This article has been taken from Apartment Therapy and written by Lambeth Hochwald, our reliable source on all things Home, Style, and Design. If you’d like more information on Landscaping Mistakes Real Estate Agents See All the Time, then please visit the linked website.
You may not have a green thumb, but that’s no reason to let your yard become an eyesore. Not only will maintaining your lot keep your neighbors happy, landscaping can actually also help boost your home’s value.
But where do you start? I asked real estate agents nationwide for the gardening gaffes they see most. Here, the seven most common mistakes to avoid.
Beware: Reading may inspire feelings of wanting to pick up a rake and get outside.
Landscaping without a game plan
Make sure you think through the layout of your landscaping carefully before getting started. Or, better yet, hire a professional to put in a variety of plants based on the climate and lot size. There’s nothing worse than dead plants littering your yard. Curb appeal is the first impression a potential buyer [has] of your home, and it’s vital that your landscaping is in good shape in order to draw them inside.
Rahul Ramchandani, president of SR Real Estate Group at Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, which sells homes in New Jersey and California.
Not paying attention to the terrain
The biggest mistake I see people make with landscaping is trying to create what they had ‘back home.’ To compensate for the dry climate, I have seen people ‘plant’ fake flowers. Fake grass has become very popular here, too. Embracing the desert with all its natural beauty can be tough for people coming from a greener environment but your ya
rd should fit into the landscape.
Tamara Heidel, a broker at Heidel Realty in Las Vegas
Forgetting to factor in the local fauna
I’ve seen homebuyers put huge fruit and vegetable gardens in their yard and, when they’re not maintained properly, the gardens are ruined and attract all types of animals and rodents.
Tami Halton Pardee, a realtor and founder of Halton Pardee + Partners in Los Angeles.
Planting trees too close to your property
Remember that trees grow. Plant them several feet away from your home so their limbs won’t rub against your home. Overhanging limbs can also damage the roof and spreading roots might damage the foundation.
Melissa Okabe, a real estate agent at Alta Properties in Los Angeles, California.
Not paying enough attention to your lawn
Maintaining the soil conditions in your lawn and watering your lawn in a timely fashion is a task many homeowners struggle with. There are many lawns that are watered at the wrong time, cut too short (or with a dull blade), or isn’t aerated to allow water and fertilizer to penetrate. This creates irregular dead spots, weeds, brown grass and bugs.
Karen Kostiw, a Realtor at Warburg Realty in New York City.
Neglecting to keep things neat
Sellers should always trim and thin trees and bushes so the home is the focal point. [They should] pull weeds, mulch the flower beds for a clean aesthetic, and add a pop of color with flowers—especially in areas that can accent the front door and walkways. It should all be done in a manner that is substantial enough to not look like a quickly-flipped property.
Nick Meyer, a real estate agent with EQ1 Real Estate in San Jose, California
