By Debbie Abrams Kaplan, BANKRATE.COM | December 13, 2013
· When selling your home,
landscaping determines whether your home feels inviting from the outside.
Curb appeal is important
to 71 percent of home buyers when choosing their abode, according to a 2013 National Association of
Realtors survey. Landscaping is a large part of that
curb appeal, said Frank J. Lucco, managing director of IRR-Residential Appraisers and
Consultants in Houston.
"That first
impression is important," Lucco said. "If they don't like the looks
of the front of the house, which is mostly landscaping," often they won't
even go inside.
A landscaping investment
could potentially pay a 215 percent return in home value, said Margaret Woda, a Realtor with Long and Foster Real Estate in Crofton,
Md. While you may recoup only 68 percent of kitchen renovation fees, Woda said
landscaping is money well spent.
Keeping up with the Joneses is important, Lucco said. If your neighbors' yards are
run down, spending a lot on landscaping isn't worthwhile. But if your neighbors
have renovated homes with beautiful greenery, you need to do the same so buyers
don't move on to homes with better curb appeal.
Here are some things to
consider with landscaping:
Planning ahead is
important if you want to sell your home.
"You can't just
decide to sell your house tomorrow and expect the landscaping to be
ready," Woda said. "If you're thinking of moving next fall, (then)
this spring, you should be working on your landscaping."
Start by cleaning up the
yard, removing dead branches, dog droppings, weeds and anything broken, Woda
said, adding, "the most important thing in landscaping is
maintenance."
Eric King, of King Landscaping in Atlanta, recommended
investigating the unseen, ensuring the downspouts are clean and functional, and
making sure drain pipes are properly buried and draining so water doesn't pool.
Then make sure your hardscapes (things such as patios, walkways and fences) are
level and roots haven't pushed up sidewalks or patio stones. If your deck has
wobbly railings or loose steps, fix them, King said.
"People don't want
a mystery," he said.
Take a serious look at
your plants' health, Lucco said.
"Dead and dying
(plants) or things leading to additional maintenance problems need to be
corrected," Lucco said.
If you're in an
established neighborhood, remove overgrown shrubs encroaching on the sidewalk
or ones that are too big, don't flower or are out of style.
"They look terrible
to anyone except the owner," Woda said. As an owner, you may have an
emotional investment in them, having tended to them for decades, but it's good
to let go of them.
In the front yard,
landscaping's role is to help people notice the house first, King said.
Landscaping should pull your eyes to the front door. While the Realtor is
opening the lockbox, buyers will be looking around at the landscaping, so have
pots of blooming flowers nearby.
Trees, bamboo and other
screening plants can be used to hide anything unsightly, such as your
neighbor's garage door or the trash cans, King said.
"You want to make
your house look good and hide the ugly views," he said.
Woda said foundational
plants such as evergreens are better than those that lose their leaves.
"What if you want
to sell your house in the winter?" she said. Also, plants that are
beautiful when blooming don't add to curb appeal out of season. Accent plants
such as knockout roses bloom all summer.
"They're easy to
take care of," she said.
Trees can add value,
providing canopy, shade and insulation from sun, but they have issues, too,
Lucco said. Tree roots can damage the foundation, die or be too close to the
house. Buyers also may not want fruit- or nut-bearing trees.
"Some buyers won't
pay one penny extra and might even cut them down," he said.
In the backyard, people
like a comfortable spot to hang out, King said.
Think decks or patios.
Other personalized
options, such as fire pits, outdoor kitchens, fountains and lighting, are
things that make a backyard more of a paradise, Lucco said.
"You don't just walk out and look at a fence," Lucco said.
Install a fire pit,
outdoor kitchen or water feature only if you want them because you likely won't
recoup your money, King said.
"A small statue
fountain is less money and maintenance and may not be overwhelming," he
said.
These features can
positively impact an appraisal if they're quality construction and
well-maintained, Woda said. Some materials are better than others. A cobblestone
patio is better than poured concrete. A stacked-stone retaining wall is more
appealing than railroad ties.
"That said,
railroad ties and a poured-concrete patio are better than one lacking any patio
or any retaining wall where one is needed," Woda said.
Don't waste money buying
all mature plants.
"Spend money where
you need it," Woda said. "If you have a few spots driving you crazy
where you want privacy, buy one or two big specimen trees. For the rest, put in
a 3-gallon flowering shrub."
When trying to make a
statement by your front steps, spend the money and get a larger plant.
Otherwise, put in smaller plants, and be patient as they grow.
Fencing is another asset
to buyers, whether they have kids or just want privacy, Woda said.
"I've heard many
clients say they'll have the expense of putting in a fence if they buy that
house," she said.
Pick the right fence,
though. Alternate-board fencing is popular, but you'll be wasting money if you
put in stockade and chain-link fences.
Brad Hall
BDH Landscaping
www.bdhlandscaping.com
