Prelude:

There are many ways to increase the value of a home. Some of these ideas are simple basic things that one can do and some are a little more complex. All of them are fesible and will work to improve the value not only for today but for the long run. Ultimately, when you are in a down market, one of the first things that a homeowner looks for is the way to increase the value of thier property. In this series, we will cover several ideas that will help you. We will do this covering one item at a time.

Topic: Trees, Plants and Shrubs

One of the biggest things that you have to consider when trying to increase the value of a home is the yard. In part 1 of this series, we discussed the many types of grass and the need for a full, lush lawn. Today, we will talk about the need for trees, shrubs, and plants in the yard.

Trees:

The placement of trees are crucial. Too close to the house or driveway and you can suffer some major damage. Too far away and it has no curb appeal. Ultimately, placement is key. Also, the number of trees in a well manicured yard can help or hurt. Too few for the larger yard and too many for the smaller yards are something to consider. I never consider just one unless you have almost a zero lot line. As for variety, you have to be careful with that. First, you want to make sure that it is hardy to your climate. You also want to make sure that it handles the elements well. An example is that Bradford Pears are not good in Florida due to all the hurricanes. With that said, it still does not stop people from planting then just to see them get split in half.

Plants:

Typically, I am more partial to plant beds as well as the use of urns and other types of pottery and planters strategically place about the yard. Plant beds give a sense of definition to the yard. The urns and other planters allow for you to stage and re-stage the yard as you see fit as well as grow plants in places that the ground is not so kind to the plants.

Plants also bring the element of vibrant color into the yard. But, are not limited to just that benefit. They also bring some of the critters that are so necessary for your yard to flourish. When considering the plant life that you want to incorporate into your yard, consider the facts of what they attract, the colors, life span, water requirements, size, and if they are hardly to your climate area. All of this can be learned at your local nursery or garden center.

Shrubs:

Too many times have I seen a home that is being overpowered by the shrubs. Either that have not been trimmed properly or they are so sparse that they detract from the curb appeal. Shrubs need to be inserted into the landscaping just as plants do. There is a rhyme and a reason for where shrubs are places in the yard.

The biggest thing that gets me is that everyone thinks that shrubs should automatically go against the house.This is not true. In Florida, my house had variegated arboricolas around the front and side as a barrier.

My shurbs were more of a barrier for the fence. We also used them in the flower garden throughout as fillers of space. The placement and use of a shrub can be either helpful or harmful to the curb appeal. Keep in mind how it will look with the other plants around.

About the Author

If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approval in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to thorntonteam@homeamericamortgage.com or call us @ 865-951-0522.