Poor landscaping can make even the best of properties look a bit run-down and rough around the edges. But it turns out that less-than-stellar landscaping can do more than make your home look bad—it can actually impact the value of your property.
A recent survey from Trees.com, which surveyed 1,250 licensed real estate agents in the United States, explored the impact of landscaping on property values. Some of the survey’s key findings include:
Poor landscaping can drive down property values. According to the survey, a whopping 78 percent of real estate agents said that poor landscaping negatively impacts property values.
The impact of poor landscaping on property values is significant. 24 percent of real estate agents estimated that poor landscaping decreases a home’s value by 10 percent. 22 percent estimate that decrease in value to be 20 percent—while 18 percent of real estate agents said that poor landscaping could cause a property’s value to drop by a staggering 30 percent.
Grass, trees, and flowers add the most value to a property. Not all landscaping elements are created equal. If you want your landscaping to add value to your home, the real estate agents surveyed recommend focusing on grass (64 percent), trees (59 percent), and flowers (52 percent).
The Takeaway:
So, what does this mean for you? Keeping your property properly landscaped takes time, energy, and resources—but when you look at the way your landscaping can impact your property value, it is definitely time, energy, and resources well spent.
