By Erin McFeeters
The official start of spring is here! If you plan to sell your home, know that curb appeal plays a significant role in the success of a sale. According to the National Association of Realtors® 2018 Remodeling Impact: Outdoor Features report, 99 percent of NAR members believe curb appeal is important in attracting a buyer.
Where should you start?
Ryan Van Gieson, owner of RVG Landscape & Design in Wayne N.J. first recommends planting beds on both sides of the front door and either side of their front walkway or driveway. “[These areas are] always the focal point of any house,” Van Gieson said. “These areas can be boosted with Belgium block edging, pretty flowering perennials that bloom through the season, and unique shrubbery.”
In a survey done on NJ Realtors® Facebook page, a respondent always suggests their clients “Make sure the lawn is mowed and watered, fill any bald spots, clean up front flower beds, and add some color.”
Regular landscape maintenance increases your desire to be home, according to NAR. It can be as simple as planting a few flowers or pruning shrubs already in place. Many different plant varieties are notorious for doing well in New Jersey’s climate and soil, one of the many benefits to living in the Garden State, such as boxwoods, azaleas, dogwoods, cherry trees, maples, and forsythia. “The only trick is to be aware of what plants are eaten by deer and rabbits,” Van Gieson said, “and what may thrive in shade versus direct sunlight.”
NAR ranked landscape maintenance (mulching, lawn mowing, pruning shrubs, and planting flowers) as number one for projects likely to add value to a home for resale in their 2018 Remodeling Impact: Outdoor Features report. The report also outlines the cost estimate from landscape professionals of $3,000 for landscape maintenance, and the percentage of value recovered from the project as 100 percent.
If you’re looking to put their home on the market, Van Geison recommends investing in simple additions that make a home stand out. For a quick curb appeal solution consider low maintenance options such as landscape lighting, perennials, and removing anything overgrown.
Pinterest has a lot to do with the influx of outdoor projects in recent times. Van Gieson said clients show him images from Pinterest daily and explained ‘it’s a great tool. However, clients have to think about the project in terms of how it would work and look on their property.
If you’re looking to upgrade their outdoor space, try these projects.
Patio: This outdoor feature was ranked number four in ‘NAR’s outdoor features report, and they report that 83 percent have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are home since completing their project. There are so many different ways to set up a patio and a multitude of different materials perfect for this project. The best part is landscape contractors can customize patios to any size.
Fire feature: There are many different fire pits available for sale through home improvement warehouses and specialty garden stores. However, they can be costly. Try building a fire pit on your own. Many options would work, such as different verities of bricks and patio stones.
Water feature: If you’re looking for something to make your space more tranquil a waterfall is a perfect fit. ‘They’re “beautiful and affordable unique features that bring out the beauty of a home and create a tranquil feel,” Van Geison said.
Outdoor kitchen: Create the ultimate entertaining space by completing this project. However, only do this project if you’re looking to put a lot of money into your home. ‘NAR’s report lays out that landscape professionals estimate the project to cost $14,000, and a Realtors® estimated cost recovered is $10,000.
Landscape lighting: You can buy different landscape lighting options without breaking the bank, and you will have the opportunity to spend more time outdoors during the evening hours. If you enjoy eating outdoors and spending time outdoors in general, this project could be worth your while.
Wood deck: If you don’t have enough flat ground in their backyard for a patio, a wood or trek deck could be another option. Decks are easy to get carried away with so be sure to create a budget and consider using a contractor to make sure it’s safe.