The spring selling season is right around the corner, and if there’s one thing real estate agents agree on, it’s what homeowners should prioritize when they’re thinking about selling. According to a recent survey, the vast majority of agents (925%!) recommend improving curb appeal before listing. Here’s what exactly that means.
By Curb Appeal, We Mean Landscaping
The general understanding of “curb appeal” is how attractive a particular property appears from the street view. Almost always, landscaping is going to play an enormous role, and it’s about more than what’s visible from the sidewalk. The pandemic has likely had an impact. It changed what Americans prioritize in a home. Now, a big focus is the outdoor space, and things like fire features and patio space are majorly in demand.
A 2023 report from the National Association of REALTORS and the National Association of Landscape Professionals titled “Remodeling Image Report: Outdoor Features,” broke down the estimated cost recovery for popular residential outdoor improvements, including:
- Fire features
- In-ground pool
- Irrigation systems
- Landscape lighting
- Landscape maintenance
- New patio or deck
- Outdoor kitchen
- Overall landscape upgrade
- Tree care
- Lawn care service
According to agents, the biggest curb appeal bang for the buck lies in general landscape maintenance (i.e. lawn and tree care) and upgrades designed to jazz things up a bit. Pools come in pretty low on the cost recovery scale, but location will have a big effect on that particular feature.
The Bottom Line
There’s something to be said for pulling up to a home that’s clearly been well maintained. Yes, that extends to the state of the roof and windows, but landscaping that is obviously cared leaves a great first impression and offers an inherent promise that a certain level of care has been the standard for this particular home. It’s one of those intangibles that makes such a difference for sellers.
If you’re debating how to best prep your home for selling and you want some expert insight, you know where to find me.
