Does Landscaping Increase Home Value?
When trying to increase their homes’ value, many homeowners focus on interior upgrades, such as kitchen remodels or bathroom renovations. Sure, these expensive upgrades have the potential for a significant return on investment (ROI). However, landscaping is an often overlooked aspect that can significantly enhance a property's value. A well-designed landscape adds curb appeal and offers a substantial ROI.
At Zimmerman Mulch, we have 27 years of experience that agree with studies indicating that landscaping boosts property values. This blog will explore how landscaping affects your home’s value.
Ready to dig into some knowledge? Let’s get started!
Table Of Contents
How Landscaping Affects Home Value and Buyer Perception
How does landscaping affect your home’s value? The short, simple answer is, “It makes the house look prettier.” The long answer is that landscaping is often the first impression potential buyers have of a home. A well-maintained and thoughtfully landscaped yard creates a positive impression, making the property more inviting and suggesting that the entire house is well cared for.
A study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates that 71% of homebuyers consider curb appeal when buying a home. Additionally, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) adds that investing in landscaping can increase a home's value by 15% to 20%.
A well-landscaped yard can also help a home sell faster. According to a study by the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Arlington, curb appeal could account for 7% or more of the home’s total value.
On the other hand, poor landscaping does the opposite, with homes losing up to 30% of their value, which means you have more to lose with unattractive landscaping compared to landscaping that is aesthetically pleasing. To put that into perspective, assuming landscaping costs you 10% of your home’s value, that could be $10,000 to $60,000 based on median home prices in 2021, depending on which state you live in!
All of this to say, it pays (literally!) to invest in your landscaping! You’ll sell your house faster, homebuyers will want your home more, and they’ll want to pay you more.
Landscaping Projects that Boost Property Value
So, let’s get some landscape projects going! Not so fast—not all landscaping projects are created equal, and some should never have seen the light of day. Some improvements offer a higher return on investment and more appeal to buyers than others. Let’s take a look at some of the more desirable landscaping ideas:
- Lawn Care and Maintenance: You’d be amazed how much a basic, well-maintained lawn can improve your curb appeal. A lush, green lawn is often the centerpiece of a home's exterior. Regular mowing, fertilizing, and weed control can make a significant difference. According to the NAR, a well-maintained lawn can recover 267% of the cost upon sale.
- Planting Trees: Trees provide shade, improve air quality, and add beauty to a property. They can also reduce energy costs by providing natural cooling. The presence of mature trees in a yard can increase property values by 3% to 15%, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. Finally, as an incentive to take care of your trees, the NAR also found that tree care returns 100% of your investment.
- Adding Flower Beds: Colorful flower beds enhance the visual appeal of a home. Perennials are a popular choice because they return year after year, providing a long-term investment.
- Installing Walkways and Patios: Hardscaping elements like walkways and patios offer functional outdoor living spaces to enjoy your landscaping. They create a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors, making the property more appealing to potential buyers. Angi.com found that the right hardscaping project yields an ROI of 20% to 30%.
- Outdoor Lighting: Proper landscape lighting can highlight a landscape's best features, extend the usability of outdoor spaces, improve safety, deter burglary, and even increase a home's value and desirability. This affordable upgrade significantly impacts a property's overall ambiance.
The ROI of Professional Landscaping vs. DIY Improvements
When considering landscaping improvements, homeowners can hire a professional or tackle the project themselves. Everyone wants to believe they can handle a project—after all, it looked so easy on HGTV!
- Professional Landscaping: There’s a sign at Tire Monkey Automotive, an auto shop in Champaign, IL, that says, “If I do a job in 30 minutes, it’s because I spent 10 years learning how to do that in 30 minutes. You owe me for the years, not the minutes.” This is true with many services, landscaping included. Hiring a professional landscaper will ensure the job is done correctly, efficiently, and, most importantly, competently. Professionals have the expertise and experience to design a cohesive landscape plan that complements the home and meets the owner’s goals. Yes, hiring a pro is expensive, but you can expect an ROI of 100% to 200% at the cost of a professional landscape service upon sale.
- DIY Landscaping: DIY landscaping can be a cost-effective option for homeowners on a budget. Simple projects like planting flowers, mulching, and maintaining the lawn can be done with minimal investment and can be healthy and fun. However, DIY projects can be time-consuming and may not achieve the same level of polish as professional work. The ROI for DIY landscaping varies widely, depending on the complexity, the homeowner's skill level, and the quality of the work.
How Curb Appeal Influences Home Appraisals and Sales
Curb appeal plays a crucial role in home appraisals and sales. Appraisers consider the overall appearance of a property when determining its value. A well-maintained landscape positively influences an appraiser's assessment, potentially leading to a higher appraisal value.
First impressions are critical in the real estate market. A home with strong curb appeal attracts more potential buyers, leading to increased competition and potentially higher offers. According to a study by Michigan State University, homes with high-quality landscaping can sell for 5% to 11% more than homes with average landscaping. This, of course, will vary depending on location, market conditions, and the specific landscaping improvements made.
Common Landscaping Mistakes That Can Lower Home Value
While landscaping can enhance a home's value, certain mistakes can have the opposite effect. Here are some common landscaping errors to avoid:
- Overgrown Plants and Trees: Overgrown vegetation can obscure the view of the home and make the property look unkempt. Regular pruning and maintenance are essential to keep plants in check. In addition to looking bad, overgrown greenery can pose a safety hazard.
- Poor Drainage: Improper drainage can cause water to pool, damaging the yard, landscape, and home foundation. Ensuring proper grading and installing drainage solutions can prevent these issues.
- Neglecting Seasonal Maintenance: Landscaping requires year-round attention. Failing to perform seasonal tasks like leaf removal, winterizing plants, and spring cleanup can detract from the landscape's appearance.
- Ignoring Local Climate and Soil Conditions: Plants unsuited to the local climate or soil conditions can result in poor growth and increased maintenance. For the best results, it's essential to select native or climate-appropriate plants. Having the wrong mix of plants isn’t just unsightly when the plants do poorly or die off; it’s also a waste of time and money.
- Overly Personalized Design: While unique features add character to a landscape, overly personalized designs may not appeal to all buyers. A balance between personal taste and broad appeal is essential if you’re trying to sell your home.
Conclusion
Landscaping is a way to add beauty to your property and is a powerful tool for increasing home value and attracting potential buyers. By investing in strategic landscaping projects, homeowners can enhance their property's curb appeal, enjoy a higher return on investment, and sell their homes faster and for a higher price.
Whether you choose professional services or tackle DIY projects, planning carefully and avoiding common mistakes are essential to maximizing the benefits of landscaping.
With the right approach, a well-designed landscape can be a valuable asset in a competitive real estate market.
At Zimmerman Mulch, we believe you should have a beautiful yard regardless of whether you plan on selling your home. We firmly believe in the therapeutic and comforting value of landscaping, from being active through gardening to enjoying a good landscape. That’s why we provide only the best mulch, compost, soil, gravel, natural stones, pavers, and many other landscape supplies, as well as our professional landscaping service.
Visit us at our landscape supply center in Lebanon, PA, or contact us today—we’d love to help you achieve your dream landscape!
Further Reading
Of course, there’s much more to landscaping than this blog can cover. If you’d like to learn more about various topics, such as mulch and gravel, here are a few more blogs that will increase your knowledge of landscaping and provide inspiration for future projects:
- Boosting Curb Appeal: Transform Your Outdoor Space With These Design Tips
- Planting a New Yard: Transforming Your Outdoor Space
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Topsoil and Compost
We hope you enjoy exploring all that the world of landscaping has to offer!