Landscaping can help add value to your home
First appearances are important in buying and selling a home, especially when it comes to landscaping.
“A lot of studies over the years have shown that well-done landscaping can increase home value by 15 to 20 percent,” said Andre Rolaf of Rolaf Lawns & Landscaping Services Inc., Uniontown.
Rolaf explained that when a potential buyer sees that landscaping is well kept and improved upon, “it’s a sign the inside of the house will be well cared for, too.”
Buyers, he added, will ask themselves if they want to spend their money on a property that is attractively landscaped or one that will need work, which will cost more money after the sale.
“If the landscaping at the home has not been maintained for many years, the buyer may have to spend some money. But it if has been well-maintained, then maybe just a cleanup and putting down some new mulch will do,” he said.
The amount and quality of the landscaping “can make a big difference,” he added. Of course the return on the investment in landscaping can be from 100 to 200 percent, said Rolaf.
Rolaf added that for sellers, investing a lot of money in landscaping is not necessary. Simple can be cost-effective and still add value to the home, he said.
“Nice landscaping always helps when selling a home. I’m not sure how much it increases the value (I am sure it does) but more importantly nice landscaping, curb appeal, certainly helps sell a home more quickly,” said Scott Cavinee, president of the Fayette Board of Realtors.
“I always say it’s my job as a Realtor to get people to drive past your home but it’s your job (as the seller) to get people to want to see the inside,” he added.
Cavinee explained it’s also important for people selling their home to move any extra vehicles out of sight, such as a boat or car.
“Keep the lawn cut at all times. Nice, weeded flower beds are a plus. Trimmed shrubbery, even hanging flower arrangements help.
“People want to buy the American dream,” Cavinee said. “It doesn’t have to cost a fortune.”
According to the website Ehow.com, landscaping a home can raise property value, and if someone plans to sell his or her home, they are more likely to sell it for a higher asking price.
“The Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association studied various types of landscaping and found that property values generally rose between 12 and 14 percent with the addition of landscaped patios, decks or porches or the placement of islands and plants around the house,” according to Ehow.com.
“Landscaping only the curb area of your home can also have a positive economic impact on your home’s value, but is usually lower, in the 4 percent range. Houses that are landscaped with trees, flowers and shrubs also tend to sell more quickly,” according to the website.
The highest impact can be achieved despite budgetary restrictions. For example, Ehow.com advises letting design be the guide.
“You may not be able to go all-out and buy an abundance of new trees, shrubs and gardens. Virginia Tech studied the impact of landscaping on perceived home values and found that the more sophisticated designs led to perceptions of higher property values in more people surveyed. Other landscaping factors included the plant size used around the home and the variety of plants placed in the landscape plan, both of which rated lower in terms of having a positive effect on home value,” according to the website.
For more information on landscaping, go online to www.Ehow.com.