When it comes to real estate, first impressions matter. You might put a lot of effort into keeping the inside of your home maintained and updated, but do you give the outside of your house the same level of attention? According to REALTOR® Magazine, studies show that houses with better curb appeal sell for 7% more than houses with less inviting exteriors. Check out these 5 outdoor landscaping tips to help you take your home’s curb appeal to the next level.
Buyers might love the look of your meticulously kept gardens, but if you have a lot of high maintenance plants growing, they might be a little turned off about the amount of landscaping work they would face to keep those beautiful flowers around. So consider decorating your porch or patio with low-maintenance potted plants or container gardens, so the exterior of your house still can benefit from the beauty of plants and flowers, but with less long-term commitment. Choose plants that are less maintenance like easy-care roses, jasmine, native ferns, lavender, or geraniums.
It’s a lot harder to enjoy your yard space on warm, sunny days when there’s no shade. By creating shade in your yard, you can personally benefit while also helping potential buyers better envision themselves relaxing and enjoying time there. Consider adding shade by building a pergola or gazebo, growing a canopy of vines, or planting trees. Adding in these features to your outdoor landscape design can also boost curb appeal by creating more visual interest vertically.
Installing light fixtures into your yard can increase your house’s curb appeal, even at night! I recommend using LED lights because they are long-lasting while still having low-energy consumption. Choose to install the lighting in places where it will bring attention to the most interesting aspects of your yard. Line your driveway or walkway with lighting fixtures like lanterns for a warm and inviting feel or consider installing lights near and around your pergola or gazebo to allow relaxation even in evening hours. Don’t be afraid to light up the trees or gardens that you’re really proud of. By installing more lighting, you can also enjoy the benefits of more safety and security outside your home.
Maybe you already have beautiful outdoor landscaping, but it just needs to be refreshed. If you don’t want to completely revamp your home’s exterior, then just take care of your current landscaping by investing in some maintenance. Make sure your lawn is fertilized and neatly mowed. Weed your flower beds, make sure weed killer is used in the appropriate places, and put down new mulch or bark. Trim your shrubs so they aren’t overgrown or blocking the view of any windows, and make sure any dead branches are trimmed from your trees. Performing these maintenance tasks can boost your home’s curb appeal and help the exterior of your home look much neater.
In addition to landscaping, adding hardscaping to your yard can increase the curb appeal of your home. Hardscaping is adding man-made structures into your outdoor landscaping design, such as stone pathways, retaining walls, water fountains, or even outdoor sculptures. Hardscaping elements can increase the usability and functionality of your yard and provide visual contrast to help your greenery and plants stand out.
Improving the outdoor landscaping around your house is an important way you can increase both the beauty and the value of your home. Which of these tips will you follow to boost your curb appeal?
Compass
1515 Ringling Blvd., #320
Sarasota, FL 34236
Mary Michael Martin
