It may seem like a daunting task. It can be a backyard full of rocks that acts as a blight and a tripping hazard. It can be that mess of a front yard where a flower bed might be more attractive. Or it can be an uneven property full of holes and unseemly ridges, all of which detract from your experience in your home but also the property value.
A new survey by Harris Poll for the National Association of Landscape Professionals conducted among over 2,000 American adults found that 75% of Americans feel that it is important to spend time out in their yards. 83% feel that having a yard is important, while 90% of those with a yard feel that it should be well-maintained.
There is little doubt that a well-maintained yard or green space is attractive to home owners or even apartment dwellers. From a survey, 63% of respondents said they would pay more for an apartment or a house if it was located in an area with more green space. This compares to 34% who would pay more for an area with good shopping options and 33% for good cultural venues.
Lawns add a great deal to a house and to a neighborhood. Lawns that are well-irrigated, that are complete with beautiful, thick green grass, and with the addition of flower beds, can provide a nice sight for those passing through and lend an air of sophistication to the owners of the home.
However, the task of landscaping, lawn care, or lawn maintenance can be daunting if an individual is inexperienced or does not have a lot of time on their hands. The choices for homeowners who are upgrading their lawns include:
- Paving
- New beds
- Upgrading existing structures
- Or even a complete overhaul
These substantial or total projects account for 87% of all upgrade projects for residential lawns. While it may seem like a great deal of work–and there is always the prospect of landscape design through a landscape designer–the value of the home goes up a great deal with these upgrades.
97% of real estate agents reported that landscape projects are a top-five home improvement project, saying homeowners can expect to see a 215% return on investment. Other statistics show a similar response:
- Landscaping raises the property value as much as 12%.
- Landscaping increases the resale value as much as 14%.
- Nearly 90% of real estate agents encourage homeowners to invest in landscaping before selling.
- Landscaping decreases the amount of time your home is on the market–sometimes by as much as six weeks.
Well-manicured lawns can add a great deal of appeal to your home and your neighborhood. It increases resale value, adds to the attractiveness of the property, and enables you to have a place where you can relax or entertain friends and relatives. There is little doubt that it can enable you to sell your home more quickly and for more value. In the meantime, it adds to the comfort of a home.
