We started this series of posts last week so if you happened to miss the first one, Remodeling the Bathroom, you can still see it. This week we're going to discuss your landscaping and how you can perk it up to help your home sell quickly. 

Did you know that according to the American Nursery & Landscape Association, the "average homeowner" spends around $3,500 on their landscaping and another $1,465 on a designer to plan what they need? 

When your home sells, the average return on the money you spent to upgrade your landscaping will probably be about 100%. However, if you don't want to put out thousands of dollars to get it up to par, here are a few less expensive tips you might want to consider. 

Go to your local garden center and talk to the workers there. Many times, they own the place and are happy to give you advice and ideas in order to sell plants. At the very least, you can always learn what will survive best in your area. Most garden centers don't stock plants that aren't well-suited for the area temperatures. In other words, you probably won't find palm trees offered as outdoor plants in Glenview or Wilmette. 

For a vibrant splash of color, add annuals of one main color in varying heights around the front of your home. If established plants are growing wildly around the front door or over the windows, trim them back. This not only looks better from the outside, but also lets more light into the home itself. 

If you want to really dress up the place, consider adding a walkway or fountain as a focal point near the front of your home. Add more colorful flowers in these new areas or to replace plants that are old and scraggly, again mixing heights for added pizazz. 

For buyers or sellers who want to get the best help in the Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook or North Shore area, check out the Marla Schneider Team. We're here to help you buy or sell your home. Look at some of the resources we have to offer. 

Up next, Remodeling the Kitchen to Help Sell your Home in Northbrook. Watch for it!