The value of your property doesn’t solely depend on how it looks. But visual appeal can certainly add to it. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, houses that are attractive right from the curb sell for an average of 7% more compared to similar homes without the same landscaping. Plus, making your home’s facade more inviting can be advantageous when you want to sell your home fast.
Improving your home’s curb appeal isn’t just going to be about updating the landscaping though (although that’s part of it). The updates you do to your front yard have to complement your house. And you have to be selective about what to do so that you don’t end up spending too much on the renovation. Take a look at our expert curb appeal enhancement and home selling tips below.
- First, clean up!
Are there dying shrubs and broken planters in the garden? Are the windows dusty or infested with critters? Do the walls and pathways look grimy? Start with cleaning these and other outside areas before doing anything else. Consider power washing surfaces that need it. These basic clean-ups can already dramatically improve your curb appeal.
- Consider giving your facade a fresh coat of paint.
After cleaning, assess your home’s exterior and decide whether a paint job would improve it or if you need to make repairs to the siding. It can be a little costly, but it will make a big impact on any potential buyer’s perception of your property.
- Trim, weed, replant.
Trim the grasses and shrubs and take care of or replace plants that aren’t thriving. Don’t forget to remove weeds. While you’re at it, think about whether or not your current landscaping is desert-friendly. If it isn’t, then perhaps it’s time to make the change.
Summers can get really hot in Arizona and you want plants that are desert adapted and can survive the heat. There are many great native plant species that look spectacular and are low maintenance as well. Check out this helpful guide from the Arizona Native Plant Society.
If you want blooms to be visible throughout the year, consider planting a variety of desert wildflowers. The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum has more information on the different flowering seasons here.
- Consider the hardscaping, too.
Do the paths or steps need to be touched up? Will adding decorative rocks, desert plant beds, or even outdoor seating make the front yard more inviting? Not all these fixes will be cheap, but they’re a good investment. This is especially true if cracked sidewalks or pathways could be safety hazards. Together with updates to the greenery, proper hardscaping will help make your property stand out.
- Don’t forget the watering system.
Aside from correcting any water damage, make sure you fix leaky faucets and faulty irrigation systems. And, here’s a bonus tip: When your house is about to be shown to buyers, water your lawn and garden beforehand. This will reinforce the impression that your landscaping is well-maintained.
Keep these landscaping tips in mind if you’re planning to sell your house. Work with an experienced realtor to know all the ways to prepare your home for sale.
Need a real estate agent in Arizona? Our team at Aeris House Properties will be happy to help you with the entire home selling process. Get in touch with us at info(at)aerishouse(dotted)com or call 602.466.9771.