With Spring on its way (it has to be right?!), homeowners preparing to sell are likely wondering just how much time and/or money they need to invest into landscaping.
While the official AI search result says yes, landscaping can add to the curb appeal, thereby increasing your property’s selling price, we wanted to take a closer look.
Pros and cons of landscaping before selling
Tips on how to landscape before selling
- Focus on the obvious things: mow the lawn, trim hedges, remove dead brush and leaves (and this should go without saying but.. clean up any dog waste!!)
- Pressure washing and new patio pavers if required
- Add some containers with a splash of colour or attractive seasonal greenery
- Don’t cut down big trees (this is a selling point for many buyers)
- If you are considering something more major, consult a professional
- Pay attention to landscape trends like lawn alternatives, growing interest in vegetable gardens and native softscaping.
What do the numbers tell us?
Honestly, the numbers vary depending on where you’re looking, but many sources cite the increase in property value from landscaping somewhere around the 5-10% mark. Others state that your ROI will be well over the 100%, suggesting landscaping before selling is worth your while.
Wondering which part of your yard to focus on?
Canadian Real Estate Magazine breaks down the landscaping improvements further:
- Patios can add up to 10% of your property value.
- Deck additions can recover up to 75% of installation costs (suggesting you may wish to avoid this if you’re selling right away).
- Outdoor kitchens can yield up to 200% ROI in the right market.