When it comes to first impressions, nothing sells a house better than great landscaping. It sets the tone for the whole property and instills trust in prospective buyers. You will also rarely see a home with a finely manicured lawn and pristine landscaping with major structural issues. Another benefit of landscaping work is that you can go as big or as small as you want. Many of these projects can also be done without the help of a professional. Here are some great landscaping projects that will add value to your property.
Add Trees
One of the best things you can do is add one or multiple trees to your property if you want to increase its value. It has been estimated that a tree could increase the value of your property by as much as 10%, which is very impressive considering how relatively simple and inexpensive an addition it is. You have to know which trees will get you the most value, however. These also require a certain amount of topsoil. If you want to know how much topsoil you need for a tree, you can use a topsoil calculator and work with the team that is going to plant it.
An expert team will be able to give you recommendations on what type of soil you need, how to care for the tree during the first weeks and months, and the best areas to install a tree both for aesthetic and energy benefits. This is because a tree can help block the sun’s rays and can be used strategically to cut your energy consumption. This is something that will allow you to save, but also use as a selling point. You can use the tree to pour shade over your AC system so that it doesn’t overheat. You want to plant tall trees on the west side of the house to provide maximum shade during the summer days.
Redoing Your Lawn
If your lawn doesn’t look the best and you know it, it would be wise to spend a few dollars on making sure that it looks good. A fresh lawn is also something that will automatically catch the eye of buyers. If your lawn is salvageable, things can be turned around by removing weeds, using the right type of fertilizer, and improving watering and irrigation. If it’s in horrible condition, you can decide to either apply sod or reseed it.
Know that it’s very possible to seed a lawn yourself. The equipment is fairly easy to use and you could get great results. You have to know, however, that it’s much more effort and seeding has some drawbacks. For one, the results will be much slower, and two, things like erosion could end up ruining the project.
Sod has many benefits. It’s fast, and you could enjoy your new lawn in as little as a week. It also looks great if properly installed. This isn’t something that is recommended for DIYers, however, and it will cost you more, but the results will usually be better than when seeding yourself.
Add a Sensible Water Feature
Water features can be tricky. If you go for something too over the top, savvy buyers will worry about maintenance. But a small water feature like a small pond or waterfall will charm most people. Make sure that it looks neat and decorate it to make it more attractive.
Add a Deck
A deck is one of the single best additions that you can make to any backyard. It will be a winner with virtually any buyer that comes to visit the house. It’s also one of the best renovations when it comes to return on investment. It’s estimated that the return on investment on decks is at around 80%. This is also a project that you can do on your own if you want to further drive down costs.
Renovating the Patio
You should also consider renovating your patio space if it has been neglected, or it has been a while since it was updated. Adding pavers with a nice pattern and some new furniture will not cost you much and will instantly give it a fresh look. A nice-looking patio is another one of these renovations that will be a hit with most buyers. Adding a pergola or awning to shield the area will be a big winner with most as well.
These are all things that you can do to improve your landscape and increase your home’s value. These will also allow you to sell your home much faster.