Landscaping has a significant impact on the overall impression a home makes, both to visitors and the ambiance of the interior. But is it worth investing in curb appeal to improve your home’s value? According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), professional landscaping can increase a home’s resale price by 15 to 20 percent. Bryan McKenzie, a landscape designer and co-founder of the gardening advice site bumpercroptimes.com, adds that high-quality landscape designs typically have a return on investment (ROI) of 20 to 30 percent of the overall house value.
However, not all landscaping projects deliver on their promises, and some may actually decrease the value of the property. While you may see beauty and value in certain projects, others may view them as burdensome or even hazardous. So, it’s important to understand when landscaping increases or decreases home value and which projects offer the best ROI.
The definition of landscaping includes both the overall design and individual elements of the exterior area around a residence. Softscaping refers to living things like flowers, plants, trees, and natural ground coverings, while hardscaping refers to non-biological features and structures, such as steps, paths, and fountains. Like interior designs, landscaping trends change over time. Currently, outdoor living space enhancements, such as expanding decks and patios, adding fireplaces or fire features, dining areas, and covered gazebos or pergolas, are highly popular. However, popularity does not necessarily mean that these projects add significant value to a home. For instance, not everyone may appreciate a pergola, and maintaining an elaborate water garden may be too demanding for some homeowners.
Research conducted by horticulturist Alex X. Niemiera at Virginia Tech found that a well-landscaped home had a price advantage of 5.5 to 12.7 percent over a home with no landscaping. This advantage translates to an additional value of $16,500 to $38,100 on a $300,000 home. The most financially rewarding landscaping projects typically expand living space or add low-maintenance beauty to the property.
When done right, the following landscaping projects are more likely to increase home value:
1. Decks: According to Remodeling.com’s annual Cost vs Value study, decks are the only landscaping project that consistently offers a high ROI. Wood decks recover 50.2 percent of their costs at resale, despite recent declines due to rising lumber prices. Composite decks, while more expensive upfront, have a lower ROI of 39.8 percent.
2. Mature trees: Buyers value a sophisticated design in landscaping, as well as plant size and maturity. Investing in larger, mature trees can contribute to a more established and appealing landscape. While the cost of planting a tree is higher than planting a shrub, the long-term benefits of trees, such as low maintenance and added curb appeal, outweigh the costs.
3. Xeriscaping: With increasing climate change and rising temperatures, xeriscaping, which utilizes drought-friendly plants and features, is becoming more popular. Despite being one of the most expensive landscaping projects upfront, xeriscaping eliminates many maintenance costs associated with traditional landscapes, potentially adding 10 to 12 percent to property value.
4. Sprinkler systems: Installing a sprinkler system can help homeowners use water more efficiently and maintain a well-kept lawn. While initial costs vary depending on lawn size, sprinkler systems offer an 83 percent ROI and a high “joy score” among homeowners.
5. Landscape lighting: Landscape lighting enhances safety and security, and also creates a more inviting atmosphere. This type of installation offers a 59 percent ROI and can cost between $3,500 and $4,500 on average.
6. Lawn and landscape maintenance: Simple maintenance tasks such as mowing, pruning, and applying mulch can have a significant impact on home value. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), these tasks offer a 104 percent ROI, and many Realtors recommend tidying up the lawn and landscape before selling a property.
On the other hand, certain landscaping projects can decrease home value. “Too niche” projects that only appeal to a small portion of buyers may deter potential buyers. Major renovations also tend to have lower returns compared to smaller projects. Additionally, projects that are high-maintenance or incur substantial costs, such as swimming pools, ponds, waterfalls, and other elaborate features, may decrease property value.
In conclusion, investing in landscaping can significantly improve home value if done wisely. It’s crucial to consider the specific projects that are known to have a high ROI, such as decks, mature trees, xeriscaping, sprinkler systems, landscape lighting, and regular maintenance tasks. By focusing on these projects, homeowners can enhance their curb appeal, create outdoor living spaces, and increase the overall value of their homes.
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