How To Increase the Value of Your Home Through Landscaping!

For the sake of argument, let’s assume you have a home that’s valued at $1,000,000 and you could add 15% to the sale price. That’s an additional $150,000 in your pocket, minus expenses!

I’d say that’s a good deal, wouldn’t you? Even better, you can gain that value cheaply through landscaping!

Remember, the first thing potential buyers for your property see is the exterior of the house and the yard itself. The old rule that "you have 10 seconds to make a first impression" applies here.

If buyers see a well-maintained exterior and a well-groomed yard, well, then you’re one step closer to making a sale at a price you want! If they see a poorly maintained home and yard, well, your chances of a sale plummet badly.

So, let’s talk about landscaping and what you can do to add value to your home cheaply! Below, I provide you with some common-sense tips.

Tip 1: Clean Up the Clutter

I know this can be hard if you have kids, but you want to create the impression of neatness on potential buyers. Things like bicycles, toys, creaky old lawn furniture, overstuffed garbage cans, etc. create a negative “vibe” that can be hard to overcome.

Tip 2: Care for Your Lawn the Correct Way

Of course, fertilize your lawn a minimum of once a year and, ideally, three times. Use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Here’s another important point – don’t cut the grass too short. By “scalping” your lawn, you can end up creating unsightly bare spots.

Instead, be sure to mow only one third of the height of lawn each time you get the mower out. This helps the grass develop strong roots and fend off pests and weeds.

Tip 3: Trim and Edge!

Trimming and edging give your lawn the finishing touch, making it look as neat and well cared for as possible.So, edge the main lawn areas and trim around patios, flowerbeds, decks, and other landscape features. Use the trimmer correctly and don’t let it cut into trees or “scalp off” grass at the ground level.

Tip 4: Remove Bad Planting Choices

If some unfortunate planting choices were made by the previous owner (or you put some in that you don’t like now,) either trim them or get rid of them.

If you decide on new plantings, talk to your local nursery expert about the correct choices and how much care they’ll require.

Tip 5: Create a Point of Emphasis

By this, I mean that you can plant a flowering tree that stands out…line your walkway with flowering plants….frame the front door with annual flowers of bright color…and so forth. With these plantings, you emphasize the beauty of your home and make that home stand out in the neighborhood.

Most of these items are inexpensive and provide a great return in terms of increased home value. Plus, there’s a bonus – it can be great fun to do all these plantings!

Need more suggestions on how use to use landscaping to increase the value of your home? Contact me today at teresa@teamelliot.net, and we’ll have a wonderful time discussing one of my favorite subjects!

Clinch the Deal with Curb Appeal!

Believe me, great curb appeal is everything when it comes to getting potential buyers into your home! Plus, outstanding curb appeal can not only make the sale but increase your profit from that sale as well!

The benefits don’t stop there. Curb appeal can actually be achieved with very little money (depending on the size and condition of the home, of course). So, don’t think of it as cash spent; it’s actually an investment in more profit!

Below, I provide you some very low-cost and sensible methods for making your home “shine!”

Clean – Then Clean Again!

I don’t know about you but when I see dirt and grime in a house, it’s a turn off because, as a buyer, I certainly don’t want to end up cleaning it all out! 

But, there’s another negative to a messy house – it tells potential buyers, “The owner doesn’t seem to care about his property, so why should I care?” Granted, this is not always a fair conclusion, but, remember, we’re dealing with the “emotional” side of the buyer. What they see is what forms their opinion of a property.

So, don’t risk the possibility of a negative opinion! From top to bottom, clean your home or have it cleaned by a professional service. Especially pay attention to getting rid of any odors!Unpleasant smells have a particularly negative impact upon potential buyers since odors create an immediate impact upon the most primitive and powerful part of the brain.

Get Out the Paint Brush…Roller…Sprayer!

The big temptation here is to go with the cheapest paint possible. Don’t give in to this urge. Go with good quality paint for both the interior and exterior! It simply looks better and emphasizes the quality of care you’ve put into your home. Buyers will notice that!

Roll Out the “Red” Carpet!

If your present carpet is at all worn or threadbare, consider replacing it with new carpet. I know, I know, it can be expensive, but new carpet can also add several thousand dollars to the final sale price! Once again, think of it as an investment, not as an expense. 

At a minimum, if your current carpet is in good shape, have it professionally cleaned to make it look even better.

Repair All the Little Things!

By themselves, a missing knob, a crooked gutter, an ill-fitting door, etc., don’t have much of a negative impact upon a buyer’s perceptions. However, when they see all these things together, they definitely get a sour attitude very quickly. So, repair all the little things to enhance exterior and interior curb appeal. Replace/repair gutters, rotted wood, broken door latches, leaky faucets, etc.

Manicure That Lawn!

A mowed and edged lawn really enhances the curb appeal of your home and shows potential buyers that you take good care of your place. To really put the “icing” on the curb appeal “cake,” add plantings like flowers, bushes, etc. They add color and delightful smells.

If you really want to make your home stand out in terms of terms of exterior and interior, consider hiring an accredited, professional “home stager” (ASP).

What’s a Home Stager?

Home stagers work with the “flow” of a home. Think of them as similar to set designers for plays and movies. They know how to “set the stage” in exactly the right way to impress any potential buyer visiting your home.

Overall, they eliminate clutter, arrange furniture, and help you enhance interior/exterior curb appeal in every way possible. Their charges may be on an hourly basis or a flat fee.

For information on home staging professionals, google “Home Staging Professionals” to see who’s available in your area. Or, check out these sources on the Internet:

STAGEDHOMES.COM  and The Real Estate Staging Association

If you’d like more information on home staging or any other methods of increasing your home’s curb appeal, contact me today at teresa@teamelliott.net or 402.690.1573.