Oklahoma Landscape Companies Seeing Plenty of Green

Business is blooming for two Oklahoma City landscaping companies.

Lucas Jerry, vice president of Absolute Lawn Management & Landscaping, said in just the past week his company has received three calls from people with homes on the market who want to spruce up the landscaping to make them more desirable to buyers.

Landscaping also helped Jerry sell his home recently.

“I sold my house in two days because I had curb appeal,” he said. “A lot of people want a house that’s landscaped.”

Absolute offers packages starting at about $3,000 to spruce up and install landscaping.

Linda Shackelford, owner of TLC Florist and Greenhouses, said her company also has seen an increase in home sellers seeking curb appeal.

“We have shown that a good landscape can increase the value of a home 15 percent,” she said.

TLC has landscape packages that start at about $5,000.

“That’s not just two shrubs on the corner and a little bit of lawn,” Shackelford said.

Both businesses are hoping to pick up even more clients at their respective displays this weekend at the Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park.

But even as some have invested in landscaping to sell their homes, others are focusing on their gardens and outdoor areas because they are spending more time at home rather than going out and spending money.

Jerry said several clients have invested in elaborate landscaping to entertain in their backyards. Others have spruced up their landscaping with plans to sell their homes when the housing market improves.

Mike Cassidy, owner/broker of Paradigm Advantage, does not recommend desperate sellers sink a fortune into landscaping but said a well-landscaped home often sells faster.

“I call it the ‘wow’ factor,” he said. “If it looks good on the outside and looks good on the inside it’s going to go for a little more than the house down the street.”

Cassidy said landscaping may not always translate to a higher selling price in the current market but can often assure a quicker sale of a home.

Curb appeal also is crucial on the commercial real estate end.

Judy Hatfield, president and CEO of Equity Realty, said landscaping is important for first impressions. It also can offer a more inviting atmosphere for employees who go to work in buildings with gardens and decorative landscaping. 

Hatfield has often advised sellers and landlords to invest in landscaping when looking to lure tenants or buyers.

“That curb appeal is huge,” she said. “It’s essential to get the best rents in the market.”