Can landscaping for curb appeal increase the value of your home? According to the National Association of Realtors, houses with high curb appeal usually sell for an average of 7% more than similar homes without the same landscaping. According to a 2019 HomeLight survey, 94% of real estate agents say buyers will pay more for a house if it has great curb appeal. A well-kept yard conveys that the homeowner has maintained the entire property and can mean the difference between a sale or not.
Researchers examined Google Street View photos and sales data from 88,980 properties in the Denver metro area to find how much curb appeal matters to home's value. The researches found that the curb appeal of neighboring properties also has an impact on a home's value. The appearance of the yard next door accounts for about a third of a home's overall premium, the study noted. Researchers considered homes to have low curb appeal if the property includes blemishes like broken pavement or overgrown grass. Homes were considered to have high curb appeal if they included features like well-kept lawns and professional landscaping.
One survey showed that relatively large landscape expenditures significantly increase perceived home value and will result in a higher selling price than homes with a minimal landscape. Design sophistication and plant size were the landscape factors that most affected value. The resulting increase in "curb appeal" of the property may also help differentiate a home in a subdivision where house styles are similar and thereby attract potential buyers into a home. This advantage is especially important in a competitive housing market.
In contrast to many home improvements, the value of an investment in a landscape improvement increases over time since the growth and maturity of trees and shrubs enhance aesthetic appeal. No matter what your style or budget, here are a few practical tips to increase your home's curb appeal.
Lawn maintenance. Having a nice green lawn - without dead spots - and cutting back overgrown bushes, trees, and plants will make your home look manicured and well-cared for.
Think about proportions If you have a large house with a flat front, pretty little flowers aren't the plants for curb appeal. Instead, use plants and repetition (midsize shrubs to line a path, for example) that are inspired by and complement the shape and size of the house.
Use hardscaping If your paths/walkways are outdated or in bad shape, replace them with stepping stones or pavers. Simple upgrades like adding a paver walkway, or landscape bed edgers/curbing can dramatically improve the appearance of your home. Think about what's there or what could be added and how to spotlight it.
Emphasize moving to the front door Landscaping for curb appeal is ultimately about you or a guest moving to the front door in a pleasing way. Try to make the transition natural and intuitive so guests clearly know where to go. That may include a bend in a walkway or urns on either side of a curve.
Include big plantings where appropriate Most of the time, people see your house and judge its curb appeal quickly, either on a walk or as they drive by. Use large shapes and masses of plants that are attractive from a distance to anchor your overall design.
Lighting Not only does outdoor lighting deter crime, it also creates an undeniable ambiance in the yard. Don't limit lighting to your porch. Strategically placed landscape lighting - such as for walkways/stairs and to backlight plants/trees - helps make your curb appeal as striking at night as it is during the day.
Think through the seasons A landscape that goes dormant in the winter will look uninviting. The best curb appeal ideas include structural elements such as trees and shrubs, as well as materials that look good in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
References
National Association of Realtors Realtor Magazine. (2020, Nov. 09). How Much Does Curb Appeal Affect Home Value? https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/01/27/how-much-does-curb-appeal-affect-home-value
Better Homes & Gardens BHG.com. (2020, May15). 8 Landscaping Ideas for Maximizing Your Curb Appeal. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/landscape-for-curb-appeal/
heavy. (2020, Aug. 28). 21 Best Curb Appeal Ideas to Increase Your Home's Value. https://heavy.com/home/2020/08/best-items-to-increase-your-curb-appeal/