Adding Value to Your Property with Landscaping

If you’re planning on selling your home at some point within the next year or so, you’ve probably been doing a fair amount of research on ways you can add value to your property.

You’ve probably also noticed the one phrase that seems to pop up over and over (and over) again in articles about increasing your property value: “curb appeal.” In the worlds of DIY home remodeling and property value enhancing, that phrase is everywhere.

Yet whether you believe in the power of curb appeal, it’s not always easy to know exactly which upgrades to make when you’re hoping to enhance your home’s value. Study after study, however, has shown us that landscaping is almost always the best investment you can make in value-adding property scenarios.

Not only have these studies proven that landscaping enhances your property’s curb appeal, which in turn increases its value. They’ve also shown that landscaping can significantly increase the rate at which you can expect your house to sell.

 Studies That Show the Power of Landscaping Value

One of our favorite such studies comes from the National Association of Realtors 2016 Remodeling Impact Report. This report takes a deep dive into the various effects landscaping has on home value.

Perhaps the most interesting fact is that landscaping was judged more important than literally any indoor project when it came to adding value to a home. That’s truly saying something.

Another study, this one conducted at Clemson University, concluded that upgrading a property’s landscaping from a rating of “good” to “excellent” (design, condition, and placement were the main qualifiers) had the ability to add as much as 7% to a home’s value.

Then again, depending on the size of your property, landscaping isn’t often a small, easy, or inexpensive task. But if you happen to be interested in taking advantage of landscaping to increase the value of your Chester County home, we want to assure you that there are a number of low maintenance landscape options available to you.

Some are options you may not have considered before. Some may even require less work, in terms of upkeep, than many of the landscaping projects you’re currently invested in.

Replace Your Grass  

For most of us, maintaining the look and health of a home’s lawn is both time-intensive and potentially pricey. A lawn with dead or dying brown patches will negatively impact your property’s curb appeal, and we know what affect that has on your home’s value.

That’s exactly why many home owners, especially those in parts of the country that experience inclement weather, are choosing to install artificial grass. Another popular option involves skipping the turf altogether in place of paving stones or decorative rocks. It doesn’t get much more low maintenance than that.

These options will also save you money where your water bill in concerned, and because pesticides and other chemicals won’t be necessary, you’ll have a much eco-friendlier front yard. And don’t forget: If you go the paving stone or decorative rock route, you can still have plants in your yard. There are many ways to make a grass-free yard surprisingly attractive. Start with some online research, and see if you can’t find a few options that appeal to you.

Consider a Fire Pit    

A fire pit always makes for a unique addition to a home’s landscape, primarily because it’s an unusual addition that so few other homes have. If you’re attempting to increase your landscaping value in Chester County because you’re planning on selling your home, a fire pit is certainly an addition you should consider. A fire pit may also put the idea of a relaxing evening spent outdoors with friends and family in the minds of potential buyers, and that’s always a good thing.

Build a Deck or Patio  

If you’re leaning towards the idea of having a fire pit installed, but your backyard lacks a deck or patio, you may want to consider adding one.

A spacious outdoor patio with a fire pit in its center will absolutely add value to your home, especially if both elements are relatively new and in good condition. In fact, studies have shown that in terms of increasing your property value, you can recoup anywhere from 102% to 106% of the cost after installing a patio or wooden deck.

Need Landscaping Help or More Ideas?

If you know you want to update your landscape but you’re still not sure exactly what sort of improvements to make, considering turning to the pros at Woodward Landscape Supply.

For DIY types, we have all the supplies you could possibly need to do the job yourself.   You’ll also find a nearly endless supply of landscaping ideas on our website, where you can also search for a reputable contractor, assuming you’d rather hire someone else to do the job for you.