{"id":15427,"date":"2020-03-31T13:32:53","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T20:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=15427"},"modified":"2024-05-31T09:50:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T16:50:46","slug":"does-landscaping-add-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/does-landscaping-add-value\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Landscaping Add Value? The Homeowner\u2019s Green Thumb Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A healthy lawn, bright flowers, and lush greenery nourish us from the inside, providing oxygen as well as reducing stress and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loveyourlandscape.org\/media\/20347\/healthy-landscapes-one-pager-final.pdf\">improving our quality of life<\/a>. When your house is on the market, all the attention you\u2019ve put into your landscaping reaps additional benefits: More interested buyers and a better asking price.<\/p>\n<p>In one HomeLight survey, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/real-estate-top-agent-insights-q2-2019.pdf\">94% of top agents<\/a> said that great curb appeal equals money in your bank account at closing \u2014 and you don\u2019t have to break the bank to wow buyers, either. Regular lawn care \u2014 mowing, applying fertilizer, and weed control \u2014 recovers an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\">267% of the cost of upkeep<\/a> at the time of sale.<\/p>\n<p>Landscaping and real estate experts agree that how your home looks on the outside builds buyer anticipation for what\u2019s inside. \u201cLike dating, love at first sight can also happen if your landscaping is properly done,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/agents\/justin-critchfield-ut-hl1423823\">Justin Critchfield<\/a>, a single-family home expert real estate agent in Salt Lake City, Utah.<\/p>\n<p>Just how does landscaping add value? And what projects should you tackle first? Pull up a patio chair or a chaise lounge, and let\u2019s see.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15429\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15429\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A row of flower pots, landscaping that could add value.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-1.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15429\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Daria Shevtsova \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Landscaping costs versus value: An overview of the available data<\/h2>\n<p>Across a variety of research out there on the ROI of landscaping, there\u2019s one common theme: Landscaping adds significant value to your home. Here\u2019s what studies have to say:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Over 75% of top real estate agents across the country say that well-landscaped homes are worth anywhere from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/real-estate-top-agent-insights-survey-q2-2019\/\">1% to 10%<\/a> more than homes with no landscaping, according to our research at HomeLight.<\/li>\n<li>One Virginia Tech survey found that landscape expenditures \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pubs.ext.vt.edu\/content\/dam\/pubs_ext_vt_edu\/426\/426-087\/426-087.pdf\">significantly increase perceived home value<\/a>,\u201d resulting in a higher selling price than homes with minimal landscaping.<\/li>\n<li>The more attention you put into the landscape, the more value buyers attach to your home \u2014 anywhere from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pubs.ext.vt.edu\/content\/dam\/pubs_ext_vt_edu\/426\/426-087\/426-087.pdf\">roughly 5% to 12% more<\/a>, depending on where you live. Researchers found that plant size and \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pubs.ext.vt.edu\/content\/dam\/pubs_ext_vt_edu\/426\/426-087\/426-087.pdf\">design sophistication<\/a>\u201d (not just hedges or flower beds along the front and sides of the house but also perhaps shade trees and islands of plants, or a focal point in the yard) most affected value.<\/li>\n<li>In general, the more expensive your home \u2014 and the more expansive your property \u2014 the more money and attention you should spend on your landscape. Consider it a <a href=\"https:\/\/greentouchpros.com\/how-much-should-i-invest-in-landscaping\/\">multiplier effect<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recommends investing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobvila.com\/articles\/347-landscaping-a-good-investment\/\">10% of your home\u2019s value in landscaping<\/a>; Other studies suggest that you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhg.com\/gardening\/landscaping-projects\/landscape-plans\/what-percentage-of-my-homes-value-should-be-put-into-landscaping\/\">increase your home\u2019s value by 5% to 15%<\/a> by spending the equivalent percentage on landscape maintenance and upgrades.<\/li>\n<li>The average cost of installing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fixr.com\/costs\/landscaping\">new landscaping for a 1,200-square-foot yard is about $13,200<\/a>, within that recommended percentage if your home is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/diy-curb-appeal\/\">valued at $130,000<\/a>. However, if you\u2019ve already budgeted for landscape and lawn maintenance throughout the year, you might not even spend that much and still recover considerable value.<\/li>\n<li>The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) estimate that applying mulch annually, mowing about 2,800 square feet of lawn, pruning shrubs, and planting about 60 annuals or perennials <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\">costs about $3,000<\/a> \u2014 but has a 100% return on investment (ROI) upon selling.<\/li>\n<li>HomeLight\u2019s top agents, working with data on national average costs from HomeAdvisor.com, estimate that lawn care service of about $268 adds about $1,200 in value\u2014a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/real-estate-top-agent-insights-q2-2019.pdf\">352% ROI<\/a>. Adding fresh mulch at roughly $340 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/real-estate-top-agent-insights-q2-2019.pdf\">recoups about 126%<\/a> upon closing.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\">74% of real estate agents<\/a> told NAR they suggest sellers complete a maintenance program before putting their homes on the market. What\u2019s more, 17% of those surveyed said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\">recent landscape maintenance had led to a sale<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Create amazing curb appeal on a budget<\/h2>\n<p>Critchfield says he advises clients to do these basics to create striking curb appeal without having to spend too much:<\/p>\n<h3>Cut and edge your grass<\/h3>\n<p>If you have a mower and edger, you can handle this yourself. If not, the average cost of mowing a lawn ranges from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/lawn-and-garden\/maintain-a-lawn\/\">about $30 to $80 per visit<\/a>, depending on square footage, with extra fees for edging. (Although you also can trim your trees and snip your shrubbery with a handheld lopper or pruner \u2014 check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/diy-curb-appeal\/\">visual guide for the proper way to cut<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s wise to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/home-maintenance-services\/\">let a landscaper prune trees that are close to your house or exceptionally tall or overgrown<\/a>, which can cost about $75 to $1,000, depending on height).<\/p>\n<p>Just make sure you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/diy-curb-appeal\/\">don\u2019t cut your grass too short or too often<\/a>, or you\u2019ll risk brown patches and more sunlight reaching the weeds, causing them to sprout. Lowe\u2019s recommends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lowes.com\/n\/how-to\/mow-your-lawn-correctly\">never removing more than one-third of the blade length<\/a>. Also, mow when the grass is dry for fewer clumps, and leave the clippings on the lawn (unless they form clumps or rows) to return nitrogen and nutrients to the lawn.<\/p>\n<h3>Apply fresh mulch<\/h3>\n<p>Mulch helps soil retain moisture, reduces weeds, and makes a landscape look fresh. Plus, it costs as low as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homedepot.com\/b\/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Landscaping-Mulch\/Bagged-Mulch\/N-5yc1vZbx4aZ1z0tgs0?storeSelection=245,279,6311,6361,256\">$1.60 for a bag that covers 2 cubic feet<\/a>. Home Depot has an<a href=\"https:\/\/mulch-calculator.homedepot.com\/\"> online calculator<\/a> to help you figure how much mulch you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n<p>Although red mulch is popular among commercial areas, Critchfield recommends a darker color, such as brown or black. \u201cCertain homes can pull off a red, but it has to match the color scheme of the house,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Wright Manufacturing, a lawn equipment manufacturer based in Frederick, Maryland, adds that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrightmfg.com\/articles\/choosing-the-best-mulch-color-for-your-lawn-and-garden\/\">red mulch decomposes quicker<\/a> because it\u2019s often made from recycled wood chips. Brown mulch, which tends to lose its color after one season, is a good universal color that makes plants appear vibrant, the company says. Opt for black mulch in colder regions because it retains sunlight and heat better.<\/p>\n<h3>Add beauty with groupings of flowers<\/h3>\n<p>For about $100 or less, you can purchase potted flowers or plants that intrigue buyers with color. \u201cEven just around the front porch area adds some color and makes the house pop. You\u2019ve already set the stage for the buyers,\u201d Critchfield said.<\/p>\n<p>Amy Fedele, a gardener whose blog, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prettypurpledoor.com\/about\/\">Pretty Purple Door<\/a>, has been featured in <i>Country Living <\/i>magazine and other publications, suggests grouping a specific type or color of plant together in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prettypurpledoor.com\/landscape-layering\/\">clusters of three, five, or seven<\/a>. This creates a \u201cdrift\u201d of plants that adds flow to your landscape and a stronger impact than just scattering them; it also moves the eye pleasantly along the landscape instead of a visitor feeling like your flower beds play \u201cconnect the dots,\u201d she writes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15430\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15430\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A backyard porch with a table and patio chairs, landscaping that could add value.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-2.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15430\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Blank Space \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Make your backyard an outdoor paradise<\/h2>\n<p>Although sellers understandably focus on the front yard, don\u2019t neglect the backyard. \u201cBackyard landscaping has become more and more important to buyers,\u201d Critchfield said. \u201cBuyers are falling in love with the features backyards can offer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A backyard is a prime area to highlight as an oasis. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n<h3>Punch up the garden<\/h3>\n<p>Even with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/small-home-curb-appeal\/\">small yard<\/a>, you can create the feeling of ample green space. Using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prettypurpledoor.com\/landscape-layering\/\">plants of varying sizes<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/small-home-curb-appeal\/\">planters with multiple tiers<\/a> adds visual interest through height as well as depth, so the landscaping doesn\u2019t appear flat.<\/p>\n<p><i>Garden Design <\/i>magazine suggests a number of \u201cvertical gardening\u201d ideas for a focal point in the garden, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/beauty.provenwinners.com\/terracotta-planter-wall\/\">building a terra cotta planter wall<\/a> on your fence, or using wrought-iron flower pot rings (such as these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Achla-Designs-Flower-Ring-Bracket\/dp\/B001E8V0GA\/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=planter+ring&amp;qid=1570473856&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;tag=gd-trends-2020-20&amp;linkId=073bd7781b487135a3a753dccd8eb1d9&amp;language=en_US\">8-inch ones from Achla Designs<\/a>) to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardendesign.com\/trends\/2020.html#doubleDuty\">elevate planters on a porch or balcony<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Not feeling that handy? Choose flowers and accents in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landscapeprofessionals.org\/LP\/Media\/2019-press-releases\/Top_5_Landscape_Trends_of_2020.aspx\">calming, rich tones of blue<\/a>, such as cobalt, a new trend for 2020, according to the NALP. Choose plants such as delphinium, hydrangea, globe thistle, grape hyacinth, or blue fortune. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardendesign.com\/trends\/2020.html#doubleDuty\">Repurposing items<\/a> in a garden is a clever and growing trend (pardon the pun): A <a href=\"https:\/\/empressofdirt.net\/birdbath-planters\/\">cracked birdbath<\/a> finds new life and makes a statement as a planter.<\/p>\n<h3>Stain your deck<\/h3>\n<p>Over time, weather can wreak havoc on a deck, causing the stain to fade or crack and leaving the wood vulnerable to rot. NAR recommends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/blogs\/styled-staged-sold\/5-ways-to-upgrade-a-landscape-for-less-than-1000\">power-washing your deck and applying at least two new coats of stain<\/a> to maintain the deck\u2019s look and integrity.<\/p>\n<p>You can take on this project yourself with the proper equipment (renting an electric power washer costs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homedepot.com\/tool-truck-rental\/Electric-Pressure-Washer\/CM-1400-HDEC\/index.html\">about $39 per day<\/a>, for instance, while stain costs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fixr.com\/costs\/stain-deck\">about $25 to $30 per gallon<\/a>), or hire a professional. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/handyman-on-call\/\">handyman or handyman service<\/a> takes about three to five hours to clean and stain a deck measuring about 20&#215;25 feet (or 500 square feet) at a cost of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fixr.com\/costs\/stain-deck\">roughly $1,000<\/a>, or $2 per square foot.<\/p>\n<h3>Refresh your patio<\/h3>\n<p>You can power-wash the patio and any seating as well to jettison any dirt and cobwebs. (Roughly 90% of HomeLight\u2019s top real estate agents recommend homeowners remove dirt, grime, and cobwebs from the front entrance alone to ramp up curb appeal before selling).<\/p>\n<p>Because the NALP says walkways and patios with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landscapeprofessionals.org\/LP\/Media\/2019-press-releases\/Top_5_Landscape_Trends_of_2020.aspx\">contemporary, geometric patterns<\/a> are a new trend for 2020, consider installing or redoing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/patios-and-walkways\/\">walkway with pavers<\/a> starting at about $1,700 (depending on materials and size), or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/small-home-curb-appeal\/\">painting a pattern on the existing patio or walkway using concrete stain<\/a>. The couple behind the design blog Beneath My Heart used <a href=\"https:\/\/www.todayshomeowner.com\/quikrete-concrete-stains\/\">Quikrete Semi-Transparent Concrete Stain<\/a> to transform their backyard concrete patio into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beneathmyheart.net\/2010\/05\/new-tile-patio-floor-reveal-and\/\">faux tile<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Reduce noise and add privacy<\/h3>\n<p>If your house sits where buyers might think they\u2019ll hear <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-sell-a-house-with-road-noise\/\">road noise<\/a> \u2014 for instance, off a high-traffic road, near a traffic light, or on a corner lot in a neighborhood \u2014 enhance the oasis feeling by reducing noise and adding privacy.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Place strategic garden containers: <\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b>Plants and lawns can reduce noise levels by 20% to 30%, the NALP says. But if you don\u2019t have enough established bushes and trees in the backyard for a noise barrier (and you\u2019re not keen on investing in plants that you can\u2019t take with you when you move), create a temporary one by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-landscape-front-yard-on-busy-street\/\">placing a few Japanese maples or evergreens in containers<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homedepot.com\/p\/Spring-Hill-Nurseries-Red-Foliage-Japanese-Maple-Acer-Tree-Live-Bareroot-Tree-1-Pack-60963\/308907149?mtc=Shopping-B-F_D28O-G-D28O-28_8_LIVE_GOODS-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-BASE_SHP_Trees&amp;cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D28O-G-D28O-28_8_LIVE_GOODS-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-BASE_SHP_Trees-71700000059398634-58700005427632179-92700049473841314&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw0pfzBRCOARIsANi0g0ubdIxM4vlTbPRP0PvhTOmGhKkpCS8lJUCygfHPPKu_1b55B8UVjdIaAoBwEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds\">Japanese maples<\/a> cost about $20 each at Home Depot; 2.5-quart <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homedepot.com\/p\/2-5-Qt-Spartan-Juniper-Live-Evergreen-Tree-Dark-Green-Fast-Growing-Privacy-Plant-3402Q\/310747997\">Spartan juniper trees<\/a> run about $19. Just put them on the patio, deck, or along the walkway, if possible; not on the grass, because their weight could damage the lawn.<\/li>\n<li><b>Include a water feature: <\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b>Landscapers recommend a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landscapingnetwork.com\/landscape-design\/noise-reduction.html\">fountain<\/a> for \u201cwhite noise,\u201d which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-sell-a-house-with-road-noise\/\">masks unappealing sound<\/a>. Installing a backyard water fountain or waterfall can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/landscape\/install-a-water-fountain\/\">cost as little as $50<\/a>, depending on size, complexity, or material, according to HomeAdvisor.com. If you can adjust the fountain or any of your irrigation system through a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landscapeprofessionals.org\/LP\/Media\/2019-press-releases\/Top_5_Landscape_Trends_of_2020.aspx\">Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a smartphone app<\/a>, you\u2019ll maximize efficiency and tie into another landscaping trend.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Keep maintenance low, beauty high<\/h2>\n<p>Buyers concerned they don\u2019t have much of a green thumb, those interested in water conservation, or those who worry about upkeep will appreciate a low-maintenance landscape.<\/p>\n<p>A low-maintenance landscape can be a matter of adding hardscaping (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nitterhousemasonry.com\/outdoor-living\/low-maintenance-landscaping\/\">non-living features<\/a> such as a walkway, patio, or retaining wall), or embracing <a href=\"https:\/\/education.nationalgeographic.org\/resource\/xeriscaping\/\">xeriscaping<\/a> (pronounced \u201cZEH-ri-skeiping\u201d), a combination of the Greek word \u201cxeros,\u201d meaning \u201cdry,\u201d and the word \u201clandscape.\u201d Xeriscaping relies on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/r\/xeriscaping-101\/\">drought-friendly plants<\/a>, such as succulents, California sagebrush or Terra Cotta yarrow, reducing the need for frequent watering.<\/p>\n<p>You also can combine these elements, using hardscaping, xeriscaping, and plants typical for your area. <i>Garden Design <\/i>recommends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardendesign.com\/plants\/low-maintenance.html#lowMPerennials\">21 low-maintenance shrubs, perennials, annuals, and groundcover plants<\/a>, organized by the <a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/PHZMWeb\/\">USDA\u2019s Plant Hardiness Zone Map<\/a>. They include textured grasses, peonies, black-eyed Susan, and a carpeting of sedums.<\/p>\n<p>Talk to your real estate agent about the demographics of buyers in your area for your price range, Critchfield adds. \u201cA lot of older people that I talk to in Utah, one of the main reasons that they want to move is that they are tired of taking care of the landscaping.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15431\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15431\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A watermelon shaped flotation device in a pool.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/does-landscaping-add-value-4.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15431\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Vincent Rivaud \/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Beware of landscaping projects that are too specialized<\/h2>\n<p>By now, we might have inspired you to plot out a whole new yard. But before you start budgeting or browsing the home store, be careful not to go overboard. You won\u2019t want to invest in projects that don\u2019t have a huge ROI, appeal to a narrow segment of buyers, or that you won\u2019t be living in the house long enough to enjoy. Such as:<\/p>\n<h4>An outdoor kitchen:<\/h4>\n<p>Although a full-blown kitchen on the patio complete with countertops, cabinetry, and a wet bar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/upgrades-that-increase-home-value\/\">exudes luxury and helps market<\/a> to home buyers shopping in the high-end range, it also costs about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/cost\/outdoor-living\/build-an-outdoor-kitchen\/?zip=33558\">$12,000 to $20,000<\/a> to install, with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\">estimated ROI of 71%<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Only<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\"> 1% of real estate agents<\/a> told the NAR they\u2019ve suggested homeowners put in an outdoor kitchen before selling. Stage the same kind of outdoor-dining area with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/upgrades-that-increase-home-value\/\">gas grill, cushioned seating, and end tables<\/a>. \u201cA grill or barbecue, if you already have one, can paint a good picture,\u201d Critchfield said. \u201cThere\u2019s no need to buy one to sell your home if you don\u2019t already have one.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>A fire feature:<\/h4>\n<p>An outdoor fireplace or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/does-a-fire-pit-increase-home-value\/\">fire pit<\/a>, such as a dry-stacked natural stone kit with gas burner, also adds marketability\u2014and topped an ASLA survey of the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asla.org\/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=53135\">popular outdoor design elements<\/a>. But at a cost to install of perhaps $6,000, you\u2019ll <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\">recover roughly 67% of that at resale<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll also have to research whether your community has any restrictions on such features (Denver, Colorado, for instance, bans \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.denvergov.org\/content\/denvergov\/en\/environmental-health\/about-us\/news-room\/2016\/BurnBan.html\">open fires<\/a>,\u201d which includes fire pits), or whether the installation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/does-a-fire-pit-increase-home-value\/\">impacts your homeowners\u2019 insurance policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>A pool or sauna:<\/h4>\n<p>In certain price ranges and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/news\/trends\/top-10-cities-for-pool-loving-homeowners\/\">areas of the country<\/a>, such as Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas, a pool can be an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/selling-a-house-with-a-pool\/\">expected amenity<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But again, this is a hefty investment: installing an 18&#215;36-foot in-ground pool that\u2019s about three to seven feet deep <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\">costs about $58,000<\/a>, including the standard filtration system. For an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/research-reports\/remodeling-impact-report-outdoor-features\">estimated 43% ROI<\/a>, it\u2019s not worth taking on just to sell your house. Plus, you may eliminate some buyers who aren\u2019t \u201cpool people\u201d or who don\u2019t want to deal with the maintenance.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no doubt that landscaping can add value to your home, both in psychological and emotional benefits while you\u2019re living there as well as boosting your bottom line once you move.<\/p>\n<p>But to truly turn your greenery into greenbacks, talk with your real estate agent first about your competition, market conditions, and your targeted buyers.\u00a0 You might find you\u2019ll achieve a great impact for little expense, or as Critchfield advises, \u201cDo the projects first that cost less money.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Header Image Source: (Pixabay \/ Pexels)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just how does landscaping add value? And what projects should you tackle first? Pull up a patio chair or a chaise lounge, and let\u2019s see.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":15434,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[320,246],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-add-value","category-curb-appeal"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Does Landscaping Add Value? The Homeowner\u2019s Green Thumb Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Just how does landscaping add value? And what projects should you tackle first? 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