Looking to do some remodelling and transform your property into a gorgeous piece of real estate? Or, are you planning to sell your beloved home soon, and are eager to find buyers willing to pay a good price for your property?

Here are the reasons why you should invest in landscaping, and how you can do it:

It sets a good first impression

Well, you know what they say. First impressions matter. Your home’s curb appeal (or lack thereof) can spell the difference between a potential buyer just driving by, and actually stopping to look around. And, how can you convince them to buy your home if they are just driving past and never looking back?

Think of it this way- your home’s exterior and interior design and architecture can go out of style at any given time, but with landscaping? Plants, trees, shrubs, and luscious flower beds just keep on growing and blooming as years pass by.

Of course, that is to say, you are taking care of them. And, that’s just the thing. How lovely your lawn and backyard looks like translates to the amount of care, time, effort, and money you’ve spent on your property, and your potential buyers can see that.

And, even if you are not putting up your home in the real estate market, who doesn’t love a pretty looking facade? Either way, a good landscaping not just looks pretty, but also serves as a good investment.

It adds value to your property

So, just how much value does landscaping add to your home?

The answer to this actually varies greatly, depending on who you ask. The most conservative figure we found was around 5%, which is an easy $10,000 or so on a $200,000 home, while the average seems to be somewhere between 10 to 15%.

This is just talking about the added property value, but in terms of return on investment, that’s a different thing altogether. Say, you spend a thousand bucks on your home landscaping project. Who knows, you may get an easy 10 to 100,000 dollars back once you sell your property.

Whichever the case, the money you need for landscaping is really small as compared to how much you can get in return, and that’s just talking about the monetary value of landscaping. Having a beautiful, functional outdoor space with lots of greenery does a lot for you, too.

What the buyers are looking for

Ultimately, when it comes to landscaping, everyone wants a beautiful, seamless, and coherent appearance, rather than an unorganized mess. This is why planning is important.

There is also the factor of plant size and maturity. Mature gardens not only look better, but they serve as a more credible testament to your care and effort on your home, as opposed to a freshly planted one.

If your garden is regularly trimmed, shows diversity, and gives off beautiful vibrant colors and lovely blooms, then you are well on your way to a top notch landscape.

How to landscape on a budget

The least expensive but most important thing you can do for your property is to keep things neat and tidy. You wouldn’t want to give off the impression that your lawn is unkempt and not taken care of.

Mow your lawn, cut the grass, trim your hedges, prune the plants, pick up clutter and debris, edge your driveway, remove weeds, and even invest in a bit of power washing for your driveway, patio, and other hardscapes.

If you have a bit of cash to spare, a nice paint job on your hardscapes and front door can certainly be beneficial.

Some things you can add to beautify your property without breaking the bank are some nice potted plants, as well as pretty but functional lighting.

Landscaping tips: 

• Match the landscape design to your home’s architecture and the layout of the surrounding area
• Don’t go all out- aim for something beautiful but low maintenance
• Go for something that looks good all year round
• Focus on the pathways, and don’t forget your front lawn
• Go for privacy without sacrificing ambience
• Don’t forget the irrigation system