Landscaping is one of the most cost-effective options to fix your home before you put it on the market; it can even increase the value of a home by up to 20%. As with all home remodeling efforts, some landscaping projects increase value and others don't. It may be best to avoid expensive or overly customized projects and keep the overall beautification and low maintenance so that a large number of people appreciate it. As with all home remodeling jobs, researching to make the most sensible decision can help you maximize the return on your investment.
Landscaping not only increases curb appeal, but it can also give real estate properties a 15 percent increase in value, according to a Virginia Tech study. The study found that the perceived value of a home is affected by the size, type and design of the plant in landscaping. In addition, the data repeatedly shows that external attractiveness, in the form of attractive landscapes, helps a lot. Sellers can get 5% to 12% more value for their home (depending on the location of the property) with a well-maintained landscape, adds de Jong.
Here are 10 garden projects that, according to industry experts, are worth investing in to increase the value of your home. While a well-designed landscape would be beneficial in increasing property values from the point of view of external appeal, poor landscaping can cause property values to drop by 10 percent, according to a study in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture. Many homeowners choose to splurge on a landscape designer to help them create the ideal space, but you can stretch the ROI beyond 80% by opting for the DIY method and using inexpensive materials. The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) states that professional landscaping can increase the price of a home by 15 to 20 percent more at the time of resale.
The ASLA has reported that members have seen a 10 percent growth in customer demand for drought-resistant gardens. Another article on the ASLA website, entitled “The Best Investment to Increase Home Value,” discussed the benefits of trellises with vines and pergolas. In a publication called Landscape Guide for Canadian Homes, the Canadian government talks in some detail about pergolas. However, several sources in the garden and real estate industries show that pergolas, gazebos and pavilions may be some of the main ways to increase home values.
In addition to these characteristics, “poor planning, poor choice of materials, or lack of a coherent project can adversely affect the value of the home,” says landscape architect Gregg Spadaro, of LAND Identity in Westfield, New Jersey. He advises customers to “save money on garden maintenance by installing river rocks in their gardens and garden beds. Everyone who walks by night and sees a “for sale” sign may not be able to clearly see the gardening efforts you've made. Standard lawn care and landscape maintenance topped NAR's list of the most important investments to prepare your home for resale.
An example is not taking into account the different needs of plants in a landscape, which, in the long run, will affect plant longevity and external appeal. Although the idea of living among large, beautiful trees may seem idyllic, a forest-like landscape could detract from your home.
