When we decided to sell our home, we knew we had some minor repairs and a little redecorating to perform such as painting, cleaning, and landscaping. The painting and cleaning was easy, but the landscaping was another issue, as we needed to give this some thought and consideration in order to help sell our home. We did not want to spend a lot of money or time on this project, and we did not want to go overboard on elaborate designs or plants, however we did want a yard that would be attractive and appealing to a perspective homebuyer. Therefore, we decided to make a list of what we would not want when it came to a landscaped yard if we were buying our home all over again.
High Maintenance Plants
We first thought about the care the landscape would require such as pruning and decided a person moving into a new house had enough to do getting their home in order without the worry of overgrown plants and bushes. Therefore, our choices for plants were ones that required little maintenance.
Spacing Plants Too Close
Next, we thought of where to put the plants. If the plants were spaced too close together, this could present an appearance of untidiness and crowdedness, as if the plants were just thrown in to fill a space or gap. The perspective homebuyer might see this as more work, as eventually these plants will have to be thinned out.
Year-Round Plants
We thought about what time of year our house might sell, and what the landscape would look like during each season. If it was wintertime, we did not want all plants to appear bare or dead looking. Therefore, our plant choices were a variety of plants that would provide foliage all year round.
Many people like to decorate their houses during the Christmas season with lights or yard ornaments. We considered this when choosing plants for the landscape, as stringing lights in a small tree or over a bush can add a special touch to your home during the Holiday season.
Groundcover (Mulch and Rock)
Once we had chosen our plants, the next thing we needed to look into was groundcover. Should we use mulch or rock? Although mulch is a more natural look, it is not easily maintained, as it needs to be replaced or added to, almost every year. The right color rock, on the other hand, can be very attractive complimenting the color of your home. It provides good drainage for the plants it surrounds and does not have to be replaced as often as mulch.
Attractive Design
Having the right plants, spaced correctly, along with the right groundcover is one thing, but if thelandscape design is unattractive, your efforts have been wasted. Plan a landscape design that will compliment one corner of a house, or dress up a walkway. Use simple designs and layouts to avoid over-landscaping.
Landscape Color
A variety of color in trees and shrubs that compliments each other is important in a landscape design. I once saw a home that had a small corner of a house landscaped with trees and bushes that all had yellow leaves. It was not very pretty as there was no variety. Landscape color also refers, in part, to having a variety of plants for the seasons. Instead of having plants with color only during one season, or all plants that have the same color, provide an array of plants that will produce color variety all year long.
Tree and Bush Height
Trees and shrubs used in landscaping should complement the house, not hide or cause damage to it. Trees and bushes that grow too tall and are too close to a structure can cause damage to windows, siding, and roofs, and they can obstruct views from within the home. It is important to choose woody plants that are proportionate to the house.
Gardens
I am an avid gardener and had a huge garden with flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Gardens can sometimes help sell a home, but sometimes a perspective homebuyer will see it as more work. The spring we decided to sell our home, I did not plant my usually abundance of annuals in the garden, opting to let it grow over with grass. Instead, I planted them in pots, and placed them around the house to add to the attractiveness. I had pictures of the garden from years past if anyone wanted to know if there was an area for a garden and what it might look like.
Yard Ornaments
Avoid yard ornaments in your landscape, unless it is a simple birdbath or small statue. Too many statues, flags, bird feeders and houses, can present a gaudy look to your home. A few of these items, strategically placed throughout your yard, will do a much better job of presenting a simple design.
Be simple in your design and choice when landscaping your home in readiness for selling. Simple is better as the perspective homeowner is looking for easy maintenance, attractiveness, and a look that compliments the house. A simple, not over-landscape design will also provide the perspective buyer with ideas of their own, should they want to do their own landscaping.
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