Perhaps I should have started this recent blog series on getting the most bang for your renovation buck here – discussing the importance of landscaping — instead of touting the benefits of indoor overhauls. Because, really, the importance of curb appeal can’t be overstated, especially if you’re selling your home in a competitive market. If buyers have a lot of inventory to choose from, it’s possible that the ever-important first impression really can make or break a deal. So… grab your pruning shears, your gardening gloves (and maybe some expert landscapers) and get ready to liven up your landscaping and give your home the WOW factor it deserves.
First and foremost, you want your home’s façade to be trim and tidy. Make sure that bushes and shrubs are free from power lines, have a nice shape and are not too overpowering. Huge bushes that are straggly and overgrown can really detract from other positives, like a pretty front porch or an impressive entry way. Landscaping should complement and beautify your home. It should help draw a buyer’s eye to your home’s best features, but it shouldn’t be the first thing a potential buyer notices. Since we are rapidly approaching autumn, cut back or prune deciduous shrubbery so that dying leaves don’t make your yard appear sad and droopy.
Consider planting some colorful, seasonal pots of flowers or greenery on the front porch or flanking the front door. Your goal is to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere and having some easy-to-maintain container gardens for buyers to admire is a cost-effective and time-friendly way to do just that. Often seller will choose to leave their urns and potted plants for the new homeowner as a way of saying, “Welcome, thank you and enjoy this beautiful home.”
Repair walkways, garden walls and driveways. Over time, retaining walls settle and sag. It’s important to replace any cracked stones and rebuild portions of walls that may have fallen. Check your walkways and sidewalks for buckled bricks or cement slabs that have cracked or settled. You may have to call in the pros to help with large issues, but it will definitely be worth your time and money. Cracks in driveways and sidewalks can cause buyers to wonder about water damage and you definitely want to remove that concern before it costs you a sale!
Speaking of water issues… the prospect of a flooded basement or crawl space will have potential buyers running for the hills. Thoroughly inspect the footprint of your home and all its foundations. If you discover pooling water, please call a professional landscaper to help you come up with a plan to divert water away from your home. Sometimes, drainage issues are more of a nuisance than a safety concern, but a professional landscaper will have a plethora of ideas to level your yard, plant bog-loving plants and help you present your home in the best possible light.
Happy home-selling, friends!
