Landscaping and Curb Appeal: How Does It Affect Your Home’s Value?

In the real estate world, and life, first impressions are everything. When a prospective buyer first views your home, whether it be online or in person, they form an opinion in a matter of seconds. This leads us to the commonly asked question “will landscaping and curb appeal increase the value of my home?”…the short answer is yes, but we’ll explain in more detail below.

 

Landscaping Gives A Great First Impression

Put yourself in the shoes of a prospective buyer – if you drove up to a home that looked like a jungle with a decaying stone walkway and dead or overgrown foliage, would you perceive it to be high value? Likely your response would be no and you would probably keep driving. Alternatively, you would be wowed if you drove up to a home with a freshly manicured lawn, tastefully painted garage and front door, landscaped walkway and steps with blooming flowers, and welcoming decor accents.

 

Be Cautious About Budget & ROI

You don’t need to spend a fortune to make a great first impression and increase the value of your home. Before allocating a budget and making the investment, you want to consider what your neighbours’ landscaping is like. Neighbourhood comps play a big part in determining the overall value of your home so let it set the tone for your landscaping design. If every home has simple curb appeal, it’s wise to stick to a conservative and cost-effective design. Likewise, if each property is abundant with custom, high-end landscaping you might opt to follow suit in your curb appeal endeavours. Don’t be afraid to consult your real estate agent to talk about the potential increase to your home value so that you can choose a budget that is realistic.

 

Foreshadowing To The Interior of The Home

A home that has stunning curb appeal with mature foliage that has been well taken care of acts as a preview for buyers. Typically, what you see outside a home is a direct reflection of what lies in wait on the other side. A well-cared-for property means a well-cared-for home and vice versa.

In all aspects, a well-kept home will go for a higher value than one that is dilapidated and clearly showing signs of wear and tear. Want to find out what your home is worth? Request your free home evaluation today.