Curb appeal may very well be one of the most important aspects of a home to spruce up when selling. Why is this, you ask? First impressions. Whether it be an open house or an individual showing, the outside of a house is the first thing a homebuyer physically sees. And it’s their first impression of your home. First impressions set the pace of a showing. If the landscaping is lacking or nonexistent and the homebuyer is not excited to be viewing your home then it could leave them with a less than favorable impression, all before they step foot inside. If the house is exuding with appeal the homebuyer will be excited and eager to see more. This is not to say that the homebuyer will purchase solely because of the curb appeal. The rest of the home should reflect what made that potential homeowner as excited as when they first pulled up and laid eyes on the house and accompanying land. Here are a few tips to maximize curb appeal: Paint: A fresh paint job lays the foundation of curb appeal. Painting or siding an entire home can be expensive, but painting the front door, porch and stairs can be fairly inexpensive and take only a day or two. Try adding a pop of color to the front door to really make your home stand out from the rest. Mulch: Is there anything better than freshly laid mulch? The smell alone can set the tone at a showing, but it’s the color that brings it home. Try choosing dark colored mulch with a light colored home to really make it stand out. Flowers & Bushes: Who doesn’t like flowers? You really can’t go wrong with any type of flower; they are all beautiful. However, it’s best to choose low maintenance flowers and bushes just incase the next homeowner isn’t looking for extensive yard work. The added color from the flowers and bushes only enhances the amazing curb appeal you will have when you’re done. Lawn & Yard: Maintaining a healthy lawn and clean yard is essential. Burnt or patches of missing grass make the yard look unkempt and not cared for. To ensure bright, green grass invest in a spring clean up of the yard (many landscaping companies offer this service), which includes raking, fertilizing, mowing, etc. Seeding may also be necessary in areas of missing grass. Continue to water and mow throughout the spring, summer and fall for maximum beauty. Lastly, messy yards that include items that pile up over time such as toys, wood, etc. should be tidied up. Curb appeal is not only important when selling a home but also maintaining the value of a home. A house is an investment so make sure to take care of it. Creating and maintaining curb appeal is just one way of caring for your home. Now get to it and good luck!]]>
Installing an Irrigation System to Increase Your Home's Resale Value
One of the most forgotten tips for increasing a home’s resale value is to look into installing an irrigation system. So many people have their property professionally landscaped without realizing how much the selling price of their home will increase by installing a sprinkler system as well. After completing major landscape projects, or improving your lawn by planting grass seed, or laying sod, installing a sprinkler system ensures all your hard work is sustainable. Along with routine maintenance and regular fertilizing, consistent watering is essential to maintain all of your shrubs, flower gardens and lawn. Irrigation systems also help homeowners save time and money when it comes to watering all of these areas. Sprinkler systems really are a great investment. When installed by a professional contractor, the installation is a minimally invasive process. It is possible to install a sprinkler system yourself, however, it is best to go with a professional irrigation system technician when setting up a system for the very first time. Home irrigation systems are installed below the sod and under the gardens to evenly disburse water throughout your yard. The water is carried from the water source, through the pipe system, and out through sprinkler heads that pop up through the ground. The even distribution of water will give you much greener grass and provide a better level of care for your gardens. Regular sprinkler maintenance is a big part of making sure that your system will continue to work properly. Hiring a professional water irrigation company to inspect your system annually will ensure the lines and sprinkler heads remain in top working condition. You can prevent floods from occurring on your lawn or other malfunctions by staying diligent to a care and maintenance program. The increase in value that an irrigation system adds to a home stems from the ease and efficiency it provides in maintaining the upkeep of your yard. Sprinkler systems can be set to come on automatically at the appropriate time of day. When setup correctly an irrigation system will provide excellent results while using the most efficient amount of water. ]]>
Increase Resale Value With Landscaping
Many people would be shocked to realize just how much money they can unlock from their homes by performing some simple landscaping tasks. Enhancing the curb appeal of your home will also help increase its resale value. This can be accomplished by simply getting your hands dirty planting a flower garden or by hiring a professional landscape contractor. The investment put into your yard will be reflected in your homes listing price. Landscaped yards with a well groomed appearance, tend to be more appealing to home seekers. Yards with gardens that are uncared for, or property that has been left un-landscaped, can really detract from the look of your home and cause your resale value to take a bit of a nosedive. Taking the time to care for your yard and gardens is indication that you care about your home inside and out. An obviously well maintained yard will most definitely attract potential buyers. In order to inspire a potential home buyer to make an appointment to view your home, you need to have them like what they see on the outside first. Working on the exterior of your home and making sure that your yard is well kept will only work to your advantage. Your home needs to stand out, especially if it’s facing other competition in your neighborhood. With just a little weekly maintenance you can keep your property looking great. A professional landscape contractor can also be hired to regularly cut your lawn, trim your shrubbery, and tend to your flower gardens. When taking on a landscape project, you should consider how long before you plan to sell your home and recapture your investment. If you aren’t planning on selling for five or more years, putting in a vegetable garden or planting your favorite perennials would be fine. These projects would benefit your family and make your yard more appealing and enjoyable. However, if you are landscaping your property close to the sale, you should just focus on projects that increase the aesthetic appeal of your home. Keep your choice of plants, flowers, and stone work very neutral to attract a wider range of potential buyers. Your main goal is to have your home not only be a house a buyer wants to live in, but also a home your neighbors want to live next to!]]>