How To: Landscaping For Curb Appeal
PREPARING YOUR LANDSCAPE FOR SALE OR APPRAISAL
By: Steve McShane
Given all the changes in home ownership these last few months, several readers are looking for ways to get back some of that equity they lost in their home. Others are just trying to find ways to market a more appealing property in a saturated market. The purpose of this issue’s contribution is to offer some tips for folks looking to increase the value of their homes when selling or preparing for an appraisal.
The first step to increasing the value of your home is cleaning up the yard. Start by walking around your landscape and pick up any trash or debris that may be lying around. Leaves, tools and debris left out have to be addressed.
The next step will be to plan for what is needed. This may or may not involve consultation with a gardening coach or designer. Pay special attention to areas that you can see from the road. Make a list of anything that needs to be cleaned up, repaired, painted, planted, or trimmed. Be careful not to take on anything so big, you cannot finish it.
If you’re selling or getting your home appraised, you have to be sure you don’t over do it. Be sure to look at comparable homes in the area. Its rare that your home is valued more than other homes in the neighborhood are worth. Assess the list that you’ve made. Ask yourself which tasks are just a matter of cleanup and which involve significant time or money. Some projects may need professional help.
In many cases, landscape designers and contractors can be called upon for a “remodel” to the outdoor environment. Depending on the status of your sprinklers and current yard, this may be worth considering. Regardless, I often recommend brining in professionals to at least assess and offer ideas.
Some of the easiest projects I mention to folks simply involve washing the windows, sweeping the walkways and mowing the lawn. Planting flowers and re-potting perennials will do wonders for making an impact. When it comes to the hardscaping, be sure to fill any cracks in sidewalks. You’ll want to address issues with your gutters, holes in your lawn and any landscape lighting and the sprinkler system.
Real estate and home improvement experts say that the most important landscaping areas to focus on are the main entrance, front door, and back patio. Landscaping that falls near or along these areas will be the most important to address. Remember, in a tough housing market, anything you can do to get ahead of the next home for sale or appraisal makes a difference.
