Landscaping can have a huge impact on the feel of a home. Your yard is often the first thing visitors notice. The rear view can enhance the atmosphere of the interior. The question is, how important is curb appeal to increasing your home's value? Is it worth prioritizing part of your home maintenance budget on the outdoors?
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) says professional landscapers can increase a home's resale value by 15 to 20 percent. "High-quality landscaping projects typically have a 20 to 30 percent ROI on the total cost of the home," says Brian McKenzie, landscape designer and co-founder of the garden consulting website bumpercroptimes.com.
However, not all programs deliver on their promises, and some programs have the potential to reduce property values. Where you see beauty, others may also see burden or danger.
Let's dive deeper into when landscaping can lower or increase a home's value, and which projects can give you the best chance to get the most out of your investment.
Does a garden increase the value of a house?
First, a quick refresher on what landscape actually means. Basically, it covers the external area around the residence, both the general design and the individual elements. Soft space refers to living things: flowers and plants, trees, gardens and hedges, and natural landforms (grass, hills, rough rocks). Hard design refers to non-biological, decorative or architectural features and structures such as stairs, paved paths and fountains.
As with interior design, landscaping trends can and do change over time. These days, "improvements to outdoor living spaces are very common, including deck and wall extensions, the addition of fireplaces or fire features, dining areas and covered gazebos or pergolas," says Britt Wood, executive director of the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
However, the popularity of a project does not mean that it adds value that future homeowners are willing to pay. Pergolas, for example, may not be to everyone's taste. Or will that extensive water park require a lot of maintenance (who will feed the fish?)
But, "Virginia Tech horticulturist Alex C. A 2018 Niemiera study found that homes with a good garden have a price advantage of 5.5 percent to 12.7 percent compared to homes without a garden," said Chicago Realtors Chase and Patty Michels noted. Michels Group agency. "That's an extra $16,500 to $38,100 on a $300,000 home.
The most profitable landscaping projects do one of two things: expand living space and/or enhance the beauty of low-maintenance properties.
Which Landscaping Projects Increase Home Values?
Whether hard or soft construction, the following landscaping projects are likely to increase home value when done correctly.
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The deck was the only garden project that appeared in the cost. Remodeling.com's annual values that examine which home improvements offer the best return on investment. Wood planks cost an average of $17,051, covering 50.2 percent of the cost when sold. The ROI of wood veneers has taken a hit in recent years due to rising lumber prices due to the pandemic. But they still outperformed the composite charts, which averaged $23,430, recovering 39.8 percent. (Sheets made from composite materials such as PVC and vinyl can be more expensive but require less maintenance than those made from wood.)
A mature tree
Niemera's research says the first thing buyers look for in landscaping is sophisticated design. "After that it's the size and maturity of the plant," said Michels. This way, you can invest in larger trees and mature vegetables that have a more permanent look for your landscaping project.
The cost of growing trees and shrubs may be higher, but so are the benefits. According to Fixr.com, shrubs cost an average of $25 to $50 to grow, while trees cost $150 to $300. However, you may need fewer trees than shrubs. In addition, trees require less maintenance than shrubs (once established) and provide shade, wind, attraction and a safe habitat for birds and squirrels.
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping—the use of drought-tolerant plants and features that require little or no water—may be one of the most expensive landscaping projects of the future, but as climate change shocks the earth with warmer temperatures, it's becoming increasingly popular. . ASLA reports that members have seen a 10 percent increase in customer demand for drought-tolerant products.
Fixr.com says the average day project costs $16,000 to $18,000. However, switching from a water-intensive landscape to an open-water or low-water landscape may be the smartest decision now and in the long run, as you consider the maintenance costs associated with traditional accompanying landscaping, eliminate. This can add up to 10-12 percent of the property's value, some real estate websites report.
Brian Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, a website that connects herb consumers and professionals, sees the priority of landscape over water. He advises clients to "save money on garden maintenance by installing river stones in gardens and yards." While rock gardening may seem like a project better suited to a desert landscape, Clayton says he's seeing fewer customers, even in cooler regions. "People are tired of wasting money year after year on mulch, straw or other organic material to plant in the garden," he explained.
Other ways to integrate water or drought landscapes include:
— Integrate more low-water plants in the garden
-Automatic irrigation is planned for early morning or evening
— Stronger construction by using stones or paving to reduce the size of the turf
- replacement of mulch with stones or gravel
Spray system
Not ready for a rock garden? If you want to keep it green, a sprinkler system will help you use water more efficiently and of course make your lawn easier. According to Angie, upfront fees can set you back anywhere from $1,600 to $10,000, and the average entry fee is more than $2,500. Lawn size is the biggest variable when it comes to the cost of installing a new system.
Sprinkler systems also have a high ROI. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Innovation Impact Report; exterior features by 2023, sprinkler/irrigation systems have an 83 percent return on investment. It also earned a homeowner "satisfaction score" of 9.4 out of 10.
Landscape lighting
Landscape lighting makes it more possible to be in your garden after dark. While many homeowners value aesthetics alone, this type of renovation also increases safety and security. According to a 2023 NAR study, these types of facilities offer a 59 percent return on investment. Fixr averages $3,500 to $4,500 for outdoor lighting.
Lawn and garden maintenance
Simple maintenance of your lawn and landscape can also pay off. Annual applications of mowing, mowing and mulching provide a 104 percent ROI, according to NAR, and nearly two-thirds of realtors recommend landscaping this way before selling their property. For a 2,835-square-foot lot, the NAR estimates $4,800 per year.
Which Landscaping Projects Are Worth It?
In general, garden designs that are "too special" can turn off most buyers. An Asian Zen garden or cactus garden ideas outside of the Southwest don't appeal to everyone. Furthermore, as the Michels explain, "large innovations tend to be less profitable than small projects." Investing in smaller exterior renovations will be money better spent.
Updates can fail in other ways. For example, some landscaping projects can be high maintenance or extremely expensive to maintain. Lush green lawns can be attractive in many areas, but are impractical in dry areas due to high water requirements. In addition, the grass must be constantly cared for: mowing, planting and aerating.
Other landscaping projects that may decrease in value due to the complexity or cost of maintenance include:
- Swimming pools. they can be considered a safety hazard and in many cities require fences and additional security measures.
— Swimming pools, waterfalls and other water bodies. Like swimming pools, they can pose safety concerns for small children and pets. It may also require ongoing maintenance.
— Characteristics of luxury. a complex building such as an outdoor kitchen or tennis court may be counterproductive if the additional cost is significant enough to increase the value of the home relative to the surrounding amenities.
Landscaping tips
ASLA recommends keeping exterior renovations and landscaping costs to 10 to 20 percent of your home's current value. However, you can spend less and earn significant returns. Consider the following tips when deciding which type of exterior renovation will give you the most value:
- Take it with a smile. The most effective landscaping ideas are sometimes the simplest, such as a clean, tidy yard or an inexpensive trellis with flowering vines. Some annuals can add color anywhere.
- Less is more. Keep the landscape plan general enough for everyone to understand. Not to spoil your style, but you should avoid too personal (and usually too expensive) or trendy design ideas.
- Added lighting. You can find inexpensive landscape lights that you can install yourself at home improvement stores. The solar powered version requires no special cables. Even the small touch of adding floodlights to add drama to your landscape can have a big impact.
-The responsibility you have to do. Always check landscaping costs and compare different materials and service providers to find the best price.
— Work with your local daycare center. While a professional gardener can provide well-designed plans, their fees can eat up a large portion of your budget. Many nurseries offer free or low-cost landscaping ideas when you purchase plants and supplies.
A final word on landscaping and home values
Landscaping trends may change over time, but the most financially rewarding projects tend to stay the same;
As with all home improvement projects, some landscaping projects add value and some do not. It's probably best to avoid expensive or overly custom designs and keep the overall decor low maintenance so that many people can appreciate it.
