You have the perfect pool picked out, but will it help or hurt your home value? Some landscape features sound like solid investments, but they often deter future buyers. We\u2019ve got a list of eight landscaping features that may detract from your home\u2019s long-term ROI.<\/p>
High-maintenance home features are hit-or-miss for future homeowners. While some potential buyers see a pool as the ideal summer space, many will say, \u201cNo way do I want that level of maintenance.\u201d Pools also take space from other backyard activities (croquet, anyone?); increase your spending<\/a> in maintenance, energy, and insurance; and may be too much of a safety risk for some homeowners.<\/p> The appeal of a swimming pool is also highly location-dependent. Experts say that air temps should be from 70 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit<\/a> before most people are ready to jump in the pool. In Florida, this is most of the year. In the northern states, this may be only for a few months. Southern homeowners will have more time to enjoy their poolscape dollars while northern homeowners will have fewer months to enjoy the crystal waters.<\/p> Bottom line: <\/strong>If a pool came with the house, don\u2019t remove it unless your realtor suggests it. If it is a sticking point for a prospective buyer, you may consider dropping the price by the amount it will cost them to remove it. If you\u2019re considering adding a pool, know that your ROI<\/a> is only about 43%<\/strong>, and this feature may deter some buyers.<\/p> For some buyers, water features like fountains and fish ponds scream \u201chigh maintenance.\u201d However, water features can also be excellent mood-boosters: 83% of homeowners<\/a> had a greater desire to be home after installing a water feature. So, if you love to hear the calming flow of water after a long day at work, go ahead and enjoy these features in your landscape. Just know that, like other high-maintenance items on your property, they may be a turn-off for some when it comes time to sell.<\/p> Bottom line: <\/strong>If your real estate agent thinks that your water features could be an issue, let your agent know that you are willing to remove them or drop the price so the buyer can hire someone to do it.<\/p> That college football logo you painted on your lawn (along with the matching lawn decor)… it needs to go. In short, highly personal lawns<\/a> will deter buyers. Customized landscaping also tends to be high-maintenance. These days, many buyers are looking for a low-maintenance, low-upkeep lawn, so keep that in mind as you do landscaping projects around the house.<\/p> Your Realtor will probably advise you to stage the interior in neutrals and to remove your college football decor from your man cave. The same goes for your lawn. You want the potential buyer to imagine how their<\/em> furniture and decorations will look, and highly customized features may impede that process. <\/p> Bottom line: <\/strong>Transfer your Realtor\u2019s advice for the interior to the exterior: \u201cThink neutral.\u201d<\/p> Thin, sparse grass and other poorly maintained features are the biggest turn-offs for potential buyers. Know this: Buyers will judge your home by its landscaping<\/strong> before they walk in the door<\/a>. Why? A home\u2019s interior usually matches its exterior. <\/p> The good news? With a little planning, you can make your lawn look green and gorgeous \u2014 and reap the financial rewards. If you\u2019ve let your lawn fall into disrepair, aerate<\/a>, overseed<\/a>, and fertilize<\/a> one year before you plan to sell. (Caveat: For some soils, aeration may not be necessary, or dethatching may be a better option.) A fertilized, weeded lawn<\/a> will add value to the tune of a 267%<\/strong> ROI. <\/p> Don\u2019t forget the other features in your landscaping. Neatly trimmed bushes, a tidy lawn, fresh mulch, and colorful flowering plants go miles to create a good first impression for your buyers (and they\u2019ll cheer you up, too). What about your ROI? According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, standard landscape maintenance<\/a> will earn you back 100%<\/strong> of your investment.<\/p> Bottom line:<\/strong> An ounce of regular maintenance yields 100%+ in returns<\/strong>, and it\u2019s something most homeowners can DIY to save on expenses.<\/p> Cracked concrete<\/a>, decks in disrepair, and fallen fencing or handrails detract from your property value. Unless you\u2019re selling your home as-is, these front lawn faux pas will give a bad first impression to potential buyers.<\/p> A more pressing issue is safety. Failing decks and uprooted or cracked concrete pose safety hazards for potential buyers who visit your property, not to mention to you while you\u2019re living in the home. <\/p> There are other problems with hardscapes that are in disrepair. Cracked or broken fence slats mean less privacy<\/a>. Decks in disrepair mean that outdoor space is no longer usable. Dim outdoor lighting means fewer outdoor living hours for a buyer (and for you). Basically, function and privacy diminish when your landscape is out of order.<\/p> The good news is that minor repairs are often a quick fix (and fresh stain) away from becoming a selling point instead of a pain point. Talk with your real estate agent to determine whether you should fix these features in your landscape or offer a reduced asking price instead.<\/p> Bottom line:<\/strong> First impressions and safety are key. Depreciation and disrepair in your landscape deter homebuyers who want, at minimum, a safe landscape to tour or buy.<\/p> Like fences or decks that are in disrepair, unhealthy trees detract from the visual appeal and safety of your landscape. In a survey of over 1,200 licensed real estate agents, healthy, well-placed trees were the second most important element<\/a>, second only to grass, that adds value to a home.<\/p> Diseased trees aren\u2019t only unsightly. They also can be dangerous. If a buyer sees that a tree(s) is dead or dying, especially a large tree, it will be a safety issue for them, and they may negotiate the price down to compensate for the cost of the work.<\/p> Bottom line:<\/strong> Anything that detracts from the visual appeal and<\/em> safety of your home is double trouble for potential buyers.<\/p> Pro Tip:<\/strong> If you think you have a particularly valuable tree in your landscape, you may want to have it appraised<\/a> before you sell your home.<\/p> You wouldn\u2019t walk into a backyard barbecue dressed to the nines. Just as you match your outfit to the occasion, do the same for your lawn<\/a>. If you have an English-style cottage, design your landscape to match that architecture. Palm trees, succulents, and orange groves just don\u2019t give that cottage garden<\/a> vibe. <\/p> Another aspect of coherent landscape design is climate. Landscapers will tell you that plants that are incompatible with your climate are an uphill and expensive battle. Native plants<\/a> are \u201cin\u201d because they are low-maintenance, attract beneficial wildlife, and need little or no disease care. In sum, they are one of the best home improvement projects for your landscape because they save<\/em> you time and money over the long haul.<\/p> A landscape that complements your home and climate will maximize your curb appeal and your home\u2019s value.<\/p> Bottom line: <\/strong>Matching your outfit to the occasion always yields the best results. The same goes for your lawn. <\/p> If your neighborhood is a hot-spot for young families, the lawn is an important consideration<\/a> for these buyers. An outdoor space suited for kids, pets, and outdoor get-togethers is key for families who want to make the most of their new home. So, what lawn features may push your home to the bottom of their list?<\/p> If your lawn slopes away from or towards your home, this is a less than ideal situation for kids and pets, particularly if the slope is dramatic. The new homeowner can add retaining walls, stairs, terraces, etc. but these are expensive upgrades and still may not provide the wide, open space that is ideal. Highly sloped lawns may also present erosion and drainage problems in your landscape.<\/p> Erosion and drainage problems are an issue while you live in the house and will decrease your home\u2019s value in the eyes of prospective buyers. Families want the house and<\/em> some land, right? Well, if that land is washing away, that\u2019s no good for a family who wants to enjoy the outdoors. Again, this can be a major landscaping fix and will be a significant cost for a new buyer to correct.<\/p> Young families with kids and pets probably want some degree of sun in the lawn. Lawns with too many trees present a number of potential problems for families:<\/p> No lawn grows well in heavy shade. Buyers with kids and pets usually want a grassy lawn on which to play or entertain.<\/p> Trees that are close to the house must be monitored for health and safety. Root systems can damage home foundations or septic systems, unhealthy trees can fall and damage homes, and a \u201cforested\u201d lawn doesn\u2019t provide that much sun to enjoy. In addition, too many trees break up the lawn so that there is less open space for games, sports, and entertainment.<\/p> Young families like to spend time outdoors. Sometimes those long summer days stretch into late outdoor dinners or basketball games with the fireflies. Outdoor lighting helps you make the most of fleeting warmer weather and helps you avoid falling down (or up) the stairs with your dinner plate.<\/p> Bottom line:<\/strong> If your family can\u2019t use the lawn as they wish due to a dramatic slope, erosion, too many trees, or inadequate outdoor lighting, this will be a drawback for families who are looking to buy in the future.<\/p> For many of these landscaping features, the opposites are also true. For example, healthy, well-placed trees can add<\/em> significant value to a home landscape. Did you know that mulch provides over 100% ROI?<\/p> If you need a professional set of eyes on your lawn and flower beds, contact one of our <\/em>lawn care professionals<\/em><\/a> today. They\u2019ll keep your lawn thick and lush with regular fertilizer, weed, and mowing care to keep your home\u2019s value going up, up, and away. <\/em><\/p> 2. Water features<\/span><\/h2>
3. Highly customized landscaping<\/span><\/h2>
4. Poorly maintained lawn and landscaping<\/span><\/h2>
5. Depreciation and disrepair<\/span><\/h2>
6. Unhealthy trees<\/span><\/h2>
7. Incompatible landscaping<\/span><\/h2>
8. Family-unfriendly lawns<\/span><\/h2>
Highly sloped lawn <\/span><\/h3>
Erosion\/poor drainage<\/span><\/h3>
Too shaded<\/span><\/h3>
Inadequate lighting<\/span><\/h3>