Does Landscaping Increase Home Value?

It's not unusual to hear that landscaping projects can add a lot to a house's curb appeal, but the power landscaping has on property value is still wildly underestimated. And that's for better or for worse!

Some studies estimate that landscaping can increase the home value by up to 20% with some landscaping investments promising a return value of 100% and more.

However, even when the answer to 'Does landscaping increase home value?' is yes, it can't exist in a vacuum.

The effect landscaping can have on your home's value and curb appeal relies on many other aspects, and above all, your correct navigation of it so that you don't rush into choices that will cost you and even decrease your property value.

So, in this article, we'll explore the landscaping projects that have been shown to effectively increase curb appeal and what could harm your property value to avoid so that you know how to increase your property value whether you're looking to attract potential buyers shortly or not.

Landscaping Projects That Are Guaranteed to Increase Your Property Value

We'll first start with what you can do with your landscape, including landscaping projects, that studies have shown can increase the value of your home and attract more home buyers.

The projects included are good investments with ranging returns!

Mature Trees and Plants

Other than the many benefits planting trees offers you and the ecosystem, like how it can provide shade and be a shelter for birds, and make your yard more aesthetically pleasing, potential buyers have also shown to show more interest in outdoor space with mature trees and plants.

A sophisticated landscape design with a green lawn, mature trees, and other plants has more effect than you might imagine on property values.

Trees are also less maintenance in the long term than other choices, like shrubs, which makes them both more valuable to you and potential buyers. So while investing in trees can cost more than others, it pays off.

Drought-Resistant Landscaping

This is a recent development, but climate change and water scarcity make well-landscaped yards that aren't as dependent on water and use as little as possible stand out in the real estate market.

Plant trees and flower beds that are drought resistant or go for a rock garden to increase your curb appeal and also make your landscape maintenance easier and less costly to the environment.

You can easily find a ton of choices in your local nursery!

Landscape Lighting

Other than the aesthetical values and ease of evening use, landscape lighting also offers inhabitants and potential buyers an additional layer of security.

With landscape lighting, no matter your landscaping budget, you'll find many choices with enough space for creativity and personal style. Whether that's traditional hard-wired lighting or newer LED. But it's a must!

A well-lit yard is considered minimal landscaping, but the better you do it, the more home value you'll get in return in the market.

Decks

An outdoor space that could be a hanging out or dining area, that's well-maintained and comfortable adds more living space to your home and therefore increases the bale of your property to the potential buyer.

A well-built deck that's designed to handle all seasons, with a fire pit and sturdy furniture is one of the best landscaping tips we could offer you. Real estate agents argue that it could increase home prices in the real estate market by up to 15%.

Pathways

A landscaped pathway in a tidy garden is the first thing your potential buyers will see and personally use going from the front walkway to your front door. It's your potential buyer's first impression.

And most National Association of Realtors members highlight the importance of that first impression.

You should invest in better, more functional, and more aesthetical, as well as longer-lasting, pathways in your landscaping plan.

Manicured and Well Maintained Lawn

A well-maintained lawn is one of the best and cheapest things you could do for your home's value and curb appeal. It offers one of the highest return-to-investment ratios.

Applying fresh mulch, pruning shrubs, and containing weed growth are some things you can do on a general basis for lawn maintenance. But most agents also recommend getting basic yard care service to highly increase the perceived value of your home before listing your house.

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are big investments. An outdoor kitchen with a fire pit and a roof would make up the top of the list of the most expensive landscape projects you could invest in.

But other than the transformation into an effective outdoor space that adds more value to your lifestyle, this landscaping project also offers a nearly 82% return on the investment.

Its inclusion in the landscape design adds curb appeal to make your house completely stand out to buyers.

Landscaping Projects That Can Harm Your Home Value

Now that we've discussed how landscaping improves your home value, let's get into all the landscaping projects or mistakes that either add no home value regardless of investment or take from it.

Badly Maintained Garden and Lawn

Overgrown weeds and grass, a messy garden bed, inappropriate plant size to dimensions, and/or unorganized container plants make up an unkempt, dull yard that makes up buyers' first impression of your house.

This first impression goes a long way. It can decrease your home value because it lessens the effectiveness of the landscape to buyers and signals that they'll need to do a lot of work on it themselves.

A well-landscaped home starts with the lawn and yard as the bare minimum you could do for your house's value.

Take general care of it with landscape maintenance and if you consider selling, get a professional lawn care service before showing the house.

Swimming Pools

Contrary to popular belief, despite being a large investment, a swimming pool offers your house no additional value. It can take from it as it could be perceived as a safety hazard.

Environmentally, it's not on the good side, and it's also not low maintenance. So if you consider having a swimming pool in your backyard, you should only do it for your pleasure, expecting no return from the investment if/when you decide to sell your home.

Hot Tubs

For the same reasons as a swimming pool, hot tubs are also big landscaping investments that don't increase home values.

Other Water Features

The scarcity of water and drought that's affecting everyone more and more by the minute make water features valueless to home buyers.

You should generally be water conscious in your home improvement plans to both increase your home's value and aid the environment. This also includes the automated irrigation system.

Artificial Grass

Artificial grass might be more low maintenance in the short term for you, but most home buyers, especially families with young children, want to avoid it.

And since they'd have to replace it, it can cause a reduction in home value.

Broken Hard Landscaping

Due to the increased value, practically, aesthetically, and financially, fences and other hard landscaping projects normally add to a house, if they are broken, that would decrease a home's value.

Niche and Trendy Landscape Designs

Trends are short-lived, and the moment they go out, everyone avoids them like the plague. Professional landscaping is timeless landscaping that's elegant and not too eccentric.

Following a trend would only cost you and take from the value of your home.

The National Association of Realtors' professional members all insist on the importance of curb appeal and good landscaping when it comes to pricing. So, even if you're not looking out to sell your house soon, you still always want to make the choices that will keep its value high.

At Shrubhub.com, we're well aware of those facts! Our landscape professionals and landscape architects always have them in mind while also working with our client's personal style wishes. And without overburdening your budget!

You can get a full yard designed by a professional landscape designer for less than 300$. We're currently offering a 70% discount on all our design services. All you need is to sign up here!

ShrubHub.com