For some homeowners, landscaping is about increasing the aesthetic of the home and making it more enjoyable to not only look at but also physically be in. For others, landscaping is about increasing the overall value of the home or making it more appealing during a sale. Regardless of why you’re interested in landscaping, we have a few different ways that how landscaping can increase your home’s value without breaking the bank.
For starters, it should be said that a well-landscaped home can have a significant price advantage overall when compared to a home with no landscaping. This advantage can range between 5.5 percent to nearly 13 percent depending on the type of landscaping as well as the original value of the home. This means that for a $300,000 home, homeowners can expect an extra $16,500 to $38,100. But this goes way beyond just planting a few flowers and shrubs.
Since the percentage of value can range, this means that you probably don’t want to go over budget landscaping if you don’t need to. It’s suggested that you first determine the cost-to-value balance and then plan a budget accordingly. For instance, spending about 7-8 percent of your home’s value on landscaping will likely be recouped in the long run.
A simple way to increase the value of your home is to add some trees. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, healthy, mature trees can add an average of 10 percent to your property’s value. So if you can wait for trees to mature before selling, then plant some newbies! You can also purchase more mature trees to include around the property so that you don’t need to wait as long for them to grow.
Another easy way to increase your property value overall is to plant native plants. Native plants like trees, shrubs, and flowers that grow naturally in your region require less maintenance and can really thrive. Native plants can improve the ecological value of your home and are less expensive in the long term.
Finally, you’ll want to steer clear of certain plants, too, when you decide to level up your landscaping. To start, avoid any plants that can dry out the soil in your yard. This can lead to ground shrinkage under the home’s foundation, which will end up costing you a whole lot more money in the end. Take notice of the moisture levels for soil in your area and use that to determine which plants to use in your landscaping. In addition, skip any plants that end up needing the exterior of the home to grow. Vines, for instance, can cause some serious damage to the paint and siding of a home. Some vines are powerful enough to cause cracks and separation issues, or lift roof tiles and rip up gutters. While these vines might look pretty growing along the outside, they can end up being costly.
So, what do you think about how landscaping can increase your home’s value? Have you already incorporated a few of these techniques into your lawn care routine? Share with us your thoughts in the comments section. And as always, if you need some help increasing your overall home value through landscaping, then make sure to give us a ring at Handsome Lawn Care.
