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Plant Smart for Great Curb Appeal

By
Real Estate Agent with The Marla Schneider Team

Plant Smart for ColorIf you've decided to sell your home, curb appeal is a very important aspect since it's the first thing potential buyers notice. One of the most inexpensive and easiest projects to make a home look beautiful is landscaping. I don't mean having to tear out a whole front yard to make major changes - there are ways to change the look of the yard by planting smart.

When a potential buyer drives up to the front of your home, the first thing they see is the front of the house. Besides a clean home, the first thing that is noticed are greenery and pops of color. Whether a potential buyer realizes it or not, smartly-planted foliage can really dress up a home. A buyer feels invited and welcome and can imagine themselves in a happy home rather than one that looks drab and plain.
There are many ways to plant your garden, but by following these simple guidelines, you will be on your way to transforming the look of your yard that the neighbors will envy. Potential buyers will want to see the rest of the home if there is great curb appeal.

Many of us plant shrubs that are round and wide. To add uniqueness to a garden, vertical accents are very important. These are plants that are taller than they are wide, and often prominently upright and narrow. These can go a long way to adding interest in a garden setting. Ornamental grasses are the popular choices for this look. Vines running up trellises are another way to achieve verticality.

Make an impact. Use very large, unique pots that make a statement. One large pot full of color looks neater and crisper than many small pots in the same area. There are now resin pots that can withstand the cold winters. A double walled resin container can provide the much-needed insulation for perennials to survive the winter. If you decide to plant in the ground, plant in mass for a huge splash of color. Bulbs are another favorite, especially if you are looking to sell your home in the spring. This is the most affordable way to bring color into your garden. Plant bulbs in the fall and come spring, up will pop the most vibrant colors, sure to bring a smile to that buyer's face.

Budget is always a consideration. If you plan to sell your home, some expense needs to be taken to spruce up the curb appeal without overdoing it. If budget is an issue, then the best course of action is to just choose one of the above additions and add in multiples. If the idea of large planters is your cup of tea, introduce a couple this fall and add as you can. If bulbs excite you, plant in masses, maybe a dozen per plant to gain a noticeable effect. Three is the minimum recommended for grasses or vines as well. If you only add one of anything, it won't do much to transform a space and it will get lost in the overall landscaping instead of making a statement.

So, after you complete that needed curb appeal, call The Marla Schneider Team to help you sell your beautifully landscaped home quickly!! You add the color and let them do the rest of the work to get you out of your old home and into your new dream home!

Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Great tips.  Most people are not landscapers, and I see a mishmash of all kinds of plantings on listings that are fairly upscale.  There is often a little pot here and a little pot there with a shrub or two.  You don't have to spend a lot of money.  Just a few well-placed plants with some zing and in good health is really all it takes.  And, please don't overcrowd.  Buyers may not want the upkeep of a ton of shrubs that need pruning or fussy flowers. 

Aug 05, 2010 01:55 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

It's so important to make a great first impression and dressing the yard as you describe is a great way to do it!

Aug 05, 2010 01:57 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Such good advice.  This is one of the easiest things to fix/stage yet many people neglect their curb appeal.  A fresh coat of paint on wooden stairs and/or replacing/sprucing up mailboxes/lettering helps too.

Aug 05, 2010 02:03 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Maria - great post on curb appeal.   I'm not a huge fan of vines, as they get out of control so easily unless you know what you are doing, but definitely the point about different heights and shades and various types of foliage is important.

Aug 05, 2010 02:06 AM
Andy Leung
Team Leung-Keller Williams - Greensboro, NC
The Power to Move You!

Your photo showing masses of color certainly makes an impact.  Very nice.

Aug 05, 2010 02:34 AM
The Elise Bickel Team
ReMax Select Realty - Pittsburgh, PA
Leasing, Property Management and Sales

Absolutely true. I've had buyers cancel appointments because of the poor curb appeal of a home!

Aug 06, 2010 05:01 PM
Marla Schneider
The Marla Schneider Team - Glenview, IL
Move with Marla

Thanks for all of the good additions to my post.  Landscaping should not be haphazard, though it need not be costly. Getting the buyers in the door is  the first step to making the sale. IF the yard & outside of the home looks bad, the "buyer" will never get to that point.

Aug 08, 2010 06:07 PM