While many homeowners opt to renovate their kitchen or bathroom as a means to boost their property value, what role does landscaping have to play in this arena?
Once you’ve made the decision to sell your abode, there’s usually a few key processes that homeowners stick to as a means to boost the final sale price of the property in question. While fresh coats of paint, good lighting and attractive kitchens are all classic staples of increasing a property’s value, many people tend to forget about the exterior of their homes.
The simple fact of the matter is that if your interior is immaculate but the outdoor section didn’t get the same love, then any renovation efforts aren’t going to have quite the same level of impact that they should. In a perfect world, your garden or outdoor area shouldn’t require too much maintenance for potential buyers, but still be warm and inviting.
However, before you head to Bunnings to shop for new plants and pavers, exactly how much can good landscaping add to a property’s overall value, and is the effort truly worth it?
Five Hacks For Boosting Property Value With Landscaping
If your block and house looks neat and tidy from the street, it is likely to benefit the overall property valuation of the abode in question. Ultimately, this is the first impression that potential buyers receive from your home, and the same goes for potential property valuers.
According to landscape economist John Harris, good landscaping efforts can add up to 28% to your home’s overall value. In addition, a research paper published by Clemson University Professor Mark S. Henry indicated that taking your home’s landscaping and gardening efforts from “good” to “great” could add a boost to your home’s value anywhere between 6-7% – not bad figures at all if you identify as a seller.
For those considering landscaping as a means to increase their final sale price figure, the good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to do so. Just like any renovation, it’s important to make a well thought out budget, and to stick to it. Thankfully, there are plenty of low cost landscaping measures that can add value to just about any domestic property.
Top Notch Grass – A healthy lawn is one of the most important factors of appealing to the emotional logic of a buyer. They need to be able to envision themselves enjoying the outdoor areas of the property, so consider investing in new turf if you want to do so. In fact, couch grass roll can be purchased for as little as $6 per square metre from most landscaping outlets.
Embrace Mulch – If you already have an established garden on your property, consider adding mulch as a means to keep it looking neat and tidy. Not only does this compound help protect your garden against weeds, but it also helps to retain moisture and can act as a green flag for potential buyers looking for low maintenance green spaces.
Indoor Outdoor Living – The Australian landscape means that many buyers specifically look for landscape design that includes a balcony, verandah or patio that seamlessly transitions into the home’s kitchen or lounge room. Not only is it great for entertaining, but these types of features can also blur the lines and make a home feel bigger.
Screening Plants – Depending on where your home is in Australia will determine the species of screening plants suitable for hedges. If you’re adding a hedge for privacy purposes, aim for plants that will grow in most Australian conditions and require minimal care, pruning, grow to roughly fence height and look great year round.
Fire Pits – Although this will depend on your local council rules and regulations, adding a firepit to your backyard or garden area is an affordable way to encourage outdoor living and entertainment. This is particularly relevant considering that we are heating into the winter months, when many people feel they are forced to retreat indoors.
As a general rule, aim to avoid any form of artificial turf or plants that require extensive maintenance. Swimming pools and tennis courts have long been regarded as expensive landscaping duds, so avoid adding these features unless your property already has them present in the design.
Should you be looking to sell your home or purchase a new one, enlisting the services of a free property advisor like ESPA can often be a game changer. As an example, your advisor would likely research the property, local agents, check the zoning, evaluate market conditions, and communicate clearly with you regarding all of your options – but where do you find one?
Take The Stress Out Of Selling Property
As a completely free service, Emergency Services Property Advisors provide property advisor services to Police, Fire, Ambulance and S.E.S personnel and their families right across Victoria.
Luke and the team at ESPA are passionate about providing support to some of Australia’s most valued public servants. Along with key industry insights, ESPA also works with a broad range of service providers linked to the real estate industry such as conveyancers, trades, legal practitioners and mortgage brokers.
If you are an emergency services worker looking to potentially buy or sell property in the future, please get in touch with Emergency Services Property Advisors today to discuss how we can turn your real estate dreams into reality, or call Luke directly on 0414 757 705.