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

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.

Articles

• Landscaping To Sell
  by Lifestyle Landscapes
  November 2005
  Discusses the importance of sights, smells and sounds in your outdoor space when attracting potential home buyers.
  
• Renovating A House For Profit? First Eliminate the “Yikes”!
  by Holden Lewis
  May 3, 2005
  Advises homeowners preparing for sale to focus on what can be seen and stresses the importance of the home’s exterior. The point is made that potential buyers will not even get out of the car to view a home without curb appeal so interior improvements may never even be seen.
  
• How Does Your Garden Grow? Not all landscape projects pay off.
  by Leslie Land, additional reporting by Maya Jackson
  May 1, 2003
  Points out that the front yard makeover yields the highest return on investment.