Whether you are trimming your grass or planting flowers, adding some greenery to your yard is a great way to improve the appearance of your house. Not only does it make your home look better, but if you are lucky, it may potentially bump up its value on the real estate market. Here’s your guide to green curb appeal that won’t curb a homebuyer’s appetite. Do Gardens Increase Property Value?
Perceived Home Value Increase
Homes around an acre or more in size generally have the highest appreciation rate. Many leaders in the real estate industry believe homes with vegetable and flower gardens have slightly higher values than properties without flowerbeds or vegetables.
Gardens and green spaces improve perceived home value, but they don’t directly contribute to a higher price tag on your home. Instead, greenery increases your property’s curb appeal. A greater curb appeal can help you sell your house much faster.
A Quick How-To Guide for Starting a Garden
If you want to improve your property value and practice your green thumb, now is the time to start with a few steps.
First thing’s first, it’s time to stock up on the gardening basics offered through retailers like GardenTap. The supplies you’ll need include planters, pots, soil, fertilizer, and a few handheld tools like shears and clippers.
Next, pick your garden size wisely. Small, lush gardens are more accessible to keep up with than large ones. It’s also good to plan accordingly if you don’t have a green thumb or much time for upkeep. When it comes to reaping the fruits of your labor, slow and steady wins the race. If you want to add some color but aren’t sure where to start in terms of flowers or vegetables, you can find an assortment of seed starters and flowering plants.
It’s most environmentally friendly to choose native plants for your area. Native plants are low maintenance and grow well in the climate around your home because they’ve adapted to the area over time. Mix up what you plant each year to prevent pests from becoming reliant on specific flowers or vegetables for food.
Think About Your Area
Do your neighbors tend to keep gardens or maintain lush landscaping? If so, you may want to consider adding more greenery to your yard soon. Conversely, if the houses nearby have very little landscaping or paved spaces but still have value, there may be less need to worry about creating a garden.
Best Green Spaces Investment for Home
According to the National Association of Realtors, lawn care services represent a 267% home investment return. Tree care appears to be a break-even proposition that gives back 100% of the investment.
Look into some estimates for landscaping. A well-landscaped home can have a price advantage of as much as 5-12% over a property with no landscaping.
How to Invest in Landscape Design
Consider hiring a professional if you’re ready to take your landscaping to the next level. While it can be pricey, investing in good design pays off because it prevents future maintenance costs. If you have a look in mind, discuss it with the landscaper.
You may even find that your yard stays looking great all year long with minimal work. With enough space, you can alter your home’s look and curbside appeal by adding in a gazebo, greenhouse, or patio.
Keeping Up with the Garden
Maintaining your garden or landscaping is easier said than done, especially when you have other responsibilities around the house. One way to manage this extra work is to schedule regular appointments with a lawn care service. This service can take care of mowing and maintenance for you while you enjoy your garden.
Discuss potential landscaping changes with your realtor before making any final decisions. Your agent can provide insight into how local purchasers typically market homes and help you establish reasonable goals that won’t interfere with the sales value of your home.
Final Thoughts
Eventually, the benefits of gardening will far outweigh any perceived benefit on home value alone. Gardening can be calming, rewarding, and a great hobby to practice if you’re an amateur nurturing a green thumb. Eating fresh produce is another perk to growing your garden.
If it turns out that garden landscaping has little effect on your property value, that shouldn’t deter you from taking up the hobby. At worst, you’ll have fresh food and a serotonin-boosting new pastime, and at best, you’ll be able to rake in two types of green when it comes time to sell your home.
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