When you’re considering selling your home, of course you’re going to be looking for ways to maximize your sale price. While things like new paint on the interior or newly-laid floors can make the inside look great, knowing how to boost curb appeal to welcome potential buyers should be the first step in selling your home.

How does landscaping increase home value when looking to sell? Today, we’re answering the question, “how much does landscaping add to home value?” and giving you a few ideas you can use for inspiration!

Does Landscaping Increase Home Value?

The inside of your home can be as beautiful as can be, but if the curb appeal is lacking, you’re going to have a hard time selling your home for top dollar. If your landscaping is a mess or you’ve had some past DIY landscape design efforts hurt your curb appeal, it can make it hard to even get potential buyers in the door. Your landscaping is the first thing they see and if it looks like a major project, many people will be turned off. First impressions are everything, as they say!

So just how much does landscaping increase home value when looking to sell? Available data shows that landscaping can provide an average increase in home value of between 5.5% and 12.7%.

With the average home values in Albany, NY and the Saratoga, NY areas ranging from $230,000 to $550,000, respectively, that can translate into a large increase in value for Capital Region homes!

Moreover, landscaping is actually one of the easiest things you can do before selling your home that may provide even more value as time goes on. This means deciding on front yard landscape design ideas to boost curb appeal is valuable years before you intend to sell, as well. The reason for this is that some mature gardening choices, such as mature trees and shrubs, create a well-developed and professional look that new landscaping hasn’t attained yet.

Regardless of whether you’re looking for new landscaping to instantly boost home value, however, or deciding to create a perfectly manicured lawn for future value, the key is to keep it looking its best. All the landscaping in the world isn’t going to increase home value if it’s allowed to start looking rough. When you’re ready to look at landscaping your home to increase value when looking to sell, check out a landscape planner online to create a plan and set a budget for your home transformation.

Landscaping Tips to Increase Home Value

Now that you’ve got your answer to “does landscaping increase home value?” let’s take a look at a few landscaping tips to increase home value when looking to sell. A few of our favorite ways landscape design can transform your backyard or boost curb appeal out front include:

• Landscaping around trees and other front yard tricks
• Adding water feature
• Being creative with hardscaping
• Adding a patio installation for hosting or relaxing solo

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas to Increase Home Value

The first thing to think about when asking “does landscaping increase home value when looking to sell?” is what your curb appeal says about your home. Is it welcoming? Inviting? Maybe your curb appeal says “I’m a project,” or “I need some TLC.” First impressions are incredibly important and a polished front yard landscape design can instantly set the tone for potential buyers.

A few simple things you can do to instantly boost curb appeal include things like landscaping around trees for more dynamic flower gardens, using rocks to create a more natural-looking landscape design, and easy summer lawn maintenance like mowing the lawn to keep your yard looking its best. When potential buyers arrive at your home, you want them to be instantly in love!

Using Water Features to Add Value to Your Home

When you’re examining how much does landscaping add to home value, you might want to consider a water feature installation. Whether you’re creating a showstopping front yard or thinking about backyard makeover ideas, having a professional water feature adds value to your home when looking to sell. The modern method of how water features work make them easy on operating expenses and relatively simple to maintain.

Pro Tip: Installing a water feature in your yard gives you an opportunity to add more landscaping to create a natural oasis! Talk to a landscape professional about which plants will thrive in your region to boost your home value the most.

Does Hardscaping Add Value to Home Resale Prices?

When you’re asking “does landscaping increase home value when looking to sell?” you want to make sure all your actions are going to provide a return on investment. Adding hardscaping such as raised flower beds, beautiful walkways, or even garden terraces (great for those needing landscape ideas for steep backyard hills) is a simple and effective way to make the most of your space out back. Adding pavers, mulching, or even front lawn landscaping with rocks can boost curb appeal for potential buyers viewing your home.

Bonus Tip: When selling your home, curb appeal can make all the difference. Check out our guide on how to landscape the front of your house after this article for more ideas and inspiration.

Installing a Patio to Increase Home Value

How can landscaping increase home value in the backyard, you wonder? While it does fall under hardscaping, having a new patio installation that makes the most of the space in your backyard is a great way to increase home value when looking to sell. Potential home buyers are looking for ways to use a space effectively. Backyard design plans that maximize functionality and give your potential buyers the chance to envision themselves in the space can make your home an easy sell.

When you’re choosing a design for your patio installation, consider all the ways it could be used. Hardscape designs for small yards may want to focus more on creating an intimate gathering space for hosting friends and family. If you’re thinking of how to landscape a big backyard with a new patio installation, you might also be able to create smaller areas for intimate conversations or even just hanging solo. Knowing what your backyard space can handle and how to maximize its utility will go a long way to increase home value when looking to sell.

We hope this guide has helped answer the question, “does landscaping increase home value when looking to sell?” as well as provided a few tips you can use to boost your curb appeal and make the most of backyard living spaces. Remember, first impressions can mean the difference between receiving multiple offers on your home or struggling to get potential buyers through the door.

If you’re ready to spruce up your landscaping to increase home value, check out our Project Planner and start to create your ideas and set a budget that will maximize your return on investment. You can submit those plans directly or reach out and one of our landscape professionals in Albany, NY and the surrounding areas will be in touch to help you get started!

Want more tips and inspiration on landscaping ideas to boost curb appeal and make the most of your outdoor space? Check out these resources:

• Which Water Feature Design is Right For My Yard?
• How to Landscape a Small Backyard
• What Are The Best Trees to Plant in Upstate NY?
• Corner Lot Landscaping Ideas for Upstate NY Homes
• Inspiring Homes & Landscape Design in Saratoga Springs, NY