Landscaping for Curb Appeal
There are many views on whether landscaped gardens increase property values and as a landscape designer, I have this discussion with clients and the general public on a daily basis.
Think about this. Your garden is the first aspect of your property that potential buyers or visitors see well before entering your home. It provides them with clues on how the rest of your property may be viewed and received. Investing in your outdoor space provides opportunities to extend your living area outside and have it inclusively part of your living environment. You may invest a lot of money into the development of your home, it is just as important to have the same vision and opportunity for your outdoor space. Understandably, money and the feeling of being overwhelming with such a project can discourage most people.
Just as you would invest in a builder to produce a beautiful home, this should also be complimented with the investment of a landscape designer. Investing in a landscape designer can sometimes be seen as a luxury, however a well landscaped home has significant advantages and is a smart decision which pays dividends in terms of one’s lifestyle and the all-important increase in property value.
If we look at the investment side and not simply the enjoyment factor that an outdoor space offers; creating an appealing garden allows buyers to imagine what it would be like to live in that garden space which at the end of the day, ticks another emotional box.
There are many views on the dollar value landscaping can add to a home, some say tens of thousands, others offer larger percentages again, but no matter what the dollar value, it is one of the few home improvements you can do that will not only add value immediately but will also increase in value over time. A smart, sophisticated and coherently design garden will always have significant price advantages over a home without any landscaping.
So what are your options? Be smart and invest time and effort into your garden space through functionality and low maintenance design. An effective and profitable garden design should always be coherent and beautiful. If you are thinking of resale value when designing your garden, consider the size, maturity and diversity of your plantings. A landscape full of large and mature plants that are well positioned and maintained, signals to buyers that the garden has been carefully tended to over the years, which again, is a good indication that care has been taken inside of the property also.
Other elements include outdoor lighting which is a fantastic way of bringing life to your garden at night, highlighting the focal points in your garden. Complementing the house is a must; design in harmony with the architecture of your home. Functionality is just as important, especially in reference to safe and negotiable pathways.
First impressions are everything and although it may not seem evident initially, the reasons for beautifying the back and front of your home are actually very different. Your backyard is a space that encourages relaxation and entertainment, the front introduces an opening statement about you and your home.
No matter what your view point is, it is hard to look past the enjoyment and lifestyle benefits that an outdoor space can add to any home environment. Your end result should be an outdoor living retreat that is functional and makes the best possible use of your available space.
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