Increase your Resale Value
Spring season is here and the warmer weather in Nashville is the perfect time to start planning your outdoor projects. Starting a landscaping project early also gives enough time for any plants to settle and grow in the spring and summer months. Landscaping can increase home value by an average of 20%; it can also:
- Raise property value by 12%
- Increase your return on investment to over 50%
- Decrease the amount of time your home is on the market
Investopedia suggests homeowners budget about ten percent of the home value into landscape and exterior design. By softscaping (use of plants, shrubs, trees) and hardscaping (lighting and outdoor structures), homeowners can improve their personal residence and the resale value.
What is softscaping?
Softscaping, given the name, is the soft landscape, like perennial flowers, shrubs, succulents, and trees. Softscaping not only enhances the exterior design of the house, but it contributes to the ecological balance and integrity of the natural environment. Early spring is the best time to focus on the softscape, then adding hardscaping elements and features later. These are four softscaping elements and ideas you can incorporate this spring:
1. Tennessee Native Plants and Perennials
One of the most important considerations when landscaping is which plants will grow best. Native Nashville and Middle Tennessee plants have existed for many years, and naturally grow in this type of environment. Perennials, unlike annuals, will bloom every year in the spring. Find a list of the best perennials for Nashville here.
2. Mulch
Mulching your flowers beds and landscaping is recommended at the least annually or twice a year and should be done after any new planting. Apart from adding moisture and nutrients to the soil, it also fills space in the landscape design. Choosing between traditional and nontraditional mulch is a creative decision up to the landscaper. Mulch, pine straw, and rocks are common landscape filler. Each landscape material provides different benefits, so it is best to do research and see what will work best for the landscape.
3. Trees and Shrubbery
Higher than any home improvement, a strategically placed tree can increase home value by up to 109%, higher than any other home improvement. Trees and shrubs can provide shade, privacy and more quality air. It also promotes wildlife and reduces noise pollution, which would benefit houses on busier main roads. Trees can be an investment, but pays off in itself by drastically increase home value. It is important to consider your budget when purchasing trees.
4. Vertical Garden
A vertical garden is a great accent to a large space, or a great option for smaller outdoor spaces. A succulent garden wall will give a beautiful pop of color, and creates a focal point of the outdoor space. Real succulents are best in sunny areas, so in Nashville it may be best to opt for artificial succulents unless your space allows plants at least six hours of sunlight.
In part 2 of the spring landscaping blog series, the blog will cover hardscaping elements to increase home value this spring.
Source:
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/041015/spring-landscaping-ideas-pay.asp
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/trees/selecting-trees-for-your-yard/