Investing in Your Home: Does Landscaping Matter?

No matter how many times you go through the process of buying a home, keeping up with market values, fluctuating rates, and timing the buying of property to maximize your budget are all vital to putting yourself in the best possible situation. In that same way, keeping your home value up is important to many who already own their home, as it ensures that they get back their investment if and when the time to sell comes around. In a way, maintaining, or even increasing, your home value is part of protecting your investment, and while Carroll Marshall Insurance doesn’t deal in real estate, we are all about helping our clients protect what is theirs.

For that reason, we wanted to let you in on a little secret:

Landscaping is more than curb appeal for your home.

Yep. Long discredited as a “surface” change that doesn’t necessarily affect the value of your property or do much for the selling process, experts are letting homeowners know that those plants, trees, and sod actually matter…a LOT. Depending on your home’s original value, and the type of landscaping used, you could see anywhere from 5.5-12.7% in price increase when selling your home. However, not all plants are created equal, so keep this ideas in mind when you’re developing your plan:

• A good foundation is key. Your lawn is the foundation of your landscaping plan, so treat any issues as needed, and invest in quality fertilizers, irrigation, and maintenance services to keep your yard green, lush, and free of weeds. A well-manicured lawn is a great way to make a first impression and add value, since a new homeowner doesn’t want to invest the time or liquid assets into purchasing new sod and laying a new yard.
• Mature plants look better, and hold more value. Yes, mature plants and trees cost more up front, so it can be temping to opt for the seedlings when you go to purchase materials from your local provider. However, seedlings take more work during the early months to ensure proper growth and development, and therefore, are not ideal for someone buying a new home. If you want to see return from your landscaping investment, you’re best to choose plants that are hearty, well-established, and on a good path to a long, healthy life.
• Don’t skimp on the details. From edging and borders, to mulch or pine straw, the details are what pull your landscaping together and make it look professional and cohesive. Also consider the addition of pavers for walkways, or seasonal flowers for pop of color since these are inexpensive and easy items to add into your yard’s layout and give it a “wow” factor that potential buyers are looking for.

Your home is an investment, and we want you to see that investment returned and protected over the long haul. Carroll Marshall Insurance is proud to offer the greater Winter Haven area with insurance options for your home, automobile, health, and more. Visit our downtown office or give us a call so we can chat about options available to you and how to get the best rates from top providers in Florida. We are ready to help!