Spring is the perfect time to think about your yard and your home equity. Do you want to sell your house this year? Or do you just want to protect the value of your home? Either way, the right yard projects are an investment that pay back far more than they cost.
Americans spent about $603 billion on home remodeling projects in 2024, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s 2025 Remodeling Impact Report. Outdoor projects always rank among the most rewarding investments, both financially and in terms of homeowner satisfaction.
And with home equity near historic highs and remodeling budgets staying strong, outdoor projects are one of the smartest choices you can make in 2026.
If you want a beautiful yard without the hard work, Lawn Love’s local pros can handle everything for you.
| Key takeaways |
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| • Basic lawn care (mowing, fertilizing, weed control) can return up to 217% ROI at resale. • General landscape maintenance (mulching, pruning) returns around 104% ROI. • Tree care recoups 87% at sale, and homes with trees sell faster. • Great landscaping makes a home look 5.5% to 11.4% more valuable. • 97% of real estate agents say curb appeal attracts buyers, and 92% suggest fixing the yard before listing. |
Why landscaping is one of the best home investments you can make
Quality landscaping adds real value to a home. A Virginia Tech Extension study found that landscaping improvements increase perceived home value by 5.5% to 11.4%, depending on where you live. The design quality and plant size are the two biggest factors. A Michigan State University Extension study corroborates this, finding that homes with well-executed landscaping may be perceived as worth up to 12.7% more than comparable homes without it.
“Curb appeal is probably the most underrated variable in a sale,” says Sara Garza, real estate broker at LIV Sotheby’s International Realty in Denver. “In Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village, I’ve watched near-identical homes sell with a $40,000 to $60,000 spread based almost entirely on how they presented from the street. A neglected yard signals deferred maintenance before buyers cross the threshold, and that skepticism follows them through the entire showing.”
JoAnne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs in Gwinnett County, Georgia, sees the same impact.
“Buyers make up their minds about how they feel about a house before they set foot in the front door,” Loftus says. “From what I’ve seen, homes with clean, maintained landscaping sell quicker and closer to the asking price than comparable homes with overgrown or patchy yards.” She says a neglected exterior makes buyers suspect there are hidden issues inside the home as well.
According to NAR, 97% of real estate professionals believe curb appeal is important in attracting buyers, and 92% have proactively recommended that sellers improve their landscaping before listing.
The highest-ROI spring landscaping projects
Landscaping projects ROI comparison according to the 2023 NAR Remodeling Impact Report:
| Project | Estimated ROI | Estimated cost |
| Basic lawn care | 217% | $415/year |
| Landscape maintenance | 104% | $4,800/year |
| Tree care | 87% | $2,875 |
| Landscape upgrade | 100% | $9,000 |
| Outdoor living space (composite deck) | 89% | $8,850 |
| Irrigation system | 83% | $6,000 |
| Outdoor lighting | 59% | $6,800 |
1. Basic lawn care and maintenance
Estimated ROI: Up to 217%
The highest-returning yard project is simply keeping your lawn healthy. Regular mowing, weed control, and fertilizing return up to 217% ROI at resale. That means for every $1 you spend on routine lawn care, you recover more than $2 in home value.
“I see what sells well in photos and what triggers ‘this house wasn’t cared for’ vibes in person,” says Andrew Day, owner of Advanced Quality Lawn in Akron, Ohio. “In spring listings, the biggest practical impact I see is fewer price-chop conversations when the turf is thick, edged, and weed-controlled; neglected curb appeal almost always turns into an instant buyer credit request because it reads like deferred maintenance, not ‘just grass’.”
Spring to-do list:
- Resume mowing once the grass reaches 3 to 4 inches.
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent crabgrass and weeds.
- Fertilize cool-season grasses in early spring. Wait until the soil warms for warm-season grasses.
- Edge beds and walkways for a clean look.
2. General landscape maintenance (mulching, pruning, cleanup)
Estimated ROI: ~104%
Fresh mulch, pruned shrubs, and a thorough spring cleanup return around 104% ROI. These projects pay for themselves and improve curb appeal.
NAR estimates it costs around $4,800 a year to maintain a standard 2,835-square-foot lawn (mowing, trimming, and mulch application). At a 104% return, that’s money well spent for homeowners with an eye on resale.
Leon Miller, owner of BrushTamer in Plymouth, Indiana, sees firsthand how a simple cleanup transforms properties.
“On similar rural/suburban Midwest properties, the neglected ones (saplings in fence lines, vines on siding, hidden edges/ditches) tend to sit longer because showings feel risky,” Miller says. “After a one-day mulch pass plus driveway and ditch sightlines opened up, I’ve watched sellers go from ‘no second showings’ to multiple callbacks in the same week and stop getting lowball offers tied to cleanup costs.”
Spring to-do list:
- Add 2-3 inches of fresh mulch to all plant beds.
- Cut back dead growth from ornamental grasses and perennials.
- Remove winter debris from beds and lawn.
- Prune summer-blooming shrubs before new growth emerges.
3. Tree planting and tree care
Estimated ROI: 100%
Mature, healthy trees are highly valuable long-term assets. NAR’s Outdoor Features report found that tree care returns 100% of its cost at resale and the Arbor Day Foundation reports that having mature trees in the yard along the street can increase a property’s overall value by up to 15%.
For Midwestern homes, Day recommends the Autumn Blaze maple and serviceberry. “Put the Autumn Blaze 18 to 25 feet from the house and 6 to 10 feet off the driveway to frame the front elevation without crowding the foundation,” Day advises. “Place the serviceberry near the front corner or along the main approach where it’s visible from the curb.”
Miller suggests bur oak and American linden for Indiana properties because they “read ‘established and hardy’ and don’t scream high-maintenance.” He recommends placing a linden near a patio or sitting zone, but ensuring it is at least 15 feet from hardscape to prevent root heave.
For Southern markets, Loftus recommends planting willow oaks and dogwoods.
“Willow oaks grow tall and strong without becoming a liability, and dogwoods add visual appeal in the spring without becoming overwhelming in the lot,” Loftus says. She advises placing them on the front left or right of the home to frame the house perfectly from the street.
Not only will trees give you a big return on investment at resale, but they will also save you money monthly on your electricity bill. The USDA Forest Service says urban trees across the country reduce electricity use by 38.8 million MWh per year. This saves about $4.7 billion annually.
4. Sprinkler/irrigation system installation
Estimated ROI: 83%
An in-ground irrigation system returns around 83% of its cost at resale. Homeowners love them, giving them a Joy Score of 9.4 out of 10 in the NAR study.
Irrigation systems show buyers that the yard is easy to maintain. They protect the investment you already made in grass and plants, especially during hot summer droughts.
Spring installation is ideal, as it supports new grass and plants to grow strong before the hot weather hits.
5. Landscape upgrade (statement landscaping and overall design)
Estimated ROI: 100%
A big yard makeover, like adding a stone walkway, plant beds, feature shrubs, and flowering perennials, returns 100% of its cost at resale. Homeowners give it a Joy Score of 9.7 out of 10.
The Virginia Tech Extension research adds important detail: You cannot just plant random things. Buyers care most about the design quality, followed by plant size. A few large, well-placed plants in a smart design will always beat a yard filled with small, mismatched plants.
What makes a yard look sophisticated:
- A mix of large deciduous trees, evergreens, and colorful flowers
- Curved plant beds, lines, and plants of different heights
- Colorful hardscape features (brick, stone, or pavers)
- Foundation plantings paired with one or more island beds
6. Outdoor living space (patio, deck, or defined seating area)
Composite deck: ~89% ROI
Outdoor living spaces are very popular right now. A new composite deck returns approximately 89% of its cost at resale, according to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report from the Journal of Light Construction.
In 2026, the trend is moving toward smaller, cozy outdoor spaces, with defined seating areas rather than sprawling hardscapes. This is great news if you are on a budget. A well-built, small patio gives you a strong return without the high cost of a full outdoor kitchen.
7. Outdoor lighting
Estimated ROI: 59%
Landscape lighting returns about 59% of its cost when you sell, but its value goes beyond just the money. Lighting lets you use your yard in the evening hours and makes your home safer.
For maximum ROI, prioritize LED fixtures (lower long-term cost) and focus on the front entry, walkways, and any specimen trees or planting beds that are key to the home’s curb appeal.
Projects to approach with caution
Not every landscaping project gives a great return. You should think carefully before starting these:
Full outdoor kitchens
While popular, these cost $12,000 to $20,000 or more to install, and NAR data shows that only 1% of real estate agents have ever recommended this project to a seller before listing.
“Where I often see people overspend is on features that are too personal,” says Taylor Olberding, franchise owner at Heroes Lawn Care in Omaha, NE.
“Things like koi ponds, large outdoor kitchens, or themed gardens might sound great, but most buyers don’t see them as a bonus. They see extra maintenance or something they may want to remove,” Olberding says.
Regrading the entire yard
Miller warns against massive dirtwork projects just to achieve a perfectly flat lawn.
“Overspends I see: trying to ‘regrade the whole yard’ to chase a perfect lawn when the real issue is drainage at one low swale,” Miller says. “Buyers don’t pay extra for invisible dirt work, but they do notice muddy ruts.”
Unestablished or young landscaping
“Installing lots of new plantings right before listing is a mistake,” Miller says. “They look unestablished, need watering, and buyers mentally add ‘replacement risk,’ whereas clean, controlled, low-risk vegetation usually returns more.”
Highly personalized or exotic plants
While you might love your rare, exotic flowers or highly specific garden themes, most buyers don’t see them as a bonus. They see extra maintenance, a high-cost replacement risk, or something they may want to rip out entirely.
Over-improving for the neighborhood
Don’t build a $50,000 yard in a neighborhood of $200,000 homes. You simply won’t get that money back when it’s time to sell. Day frequently sees homeowners make this exact mistake, overspending on high-maintenance shrub installs and boutique hardscape features that eat up yard space.
“Buyers pay for clean, healthy, low-risk landscaping; they rarely pay extra for complexity they’ll have to maintain,” Day says.
How to prioritize your spring projects
If you’re on a tight budget:
Focus on the fixes: “With 60 to 90 days, I’d spend on a clean cut and sharp edging, pre-emergent and spot broadleaf control, and a fresh 2-3 inch mulch top-dress in beds with a crisp bed edge,” Day says.
Clear the sightlines: “Clear sightlines and boundaries, remove saplings 0 to 5 feet from the foundation, and make the lot look larger by mowing and knocking back brush to reveal usable edges,” Miller says.
Stick to the basics: “Focus on the basics that make the biggest visual impact,” Olberding says. “Fresh dark mulch, trimming back anything overgrown, cleaning up the edges, and adding a few simple flowering plants can completely change how the yard feels.”
FAQs
Timing depends on the project’s size. You should plant large trees and shrubs 1-3 years before selling, so they have time to grow and fill out. Fix your lawn and plant new grass seed a few months in advance. Save basic upkeep for just 2 to 4 weeks before listing to ensure that your property looks sharp for photos and home tours.
Basic lawn care boasts a massive 217% ROI, and general yard upkeep hits about 104%. Most indoor updates do not even break even. According to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report and NAR data, standard kitchen and bathroom remodels only earn back between 50% and 80% of their costs when you sell.
Maximizing your home value without the hard work
The landscaping projects with the highest home value returns are also the most time-intensive to do consistently — regular mowing, fertilizing, and seasonal cleanup add up fast.
If you want a professional job while you’re enjoying your weekends, leave the hard work to Lawn Love’s local pros. Reclaim your free time, protect your investment, and come home to a manicured lawn without ever lifting a finger.
Main Image: Spring Lawn Care ROI. Photo Credit: Landscaped home: Photographee.eu / Adobe Stock. Illustration by Amy Stenglein / Lawn Love
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