Curb Appeal is many things together:
The concept behind “Curb Appeal Sells Homes” means there are a lot of elements that go into generating the maximum amount of “Curb Appeal” for any home. Whether you are listing your home or doing a makeover, there are a lot of elements to consider. Starting with time, budget and scope, figuring out the solution can seem daunting. “Curb Appeal Sells Homes” can help as part of your plan.
Consider this: Pennington Seed Inc., a long-time leader in the lawn seed industry says: “The first impression your lawn and landscape make when someone pulls up out front has a significant impact on your home’s value. Enhancing your property’s “curb appeal” can boost its price by up to 17 percent — and lawn and landscaping upgrades matter just as much as improvements to your house itself.”
Remember – “Your landscape never gets a second chance make a first impression”.
Change takes time, so plan ahead:
On the real estate listing side of Curb Appeal Sells Homes, its best to start well before you even pick a realtor. If you know you are going to be listing, don’t wait to start the process of doing what’s needed to create the Curb Appeal you and your perspective buyer want. This goes for both the inside and outside of your home. Unlike swapping out light fixtures and appliances, improving lawns takes time so you need to plan ahead with that in mind.
This means making your lawn as presentable and healthy as possible. This doesn’t mean you have to look like the 18th fairway at Augusta National Golf Club, but it does mean that a month or two prior to listing, you take the steps, or hire someone like us, to address any defects in your lawn that could be problematic to someone pulling up to see your property when you list.
Lawns in the DC area are typically susceptible to a number of problems, and most are simple to fix (like soil testing, fertilizing, pest control) if you have some lead time, so keep that in mind. If you are listing in January – March then your lawn needs to be fixed by mid-November, conversely if you are listing in April, you can be ready in mid-March. Plan Ahead!
Plan Ahead!
Planting shrubs, perennials and annuals can also very calendar dependent. Many of these plants do not show up on nursery lots until late March, early April. Lots of plant materials also disappear in the Fall, being shipped to the Carolina’s to spend the winter away from snow and frost.
Reach out for help:
Your lawn is but one element of the “Curb Appeal Sells Homes” picture, so keep in mind that fixes take time so plan well ahead. Talk with the experts about what your lawn and landscape may need, and do it as early in your process as possible. The pre-planning will yield big results, and less need for Tylenol.
Questions? Reach out to us for answers. We’re here to help.
Best, Steve
“Remember, Your landscape never gets a second chance to make a first impression.”
