Not only does landscaping increase exterior appeal, it can also give real estate a 15 percent increase in value, according to a study by Virginia Tech. The study found that the perceived value of a home is affected by the size, type and layout of the floor plan in landscaping. While many people get stuck inside their home when preparing to sell, it's surprising how much value a nice outdoor space can add to a property. The right combination of trees, plants, lighting and patio space can increase the value of your property by 20 percent.
Not only that, but some homebuyers will pay more for a well-landscaped home. Even if you don't have, or aren't going to spend, the money to hire a landscape designer, at least come up with a master plan for your garden and stick to it. Before planting vines that travel along the side of your home, ask your local landscaping expert about the possibility of damaging your siding. First impressions are hard to undo, and the first impression homebuyers get is of your garden and landscaping.
However, a whole collection of gnomes or statues of animals can detract from the landscape and create a careless appearance. A step ahead are landscape designers, who can prepare a detailed plan, and often can also do the installation. In addition to saving homeowners money on water bills, this type of landscape requires much less daily maintenance. In addition to these characteristics, “poor planning, poor choice of materials, or lack of a cohesive project can have a negative impact on home values,” says landscape architect Gregg Spadaro, of LAND Identity in Westfield, New Jersey.
Here are some ways you can take your residential landscaping to the next level and increase your home's exterior appeal in the process. Randomly dropping plants can feed your Jones garden, but a professionally organized design will take your landscape and your selling price to a higher level. Instead of listing your house on the market and risking it sitting while you put your garden to its fullest, consider working with an out-of-market buyer. Good landscape design can add up to 20 percent to your home's value, so it's not surprising that poor exterior choices can have the opposite effect.
A Virginia Cooperative Extension survey found that gardening expenses, especially large ones, “significantly increase the perceived value of For example, cutting fresh edges around plantation beds; having a sharp, well-defined border between turf and mulch or soil gives the landscape a professional look. But if you want to use landscaping to add value to a home, make sure your lawn is mowed and mowed.
