Spruce up Your Landscaping Before You Sell

With homeowners' priorities shifting to their outdoor living spaces, it's more important than ever that your landscaping and backyard areas look their best when it comes time to sell.

Studies have shown that attractive landscaping can increase the value of a home. Two studies, one by Mark S. Henry of the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics at Clemson University and another by Robert L. Degner of the Florida Agricultural Market Research Center, University of Florida, found that landscaping contributes to higher resale values in single-family residences, according to the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. Henry's study, "The Contribution of Landscaping to the Price of Single Family Houses: A Study of Home Sales in Greenville, South Carolina," pointed out not only did homes with excellent landscaping sell 4 to 5 percentage points higher, but homes with poor landscaping in neighborhoods with excellent landscaping sold for 8 to 10 percent less.

The right landscape design can make all the difference to a prospective buyer, especially when it's beautifully and carefully executed. First impressions are not only important for buyers, but for appraisers and real estate agents too.

How much time, effort and money should you put into sprucing up your landscape if you're selling? When it comes to your backyard, putting in a little effort can go a long way. If you put in a minimal amount of money, time and effort into your backyard, you will help sell your home and probably get enough boost in price to warrant the work. However, if you do extensive landscaping, just consider it money spent to please yourself. Although it will help sell your home faster, it won't impress buyers enough to pay much more for it.

• If your lawn is nothing but weeds, rent a weed eater and cut them and fertilize with a weed killer.
• Weed beds and put fresh mulch/tanbark around.
• Prune overgrown shrubs or remove them and plant more appropriate sized shrubbery. Make sure that plantings do not cover or restrict the walkways.
• Plant colorful flowers in beds and pots and place near doorways.
• Make sure your yard looks neat, clean and livable.
• Remove unsightly trees and shrubs that are too tall or inappropriate. Especially trim trees back that lay on or hang over the roof of the home.
• Repair cracked and chipping walkways and patios.
• Redirect rain spouting away from home and walkways.
• Put in a deck or patio. A deck can add value to a home, however don't expect a buyer to pay you for what it will cost you to add the deck. Paving stone or bricks are a cost-effective way for a fairly easy patio.
• Make sure your current deck is in good condition. Make sure there are no nails or bolts loose or protruding. Stain or seal if necessary.