The Close Relation Between Landscaping And Property Value -

Modern architecture, which aims to balance form and function, embraces biophilic designs that inspire a close connection with nature. This is based on the belief that man is designed to stay close to his natural environment (even if he must create a box to protect himself from the elements).

As open-floor concepts and botanical-themed room décor become the norm, more and more homeowners are paying close attention to indoor and outdoor landscaping. Whether this preference is driven by eco-consciousness or a simple desire to create community spaces, complex compositions of landscaping projects certainly benefit the property’s market value.

According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), indoor and outdoor landscaping projects can increase a property’s value by 15 to 20% at resale. If the landscaping is high-quality, the ROI may go as high as 30%! Statistically speaking, you must understand the effects of landscaping on property value and the most promising projects, all of which are discussed in this blog.

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How Landscaping Affects Your Property’s Value

First impressions matter; when potential buyers enter through your property’s gates, they notice the lush greenery or lack thereof. They will (subconsciously) look for signs of life within the property. A cohesive indoor-outdoor landscaping design can make your home stand out in the market, and here’s how.

1. Trees and Their Plantation Location Matter

If you’re not planning to put your house on sale for at least the next 15 to 20 years, consider planting trees. As per the USDA Forest Service, mature trees can add as much as 10% to your property’s existing market value.

However, the location of trees matters more than you think. When planted too close to the home, tree roots may extend underneath the property, compromising its structural integrity. This is especially true of large trees with far-reaching roots, such as willow, oak, and poplar.

Also, tree roots tend to have an affinity for water sources. In case of leakage in a sewer pipe, the roots will quickly find their way into the pipe, leading to breaks and blockages. As a result, you may end up with a flooded yard or patio.

Finally, ultra-tall trees can intervene with electricity/cable lines. So, before planting trees, consult with relevant companies to locate the cable and sewage lines.

2. Crawlers May Damage the Home’s Exterior

Crawlers or vines like Ivy love to cling to the side of the home for growth. While this adds much visual appeal, the scenario can soon turn undesirable. For instance – There are cases where Ivy growth along the home’s side damages the paint. If there are cracks in the bricks, the vine will soon start growing in these cracks, eventually causing stability issues.

Sometimes, unchecked Ivy may grow as high as the roof, lifting off the titles and pulling apart the guttering. These are serious issues that threaten your property’s resale value. It is best to seek the guidance of a landscaping expert before planting vines.

3. Native Plants are the Best in Terms of Property Value

Native plants are those plants, shrubs, and herbs that naturally grow in your region. They increase property value because they naturally thrive in the given environment, thus requiring less maintenance. Also, they raise ecological value by offering easy pollination to bees and butterflies.

You will need to water these plants less because they have already adapted to the region’s water source. Finally, native plants in areas with high precipitation can direct water runoff, preventing seepage in the basement. Some examples of native plants based on US states are listed below –

Nebraska – Obedient plant, Indiangrass, yarrow, goldenrod, leadplant, Northern red oak, American elm, and Kentucky coffee tree
Wisconsin – American bellflower, sugar maple, cardinal flowers, swamp milkweed, black cherry, shagbark hickory, and hemlock
Minnesota – Red columbine, wild bergamot, New England aster, coneflowers, hackberry tree, white and black oak, sugar maple, and balsam fir
New Mexico – Eastern redbud, desert-willow, pine, blanket flowers, California poppy, yarrow, and tickseed sunflower
Arizona – Ponderosa pine, wait-a-minute bush, Arizona sycamore, cypress, desert marigold, saguaro, and deer grass
Iowa - Prairie grasses, red maple trees, butterfly milkweed, cardinal flowers, native wildflowers, and purple coneflower

4. Planters May Influence Client Decisions

Modern indoor planters can keep the interiors of your space looking fresh, lively, and aesthetic. Such eclectic shapes and varying sizes of planters are available today that you can use to enhance every space’s visual appeal.

Crescent Garden suggests choosing planters that closely align with your home’s landscaping style or theme. For instance – If your home’s indoor-outdoor landscaping is Japanese-themed, you can feature trendy and quirky origami planters to create a sense of continuity.

Besides, other types of modern planters, including cube, round, and tapered ones, can further impress potential buyers as they inspect your property’s interiors.

5. Prickly Bushes Can Deter Burglars

Landscaping has plenty of functional purposes, too, one of which is deterring burglars. Robbers are less likely to break in if you plant prickly or thorny bushes and shrubs near vulnerable points such as windows.

Instead of prickly bushes, you can also plant tall cacti if you live in a desert region. These protective barriers can also be buried next to a wall or fence. Better yet, you can ditch the fence and plant these deterrents to keep strays at bay.

This protective feature of your landscaping can further impress buyers and increase property value.

Indoor and Outdoor Landscaping Ideas to Increase Property Value

Now that we’ve discussed the effects of landscaping (positive and negative) on property value let’s see what the trending landscaping themes are. Another way to increase your property’s value is by choosing a popular landscaping design.

1. The Woodland Wonderland

If a cozy cabin in the woods sounds like your ideal breakout from civilization, consider investing in a Woodland Wonderland landscaping theme. This style is easy to maintain because the elements are primarily natural. The plants are allowed to bloom at their own pace.

You can plant trees like oak, hickory, walnut, etc., depending on what’s native to your area. But remember that these trees are deciduous and take a long time to grow. Choose redwood, juniper, spruce, or pine for year-round coverage. Finally, complete the look with vintage birdhouses, wooden park benches, and gravel pathways.

2. The Serene Japanese Haven

The Japanese garden is all about tying the natural world with the spiritual. It draws its principles from the Taoist, Shinto, and Buddhist teachings to attain complete rest and bliss. If you want to create a getaway for peaceful contemplation, this landscaping style is your ideal.

To ace it, you must include the four essential elements of water, ornaments, plants, and rocks. The design philosophies revolve around asymmetry and borrowed scenery. So, what would that look like? An enclosed garden space with Koi ponds, short bridges, and stone basins, with its beauty further enhanced by ornaments.

You can also incorporate relaxing ambient lights like lanterns for nighttime bliss.

3. The Coveted English Garden

Want a landscaping theme where ‘Vying for Versailles’ meets grandma’s delightful stories from ‘Life in Kent?’ Then, opt for the mystical English Cottagecore theme. This landscaping style allows you to embrace nature in all its glory.

We’re not talking about carefully crafted topiaries but rows of countryside flowers enhancing the curb appeal with fruit trees, fountains, iron benches, and cobblestone pathways. If you have space to spare, construct a small summerhouse for morning leisure and nighttime star-gazing.

4. The Tropical Heaven

If you fancy palm trees and some beautiful bougainvillea, you need not move to a remote tropical island to experience these beauties. Recreate tropical heaven into your backyard landscaping project, provided your area’s climate supports it.

Add other tropical touches besides the shrubs and trees, like a relaxing hammock, bamboo accents, an infinity swimming pool, and brightly-colored furniture. As for the indoors, deck the spaces with tropical plants like bromeliads, cordyline, and kentia palm, along with natural furnishings, a bold accent wall, leaf motifs, and many pineapple-themed trinkets.

5. The Wild and Free Prairie Grasslands

If you need a universal theme for all climates, the Prairies are the best choice. This landscaping style is also suitable for those who do not want to avoid growing trees in their garden. Instead, you get to enjoy the feel of having the Midwest right before your eyes.

Resist the urge to organize your :

Resistant grasses and bushes to recreate the wild Prairie look.
Scatter the seeds and let them grow most naturally.

Install wood or stone benches and a small pool (like a pond) with wild grass growing around its perimeter to keep the look as authentic as possible.

Invest in Your Home!

Just as good landscaping can increase your property’s value, poor landscaping can hurt its market value. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 92% of the surveyed sellers enhance curb appeal before listing a property online.

However, some ways homeowners miss out on the opportunity to increase resale value are weed overgrowth, too many old trees, a disjointed patio or yard, inefficient irrigation lines, poor ambient lighting, and a leaking pool.

As you embark on a landscaping overhaul, deal with these elements before they enter your property’s market value.