As anyone in the real estate business can tell you, creating curb appeal is an essential part of getting a home sold quickly and at a reasonable price.
After all, the way a home looks when potential buyers drive-by or pull up into the driveway for a viewing will go a long way toward creating a first impression – which is true no matter whether you’re selling Washington DC real estate or a home in Palm Springs.
Therefore, taking steps to create positive curb appeal is an essential part of getting a home sold. To create positive curb appeal, home sellers should pay particular attention to landscaping. To that end, here are 5 landscaping tips that will help create curb appeal and get your home sold.
Tip #1: Tend to the Grass
This may seem like a simple no-brainer, but many home sellers fail to notice that their lawn is in desperate need of sprucing up. Yet, it is the first thing that many potential buyers notice. Therefore, you should be sure to get rid of weeds, to repair bare spots and to trim where necessary.
For most lawns, this will only require applying fertilizer every six weeks and watering it on a regular basis. If the lawn is in particularly bad shape, it may be wise to invest in some sod. According to the National Gardening Association, sod typically costs anywhere from 15 to 35 cents per square foot. If you hire a landscaper to do the job, you can expect to add 30 to 50 percent to the total cost.
Tip #2: Trim Bushes
In addition to ensuring your lawn is neat and tidy, you should also tend to your bushes, shrubs, trees and any other foliage that is currently in your yard. Remove items that are dead or underperforming and trim back on those that are overgrown.
Tip #3: Add Flower Beds
Flower beds offer a simple and inexpensive way to add color to your landscape. Good places for flower beds include along driveways and along the edges of walkways. To keep costs down, plant annuals that are rated for your area.
Tip #4: Plant a Tree
Many homebuyers are interested in purchasing homes that feature mature trees. Not only are mature trees attractive, but a well-placed shade tree can help save on the home’s energy bill. While these additions will not significantly increase the value of your home, it will help grab the attention of potential buyers. This, in turn, will help you get your home sold faster.
Tip #5: Install Landscape Lighting
Another way to spruce up your landscaping is to install landscape lighting. A growing number of home buyers are looking for homes that have landscape lighting in place, as this helps provide homes with a more distinguished appearance.
Furthermore, with the help of landscape lighting, you can light up your new landscape during the evening hours. This way, when people drive by your home at night, they are more likely to take notice of your property and its attractive features. In many cases, landscape lighting can be installed for as little as $200 when doing it yourself. If you choose to do it yourself, be sure to focus on illuminating mature trees, flowing shrubs and other central elements of your landscape.
About The Author – Kevin Koitz specializes in Maryland luxury real estate, including Kenwood Forest Chevy Chase, as a Washington DC native, Realtor, and member of the Koitz Group.