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5. First Impressions: Fresh & Young Landscaping

Curb appeal is the most powerful first impression a buyer gets when they first pull up in
front of your house. And as they say, first impressions are lasting impressions. Having
well-maintained and attractive the landscaping in the front yard makes a house look
happy and loved. If a nicely manicured front yard makes them want to come into the
house, a cleanly landscaped backyard makes them not want to leave. This is the
one-two punch that you’re looking for.
What if you have landscaping that is more mature? Even if it has been
well-maintained, older, larger bushes and shrubs make a house look older. This is
especially true where you have bushes that have grown so high in a flower bed next to
the house that they cover the windows.
Some people consider this a benefit because it screens the windows and can give extra
privacy. While this may be true for the homeowner, it is also true for home burglars
who look for cover and love to come in through windows that are shielded from street or
neighbor’s view by huge shrubbery. However, the main consideration for selling for top
dollar is simply the aesthetics.
Before you rush out and start digging up the old overgrown bushes, do a little more
research and look at all your options. Landscaping, especially buying new shrubs and
trees, can get very expensive very fast. Remember the goal is return on investment
with any money you spend to improve the landscaping.
As a general rule, younger shrubs and plants make a house look younger and
accentuate the home itself. Planting flowers is always a good idea, because they give
great color and life to a property and make it come alive.
This is not to say that mature tree and shrubs need to go. In fact mature trees give
character to a house and can be an extremely valuable feature both for shade and
aesthetics.
One thing to consider and pay attention to with large trees, especially fast-growing
trees, is the affect roots can have on foundations and underground plumbing including
sprinkler systems and sewers. Many times builders will plant fast-growing trees,
because they look better faster and because they tend to be less expensive. The

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