For those that are ready to alter the form and function of their home and property, it is often the interior that gets the most attention. From a quick paintjob to a full remodeling of a specific room, these changes can add value and improve aesthetics, but specific interior designs and trends can fade in and out of popularity within just a few years.With new home sales once again on the rise, it is important for current homeowners to take a closer look at landscaping to understand exactly how it can add value to their property.
The Truth Behind Landscaping
When many homeowners think about landscaping, they may be considering a well-kept garden or even the addition of some man-made objects such as a patio. While these could be part of a larger landscaping picture, a truly landscaped home is going to have a number of factors that will all work alongside one another. Primarily, the entire property must be similarly landscaped and have a continuous theme throughout as well as improve the functionality of the outdoor areas. Luckily, there is no set manner in which to do this, and these leaves a lot of options available to the property owner to express their own tastes.
Where to Begin
Studies published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture have shown that landscaping can increase the value of the home by as much as 15 percent. While this does sound like an extremely impressive figure, not all landscaping is going to improve the property value by that much and it will come down to the amount of time, energy, and money that is invested in the landscaping. Simply adding in a few trees or plotted plants will do little or nothing to the value of the home, and owners should begin by looking at their own budget as well as what plants will do well in that specific environment.
What Home Buyers Are Looking For
Every individual or couple that is looking to purchase a home is going to have slightly different views when it comes to landscaping, but there are some relatively common themes that these buyers are looking for. First off, they are looking for a sophisticated design that moves beyond clusters of shrubbery or trees. They also want to see diversity within the flora and clearly demarcated lines in order to enjoy each key area of the design. Finally, potential buyers what to see full size and maturity with the larger plants which improves the appearance and will ensure that the plants can and will survive throughout the changing seasons.
Design and Maintenance Costs
In the end, landscaping must not only make the home more pleasant to live in, it must also improve the value of the home more than the time and money that was spent on the design. The initial construction or planting of tree is only the beginning as a ill-conceived layout could result in some huge costs over the years. We talked with Trimlawn Landscape Services Inc. about costs and they said, “Home buyers want to see landscaping design that is relatively easy and affordable to maintain, and this plays a big role in what types of plants and how many plants are placed in the various yards. Other small adaptations, such as planting trees to cover up direct sunlight on the home, could also improve AC costs during the summer and will have a noticeable appeal to buyers. A few other common features that owners may want to consider include an outdoor cooking area, some sort of heating element, a covered patio, walkways, and a few key pieces of art.”
Completely landscaping one’s property can be a major investment, but when done correctly the returns can be huge. Owners should consider setting up a 5-year plan with plants maturing at different rates and new features being added a few times every year until the project is completed.
