
One of the most visual elements of any home is the yard and gardens. They may seem to take a backseat to custom interiors and rooms but they play a huge role in a home's appeal. If you are selling your home now is a great time to improve the yard as the weather is fantastic. Keep in mind that the front of your home is ground zero for first impressions. If the home is not attractive at first glance, people may not look any further.
Let's break the yard up into a few different areas; gardens, trees & shrubs and the home itself. Taking the time to bring each area up to snuff is a good investment in your home and can help to sell homes quicker and generate lots of buyer interest.
Gardens - Gardens are one of the easier things you can focus on to improve the look of a home. Start by weeding and removing any old plants that may not be as appealing as you want.Once the garden is free of weeds and old plants, lay down some new topsoil. When thinking about flowers and plants try to pick colors that accentuate the colors of the home, glaring differences in color can be unappealing to buyers. Once the flowers are planted, laying down a mulch can help the garden to retain it's beauty and color, it also stops weeds from coming back.Also, try to consider what climate you are living in and plan your flowers appropriately, some plants will not do well in some climates. Want to try something different? try making a rock garden!
Trees & Shrubs - Trees and shrubs can be the anchor points of a yard. There is nothing like a well-maintained hedge to bring privacy to a yard. Trees need some special mention as their majesty can enclose a yard and give it that special foresty feeling. Evergreens are a great choice for this as they do not lose leaves and maintain their beauty year-round. Shrubs can be utilized to create pathways and areas of respite and tranquility and are easy to maintain. Shrubs can also be an attractive sidebar for driveways.
The Home - Well here is the focal point of the whole property. Attractive homes equal easy sales, there is no two ways about this fact. Take some time and asses your home. Does it need paint? A new roof? Maybe it just needs a good cleaning. Whatever it needs, make sure you do what is necessary to bring the home's aesthetic value up to par. Remember there is a lot of competition out there!
Related Articles
Curb Appeal Sells Homes
By: Liz Bacall | 02/04/2007 | Real Estate
What is it that sets certain homes apart from others on any given real estate market. Curb Appeal. It is that element that makes buyers sit up and take notice of a certain home.
Cj's Curb Appeal Primer
By: Cj deHeer | 15/05/2007 | Real Estate
What can you say about curb appeal? As a realtor I can safely tell you: it sells homes. One simple truth about real estate is that sales are made and lost on first impressions. If you take the time to critically assess the curb appeal of your home and take steps to ensure that it looks its best, then your home will show better and sell quicker.
Natural Landscaping
By: Kelli Bennett | 20/04/2007 | Real Estate
Looking for a great way to improve the look of your yard and become a little more eco-friendly in the process? There is a new and popular movement in landscaping that is known as Natural Landscaping. Natural landscaping is the art of arranging a yard using local and naturally occurring plants and foliage. One of the best results of this kind of landscaping is the reduced impact that it has on the environment.
The Importance of First Impressions in Real Estate
By: David Ellis | 19/06/2007 | Real Estate
Perhaps the most important aspect of a home showing is the buyer's first impression. Have you ever looked at a home for sale and thought; "wow, I'd really like to see more of that place!" or "yikes! I don't even need to look to know I don't like that place!" This is the power of the first impression.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Real Estate Articles
One of the Suitable Places for Real Estate Investment: Faridabad
By: Matinez | 21/08/2008
Some of the renowned developers from Delhi and its neighboring cities, such as Eldeco Group, Ansals, Omaxe, Parsvnath Developers and so on are reaching Faridabad to start new high end projects that include integrated townships, shopping malls cum multiplexes, residential dwellings, group housing projects, IT parks and modern office spaces.
Jacuzzi Types and Styles
By: Ed Terran | 21/08/2008
You have decided to buy a Jacuzzi for your home. Have you done your homework to see what style you are going to purchase? If not, you may want to learn a few things about these oversized bathtubs before you actually purchase one.
There are bathtub, portable, steam room, hot tub,...
Some Support Talat and Some Do Not
By: Linda Cartwright | 21/08/2008
Efforts to solve the Cyprus issue are being evaluated in different ways in Turkey. While the Turkish Government supports the Turkish Government supports the Turkish Cypriot President Talat's efforts, the main opposition party (CHP) has criticized Talat after a long period.
Orders to the ambassadors from Babacan
Turkey's Minister of foreign Affairs...
Different Types Of Ceramic Tiles For Bathroom, Kitchen.
By: Ed Terran | 21/08/2008
Everyone has gotten into the craze of ceramic tiles lately. This is what they want on their floors, walls, and especially the bathroom area. When it comes to shopping for the type that you want installed, prepare yourself to be overwhelmed. The different types and manufacturers will astound you.
These tiles...
Bathtub Sizes, Types, And Styles
By: Ed Terran | 21/08/2008
Your bathroom can often be one the simple luxuries you enjoy every day at an affordable price. In fact, a well styled bathroom can add value to your house. A well selected bathroom is central to the utility and ambience of your bathroom, so think carefully before you buy one.
When...
New Range of UK Style Mortgages to be Expanded
By: Mark Smalls | 21/08/2008
The range of UK - style mortgages being offered to British and Irish citizens interested in buying property in North Cyprus is set to be expanded.
British company Lewis Finance says the scheme, which is already receiving a lot of interest from expats and people looking to buy holiday homes on...
Chennai's Expanding Real Estate Market
By: George Gonigal | 21/08/2008
Chennai is experiencing an extensive real estate growth in past one year. Chennai real estate developers are having a good business deal happening during this period of time.
Mortgage Bill by End of Year to Boost Property Market in Northern Cyprus
By: Linda Cartwright | 20/08/2008
Sungur: A Mortgage Bill has been proposed, for approval by the end of this year, in Northern Cyprus.
The plans are set to boost property market, and some experts suggest that the move will also benefit ex-pats.
A draft mortgage bill prepared by the Estate Agents Union has been presented to the...
More from Eric Badgely
A Buyers Agent Can Save You Time and Money
By: Eric Badgely | 22/07/2008 | Real Estate
You search and search, viewing dozens of properties online, you call on ads from the newspaper and real estate magazines, yet you still haven’t found the right home. What are you missing?
When the Appearance Can Make the Sale
By: Eric Badgely | 22/07/2008 | Real Estate
In today’s declining market, the importance of home appeal is becoming more and more apparent. So what can you do to make your home more appealing to buyers?
Vinyl Siding Maintenance
By: Eric Badgely | 28/03/2008 | Home Improvement
Vinyl siding is a common siding. It is popular with many homeowners because it does not require painting. On the other hand, it is still a relatively high maintenance product for other reasons.
Water Pressure and Standard Variations What a Buyer Should Know
By: Eric Badgely | 28/03/2008 | Real Estate
Homebuyers are often concerned about the water pressure at a home they plan to purchase. On the other hand, to complicate matters, it seems that no two homebuyers agree on what is satisfactory water pressure. Realizing that, home inspectors try to provide their clients with a water pressure reading that they can analyze and evaluate on their own.
Underground Fuel Tanks What Buyers Should Know
By: Eric Badgely | 16/03/2008 | Real Estate
When it is disclosed, or discovered, that an old underground fuel tank exists on a lot, that can create a number of problems at closing. The information below is current and provides insight into how to best deal with this possibility so complications, and delays at closing, can be avoided.
Lead Based Paint What a Buyer Should Know
By: Eric Badgely | 16/03/2008 | Real Estate
Anytime a person buys an older home, it is only logical to assume that some lead-based paint is on the premises. Typically, this is not much of a concern unless the paint is flaking off or if a major renovation is planned.
The Facts About Septic Tank Inspections
By: Eric Badgely | 11/03/2008 | Real Estate
There are a number of reasons why the standard home inspection does not include a detailed inspection of septic systems. The article below gives insight into some of the problems a home inspector would run into if he or she attempted to inspect septic systems.
Private Wells What a Buyer Should Know
By: Eric Badgely | 11/03/2008 | Real Estate
Buyers, purchasing a home with a well for the first time, often know nothing about the biology or mechanics of a well. The brief article below will provide some simple but essential information.