Landscaping Creates ‘Curb Appeal’

Whether you are preparing your home for sale or just looking to beautify your lawn and garden, landscaping is one of the best ways to set your property apart from the house next door. Not only does “curb appeal” set the stage for how outsiders perceive your home’s interior, but it also can dramatically increase the resale value of your property.

Well-manicured hedges and strategically placed trees often add to a home’s resale value and even can reduce utility costs for residents. Placing trees in certain areas can help you save on electric bills by serving as natural cooling sources.

In addition, according to a 1998 University of Florida study, lot size, plant type and plant spacing, as well as overall garden design, all contribute to how much money homeowners can reap for their landscaping efforts – especially when it comes time to determining a listing price.

For example, homeowners focusing on color may be leaning toward a quick sale. On the other hand, those more concerned with increasing long-term value may lean toward planting trees and shrubs, which grow over a period of time.

Landscaping also can aid with home security and privacy. By placing a few thorny shrubs around basement windows, you can prevent nosy neighbors or intruders from peering into your windows. In fact, this practice is becoming so popular, that some insurance companies are willing to pay replacement values for trees destroyed by lightning.

Source: ThisWeek News