Spring time is here!
When the snow melts and hints of green sprout all around the city I feel rejuvenated. The winter blues fade away and the need for greenhouse therapy arrives. How I love May long weekend... It officially marks the time of year where I take a good look at my yard like a painter looks at a canvas, and then work my magic to transform the blank sheet into a work of art. Not only is this therapeutic, when it's all done and my yard is alive with color, it gives me a sense of accomplishment... the added bonus: CURB APPEAL!
I recently read somewhere that a well maintained yard can add up to 15% to the selling price. Whether that number is 100% accurate is neither here nor there, the point is that home sellers should not forget about sprucing up the yard, it's important. Just like a fresh coat of paint on the walls, or new light fixtures. It's what a prospective buyer sees at first sight, before they walk through the front door. Here are a few things I do to keep my yard looking it's best:
1) The grass needs to be green! Water it regularly.
2) Keep the lawn mowed and free of weeds, I find that if you mow it in a different direction each time the lawn is left with a really neat pattern.
3) If there is a deck or patio, make sure it's either freshly painted or stained.
4) Small low-maintenance flower beds are great for adding a splash of color to the yard. Use perennials in the flower beds so that they come up every year.
5) Flower baskets - They can be hanging or free standing, either way they're a great addition to any yard or deck.
6) Shrubs/trees - Some yards are wide open spaces. Trees or shrubs can devide and add character to a yard, and over time will create privacy and shade. My favorite tree in my yard is a Cherry Blossom tree. It's in full bloom right now and it's beautiful!
7) Adding stone or brick edging around flower beds separates the beds from the rest of the yard. The stone element around the flower beds make them stand out to on-lookers.
8) Solar lights and ornaments liven up the yard at night. I love sitting on my deck in the evening when all of the lights turn on! For sellers, solar lights will do a great job of displaying the yard to people who drive by in the evening. Even though the lights will most likely move with the sellers, it paints a picture of what can be done when the new owners take possession.
9) Gardening tools should be kept out of sight. A nice little gardening shed is perfect for storing these items.
10) Wash the outside of the house, especially the windows. I know for myself, in the spring time the outside of my house gets covered with those little seeds that fly around in the air, that mixed with dust equals not very appealing!
These 10 points can help boost curb appeal for any house on any budget. Any more tips or suggestions for having the best yard on the block are more than welcome here, just post them in the comments!
Have a great May long weekend!
Riana Back
Education Specialist