Landscaping to Increase Curb Appeal

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Spending just $400 to $500 (for do-it-yourselfers) on fresh landscaping, for example, can boost your home’s curb appeal and value by $1,600 to $1,800, according to a survey of real estate agents conducted by HomeGain, an Internet real estate service.

 

CLEANUP YOUR LANDSCAPE

  • PRUNING – Reign in those unruly shrubs that are hiding your house
  • MOWING AND EDGING – Mow your lawn or hire a mowing service every week during the active growing season.  And include edging the grass along curbs, walkways, patios, and bedlines.
  • PLANTED SPACES – Keep your planted spaces clean.  Keep these areas weeded and cleared of leaves.
  • MULCH – Fresh and clean mulch for areas that are planted or are bare ground is essential for curb appeal.
  • ROOF AND GUTTERS – It also helps to keep the roof and gutters cleared of leaves, pine needles, extra

 

ADDITION OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS FOR CURB APPEAL

  • FLOWERS – Plant annual flowers for each season in existing flower beds, or create new flower beds at key locations such as the mailbox, beginning of sidewalk, and/or close to the front door.  For the backyard, containers of flowers on patio and decks can add to the overall look.
  • SHRUBS – If there are empty spaces in the front where plants have died, replace them with plants close to the size of existing ones around them.  Replace diseased or otherwise sad-looking shrubs.
  • TREES – Remove dead limbs from trees (or have a tree service do it).  It also looks better and cleaner to remove short lower limbs on large trees in the yard.

 

GENERAL FALL LANDSCAPE TIPS:

  • PLANTING – Fall is the best time to plant trees and hardy shrubs
  • BULBS – November is best for planting bulbs that will bloom in late winter to early spring.
  • LEAVES – Keep leaves cleared off your lawns; especially if you have newly seeded fescue.  Invest in a blower – it really makes quick work of leaf removal.
  • MULCH – After the leaves have mostly fallen, it is important to check the mulched area.  If the mulch is thin or has disappeared from an area, add some mulch.  It will protect the roots of the plants and trees from extreme soil temperature changes over the winter.  Mulch also helps to conserve moisture and get down on weeds.