As we discuss the different aspects of curb appeal, generally the focus is on the house and the accents that can be added to boost the value and appearance of your home. Landscaping is an important feature that shouldn’t be overlooked when evaluating the appeal. An article posted on HouseLogic.com by Pat Curry discusses several areas of the landscaping design and elements that can contribute to an improved curb appeal and value. Several categories should be focused on when beginning to landscape your home, remember a poorly maintained landscape can be as much as a 5 to 10% deduction in home value.
1. Green up the grass - If your house has a front yard, make sure it's neat and green. You don't want bare spots, sprawling weeds, or an untrimmed appearance. Weather it is just going to your local hardware store and fertilizing the yard every six weeks or maybe you need to invent in some sod if you have a scruffy lawn, doing your own labor can be another alternative that is not too costly. Depending on the area in which you live, turf grass is becoming more popular due to its low maintenance and durable materials.
2. Add colorful planting beds-Flower beds add color and help enliven otherwise plain areas, such as along driveways and the edges of walkways. In general, annual flowers are a bit cheaper but must be replaced every year. Perennials cost a bit more but come back annually and usually get larger or spread with each growing season. If you're not sure what to plant, inquire at your local garden center. Often, they'll have a display of bedding plants chosen for their adaptability to your area.
3. Add landscape lighting- For homeowners who have made a sizeable investment in landscaping, it makes sense to think about adding another 10% to 15% to the bill for professional lighting. Those looking to purchase a home do not always look in the middle of the day, once it reaches dusk having some lights can really help with the homes appeal. The cost of a system runs from $200 for a DIY installation to more than $4,000 for a professional job. If you're doing it on your own, the key is to light what you want people to see, such as mature trees and flowering shrubs.
4. Plant a tree- The value of mature trees is particularly difficult to determine. In a relatively average market, mature trees contribute as much as 10% of a $100,000 property's overall value. In addition, a properly placed shade tree can shave as much as $32 a year on your energy bills. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a young, 6- to 7-foot deciduous tree. You can make your own initial assessment of the value of your property's trees by visiting the National Tree Benefit Calculator (http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/index.cfm). For example, a mature Southern red oak tree with a diameter of 36 inches in the front yard of a house in Augusta, Ga., would add $70 to the property value this year, according to the calculator.
These are just four key areas to give some extra attention to when evaluating the curb appeal of your home and determining what aspects to invest in. Keep in mind the importance of curb appeal and when a potential home buyer sees your house, this will be the first impression and may even determine if they end up calling a realtor for a look inside.
No comments:
Post a Comment