Improve Curb Appeal with These Landscaping Tips
Edie Israel
After years of executive sales and marketing experience as well as entrepreneurial success, Edie entered into the real estate market of Southern Calif...
After years of executive sales and marketing experience as well as entrepreneurial success, Edie entered into the real estate market of Southern Calif...
Curb appeal can influence potential home buyers in ways you may never have imagined.
In fact, psychologists have identified the mechanisms in the human brain that form first impressions. Unfortunately, if you blow it, you will never have another opportunity to capture that buyer.
This is why we sometimes encourage our home sellers to make a few important changes to their home’s exterior.
Why Curb Appeal Is King
The decision to buy a home — or not — hinges on three key points: location, price and appeal.
If a potential buyer comes to see your home, we know two things for sure about them: first, they like the area, and second, they like the list price, or at least believe it’s close enough to their budget that a deal could be worked out.
If they schedule a tour, we know we have the first two requirements in the bag. Now all we need to do is ensure we hit the third point and we have removed the majority of a buyer’s potential objections.
Curb appeal is the single most influential factor in a buyer’s decision to make an offer. It also brings you the highest possible price. So how do we maximize your home’s curb appeal? We start with landscaping.
What You Don’t Need for Landscape Curb Appeal
No matter how much you may like them, most potential buyers have a laundry list landscape of items that throw up a red flag.
Overgrown trees and shrubs, especially if they’re close to the home, are a source of concern for buyers. They’re often associated with roof damage and foundation problems resulting from groundwater and root systems. If you have them, trim them way back or remove them. If you have deciduous trees, definitely consider moving them. No buyer in Southern California ever wants to rake leaves.
Likewise, overly fussy landscapes raise concern about how much work will be required to maintain them. On that note, remove your yard art, garden gnomes, birdbaths and similar tchotchkes, no matter how much you love them. They will prevent your potential buyer from envisioning themselves and their family spending time there.
Quick and Easy Tips to Improve Your Landscaping Curb Appeal
First of all, keep your landscaping well-maintained. Keep your grass green and mowed, keep weeds out of the planting beds and remove any dead branches or plants. Also remove any empty flower pots, random tools and unnecessary items you have lying around.
If possible, add some nicely landscaped planter beds or borders. Define them with pavers or bricks and add a few small shrubs and flowering plants.
Finally, be sure to spruce your yard up on a weekly basis (or more, if necessary), while the home is listed. This will ensure it looks great for anyone who drives by — and even more important — for those buyers who schedule a showing.
The professional Realtors® of the Edie Israel Team have their fingers on the pulse of buyers’ wants and needs. We are uniquely qualified to help you present your home in its best light, to ensure a quick sale at the highest possible price.
Contact us today if you plan to sell your home in Yorba Linda or one of the surrounding communities. We can provide the recommendations and assistance necessary to maximize your home’s curb appeal.