Question:
I’m preparing to sell my home and need to update the landscaping. What types of outdoor projects add the best value?
Answer:
Whether you’re looking to sell now or in the future, planning out your remaining projects in and around the house is a good place to start so you know what can be accomplished in the timeframe you have available. A full landscape design & installation can take several months from start to finish whereas replacing a few plants and having a maintenance company clean up the yard will only be a couple of days.
Creating or maintaining useable space is what will add value to a potential buyer. An easily accessible patio or deck space for grilling, dining, or entertaining friends and family is one of the best ways to make more useable space in your yard. If you have a sloped property, finding or creating a flat, useable area will be key, otherwise a potential buyer may have a hard time envisioning themselves being able to use the outdoor space.
Some elements that are personal or specific can make for a hard sell. Pools and elaborate water features are 2 of the biggest examples of this. Not everyone wants to deal with the maintenance and potential liability that comes with both features so they can deter buyers, plus they have a high cost to install. If you’re in a hot location though, a pool is highly sought after so location is important to factor in for specific elements like this. Highly personalized or eccentric materials or colors also fall into the same harder to sell category. There is a reason your real estate agent wants you to paint all the walls white – it allows people to picture themselves in the space rather than being caught up in thinking of the things they will need to change.
Having a well-maintained space that gives the illusion of not requiring a lot of maintenance will keep from detracting people. There is a fine balance between adding elements that attract buyers while also maintaining it well and ensuring that you’re not creating hours of yard work a week for the next homeowner. This can also look like hiring a maintenance company to come out to edge, weed, mow, apply fresh mulch, etc to spruce things up the week of showings. Other maintenance items would be things like addressing drainage issues, so you don’t have standing water, replacing broken elements like pavers and lights, and having a professional out to prune trees and shrubs. If buyers walk up and see that the outside has been well taken care of and updated, it will help put them at ease that the inside has been maintained, as well.
Home improvements, including landscaping projects, can come with large price tags but even small DIY updates paired with well-maintained outdoor spaces can help attract potential buyers and add value to your home.
~Colleen
