Landscaping a home for added curb appeal tops many homeowners and gardener’s to-do lists. Highlighting a yard’s attributes and curtailing its problem areas to create a more aesthetically pleasing street view does not have to be a difficult or daunting task, and there can be some amazing pay-offs, like increasing the perceived home value.
As the first thing that grabs people’s attention when they pass by, purposeful landscaping can add functionality and interest to any given property. According to the National Association of Realtors, homes with high curb appeal typically sell for an average of 7% more than similar homes without landscaping.
On a basic level, there are plenty of things to do to add curb appeal to a home including making sure to assessing the size and shape of the yard and considering adding a focal point, such as a bench, tree, fountain or anything you think goes with the house, disposing of weeds and decaying shrubs, replenishing mulch or pine straw and edging the curb and pathways. Keep it simple and inexpensive without overdoing it – the goal is to create a composed, clean and tidy overall aesthetic.
Take it a step further by adding large planters on either side of the front door, a popular trend, plant evergreen shrubs and plants as they remain colored year-round, makeover the mailbox by surrounding it with landscape edging and filling it with mulch and seasonal flowers, an overall simple do-it-yourself project and line the pathway and/or driveway with decorative, solar lighting.
While it is nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly how much planned landscaping and high curb appeal can increase a home’s perceived value, it cannot be denied, that it certainly helps. In an article shared by The Washington Post, a positive first impression of a home can mean the difference between a buyer driving by or stopping to take a closer look. With a little attention to the landscape, you can increase your chances of a better outcome when selling your home.
At S&A Homes, we understand the importance of curb appeal and implement a manicured, strategic landscape at each home that is sure to impress guests and passersby. To learn more about S&A homes throughout the Central and South-Central Pennsylvania areas, visit www.SAHomeBuilder.com or contact S&A Homes here.
See more full-scale landscaping and curb appeal ideas here.