[Home] Buyers Judge Books By Their Cover

With spring-like weather finally arriving and the real estate market continuing its surge, I'd like to take a brief look at the role of landscaping in not only beautifying our homes for our own enjoyment but driving higher sales prices and reduced market times. 

Real estate agents and home sellers deservedly pay a great deal of attention to homes' interiors, ensuring they are clean, clutter-free and light-filled.   Staging experts are engaged at times to enhance the home's look and feel, encouraging prospective buyers to imagine themselves living there. 

These are important considerations.  But, we shouldn't neglect the home's exterior.  If tended to properly, it will help frame a very positive first impression that beckons those buyers inside.

In fact, the most recent issue of Chicago Agent Magazine (3.25.13) features an article on the role quality landscaping plays in home sales.  We all may intrinsically understand the value.  Research cited in the article reaffirms that sense.  It shows that good landscaping can add double-digit increases to a home's resale price and reduce the time-on-market period by as much as six weeks.

Even city homes with limited greenspace can benefit from seasonal sprucing.  Planters, window boxes can accent a home's entrance and landscaping installations can be carried onto terraces and roof top decks. 

See the attached photos for some inspiration. It's time to get out that shovel or make that call (to a landscaper).