First impressions are always very important when it comes to selling your home, and for buyers when they stop by at an open house to view your home. So, what are some things that we tend to look at as we prepare to sell our property? Cleaning the interior, maybe rearranging furniture to hide a blemish or brighten up the space a bit. Possibly adding some fresh paint to make a room or space feel cozier or more welcoming? Any way you put it, there is a lot to do from when we put our property on the market to when we close with a buyer, and one very important area that is often, ironically, overlooked is the landscaping we have chosen to tout as the literal first piece of our home that will be seen and immediately draw the eye.

Strong landscape design can add up to 20% to your properties value, so it’s really no surprise that having a poor exterior can have an opposite effect. While you prepare to sell your home, it is crucial to consider features that may have a negative effect on potential buyers as, “poor planning, bad material choices, or lack of a cohesive project and direction can all negatively impact you home” landscape architect Gregg Spadaro of LAND Identity says. “Approaching Landscaping without a plan is like building something from Ikea without and instruction manual,” he states.

Continue reading as we will look at many differing factors and considerations that will ultimately help you create a seamless landscaping plan that will in turn maximize your selling potential.

 

Weeds and overgrowth

Seems pretty simple, but weeds are consistently overlooked when posting a property for sale. In a recent report published by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 99% of their contributing members said that they believe curb appeal is essential when trying to attract potential buyers.Overgrown grass, weeds, shrubbery, and trees can absolutely negatively impact a potential buyers first impression and overall interest. Additionally to the NAR report, standard lawn-care services and landscape maintenance took the top two spots for most important investments to make when preparing to list your property for resale, including simple items like pruning, mowing and annual mulch application.

Sloping yards

A home thats located on a hill or a sloping yard can deter some potential buyers, specifically buyers with young families as they are looking for room for their children to play. Although it can become quite expensive very quickly, it is recommended that a retaining wall or something of the sort be built to create a level space in the backyard that can be utilized by families and friends. Something else to consider if your property has a sloping backyard, especially one that slopes towards the house, is erosion. If the hill is behind your home, installing drainage or stormwater management is paramount to the successful sale of your house!

Failing deck or patio

Having a nice deck or patio will definitely lead to a higher turnout of potential buyers, however it can also go tragically wrong. Rotting or broken wood on the deck can make it not only extremely unattractive, but can also be a safety hazard. Improper sealing and waterproofing can result in rot, which may later cause mold and in turn pose issues during inspection. Cracked concrete, or uneven surfaces can be a tripping hazard and an eyesore, especially if weeds start popping up between the cracks. A strong and durable option to traditional wood decks is to use composite or PVC decking. Weather resistant, easy to clean, and basically maintenance free, these decking materials are budget friendly and will never splinter. warp or rot, making them a great choice for the longevity of your deck!

Non-cohesive design

Although landscaping can quickly get out of control and expensive, hiring an experienced landscaping company or designer is going to be a crucial step for any property, no matter the size and acreage. While it may seem cheaper to just complete landscape projects in a piecemeal pattern, it is much more cost effective to get with a professional designer and come to a conclusion on the aesthetics of your landscaping before pulling the trigger. Working on landscaping in a here-and-there fashion can potentially lead to a disjointed and confused layout that will be vastly unappealing to potential buyers, as it is generally accepted by professional landscape architects that not having a cohesive landscaping design and master plan is the biggest mistake a homeowner can make.

Koi ponds

As attractive as water features can be, as well as assisting in making a property stand out from the pack, Koi ponds can actually have an adverse effect. Koi ponds are expensive to maintain and will undoubtedly require continuous maintenance or else will eventually become an eyesore of algae. Landscape designers and architects all agree that while water features can add a touch of flair to a backyard retreat, they should be kept simple. Best bet, and the most budget friendly option, is to go with a pond-less water feature like a fountain to add soothing sounds, or to mask and camouflage the sound of a nearby roadway.

Big budget features

Not only will these be expensive, but will undoubtedly lower the appeal of your home as big custom projects are going to be attractive just to a select niche group of people. So, instead of going all out with a pizza oven, master-chef quality backyard grill and fancy design work, use that money for more universal projects that will appeal to a larger group of potential buyers.

Seasonal plants

When is the best time to post your home to the market? Most sellers end up putting their property on the market in spring when their yards and gardens are in full bloom. Be aware though, that there is no telling how long your property will remain on the market so as opposed to spending time and valuable dollars on seasonal flowers, ask your local florist about select year-round plants that will inevitably lead to better curb appeal as the seasons change.

 

As you begin your journey in selling your home, remember you always have knowledgeable Realtors and a concierge-like service waiting to assist you along the way, by calling Vertex Realty Partners at (970) 367-4788. Or, feel free to stop on by our offices located at:

601 Main St.

Grand Junction, CO 81501