Gardening can be a great way to add tens of thousands of dollars to the value of your property. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, homeowners should invest 10 percent of a property's value in landscaping. Studies have shown that a well-landscaped home can add 6 to 13 percent in value compared to a property without landscaping. Design sophistication was the highest ranked factor that added to the perceived value of a home, so investing in the services of a landscape design professional is recommended.
Standard lawn care service and garden maintenance are important investments to prepare your home for resale. The change in value from landscaped to well-landscaped can range from 5.5 percent (Louisiana) to 11.4 percent (South Carolina). A well-designed and efficiently installed sprinkler system can increase the value of your home, while a poorly designed one can detract from it. The Department of Agriculture Forest Service showed that mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property's value.
Frank Lucco said landscaping accounts for 85 percent of what first-time buyers see when they look at a home. Adding pops of color with flowers is also recommended; buy some colorful annuals for a few dollars each and invest a few hundred dollars in perennials and larger shrubs, so your garden looks like it has been taken care of. Landscape architecture goes beyond plantations and includes structural features such as lighting, fences, garden paths, fire pits, swimming pools and ponds. Homeowners can learn more about how landscaping can influence property values by contacting a local Appraisal Institute appointed member in the organization's Find an Appraiser directory.
Whether you want to sell your home now or at some point, remember that the landscape of your home can help or damage the value of your home. A home with mediocre landscaping or an exterior that desperately needs a new coat of paint is likely not attractive to prospective buyers and could ultimately affect the potential resale value of the home, said Appraisal Institute President James L. When valuing a home, the appraiser should analyze the landscaping theme of the property compared to other properties in the area.
