People often ask what they need to do to their house before listing it for sale. Or maybe they know they should clean up the clutter and repaint that hot pink bedroom a nice neutral, but they aren’t sure about the exterior. How much does it really matter if your shutters are painted and your yard is landscaped? Is it worth the effort it takes to boost your home’s curb appeal?
As a real estate agent, I promise…it matters a lot!! I’ve rounded up some interesting statistics, along with some great resources for how to make your house look its best so it sells fast!
Hug a tree!
Tree cover can increase the value of your home up to 9%, and a single tree up to 2%. Of course you can’t go out and plant a giant shade tree a week before selling your home, but if you just moved into a house on a bare lot, it’s probably worth the investment of planting some trees. On the other hand, if you live in a jungle of overgrown bushes, you should probably pull out the weed whacker. Too much vegetation can bring your price down.
People want to retire in the shade.
One group of researchers found that the more people over 65 lived in a neighborhood, the larger the positive impact of trees on home values. In other words, older people were more willing to pay a premium for tree cover. While this may not affect your landscaping choices, it could affect the price you’re able to fetch for your shady yard.
Don’t ignore the house itself.
Landscaping and the house’s exterior add almost equally to a house’s value. A little paint can go a long way!
Good hedges make good neighbors.
One study found that you could see a 4% increase in value simply by having a landscaped wall or a hedge on a property. This is likely in part because of the visual appeal a feature like this adds, but also because of the additional privacy a wall or hedge affords, particularly if your lot is small and your neighbor’s house is close.
Create outdoor living spaces.
Patios added over 12% to a home’s value according to one study. While this may not be an easy one-day DIY project, adding an attractive outdoor living area is something you can undertake on your own if you’re ambitious.
For more on how to improve your curb appeal and get the most money for your home:
- Landscaping Tips to Sell Your Home from us here at Hunter Rowe Real Estate
- Five Ways to Create Curb Appeal and Increase Home Values from Southern Hospitality Blog
- Inexpensive Ways to Add Curb Appeal When Selling a Home from Bill Gassett, Real Estate Agent
- Ways to Add Curb Appeal from Better Homes and Gardens
- Budget Friendly Curb Appeal Ideas from Remodelaholic
For more local and real estate articles, visit my personal blog at mattminordurham.com. And check out my Curb Appeal board on Pinterest! I’m always adding new ideas and inspiration!
