How landscaping can impact home values

Curb appeal is essential when selling a home. It’s the homeowner’s opportunity to make a great FIRST impression. A home with lackluster landscaping or an exterior in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint will likely be unappealing to prospective buyers and ultimately could affect the home’s potential value.

Landscaping is typically associated with lawns, trees, bushes and flowers. But today, other items such as fire pits, decks, patios, waterfalls, swimming pools and outdoor lighting…are all large factors that could add to the resale value of a home. Big factors here in Alpharetta, Milton and Roswell!

According to a recent study by Lawn and Landscape magazine, about two-thirds of homeowners say they’ll get less than 60 percent of their landscaping investment back when they sell the home. Thus, homeowners need to consider how long they’ll be in the home and whether to make short-term updates (for sales appeal) or plan for the long haul (enjoyment for themselves).

Homeowners should ask themselves several questions when it comes to the quality of their home’s green space.

• Is the landscaping attractive enough to get the prospective buyer to walk through the door? Keep the design simple and contemporary.

• Could the landscaping provide cost savings? Landscaping that requires little or no water to maintain is very desirable here in the south.

• Is the landscaping energy – efficient for the home overall? For example, it’s a good idea to plant trees in a place where they block the sun while adding beauty to the home.

• Are trees planted a safe distance from the home and are they healthy and well maintained? Really important when we have had so much wet weather. Weak, old or damaged trees planted too close to a home need to be removed BEFORE the home goes on the market. Just one less thing a new homeowner will have to do and shows that the present homeowner has taken steps to ensure safety around the home.