times, trees can add up to $9,000 to your home’s value. However, it’s essential to be cautious about tree placement, ensuring they are positioned at a safe distance from the septic system, driveways, and the house itself to avoid potential interferences that may lead to costly issues. Root damage to the home’s foundation or falling branches can be problematic if trees are not thoughtfully placed.
On the other hand, well-placed trees have consistently proven to be a wise investment. Dan Beaulieu, a real estate agent, contractor, and founder of Burlington House Buyers, emphasizes that trees, once mature, contribute significantly to the value of a home. Unlike most purchases that depreciate over time, trees appreciate in value. The presence of mature trees in a neighborhood can increase property prices by an impressive 4% to 20%.
Therefore, when considering landscaping projects to enhance your home’s value, investing in trees is a smart choice that not only adds beauty to your property but also contributes to its long-term worth.
Spruce up the front walkway
The walkway and entrance of your home play a crucial role in shaping a potential buyer’s first impression. Therefore, investing time and effort into making them look picture-perfect is well worth it. According to Dawn Templeton, owner and real estate broker of Templeton Real Estate Group in Idaho, a well-decorated walkway instantly creates a positive ambiance for the entire house.
To enhance the appeal of your walkway, consider planting flowers along both sides of the path and ensuring proper illumination. Adequate lighting will add a touch of dramatic beauty to the surroundings. To elevate the look further, stylish planters can be a great addition. For example, you can try the Better Homes & Gardens Laurie White Resin Planter, available for $28 at Walmart, and pair it with inexpensive flowering annuals to create an eye-catching display.
By paying attention to the details of your walkway and entrance, you can make a lasting impression on potential buyers, setting the stage for a positive and welcoming experience as they approach your home. A well-decorated walkway not only adds to the overall curb appeal but also enhances the overall value and desirability of your property.
Invest in a well-maintained lawn
Never underestimate the power of a well-cared-for lawn or front yard when it comes to curb appeal. The overall desirability of your home is greatly impacted by a beautifully maintained front yard.
According to Beatrice de Jong, ensuring your landscaping looks at least as nice as neighboring homes is a general rule to follow. Essential tasks for home sellers include mowing the lawn, pruning trees, pulling weeds, and sprucing up the garden with colorful seasonal flowers, as curb appeal plays a vital role in selling a home. An unmaintained lawn not only diminishes curb appeal but also raises concerns among potential buyers about the overall care of the property.
The good news is that lawn maintenance doesn’t have to break the bank, as highlighted by Dino DiNenna, a real estate broker and owner of Hilton Head Realty in South Carolina. Lawn care is relatively inexpensive, quick to do, and yields a significant return on investment. A well-kept lawn is not only appealing to buyers but also provides a place of relaxation for adults and a playground for children.
Studies by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Landscape Professionals estimate that spending about $3,000 on lawn maintenance, which includes applying mulch, mowing, pruning shrubs, and planting flowers, has a 100% return on investment. DiNenna and his team consistently recommend prioritizing basic yard care services as the top curb appeal project for homeowners looking to increase their home’s value before selling.
Install landscape lighting
Installing attractive landscape lighting not only enhances the security around your home but also increases the overall value of your property.
According to Dan Beaulieu from Burlington House Buyers, a well-lit yard automatically improves the appearance of the house, thus adding to its value. In recent years, solar-powered and LED lighting solutions have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional hard-wired lighting. These lighting options not only illuminate your lawn at night but also create beautiful silhouettes of your trees, prevent tripping hazards, and act as a deterrent to potential intruders.
LED lighting, in particular, has gained popularity among potential buyers. Matt Ward, a Realtor and team lead for The Matt Ward Group based in Tennessee, explains that LED lighting, such as the Better Homes & Gardens Beckon Solar Powered LED Path Lights (available at $20, Walmart), can enhance the value of your property by 1% to 3%.
Ward further emphasizes that lighting plays a crucial role in maximizing your property’s curb appeal, allowing all the landscaping work you invested in to be admired day and night. Lighting fixtures have become one of the most sought-after outdoor landscaping features for homebuyers, making them an excellent investment to increase your home’s value.
Construct a fire pit
During the COVID-19 pandemic, fire pits gained immense popularity as we spent more time at home. Both built-in and freestanding fire pits, such as the Better Homes & Gardens 37-inch Round Propane Fire Pit (available for $339 at Walmart), continue to be highly sought-after outdoor landscape features that can significantly increase property value.
According to Beatrice de Jong, a fire pit is a universally beloved home addition, appealing to families, young couples, and anyone who enjoys hosting and entertaining guests. It adds a warm and inviting ambiance to outdoor spaces, making them ideal for social gatherings.
The average cost to build a fire pit is around $700, as estimated by HomeAdvisor by Angi. By keeping the project within a cost-effective budget, it’s possible to achieve a substantial return on investment.
De Jong points out that using less expensive materials can significantly boost the ROI of a fire pit, allowing homeowners to recoup as much as 78% of the costs. With a smart investment and a well-designed fire pit, you can elevate your outdoor living space, create memorable moments with loved ones, and enhance your property’s overall appeal.
Create privacy
Privacy is often a key selling factor for homes, and well-designed landscaping can be instrumental in achieving this desirable feature. According to Dawn Templeton from Templeton Real Estate Group, houses with large windows are highly sought-after as they keep the interior well-lit. However, bigger windows also mean that passersby can easily look into the house from outside. To address this, planting shrubs or hedges strategically can complement the house’s aesthetics while providing the much-needed privacy.
Thoughtful landscaping solutions that incorporate shrubs or hedges can create a natural barrier, ensuring that homeowners can enjoy the benefits of ample natural light without sacrificing their sense of privacy. By striking this balance, the property gains an added layer of appeal, as potential buyers are attracted to the convenience of well-lit interiors and the comfort of secluded living spaces. Taking advantage of landscaping to create privacy-enhancing elements is a clever way to maximize the appeal and overall value of the property.
Add a water feature
According to Liz Hutz, co-owner of Cash Home Buyers NC based in North Carolina, introducing a backyard pond or another type of water feature can significantly increase the market value of your home. Such features create a positive and lasting impression on potential buyers, adding a unique and attractive touch to the property.
When planning to add a pond or water feature, careful consideration of its location, size, and decoration is essential. Hutz emphasizes the importance of incorporating accent lighting on each end of the pond to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Thoughtfully placed lighting can elevate the visual impact of the water feature, creating a captivating and serene atmosphere that potential buyers will appreciate.
Hutz estimates that an average backyard pond measuring six feet by eight feet may cost around $9,000. While this investment may vary depending on the specific design and size of the water feature, the added value it brings to your property can be substantial. By integrating a well-designed backyard pond or water feature into your landscape, you can elevate your home’s appeal, attract more potential buyers, and potentially command a higher price in the real estate market.
Install an irrigation system
While many people appreciate the beauty of landscaping, not everyone wants to invest the time required for regular watering. This is where an irrigation system can become a valuable asset, potentially adding significant value for potential buyers.
Edward Jones, managing editor and founder of the home improvement and garden publication HomeCareHow, points out that an automatic irrigation system is an ideal solution for busy homeowners who want to maintain a well-kept yard without the hassle of daily watering. The same convenience appeals to prospective buyers who may also prefer a low-maintenance option for their landscaping needs. With an automatic irrigation system in place, there is no need for guesswork about how much water is necessary for the lawn, making it an efficient and reliable way to care for and protect your landscape investment.
In addition to its convenience, an automatic irrigation system can bring substantial cost savings. As Bryan McKenzie from Bumper Crop Times suggests, it can significantly reduce lawn watering bills and expenses. The return on investment (ROI) for installing an irrigation system is estimated to be around 85%, making it a highly rewarding project for increasing the overall value of your property.
By installing an automatic irrigation system, you not only enhance the appeal of your home’s landscaping but also make it an attractive option for potential buyers seeking an efficient and water-saving solution. This value-added feature can set your property apart in the real estate market and potentially lead to a higher selling price when the time comes to sell your home.
Spread fresh mulch
One of the simplest yet impactful landscape projects you can undertake is adding fresh mulch. This easy task can breathe new life into a lackluster yard, creating eye-catching appeal while also being budget-friendly, according to Nicholas McMillan, founder and owner of Hire Realty LLC, a real estate agency in New York that specializes in residential and commercial sales.
Incorporating fresh mulch around shrubs and plants offers numerous benefits. McMillan explains that it helps to reduce evaporation, suppress weed growth, moderate soil temperature, and prevent erosion. Additionally, the introduction of organic matter and aerating the soil can enhance its ability to retain sufficient water, leading to healthier and more robust plant growth.
With a relatively small investment in fresh mulch, you can expect to receive well more than what you put in. This straightforward project not only enhances the visual appeal of your landscaping but also contributes to the overall health and vitality of your garden. By improving the appearance and functionality of your outdoor space, you can increase the attractiveness of your property to potential buyers, making it a worthwhile investment for boosting your home’s value.
Convert to eco-friendly landscaping
In California and other western states, the demand for drought-tolerant yards, also known as xeriscaping, is on the rise. These landscapes have become highly attractive as they often eliminate the need for irrigation, which is particularly appealing at a time when water costs are escalating. Besides saving homeowners money on water bills, xeriscaping requires much less daily maintenance.
Beatrice de Jong highlights that drought-friendly landscaping is not only cost-effective but also sustainable, providing homeowners with an eco-friendly way to incorporate greenery into their properties. For regions with warm weather, she recommends considering native plants that are well-adapted to the environment and require minimal maintenance for things like pest control and fertilization.
By opting for xeriscaping and using drought-tolerant native plants, homeowners can create beautiful landscapes that thrive in their natural surroundings without relying heavily on water resources or constant upkeep. This type of landscaping not only adds value to the property but also aligns with environmentally conscious practices, making it an appealing choice for both homeowners and potential buyers in regions with arid climates.