Can landscaping add extra value to your home?

 

When selling your home, presentation is not only the key to the success of your sale but also for getting the price you want. If you’re smart about it, investing some time and money into how your property is landscaped can make a big difference to your final sale price.

 

Getting Started

Before deciding whether to do it yourself or get in the professionals, sit down and make a list of the main things you want to achieve from your design. Whether you’re thinking low maintenance, classic or extravagant, even whether you want to include a pool, a deck or a big grassy area, the trick is to pick out the main things you want to achieve from your space and stick to it.

 

Useful tip: Once you have a basic idea of what you want to achieve, decide on a realistic budget for your design.

 

DIY or Professional

If you fancy yourself a creative type with an eye and passion for landscaping, it probably makes financial sense do most of the hard work yourself. But make sure you’ve done your research and have a plan in place; know your budget and how much you need to spend to create your design. Also consider the layout of your home and what will suit it, you don’t want a small scale project to turn into a major home renovation.

 

If you’re on the less creative side of the fence or short on time before the sale, you can hire a professional to draw up a plan and install your landscaping masterpiece for you.

 

Useful tip: If you opt to landscape your property yourself, be careful the plants and decorative mulches you’ve chosen suit your property’s location.

 

Street appeal

The presentation of your property is one of the most important aspects of your sale – after all, the first impression a potential buyer will have of your home is when they pull up your driveway. Make sure the front of your home eye catching (but tasteful!) to ensure you generate that initial interest in your home – it should be all about the wow factor!  

 

Maintaining your Oasis

Before you take the leap and set off on creating that landscaping masterpiece, don’t forget how long you plan to stay in your home for. Will you be able to handle the upkeep and maintenance of your new design?

 

If thinking about an extravagant, high maintenance garden and plan to stay in your home a long time make sure you have the time and patience to maintain your new design, otherwise your masterpiece could quickly become a disaster.

 

Landscaping has the potential to add a large value to your property and even become the selling point, so long as you don’t over capitalise on your investment. Do your research and plan ahead.


February 2011