Ideas on Beautifying Your Property . . .

Elevate Your Exterior And Increase Your Home’s Value

If you are planning to take advantage of today’s sellers market, you’re in luck. Homes are more in-demand than ever, and you can squeeze every last drop of value out of your property by simply prioritizing your outdoor spaces. Keep reading as today’s Bite-Sized Gardens blog shares a bit of advice.

Start with an evaluation.

Before you can decide what to do, you have to know what needs to be done. Even though you live in your house, you probably don’t walk around the entire exterior that often. Take a few minutes to actually walk your property. Start at the mailbox – flowers around the mailbox are a great first project – and make your way to the very end of the backyard. Look at the quality of your grass. Is it green and lush? Are there bare or brown spots left by your pets? 

Tidy it up.

No matter how well you tend your yard, you will probably find at least a few opportunities to tidy up. This might be something as simple as trimming the shrubs or mulching the flower beds. Or, you may find that a coat of paint is needed on the front door. Small updates such as these are easy to handle on your own and will pay off when it’s time to put your home on the market.

Go for native plants.

One of the most important things you can do when it’s time to look into landscaping is to invest in native plants. Low growing succulents, such as sedum, are a beautiful and low-maintenance option that will also serve to attract bees. There are many types of plants that grow naturally throughout the state that will make an exceptional addition to your lawn. Garden Design lists the canyon snow Iris, California Bush sunflower, shrubby monkeyflower, and hummingbird sage among these.

Plant trees.
Aside from increasing property values, there are many reasons that you should consider adding one or more trees to your property. Trees can help slow water runoff and prevent erosion, and they are also a smart way to reduce your energy costs while serving as a buffer for noise pollution, which is important if you live in the city.

Add flower boxes.

If you don’t have much of a lawn, but you would like to add color, flower boxes are the answer. You can make these on your own or buy them pre designed at your local hardware store. Keep in mind that flower boxes are essentially raised gardens, and you will need to water them more often than flowers grown in the ground.

Pressure wash hardscape features.

Hardscapes are the features of your exterior design that are made of things like rock, brick, and cement. Make a point to keep these clean when your home is on the market. One of the quickest and most efficient ways to remove dirt and grime build-up on the surfaces is to pressure wash them. If they are heavily soiled, TipTop Home Pros recommends using an environmentally-friendly detergent and then using sweeping back and forth motions.

Your home’s value is not determined merely by the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you have on the listing. It is also influenced by the perception that it is well cared for. Buyers do not want to move into a home that they think has been neglected. And, considering that your curb appeal is their first impression, it makes sense to prioritize your landscape. It isn’t difficult, and simple steps, such as planting native flowers and cleaning the walkway, will make a huge difference at listing time.