So you're putting your house up for sale! Of course, you want to be sure that it sells for top dollar. While there is plenty of advice from the experts about which interior and exterior improvements to make in order to appeal to homebuyers for a quick sale at (or maybe even above) list price, landscaping has a major impact on the first impression potential buyers get of your house. Our own lawn and garden experts at Daniel's Lawn Service & Pressure Washing focus on five landscaping projects that will best enhance your property's curb appeal and boost its market value.
Why is this important? A well-landscaped property not only greatly improves curb appeal, but sends a subliminal message to a potential buyer that the home requires little maintenance and is in good repair. A yard with overgrown vegetation and an overall look of neglect will not only put off buyers who don't want to do the clearing, but will raise a red flag about what else may have been ignored in terms of the home's physical maintenance. Neat, attractive landscaping will reinforce the impression that your house is turn-key ready for its new owner to move in, with no projects that need to be done!
Trees that are dead or diseased to the point of instability can be uprooted by heavy winds (not only hurricane-force winds) and topple over onto roofs, vehicles, etc. Brittle dead branches can snap off and do likewise, and may also become projectiles, crashing through windows and screen enclosures. In addition, if you have a tree on your property that you know is dead, many insurance policies won't cover damage to your home or car if the tree falls during a storm.
Assuming that your potential buyers will include fairly longtime Central Florida residents, they'll be quick to recognize a dead tree standing, or one that's in serious decline - and will be likely to continue their house hunt elsewhere, not wanting to take on the expense of removing it. Having a tree cut down by a professional isn't cheap, but consider the potential return on investment!
- Add Color to Your Yard with a Diversity of Plants
A yard with full, leafy plants, thick growth and vibrant flowers will bring great texture, dimension and color to your landscape! Thick shrubbery, blooming plants and beautiful flowers will enhance your yard and deliver instant curb appeal. Look for a mix of bright seasonal annuals for pops of color, and hardy perennials to plant in key areas where they can be seen from the street, as well as wherever the exterior will be photographed for an online listing.
One of the easiest landscape projects that homeowners can embark upon is spreading fresh mulch . This can give an eye-popping appeal to brighten a dull yard, dressing it up to get the right kind of attention. Adding fresh mulch around trees and shrubs has numerous other benefits - such as preventing weed growth, reducing evaporation, inhibiting erosion and regulating soil temperature.
A variety of mulch options are available at most home and garden stores. This is a partial list. Please click on this link for the complete list , which includes descriptions of each type.
Most homeowners love the benefits of an attractive yard, but few have the time to spend on watering. In Central Florida, an irrigation system is considered more of a necessity than an amenity. Today's homebuyers don't want to grapple with the hassle of moving sprinklers around the front, side and back yards every half hour or so until the entire property is watered. In summer months, temperatures are too high to water during the day (the water will quickly evaporate instead of soaking into the soil), making the prospect of performing this chore even more unappealing.
If you don't have an irrigation system, give serious consideration to having one installed - especially if they're common in your neighborhood. Expect it to be expensive, but the ROI should be worth the investment. An irrigation system could mean the difference between a quick sale and your house languishing on the market for months.
If you have an irrigation system, make sure it's in proper working order. You may already have your installer perform an inspection on a regular basis, which puts you ahead of the game. If not, schedule an inspection from the company that installed your system, or another irrigation company with a good reputation. A typical inspection includes checking the system controller, inspecting the sprinkler heads, checking the backflow device and testing the watering zones. Making necessary adjustments will better direct water where it's needed - which will result in a healthier lawn and plants - which, in turn, will result in improved curb appeal!
How the Right Kind of Improvements Can Add Up
As the adage goes, sometimes you have to spend money to make money. Giving your home every possible advantage to help it sell will pay off on closing day. If you're planning to put your house on the market, you're probably busy enough already. Why not leave getting your yard and landscape ready to our experienced team at Daniel's Lawn Care & Pressure Washing ? We'll provide the landscaping plan, plants, care and maintenance so your house is ready to make that all-important great first impression - while you focus on other matters!
