Boost Your Property Value with Landscape Upgrades (4/4)

When it comes to home improvement projects, the best return on investment (ROI) according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features can be found sitting just outside your front door. While sleek, new state-of-the-art kitchens, updated spa-like bathrooms and terrace level expansions are sure to add value and get plenty of oohs and ahhs, the projects with the highest pay-offs include beautifully maintained lawns and gorgeous landscaping. Coming in at a whopping 217% ROI, according to the NAR Report, lawn maintenance – including multiple applications of fertilizer and weed control – is one of the least expensive ways to add value and recoup costs. Coming in a distant second is a 104% ROI for landscape maintenance, and a complete landscape overhaul is not far behind with a 100% ROI.

While lawn and landscape maintenance projects are pretty easy to tackle as either a DIY project or outsourced to any number of local professionals, when it comes to upgrading your front walkway, re-working landscape beds and planting new trees and shrubs, the number of decisions quickly add up, and so does the risk of overdoing and overspending. To help ensure you get the maximum value from your efforts, it is important to understand the latest trends. For example, today’s busy homeowners and home buyers alike are looking for low-maintenance yards that are both beautiful and easy to care for. With this in mind, you want to choose materials that you like but that will also appeal to the next owner of your property, should you decide to sell.

To help, we have compiled a short list of landscape ideas that will add value to your home without the need for added maintenance – a win-win for buyers, sellers, owners and admirers.

• Create a Curated Walkway – While often thought to be more utilitarian, front yard walkways are not traditionally known for their style. For this reason they may not be top of mind when you are thinking about upgrading your landscape. But, choosing a walkway with care can transform your front yard’s look – and boost your property’s curb appeal in the process. From classic brick and concrete to gravel and oversized stepping stones, there are many options to choose from that will complement your home’s style. Regardless of the material you choose, however, to maximize usefulness and impact, the size of your walkway matters. If you go too small, it’s more of a path, while too wide means it may compete with your driveway. Depending on how much space you have to work with, you ideally want it wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side comfortably. Also, by incorporating vertical elements such as trees, shrubs or walls, you can further enhance the look of your walkway, accommodate grade changes in your yard’s terrain and connect it to your home’s architectural style.

• Enhance Your Entrance with Flower Beds – Nothing makes a good first impression like a gorgeous flower bed bursting with colorful blooms. If you are looking to increase the impact of your landscape, flowers are an absolute must. They bring life and color to a space that can sometimes feel cold and functional. And you do not have to cover your whole lawn in flowers to make a bright and welcoming statement. All you have to do is pick a small area for your flower bed and fill it with an arrangement of your choice. Using groups of a few different plants help to keep the landscape from getting too busy. Select plants that complement each other in color and texture and finish it off with a simple border of bricks or rocks to surround it.

• Plant Trees – Planting trees is the one landscaping project nearly every expert recommends for increasing a home’s value. According to Arborist News, larger trees in yards and neighborhoods can add from 3 to 15 percent to home values. In addition to increasing your property value, trees also add visual interest and can help reduce cooling and heating costs. The first step is to determine where to plant them. Think about the tree’s purpose. Are you planting for curb appeal, added shade, privacy or other purposes? That will help narrow down the tree’s new home. Tree placement is key because of potential root damage to the home’s foundation, falling branches or other issues. And wisely placed trees have consistently proven to be a smart investment. Once you have decided where you want to plant new trees in your landscape, the next decision is to choose the type of tree your yard would benefit from. In addition to the tree’s purpose, you will need to factor in your climate and hardiness zone before making a final decision.

• Install Landscape Lighting – Attractive landscape lighting enhances security around your home while improving its overall look, therefore increasing your property’s value. Traditional hard-wired lighting is quickly being replaced by newer solar-powered and LED lighting solutions. Not only do they illuminate your lawn at night, but they also silhouette your trees, prevent tripping and deter robbers. Landscape lighting also helps maximize your property’s curb appeal, ensuring that all of the landscape work you are investing in can actually be seen any time of the day or night. Quickly becoming one of the most desired outdoor landscaping features for homebuyers, it is good to know that according to the NAR Report, you can expect a return of approximately 59% on the cost of the project. Not bad considering it is usually tackled as part of a larger landscape upgrade effort with an even greater ROI.

• Add an Irrigation System – Most people love the look of lush landscaping, but few want to spend the time doing the required watering to keep it alive and beautiful. A great way to reduce the maintenance burden of your landscape is by Installing an automatic irrigation system. Not only does it take the guesswork out of how much water is necessary for your lawn, but it is also an efficient way to manage and protect your investment. As an added bonus, automatic irrigation systems can reduce lawn watering bills and expenses. With an ROI of approximately 83%, according to the NAR Report, it is a very good way to increase your property’s value.

• Spread Fresh Mulch – Finish off your landscape upgrades with a layer of fresh mulch. One of the easiest landscape projects you can embark upon, new mulch can help give a dull yard new, eye-popping appeal while also making the landscaping more economical. Fresh mulch around shrubs and plants helps to reduce evaporation, prevents weed growth, moderates the soil temperature and inhibits erosion. It can also help the soil hold adequate water, which is important in drought-prone warmer climates. It will be money well spent and most certainly recouped if you are planning to sell. 

A Few New Listings this Week!