When you’re getting your home ready to sell, it’s crucial to ensure that everything looks neat and tidy. This means taking care of things like repainting, cleaning carpets, and decluttering your space. However, don’t forget about your yard! Curb appeal is essential for attracting potential buyers, so you’ll want to avoid making landscaping mistakes that could deter people from considering your property. Here are a few common landscaping mishaps that you should steer clear of:
1. Complicated Water Features
While human-made ponds and water features can bring a tranquil ambiance to your outdoor area, they can also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pesky insects. Moreover, maintaining these water features requires a lot of effort, which may not be feasible for potential buyers. According to Morgan Knull, a Re/Max Gateway broker, buyers often shy away from purchasing properties with water features due to concerns about dealing with clogged filters, leaky liners, and other maintenance tasks. Therefore, it is essential to consider the long-term maintenance requirements of such features before installing them.
Although some invasive plants may appear visually appealing, they can deter potential buyers who are knowledgeable about home gardening due to their rapid growth and ability to overtake a yard or garden. These types of plants can also be detrimental to native plants that offer greater benefits and require costly measures to manage. The California Invasive Plant Council reports that the state spends a minimum of $82 million yearly to manage invasive plants alone. Consider avoiding these plants to maintain a healthy and cost-effective garden.
When it comes to lawns, bigger is not always better. A large lawn can be difficult to maintain, requiring more water, fertilizer, and time to upkeep. Consider downsizing your lawn and incorporating more low-maintenance landscaping features to save time and resources. This can also add visual interest and diversity to your outdoor space.
When it comes to selling your home, having a healthy and beautiful lawn is definitely a plus. However, it’s important to remember that bigger isn’t always better. Some potential homeowners may find a large lawn overwhelming or simply don’t have the time or energy to maintain it. Additionally, more and more buyers are becoming eco-conscious and prefer low-water options.
If you’re looking to sell your home with a large lawn, there are ways to make it more appealing to a wider range of buyers. Consider breaking up the landscape with smaller native plant beds or installing multiple outdoor living areas. Another great option is to create a large patio where future homeowners can enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about maintaining a big lawn.
However, it’s not just the size of the lawn that matters – the placement of trees can also be a factor. Large trees that are too close to the house can be a turn-off for buyers as they can pose a risk for damage during storms or require costly maintenance. It’s important to assess the placement of your trees and consider pruning or removing any that may cause concern for potential buyers. By taking these steps, you can make your property more attractive to a wider range of buyers and increase your chances of a successful sale.
Although trees can add aesthetic value to your landscaping, it’s important to consider their proximity to your home. While they may provide shade and contrast, large trees situated too close to the house can raise concerns for potential buyers. They may worry about falling limbs or roots causing damage, or worse, the tree falling onto the house. Additionally, removing trees can be costly, with HomeAdvisor estimating a cost of $2,000 or more per tree. Another factor to consider is the use of lawn chemicals, which can be harmful to both the environment and your health.
As more and more people are opting for natural methods to maintain a green landscape, the use of harmful chemicals like herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers is being discouraged by homeowners. So, instead of resorting to chemical sprays, it is better to adopt natural ways to kill weeds. For instance, you can use aeration to combat dandelions or try corn-gluten meal to control crabgrass growth.
Item number 6 on the list of common mistakes that homeowners make is constructing a fire pit that is poorly designed.
When it comes to backyard entertaining, a fire pit can definitely add to the ambiance. However, it’s important to ensure that it is well-constructed and safe to use, otherwise it could deter potential buyers and even pose a fire risk. Safety measures such as keeping the fire pit at least 10 feet away from any structures and complying with local regulations regarding open fires on your property are crucial.
Moving on to another aspect of backyard landscaping, having too many annuals can also be a drawback. While they may look beautiful and vibrant during the summer months, they require constant maintenance and replanting each year. This can be a hassle for homeowners who want a low-maintenance yard. Consider incorporating more perennials and evergreens for long-lasting appeal.
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Having an excess of annual flowers in your garden may discourage potential buyers. The constant need to buy and replant them each year can be both costly and demanding, particularly for inexperienced gardeners. If you have considerable flower beds, you might want to consider replacing some of your annuals with native perennial plants or shrubs, and then using mulch to fill in any gaps.
8. Tackling Dog Urine Stains
Having a lawn with brown urine spots caused by your dog could give potential buyers the impression that you neglect maintenance. Although dead grass will eventually recover on its own, it may take some time. An easy solution recommended by Consumer Reports is to remove the dead spot and replace it with sod plugs. However, cracked concrete is also an issue that could turn off buyers.
Don’t neglect those cracks in your house’s concrete surfaces, as they’re not just eyesores but also potential hazards. Plus, repairing them can be quite expensive, with small holes or cracks costing around $100 to fill if you do it yourself, according to HomeAdvisor. Meanwhile, bigger repairs may cost up to $20 per square foot.
Incorporating unconventional containers in your yard, such as repurposed tires and clawfoot tubs, can add a fun and quirky element. However, the use of old toilets as plant holders may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you prefer a more organized and vibrant look, consider opting for traditional planters with pops of color. Don’t let your yard become cluttered and messy with mismatched items.
If you’re planning to sell your home, it’s important to ensure that your yard looks neat and tidy. A poorly maintained outdoor space can leave a negative impression on potential buyers. To avoid this, make sure you regularly mow the lawn, clear out any weeds from flower beds, keep the yard free of clutter, and store away toys when they’re not being used. Additionally, if you have trees or shrubs that require a lot of upkeep, it’s a good idea to take care of them before putting your home on the market. By doing so, you’ll make your property more attractive and appealing to potential buyers.
Don’t be too quick to add high-maintenance trees or shrubs to your yard just because they look pretty. It’s important to consider the amount of upkeep they require and whether you’ll be able to keep up with it. While bamboo may seem like a great addition to your zen garden, certain types can be invasive and difficult to control. Similarly, some hedges and fruit trees may require frequent pruning or clipping throughout the year, or need to have fallen fruit picked up regularly. So, before you splurge on landscaping, make sure you’re prepared to put in the necessary work to maintain it.
To avoid overspending on landscaping plants and materials, it’s important to set a budget before starting your planting project. Real estate experts recommend spending 5 to 10 percent of your home’s value on landscaping. A smart way to save money is by replacing annuals with perennials, which are more cost-effective in the long run. Consider placing annuals in pots near entrances and walkways, while choosing native perennials for larger flower beds and borders. Additionally, be mindful of which plants attract pests to your garden.
The fact is, some plants are natural magnets for pests, and it’s not something you sign up for when you decide to start a garden. Fruit trees like cherry and apple trees, as well as raspberry bushes, have a reputation for attracting ants and other pesky insects. Certain vegetables, such as peas, cabbage, cauliflower, and tomatoes, are also known to be magnets for garden pests.
While some pests are relatively harmless, others can cause serious damage or even destroy your plants altogether. If you are set on growing plants that are notorious for attracting pests, it’s important to have a plan in place to keep the bugs at bay. This might mean using organic treatments or planting companion plants that are known to repel pests. Netting can also be an effective way to keep pests away.
Another factor to consider when planning your garden is the slope of your yard. A sloping yard can make it difficult to grow certain plants, as water may not drain properly and soil erosion can become a problem. However, with careful planning and the right techniques, it’s possible to create a beautiful and productive garden on a sloping yard.
If your home has a yard that slopes, you may find landscaping to be a daunting task. The problem of soil erosion can become quite significant, and maintaining the steep section of the yard can seem like a never-ending nightmare. However, instead of letting nature take its course, you can use the slope to your advantage. Creating tiers using pavers or large rocks, constructing retaining walls, or adding steps are all options that can help reduce maintenance and prevent soil erosion over time.
If your outdoor space is constantly damp and overrun with mosquitoes, it could be due to poor drainage. The good news is that there are several ways to improve the situation. Installing downspouts and extensions can help, but be sure to direct the water away from areas that are prone to flooding. Adding gravel can also promote drainage. Beyond these basic fixes, you can aerate your lawn, create a rain garden, and add plants that absorb water like globeflowers, violets, and primroses. With these changes, you’ll be on your way to a healthier and more enjoyable outdoor environment. Another issue you may face is plantings that require too much water. In this case, consider switching to plants that are better suited for your climate and require less maintenance.
When designing your landscape, it’s vital to take into account the amount of watering you and potential homebuyers are willing to do. If you opt for large flower beds with annual plants, be aware that they will require more watering than native perennials. Maintaining a sizable, green lawn or vegetable garden will also demand plenty of water during the summer season. Moreover, if you reside in a region that frequently implements watering restrictions, you’ll need to consider how much watering your landscape will require. One helpful tip to reduce the amount of water needed is to group plants with similar watering needs together, which will optimize water resources. Another option is using low-water native plants for beds and native grasses for lawns.
Are you a pet or child owner? If so, it’s important to be aware of plants in your garden that could be poisonous to them. Not only is it a safety concern for your loved ones, but potential buyers of your home will also be taking note. Some common landscaping plants that can be toxic to dogs include gladiolas, daffodils, milkweed, and ivy. On the human side of things, popular plants like rhododendron, Lily-of-the-valley, foxglove (pictured above), and hydrangeas are known to contain harmful toxins. Additionally, any damaged outdoor features on your property should be repaired before putting your home up for sale.
It’s never pleasant to see decaying landscape structures like deteriorating retaining walls or damaged flower or garden bed boxes. These eyesores not only ruin the beauty of your property but also pose a risk. Depending on the extent of the damage, you can either take up the restoration project yourself or seek professional help.
Additionally, it’s important to have a cohesive color scheme for your outdoor space. A lack of color palette can make your yard appear disorganized and unappealing. Consider choosing a dominant color and complementing it with hues that harmonize well. With a thoughtfully chosen color scheme, you can transform your yard into a work of art.
Before you begin planting your landscape, it’s important to consider the color palette you want to create. One useful tool for this is color theory, which designers use to create attractive color schemes. If your home has neutral colors like beige, gray, or brown, you have a lot of options for flower colors that will complement your facade. However, if your home is a pastel color, you might want to choose flowers that create a bold contrast, like bright orange blooms against a pale blue house. You can also use color placement to create depth in your landscape by positioning warm colors in front of cooler hues. By carefully considering your color choices, you can create a stunning and cohesive landscape design.
