Our Insight
Curb Appeal and the Lockbox Impression
Based on our research, input from realtors and personal experience,
I feel strongly that a thoughtfully designed landscape will help a
house sell significantly faster. A home's front yard is the
first impression made on a potential buyer. A well designed and
installed landscape can lure a prospect out of the car to view what
else the home has to offer. Upgrades and home improvements made
inside the home may never have the opportunity to showcase
themselves if prospects are turned off by a lack of curb appeal. A
beautiful outdoor space can also help set the stage for the rest of
the tour. In the time a perspective homebuyer spends waiting for
the realtor to open the front door ( referred to as the "lockbox
impression") they are taking in the sights and sounds of the home
and forming an impression that will stay with them as the view the
rest of the home.
The Emotion of Home
 Beyond
numbers, buying a home is based on emotion. We have seen the
dramatic impact that transforming an eyesore into a beautiful space
has had on our clients. Coming home to a welcoming garden after a
long day puts you in a more relaxed state of mind. Potential buyers
recognize the importance of a feeling of "home" when shopping for a
new house. When deciding between several different homes, this type
of emotional appeal bears a lot of weight with buyers.
The Value of Instant Gratification
We have seen a drastic shift in how much yard work people would
like to do. Homeowners are short on time and spending their
weekends on landscape renovation is not an option or a desirable
hobby. If a home already has an attractive outdoor space that is
easy to maintain, this is very appealing to potential buyers. In
today's fast paced world, instant gratification is greatly
appreciated, and buyers are willing to pay more for it.
Not A One Size Fits All Solution
There are many factors involved in determining what type of
landscaping renovation project makes sense for you. Preparing a
home's outdoor space for sale is very different from creating
the private oasis of your dreams. An elaborate water feature with a
15 foot cascading waterfall may not recoup a 150% return on
investment but if you plan to be in your home for years to come the
enjoyment derived from this investment substantiates the cost.
Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces are very hot right how. Beyond the
improved quality of life, this type of investment makes a lot of
sense from a dollar standpoint. In a modest neighborhood however,
buyers may not be willing to pay more for this type of amenity.
Every client's situation is different, and we do our best to
help homeowners decide what makes the most sense for them.
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Statistics
- Homes with excellent landscaping can expect a sale price of
about 6-7% higher than equivalent houses with good landscaping,
while improving landscaping from average to good can result in a
4-5% increase.
Clemson University
By spending 5% of the value of your home on the installation of a
quality low-maintenance landscape, you could boost the resale value
by 15%, earning back 150% or more of your landscape investment.
SmartMoney Magazine March 2003
- Landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100-200% at selling
time. Kitchen remodeling brings 75-125% recovery rate, bathroom
remodeling a 20-120% recovery rate and addition of swimming pool a
20-50% recovery rate.
Money Magazine
- 95% of the members of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers say
landscaping adds to property value, while 99% agree landscaping
increases speed of home sales.
Society of Real Estate Appraisers Study 2003
- As an investment, landscaping can increase the value of your
property by as much as 20% if done well.
This Old House Magazine April 2003
- According to a joint study by Clemson University and the
University of Maryland, potential home buyers will pay up to 11.3
percent above the asking price for homes with thoughtfully-designed
landscaping.
Mid Valley Sunday Corvallis, OR April 2003
- Landscaping can add between 7-15% to a home's value.
The Gallup Organization
In one study, 99% of real estate appraisers concluded that
landscape enhances the sales appeal of real estate.
Trendnomics, National Gardening Association
- Homes with nice landscaping are likely to see sale prices that
are 4 to 5% percent higher compared to similar properties in the
neighborhood, according to the Guide for Plant Appraisal, published
by the International Society of Arboriculture. Homes with
landscapes that are not as nice as others in the neighborhood could
see sales prices that are 8 to 10% lower. Eighty-four percent of
the real estate agents interviewed for the study said a house with
trees would be as much as 20% more salable than a house without
trees.
Baltimore Sun April 2003
- Freshening up your yard makes homes sell faster. The best
result was a 76% estimated “profit” for the homeowner,
an $8,400 increased selling price after a $4,700 landscaping
project.
University of Florida Study
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Landscaping