Jun

13

Landscaping Adds Value To Your Home

Posted by maureen

June 13, 2007 |

Over the last few months I have written about the pleasure and enjoyment of gardening as a hobby. But there is another big advantage in keeping a good looking yard that hits right in the pocket. Good landscaping can add big dollars to your house which should be of interest to all empty nesters or retirees who will at least think about moving house again.

A recent Michigan State University study found that depending on where the house is located, high-quality landscaping adds 5 percent to 11 percent to its price. That’s big bucks and if you always taken care of your yard and have a mature landscaping that brings color and appeal to the buyer then you will reap the rewards. Landscaping adds more value than almost any other home renovation and is the one home improvement that actually appreciates over time.

It is easy to see why a well nurtured yard adds value to your house. Take a drive around your neighborhood and see what a difference curbhome-for-sale.jpg appeal has to the value you would put on the home. Next take a look at your own home and rate it’s curb appeal. If you thinking of moving in the near future there are a number of simple changes you can make that will have a big impact:


  • Make a statement. Most yards have almost all the plants along the foundation and the property lines. Make yours different and interesting by curving the edge of flower beds. Adding plants, scrubs or small trees to different parts of the garden will also add depth of field which will make your home look further from the road.
  • Add lots of color. There are a huge variety of inexpensive annuals that will repay you handsomely by giving you color all season long. Buy the varieties that work best in the place you are planting (shade, semi-shade, full sun). Add a few well placed perennials and shrubs and you will really see the difference.
  • Keep everything meat and tidy. Edging the flower beds pays dividends in the overall appearance and so does a weed free lawn.

If you are not thinking of moving for a few years then you’ve plenty of time to improve for the long term. You also have the opportunity to buy smaller plants, at a big saving, that will grow and mature over the years. If you need help with planning and redoing your garden then enlist the help of your local nursery; many nurseries offer free design help to buyers who are planning or redoing their landscaping.


Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. University Update - Michigan State University - Landscaping Adds Value To Your Home on June 13, 2007 10:38 pm

    […] Giuliani Link to Article Landscaping Adds Value To Your Home » Posted at Empty Nest on Wednesday, June […]

  2. gmack on June 16, 2007 12:17 pm

    It’s all about curb appeal and first impressions. It’s interesting to watch the “flip your house” shows and see what they do. Invariably they put in a fair amount of money into landscaping.

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