Lake LBJ and the Texas Hill Country Happenings

Landscaping:

Little touches make the difference

The right landscape design can make all the difference to a prospective buyer,

especially when it’s beautifully and carefully executed. In fact, REALTORS® and

landscape professionals estimate that a well-landscaped yard can add 5% to

15% to the selling value of a house. Houses that look good from the road

carry higher price tags—a fact that turns landscape investments into money in

the bank when selling a house. Here are a few ideas on how to improve your

landscape:

• One of the best investments you can make is a glorious stand of healthy

trees as part of a well-landscaped yard. REALTORS® across Texas and the

rest of the country know that healthy trees can increase the property value

of a home, as well as provide years of aesthetic benefits to owners. Trees

also cut down on energy costs. When Kiplinger published the 25 best

ways to invest $1,000, buying a big tree was at the top of the list. If your

selling timetable doesn’t allow for planting and nurturing a tree to maturity,

remember this advice for your next house.

• Since a tree is a long-term investment, it’s important to start with a

high-quality plant. In the case of trees, money definitely buys quality. Trees

that are 8 to 10 feet tall—either balled and wrapped in burlap or

established and growing in containers—are usually the best buy.

Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $1,000 for a

quality tree.

• Add a few plants around the foundation of the house and in “curb appeal”

areas such as near the front door. Or, consider using more permanent

bushes, especially those that flower in the summer and have colorful buds

in the winter.

• Gardeners on a budget can buy a few plants, then, add more as your

budget allows.

• For an especially inexpensive jolt for your yard, flowers are a homeowner’s

best friend. Bright splashes of color add visual appeal, though they’re

usually temporary. For this reason, they’re great if you suddenly need to

put your house on the market and need a quick landscaping fix. At that

point, it’s best to stick to the basics, leaving more costly and permanent

landscaping to the new owners.

This information is brought to you by a proud member of the Texas Association of REALTORS®. Whenever you buy, sell,

or lease real estate, make sure your agent is a REALTOR®.

© 2004 by the Texas Association of REALTORS®. All rights reserved.

For more information about Texas REALTORS® or buying or selling a home in Texas,

visit TexasRealEstate.com.