Boost Your Home’s Value with Do-it-Yourself Curb Appeal

We’ve all seen the lists and heard the recommendations for which home improvements add value, and which ones warrant second thought. Landscaping falls firmly in the first category, especially when you’re selling your home.

Certainly landscaping, like everything related to your home, is going to be a matter of taste. Where you might enjoy raking up after a messy tree each Fall, someone else may feel it’s not worth a minute of their time. Flowering bushes maybe aren’t your thing but many people plan their entire yard around these seasonal bursts of color. Grass or no grass? Lush or minimal? Flower beds or rock gardens? Fences? Walkways? Borders? The choices are endless and honestly? there are no rules… except maybe one.

When your home is on the market, no matter your landscape style, it’s imperative that you keep your yard neat and well manicured. Mow grass and trim bushes regularly. Dead-head flowering plants. Hose off walkways and rake gravel and rocky areas. If you live in a cold weather region, carefully and painstakingly control snow and ice. Even your driveway should be free of stains, damage and impairments.

When arriving at a showing appointment, I’ve seen home buyers completely turned off by an unkempt front yard, sometimes even before they’ve finished parking their car. In fact I frequently suggest that buyers do a drive-by before making an appointment to view the home.

Selling your home? Curb appeal is critical. But beware, it’s not just the visual that’s important, health and safety matters must also be considered. If cost is not an issue, a professional landscaper should be able to quickly spot and resolve both oversights in maintenance, and potential risks to your visitors. However, improving your curb appeal need not be expensive. Below are a few quick guidelines for ensuring that your do-it-yourself landscaping looks smart and poses no danger to you, your guests or potential home buyers:

Keep trees at a manageable height – Professional tree trimming is pricey, and overgrown trees can block the view of your home and cause costly damage in windy seasons. Keeping trees within reach of a pole saw will not only safeguard your property, but will save you money, and allow your home’s best features to shine through.
Walkways should be simple and well defined – For both aesthetics and safety, walkways need to be obvious and orderly. Keep footpaths clear of weeds and debris. An uncomplicated design will make maintenance much simpler.
Keep fencing, stone walls and borders in good repair.
Be certain that lighting is adequate – This is something many of us might never take into account. How often do we spend time in our front yard in the dark? Inexpensive solar lights strategically placed, can establish clear, safe routes to and from your driveway and the sidewalk. You might consider motion lights as well for both security and safety.

What’s Your Best Strategy for Curb Appeal?

Obviously, when buyers are searching for a home, the house itself is top priority. But when it comes to choosing among similar houses, your yard can help make your home stand out over others. Here are some tips for creating a yard that boosts curb appeal and lets your home shine.

Take your house style into consideration. Create gardens based on the style and architecture of your home. Have a contemporary home? Go with a minimalist landscape or a Japanese garden design. Have a farmhouse? Choose a cottage garden with an informal design, and traditional and dense plantings.

Keep things in proportion. If your home is large, small, dainty flowers won’t showcase it properly. Instead, use plants in a repetitive fashion, such as rows of shrubs. Conversely, if you have a smaller home, make sure it’s not overwhelmed by large shrubs and overgrown plantings. Make sure your garden complements the shape and size of the house.

Pay attention to hardscaping. While your lawn and plantings understandably take center stage in your landscape, your hardscaping can make all the difference. Take the time to clean or update walkways, front steps, gravel paths, slate patios, garden borders, etc. Then consider adding elements like a bird bath, garden bench or stone fire pit. Attention to detail when it comes to your yard’s hard surfaces can make or break your lawn, trees and garden beds.

Make your front door the star. Nothing says curb appeal better than a welcoming, attractive passage to your front door. Make the path natural and intuitive so guests easily know how to get to your front door. Accentuate the door or key points along the path with plantings and lighting.

Don’t forget about the seasons. Your landscaping may look great in summer, but how does it fare in winter? Make sure your yard is adorned with trees, shrubs and evergreen selections that add structural interest and a healthy dose of green even on the dreariest winter day.
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2020. All rights reserved. *Feature Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash