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Cutting Through the Overgrowth to Get the Best Curb Appeal

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

Last summer, I sold a really great home in Gainesville's community of Virginia Oaks to some first time buyers.  It was a colonial with a great floor plan and a fantastic back yard.  Even had an inground pool.  Problem was, the beauty of this home was not readily apparent.  There were mature trees and shrubs covering the home from view as we approached. 

Driving by this Virginia Oaks home one year later you can actually SEE the house.  To begin, the shrubs on either side of the garage were taken out entirely.  Second, the lower limbs on the large tree on the right were removed.  Some smaller flowers were planted to accent the right side of the garage.  And I personally think having the American Flag hanging on the side of the garage gives just enough splash of color. 

If you want the most money for your Gainesville, VA home, give it a great face. Start getting your curb appeal in order by cutting the overgrowth that keeps buyers from SEEING your home.

Comments(12)

Kristen Wheatley
Better Homes & Gardens | The Masiello Group - Brunswick, ME
Supporting Success - Best Job in the World!

What a huge difference!  Great tip.

Aug 31, 2010 03:53 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Kristen:  When the buyer's were at their home inspection they had landscapers come out and started talking about what they planned to do when they officially owned the house.  The idea of cutting the big tree back was not a favorite idea to one of the spouses, but it turned out to be the best idea.  The house looks great.

Aug 31, 2010 04:16 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

They made the right decisions;  the difference is simply amazing!

Aug 31, 2010 04:19 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Susan:  Shrubs and trees are great, but not when they are taking over the front of a home.

Aug 31, 2010 05:07 AM
Anne Clark
Metro Referrals - Gainesville, VA

It's amazing what a difference simple changes like this can make to a property.  The before and after pictures tell the whole story.

Aug 31, 2010 09:03 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Anne:  It wouldn't be much fun to get dig up mature shrubs, but the end result is worth it.  I'll be doing something similar in my backyard this fall.  Must remember to take a before pic so I can do a similar post.

Aug 31, 2010 09:58 AM
Sally Dunbar
Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area) - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale

Chris Ann - What a great example you have made, and how fortunate ou took the first picture.  As Barb Swartz said "You can't sell it if you can't see it".  Great pictures.

Aug 31, 2010 11:51 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Sally:  I take a picture of every home I sell to Buyers on the day of closing, if not before. 

Aug 31, 2010 12:13 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Chris, I couldn't agree more. So many home owners plant things and have no idea how it will impact the curb appeal of the home. We tend not to project our choices into the future when all the landscaping matures. This a great example. I also love the Flag. Nice illustration of how to correct the overgrown look of big trees and shrubbery. 

Aug 31, 2010 05:17 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

William:  I'm not a talented landscaper, but I can recognize the talent of others. 

Aug 31, 2010 05:19 PM
Yvette Chisholm
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD
Associate Broker - Rockville, MD 301-758-9500

You have to see the house to appreciate it.  So many people let their bushes and trees get overgrown or plant them too close to the house or power lines.  Maybe the internet will help people figure out where to plant trees.

Sep 04, 2010 09:12 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Yvette:  I had a computer program that I bought really cheap to help me see what mature landscaping in my backyard would look like.  It was really helpful.

Sep 04, 2010 09:14 AM