First impressions matter.
Sometimes even more so in the Digital Age. This is why landscaping and high-quality photos matter when selling your home.
Curb appeal not only sets your home apart from the rest. It also makes your home more inviting for a buyer to tour. If a buyer sees that a lot of work needs to be done outside your home, they’ll assume the inside needs updates as well.
So, what kind of curb appeal are buyers looking for? For starters, most buyers seek out homes and landscaping designs that are low-maintenance. They also want the landscaping to be functional.
Buyers need to see a well-presented outdoor space as well. They need to see themselves enjoying it and be drawn in by it.
So, how can you accomplish this look for buyers?
By investing in garden renovations that can increase your home’s value and allow you to see a return on your investment.
Read on to discover our top 10 garden renovation tips to improve your home’s curb appeal and value.
Renovating your garden doesn’t need to be expensive. Small improvements can go a long way in attracting the right buyer for your home. Explore the following garden renovation ideas to get your home sold for the price you want.
Before moving forward with any other garden renovation, you’ll want to start with weeding. Weeding makes your garden and lawn more presentable. It also creates a healthier environment for other plants to flourish in.
Weeds in your grass are just as unsightly to buyers as weeds in the garden. To control weeds in your lawn be proactive and stick to a regular maintenance schedule.
To remove existing weeds in your lawn invest in safe pre- and post-emergent herbicides to spray. For lawns with fewer weeds, you can try using vinegar with higher than 5% acetic acid. All of these products can be found at a home improvement store.
For weeds in your garden, consider installing landscape fabric around the plants you want to grow. Place mulch over the landscaping fabric as well to block out sunlight.
For young weeds, pull them from the root to remove them long-term. If older, stronger weeds are plentiful in your garden consider tilling or spraying them with herbicides carefully. You want to avoid spraying your other plants at all costs.
Edging is inexpensive and provides neat lines in your garden. Edging also acts as a barrier between grass, your garden, and any other landscaping structures. This helps to contain growth which also makes your garden lower maintenance.
Edging will take time and effort to install, however. But, the added curb appeal value will be totally worth it!
Pruning is the solution to any overgrown garden space. Pruning also makes your plants more healthy and disease-free.
Overgrown gardens can be an instant turn-off for any buyer. When they see them, they envision the extensive hours and costs it will take to correct.
That’s why it’s important to prune and prune often! Prune your plants, trees, and bushes that have grown well beyond their usual size. Neat lines and clearly defined spaces between plants are a must.
Before pruning a plant, tree, or bush make sure to research proper pruning methods for each species. Your goal is to maintain the health of the plant while also making it look more appealing.
Remove plants that are out of control or don’t match your landscape design. Remove these plants by removing their entire root system. This may require you to use a shovel to dig below the surface.
Perennials are low-maintenance because they bloom year after year. They don’t require a completely new landscape design each year which is appealing to most buyers.
Research the best perennials for your climate. Then set a budget and plant them where buyers will see them the most. Such as near the front door, the front of your house, or in the backyard.
Then perform the proper maintenance such as watering and pruning to keep them healthy and beautiful.
Mowing your lawn helps to keep it healthy and weed-free. However, the height of your mower’s blade matters more to its health than how often you mow. Mowers set too low can damage grass.
Attempt to stick to a regular mowing schedule. Since most house showings occur from Thursday to Sunday, try to mow during these days. Depending on how much rain your area received, mow every one to two weeks.
Mulch gives your garden a fresh and inviting look. Mulch also helps to keep your garden weed-free. Mulch cools the soil which creates a healthier environment for your plants in the summer.
The price of mulch varies, but it’s best to purchase it in bulk for larger areas. Existing mulch can also be raked to give it new life and visual appeal.
Patios and walkways made out of pavers add to outdoor functionality. Pavers also make your outdoor living spaces more low-maintenance since they restrict plant growth.
Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 for your paver project. The price of your paver project depends on the pavers you use and if you choose to hire someone to install them. The size of the area also will affect the cost.
Potted plants are easier to maintain and visually stunning. Potted plants can contain one plant species or more depending on the size of the pot. This allows you to get creative while easily maintaining the plants in a contained area.
Place potted plants near the front door for added appeal. Let the buyers know that they are also included in the sale of your home.
A mature tree can add anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 to your home’s value. Mature trees are visually appealing, but they also can cut down on energy costs by shading your home.
Trees are a long-term investment that can easily pay for themselves. Young plants can be purchased at low-costs from your local nursery. Even though these won’t be matured for many years, planting them for potential buyers reduces any work they would have to do themselves.
Garden renovations take time and effort, but they don’t need to cost a fortune. If you don’t have the time to do these renovations yourself, then many landscaping companies would be more than happy to do it for you. Hiring landscapers will cost more, but in the end, you’ll be glad to see a return on your investment.
When completing any garden renovations make sure to stick to a budget. Common wisdom suggests investing no more than 10% of your home’s value into landscaping. But, it’s best to ask your realtor who knows your target audience and how much landscaping will affect the value of your home in your specific area.
Interested in selling your home? Contact us today! We buy homes in any condition at any price range.