Everyone knows that “CURB APPEAL” is a very important thing when selling your home. If you are interested in doing a little landscaping to help boost your homes value, you may be surprised to find out that it’s not always the big, expensive landscaping projects that are required to boost curb appeal.

Not all landscaping is created equal when done to increase the value of your home. Sometimes it can be simple things that create big impact.

Consider the following:

1. EDGING AND MULCHING: This is often overlooked when assessing the curb appeal of your home. But, once all of the beds are neatly edged and freshly mulched, you can easily see why this is number one on the list. It is a simple and low-cost way to massively make a great first impression. Fresh mulch looks so clean and nice, and a freshly cut edge on the beds makes the entire property look well maintained.

2. SIMPLE PRUNING: This doesn’t have to cost you a penny! Just go around your yard and give those plants a haircut! We know how a haircut can make your face look instantly better...well, the same goes for trimming the plants. Make sure you are learning when and how to do the pruning properly. Hint: It’s not that hard!!! And when the pruning is done, your yard will have an instant boost in curb appeal, hence an instant boost in perceived value.

3. SEASONAL INTEREST: Make sure your plantings or other features offer interest at anytime of the year. It’s always a good idea to make sure that the plants offer a variety of bloom times and offer winter interest with branching habits or even bark color. There are other ways of adding interest that will also boost appeal to prospective buyers. It may be something as simple as a beautiful wreath hung on the door, or an annual planter at the head of the walk. Perhaps a bench could add year-round interest.

4. MOW THE LAWN: Yes, mow the lawn! Sounds simple, I know. But a carefully mowed and trimmed lawn makes all the difference in curb appeal.

5. THOUGHTFUL DESIGN: This is one of the most important elements that can ultimately add value to your home. If the landscaping is well thought out, it’s obvious to all who visit.

6. SOMETIMES, TOO MUCH CAN BE A PROBLEM: No matter how much money and time you’ve put into your Koi pond or that rose garden, a prospective buyer may see it as a maintenance headache. Be aware of what may be “too much”when looking at how landscaping can increase your property value.

7. HARDSCAPING FEATURES: While these types of features are the most expensive (retaining walls, patios, etc.), they potentially add the greatest value to your property. These features offer some of the biggest payoffs.