Landscape Contractor Offers Service to Help Combat Housing Market Decline

Due to the collapse in the housing market, residents in the tri-state area are finding it increasingly difficult to sell their homes. To combat this challenge, Cipriano Landscape Design, a custom landscape and swimming pool firm based in Mahwah, N.J., announced today the launch of a new outdoor home staging service to help residents improve their "curb appeal" and sell their homes faster.

"Home staging is a technique that prepares a residence for sale and makes it more appealing to potential buyers," said Chris Cipriano, founder and CEO of Cipriano Landscape Design. "Within a month of implementing our recommendations, a Allendale, N.J., client's home sold for the full asking price, well worth the investment to the client that was relocating and needing to sell immediately."

Fixing up the outdoors and improving curb appeal is a vital aspect of selling the home. According to Smart Money, if you spend five percent of the value of your home on landscaping, and do it wisely, you might get 150 percent of more of your money back. Additionally, in a recent Gallup research project, home buyers revealed that they believe a professionally tuned outdoors will add nearly 15 percent to a home's selling price.

"The view from the street is the first and most important impression on all potential buyers," said Cipriano. "A professionally tuned outdoors will help grab buyers' attention from the get-go." To improve curb appeal, Cipriano Landscape Design recommends taking simple steps like pressure-washing porches, decks and siding and removing old woodpiles, dilapidated sheds and any outdoor clutter. Also, have the lawn professionally mowed with all leaves and debris picked up. Cipriano also suggests fixing up the pathway to the front door, sprucing up the gardens with color and installing a few hanging plants along the front porch.  Repairing or updating an older swimming pool or patio can provide return on investment.  "Having a person feel like they can move right in makes all the difference," said Cipriano.

For those with a larger budget, Cipriano recommends improving the gardens with distinctive features and a variety of plants. "Create a natural and comfortable outdoor setting by installing a combination of trees, natural stones and shrubs," said Cipriano. "Showcasing a unique statue, fountain or urn full of color will help your property stand out from the rest."

Cipriano also recommends installing professional outdoor lighting. "Most buyers go shopping after work when it is darker out. If they can't see the favorable characteristics of your home, they will pass right by," said Cipriano.    

The outdoor home staging service offered by Cipriano Landscape Design ranges from a home visit with do-it-yourself suggestions, the sale or rental of garden elements and outdoor furniture to a complete landscaping and swimming pool makeover. For pricing and more information, visit www.PlantNJ.com.