How Landscaping Increases Home Value

Landscaping is one of the most important aspects of home ownership, and it can have a big impact on your home’s value. Landscaping not only makes a property look nicer, but it also increases the functionality and livability of the property.

Landscaping and Homeownership

Homeownership comes with a lot of responsibility. Not only do you have to maintain the interior of your home, but you also need to take care of the exterior. This includes everything from painting the trim to mowing the lawn.

A well-landscaped home will be more appealing to potential buyers, and it will also fetch a higher price on the market. Even if you’re not planning on selling anytime soon, it’s still worth taking the time to invest in your landscaping. A beautiful lawn and garden can also make your home more enjoyable for you and your family.

When you’re looking to buy a home, landscaping is one of the first things you should look at. According to homeguides.com, landscaping can increase your home’s value anywhere from 5.5 percent to 12 percent depending on the type of landscaping and the home's original value. That translates into an extra $16,500 to $38,100 in value on a 300,000 home.

Not only does landscaping make your home more appealing to buyers, but it also increases your quality of life. A well-landscaped yard can provide you with a place to relax and entertain guests. If you’re looking for ways to improve your home, landscaping is a great place to start.

More Ways Landscaping Can Improve Your Home's Value

Homeowners are always looking for ways to increase the value of their property. Whether it's renovations, upgrades, or simply keeping the property well-maintained, there are many factors that can contribute to a higher appraisal.

A well-designed landscape can not only add curb appeal, but it can also increase the value of a home. Strategic landscaping can help to block unwanted views, create privacy, and even provide energy savings. As a result, it's no surprise that homes with professionally landscaped yards often sell for more than their unlandscaped counterparts.

Here are a few more ways that landscaping can increase your home’s value:

• Curb appeal – First impressions matter, and your home’s curb appeal is the first thing potential buyers will see. By landscaping your front yard, you can make a great impression and increase your home’s value.

• Property value – A well-landscaped home will appraise for more than a home with no landscaping. In fact, landscaping can increase your home’s value by up to 20%.

• Energy efficiency – Landscaping can actually help to make your home more energy efficient. By planting trees and shrubs, you can provide shade and wind protection for your home, which can reduce your energy costs.

• Resale value – If you’re planning on selling your home in the future, landscaping can increase its resale value. In fact, landscaping can return up to 150% of its cost when you sell your home.

How to Choose the Right Landscaping Services 

Home value is important to any property owner. For many, the landscaping of their home is a top priority. But with so many landscaping services out there, how do you choose the right one?

Here are a couple things to keep in mind when choosing a landscaping service:

• Landscaping goals. What are you hoping to achieve with your landscaping? Do you want to add curb appeal? Increase privacy? Create a low-maintenance space? Be sure to choose a service that can help you achieve your goals.

• Services offered. Not all landscaping services are created equal. Some may offer design services, while others may focus on maintenance or installation. Choose a service that offers the type of help you need.

By keeping these things in mind, you can be sure to choose the right landscaping service for your needs.

How Landscaping Your Home Can Save You Money

Landscaping your home can save you money in a number of ways. These can include:

• Saving money on your energy bills by providing shade and windbreaks for your home, such as trees and other tall plants.

• Reducing water usage by using drought-tolerant plants like Chocolate Daisys and Coneflowers.

• Improving the quality of your air by boosting oxygen levels and absorbing carbon dioxide around your home.

• Avoiding costly repairs by preventing soil erosion and stabilizing slopes that may be in an area of concern.

• Saving money on your home insurance premiums by shielding your home and reducing the risk of fire, wind, and water damage.

Landscaping Offers Many Benefits

A well-landscaped home can have numerous benefits, both aesthetic and functional. From increasing your home's value to improving its curb appeal.

Perhaps most importantly, though, landscaping can make your home more livable. By adding features like patios and pergolas, you can create outdoor living spaces that can be enjoyed all year round.

Furthermore, carefully placed plants can provide much-needed shade in the summertime, helping to keep your home cool. In the winter, they can help to block the wind, making it more comfortable to spend time outdoors.

With so many benefits, it's no wonder that landscaping is one of the most popular home improvement projects.

What to Consider When Landscaping Your Home

When it comes to landscaping your home, there are a few key things you should keep in mind if you want to maximize your home’s value.

The type of landscaping services you use:

There are a wide range of landscaping services available. These services include lawn care and tree trimming to more intensive landscaping projects like building decks, patios, or water features. When choosing landscaping services, be sure to select those that will add the most value to your home.

The condition of your landscaping:

The condition of your landscaping is also important. If your landscaping is overgrown or in disrepair, it will likely bring down the value of your home. Be sure to keep your landscaping well-maintained.

The location of your landscaping:

The location of your landscaping can also impact its value. Landscaping in the front yard can increase curb appeal and drive up home values, while landscaping in the backyard can create an inviting outdoor living space.

By keeping these things in mind, you can ensure that your landscaping adds value to your home. For more information on landscaping and home values, contact a real estate agent or landscaper in your area.

Be Aware of Landscaping Features That Can Hurt Your Home Value

Bobvila.com offers some great insight into what NOT to do to your lawn as these features could decrease your homes value. A brief list of these features include:

Weeds and Overgrowth - Overgrowth of grass, weeds, shrubs, and trees can negatively impact a buyer's first impression. Implement regular lawn-care and landscaping maintenance like mowing, pruning, and annual mulch application.

Sloping Yards - A sloping yard can deter shoppers, especially those with children looking for a safe space to run around.

Too Many Trees - A forest-like landscape can detract from your home's value, as this can increase your risk of storm damage. It also minimizes the amount of open space a family would have for their children to run around.

Disjointed Design - Sometimes hiring a pro to do your landscaping is best to prevent your property from looking disjointed. They can create a plan and keep balance in your yard.

Rotting or Failing Deck or Patio - Everyone loves a beautiful deck or patio, but if not properly maintained they can begin to look decrepit. Rotting or broken wood on a deck can make it not only unattractive, but unsafe. Improper sealing and waterproofing can result in rot, which might later cause mold and cause issues during an inspection. With a patio, if it begins to crack, weeds can sprout through the openings. The patio can also crack and shift causing uneven surfaces that can become a tripping hazard.

Koi Ponds - Sometimes something that requires continuous maintenance like a Koi Pond can be a major deterrent for home buyers.

Big Budget Custom Features - Custom projects like a built-in fire pit or a giant pizza oven can cost a great deal of money and give you a poor return on investment.

Visible or Inefficient Irrigation Lines - A poorly designed sprinkler system can detract from your homes value. Improper design may include visible lines or poor functionality. Some plants have different needs that others, which could affect plant longevity and curb appeal.

Too Much Concrete - The key here is to balance the materials used in your yard. Break up your giant patio with some softscaping, and if you aren't sure how to do that, a pro would surely be able to help.

Overdoing Lawn Ornaments - A well-placed lawn ornament will not affect the value of your home, but too many of them could detract from it.

Seasonal Plants - Balance your landscape for different times of the year, don't just choose what's in season.

Poor Lighting - Set your landscape apart with beautiful lighting. Lights along a pathway, evenly spaced, can truly make your landscape stand out.

Leaking or Outdated Pool - Pool repairs can devastate a landscaping budget, so weigh your options carefully. If you are purchasing a home with a pool, it would be a good idea to get a professional pool inspection first to avoid any surprises later.

Poor Drainage - This can cause safety issues and decrease a home's value. Standing water can make a yard unusable and attract mosquitoes and other pests. Also try to avoid downspouts that release water too close to the foundation.

How to Landscape Your Home for the Best Return on Investment

There are many different aspects to consider when landscaping, but here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind if you're looking to get the best return on investment.

It's important to choose plants that are appropriate for your climate. Not all plants will thrive in every location, so it's important to do your research and pick ones that are well-suited to your area.

Additionally, be sure to choose plants that are appropriate for the amount of sun or shade your yard gets. Too much or too little sun can damage delicate plants.

It's also important to create a plan before you start planting. Decide what you want your landscaping to achieve and then map out where each plant will go. This will help ensure that everything is placed in the most efficient and effective manner.

Be sure to leave enough space for people to walk around comfortably and for any outdoor furniture you might want to add later on.

Landscaping Ideas for Different Parts of Your Yard

The front yard:

The front yard is the first thing visitors see, so it's important to make a good impression. Landscaping ideas for the front yard include planting beds of flowers, adding a lawn, or creating a pathway to the front door. The Home Depot has a list of font yard landscaping tips to consider:

• Grow a variety of ornamental grasses, shrubs and flowers so you’ll have interesting colors and textures all year long. Use plants of different heights, but don't put large-growing plants in front of windows. 
• Try a garden design that spaces plants as shown on their tags, so they won’t become crowded. 
• To save money, start a flower bed from seeds, or divide existing perennials and replant them around your yard.
• Look for deals on healthy shrubs, plants and garden flowers that may be marked down near the end of the growing season. Be aware that they'll probably need more care than those planted during the season.
• Choose evergreens as foundation plants, rather than deciduous shrubs, so your landscape won’t look bare when the leaves drop. 
• If you have pine trees, use the acidic pine straw as mulch in an island or garden bed of acid-loving plants. This could include azaleas, camellias, gardenias and ferns. If you’re planting underneath the pines, be sure your plants get enough light, since the trees will create some shade. 
• As needed, trim the shrubs you're going to keep.
• When bulbs or perennials finish blooming, tuck pots of fresh annuals around them.
• Plant medium or large trees 30 to 50 feet away from the house, and small trees 15 feet away, so growing roots won't damage your home's foundation.
• Connect shrubs, trees, flowers or foliage plants in a border topped with chipped bark or other mulch.

The backyard:

The backyard is a great place to relax and entertain guests. Landscaping ideas for the backyard include adding a patio or deck, installing a fire pit, or planting a garden. Many people use this space for privacy and comfort. A privacy fence with some well -placed perennial grasses to help absorb some of the noise are great ways to achieve this.

The side yard:

The side yard is often overlooked, but it can be landscaped to create additional living space. Garden space can be at a premium in most side yards, but you don’t have to limit yourself to filling the garden bed. Instead, install a trellis and plant vines and other varieties that can be trained to climb. You could also set up a potting bench or a compost bin. Don't be afraid to get creative!

Maintenance Tips for Keeping Your Landscaping Well Maintained All Year Long

Water regularly: Plants need water to survive, so be sure to water them on a regular basis. Depending on the type of plants you have, you may need to water them daily or weekly.

Fertilize regularly: Fertilizer helps plants grow and stay healthy. Be sure to fertilize your landscaping on a regular basis according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Prune regularly: Regular pruning helps landscaping look neat and tidy. Be sure to prune shrubs, trees, and bushes on a regular basis to keep everything nicely tied together.

Pull weeds: Weeds can quickly take over landscaping if they're not kept in check. Be sure to pull weeds on a regular basis, especially in the spring and summer when they tend to grow the most.

Mulch: Mulching helps landscaping by retaining moisture and preventing weeds. Be sure to apply a layer of mulch around your plants each year.

By following these maintenance tips, you can keep your landscaping looking its best all year long.

Conclusion

Landscaping your home is one of the best decisions you can make as a homeowner. Not only will it increase your home’s value, but it will also make it more functional and livable.

If you are in the landscaping business, there are ways to improve your everyday workload as well. With Smart Service landscaping software you can streamline your business and make everyday work process simple and fast. Try a free demo today and see for yourself all of the different ways it can help your business!