Seeing Green
Ask any real estate agent, and they'll confirm that curb appeal is key when selling a home. In fact, a study by Virginia Tech found that high-quality landscaping significantly increased a home’s perceived value. Experienced gardeners can save money by doing work themselves to beautify their indoor and outdoor spaces before listing their homes on the market. So, what are the best ways to boost your home’s value and secure a buyer? Read on to learn more about how your green thumb can help you sell your house.
Related: 5 Small Home Improvements That Can Help Cultivate a Green Tumb
Raised Garden Beds
Raised bed gardening has a number of advantages. It results in fewer weeds, improved drainage, and a longer growing season due to warmer soil temperatures. Beginner gardeners might, however, be overwhelmed at the idea of building and filling raised beds themselves. Your established raised bed garden gives potential buyers a head start, whether it’s filled with pretty ornamentals or tasty vegetables.
Indoor Houseplants
When putting a home on the market, one of the first rules is to transform the space into a blank canvas for potential buyers by removing personal items and other knick-knacks. Unfortunately, however, the end result might look bland and lifeless. That’s where your houseplants get their moment to shine. Houseplants quite literally breathe life into a home and make a space feel more natural and lived in without distracting buyers.
An Herb Garden
Many home cooks dream of being able to grab fresh basil for a Caprese salad or mint for a mojito from their very own herb garden. The problem is that unless you have a green thumb, growing herbs can be intimidating. If your herb garden is already thriving, potential buyers will be able to easily imagine themselves living in a pastoral fantasy where zesty herbs are at their fingertips at all times. Beginners can choose a few annual, easy-care herbs for their season and area, placing them in patio containers or indoors in a sunny spot.
Related: Add a Little Spice to Your Life with a Culinary Herb Garden
Mature Trees
If you’ve been in your home for many years and had the foresight to plant trees on your property, you’re in luck. Not only do trees clean the air and provide a natural cooling effect, they also positively impact your home’s value. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that having mature trees on a property can boost its value by 10 percent.
Related: 8 Landscaping Features That Buyers Love
Pops of Color
When it comes time to put your house on the market, one easy and affordable way to perk up your landscaping is by planting some colorful annuals in the garden. Create visual interest by filling window boxes with begonias, geraniums, petunias, or zinnias and consider using impatiens or marigolds to fill in flower beds. These easy-care annuals can add instant curb appeal that will look great in real estate photographs and will make a great first impression at open houses and showings.
Perfectly Pruned Trees
For maximum curb appeal, make sure your trees and shrubs are in top shape before listing. Maintain them ahead of time, and trim and prune them to create a manicured look by removing any dead twigs or branches. Ensure hedges have a uniform height of between 6 and 8 feet to offer privacy, which potential buyers appreciate.
Related: 6 Fast-Growing Shade Trees
A Composter
In recent years, composting has become a mainstream practice, with many cities offering compost pickup along with trash and recycling. Transforming your kitchen scraps into a nutrient-rich soil additive is easy with a backyard composter. Having a compost bin on your property might be seen as a perk for buyers who are looking to try out a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Gardening Storage
Attract fellow green thumbs—or aspiring gardeners—by showing off your garden storage. Whether you have a well-organized potting shed, corner of the garage, or the perfect spot for a potting bench, show buyers that your home has plenty of room for all their gardening needs. Make sure your tools, potting materials, and additional supplies are tidy and in place before any showings.
Related: 7 Reasons a Shed Belongs in Every Yard
Identify Your Plants
Though you might have an encyclopedic knowledge of every tree, shrub, and flower on your property, potential buyers can be overwhelmed if they’re not practiced horticulturists. It’s a good idea to create subtle labels for your flora so that buyers can research proper care guidelines. If you want to go the extra mile, consider compiling the care instructions yourself to share with the new homeowners.
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