What’s the ideal spend on landscaping for maximum ROI
By Carson Arthur
The question of the day is how much does landscaping really impact the value of your home?
With real estate being so in demand these days, front yards have been getting more attention by realtors and housing experts because of first-impression numbers. Several online sources place the value of curb appeal and a home’s first impression between 5-8% of the home’s worth.
Whether you’re having guests over for dinner or trying to impress potential buyers, people naturally start forming an opinion of your home from the moment they see it. That said, you only get one chance to make a first impression. For years we were told that first impressions were made at the front door or at the front hallway, but it actually starts way before guests step onto your porch for some visitors.
To make it simple, think about your property like a 3-course meal:
The appetizer
The front yard is your appetizer. It sets the stage for the dinner and hopefully leaves your guests anticipating more.
The Main Course
The house is definitely the meat and potatoes of your property. It is the substance of the meal.
The Dessert
Finally, the backyard is the dessert course and finishes up the space.
Pulling it all together
When it comes to sprucing up your landscaping, items like shade trees and front walkways contribute to higher returns, as do front porches and sitting areas.
Plants and gardens are also important to the overall appeal, but too many flowers in the front yard can intimidate buyers looking for low-maintenance homes.
As my general rule, try to keep the front yard landscaping at 7% of a homeowner’s renovation budget.
You also need to consider the return on investment for your outdoor renovation. According to several online sources, landscaping in the front yard not only has an immediate ROI, it also increases in value over time as plants, trees and shrubs continue to grow! Many online sources cite landscaping as the only renovation that can double in value every ten years, making it better than even many monetary investment portfolios.
Even in a booming real estate market, making the most of your front yard is the best way to get guests (and potential buyers) smiling before they even walk through the front door.
So, what is your yard saying about you? Is it time to make a change? Landscaping the front of your house is not only a secure investment, it’s the best way to make a fantastic first impression.
