Landscaping Elements

While homeowners typically spend a lot of time on staging when trying to sell a property, curb appeal can often be overlooked. When people come to look at a house, the outside design is the first thing they see. When it comes to making an impactful first impression, landscaping is key to making sure potential buyers are drawn to and interested in a property. After a tough winter and with summer right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start sprucing up the outside of a house for plants to thrive in the warm environment and keep a home looking fresh into the fall. If homeowners can get a head-start on landscaping as the warmer months begin, it can set them at the front of the market when it comes time to list. The following are just a few ideas on how to liven up a property and make sure buyers can tell that the outside is just as well-maintained as the inside.

First, tidy up your yard. As the weather gets warmer and snow starts to melt, many New Englanders tend to be taken by surprise at the state of their yard. Between fallen trees, patchy grass, and a graveyard of dead plants, it can be overwhelming to try and landscape, and many homeowners just continue to put it off. However, it’s easier than most people think to makeover a yard for spring. With just a quick rake, aeration, and a fresh coat of grass seed, a lawn can be looking lush in a matter of weeks. From there, it’s easy to utilize the following tips to push a home to the front of the real estate pack.

Plant trees in pots that will serve as decorative elements and embellish a simple landscape. If a yard has limited space, potted trees are a perfect way to keep roots contained and still add dimension and décor to a space. There are several types of trees that can thrive in a planter and still stand up to the changing weather of New England. Any plant species in the conifer family is perfect for the local climate. These types of trees include pines, junipers and firs, and they add luxurious greenness to any barren yard. Another option is a Japanese Maple, which can survive in temperatures as low as -15⁰F. In the fall, the trees turn beautiful shades of yellow and orange and can create a colorful landscape against which to highlight other plants.

Add pollinator plants to a garden. In addition to helping surrounding plants to grow through pollination, these types of species also attract butterflies and hummingbirds to add to a landscape’s natural, environmental feel. Some are even known for attracting wildlife – and these include bee balm, lemon thyme, and sage, the latter two of which double as an herb that homeowners can use in their cooking. By filling a garden with these types of plants, sellers can ensure that their properties look lush and full of life to any potential buyers.

Include a water feature. Not only will a water feature increase the elegance of a landscape, it will also contribute soothing background noise for all outdoor adventures. A water element, with its stylishness and uniqueness, can also increase the value of a home. While one might think that fountains or streams could require a lot of upkeep, they are typically fairly easy to install and maintain. Many companies sell kits with all of the elements needed to create a pond, fountain, or even a waterfall.

With these steps, taking care of a yard and making a home market-ready is simple. By just adding some unique elements to an outdoor setup, a property will stand out from others similar to it and attract the right buyers.