Improving your landscaping can add tens of thousands of dollars to your property value if done right. That being said, as with all home remodeling efforts, some landscaping projects increase property values, while others keep it the same or even decrease it. This article will discuss how much of a return on investment improving your landscaping has on average, and how various landscaping projects impact your home value.
Key Landscaping Statistics and Insights
- A home that is well landscaped could demand higher prices than a home with no landscaping. That advantage ranged from 5.5% to 12.7%. (Virginia Tech)
- Attention to curb appeal and landscaping can increase perceived home value by 5 to 11%. (Michigan State University)
- Poor landscaping can lower property values by 10% (Journal of Environmental Horticulture)
- Professional landscaping can add 15% to 20% more to a home’s selling price. (American Society of Landscape Architects)
- Landscaping can add 14% to the resale value of a home and sell it 6 weeks faster. (Landscape Contractors of America)
- High-quality landscape designs usually have an ROI of 20% to 30% of the overall house value. (Bryan Mackenzie from bumpercroptimes.com)
- A wood deck costs on average $16,766, returning 65.8% at resale; a more durable composite deck costs $22,426 on average, recouping 63.2%. (Remodeling.com)
- Drought resistant landscaping adds 10% to 12% in property value (BHGRE Life)
- It’s a good idea to spend 10% to 20% of your home’s current value on outdoor and landscaping improvements. (American Society of Landscape Architects)
- The biggest factor that buyers look for in home exteriors is a design that is sophisticated. Plant size and maturity was second. (Virginia Tech)
- Applying mulch annually, mowing about 2,800 square feet of lawn, pruning shrubs, and planting about 60 annuals or perennials costs about $3,000 — but has a 100% return on investment (ROI) upon selling. (The National Association of Realtors and National Association of Landscape Professionals)
- Top agents estimate that lawn care service of about $268 adds about $1,200 in value—a 352% ROI. Adding fresh mulch at roughly $340 recoups about 126% upon closing. (HomeLight)
- 74% of real estate agents said they suggest sellers complete a maintenance program before putting their homes on the market. What’s more, 17% of those surveyed said recent landscape maintenance had led to a sale. (National Association of Realtors)
- Over 75% of top real estate agents across the country say that well-landscaped homes are worth anywhere from 1% to 10% more than homes with no landscaping. (HomeLight)
- 79% of Americans rank a lawn as the most important feature when renting or buying a home. (National Association of Landscape Professionals)
- Landscaping and hardscaping can deliver a return on investment as high as 150% – an ROI that puts it ahead of popular home improvement projects like kitchen or bathroom updates. (RealEstate.com)
- Xeriscaping, by utilizing smart choice of vegetation, water saving irrigation techniques, and other water conservation measures, can cut down the water use in your home by up to 60% (Home Advisor)
Which Landscaping Projects Improve a Home’s Value?
The landscaping projects that increase home values the most tend have mass appeal and are low maintenance. The following landscaping projects are more likely to increase home value when done properly.
Drought Resistant Landscaping (Xeriscaping)
In hot climates in particular Xeriscaping is highly sought after by home buyers because it requires very little maintenance and water usage. In fact, Home Advisor estimates that Xeriscaping can reduce water usage by up to 60%, and members of the American Society of Landscape Architects have recently noticed a 10% rise in customer demand for drought tolerant landscaping like Xeriscaping.
That being said, drought resistant landscaping is not cheap. According to Fixer.com getting Xeriscaping installed costs anywhere from $16,000 to $18,000 on average. While that may sound like a lot, in many cases that is well below the additional 10% to 12% in property value that Xeriscaping adds on average to your property according to the BHGRE Life.
Trees
The Virgina Tech study found that plant size and maturity was the second most important factor that home buyers looked for in a landscape. So, in order to increase your property value you should consider investing in larger trees and mature greenery that appears more established.
Decks
Decks are the only landscaping project to make the list on Remodeling.com’s annual Cost vs. Value study, which analyzes home improvements offering the best return on investment. A wood deck costs on average $16,766, returning 65.8% at resale; a more durable composite deck costs $22,426 on average, recouping 63.2%.
Fire Pits and Fireplaces
According to a American Society of Landscape Architects survey, Fire pits and fireplaces have a 94% popularity rating among home buyers so adding a fireplace or fire pit could be a great way to increase your home value.
Which Landscaping Projects Decrease Property Value?
In general, landscaping projects that are “too niche” may put off a large portion of buyers. For example, ideas such as an Asian zen garden will probably not appeal to some.
Conclusion
Landscaping trends may change over time, but the most financially-rewarding projects tend to be the same: They’re low-maintenance, attractive, and expand your enjoyment and use of the home.