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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Weed Out Bad Landscaping To Make a Great First Impression



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Think of the outside of your home as a cover of a book.  When you look at a book, it’s the cover that pulls you in and makes you want to turn the pages and read it.  The same is true of selling your property because great curb appeal makes a buyer want to see more.   Remember, you only have a few seconds to make that first impression and the last thing you want is unkempt trees, shrubs and flower beds to greet prospective buyers.  An attractive, well-maintained landscape will only increase the value of your home.
 
I met with the owner of a top landscape maintenance company to get some ideas to enhance the outside of your home and, ultimately, increase the salability of your property.  To make the best first impression, homeowners can take simple steps that make a big difference—clean up the lawn, trees and shrubs and garden beds.  Keep in mind that you can tackle these sure-fire tips and tricks on your own.
 
To spruce up your lawn, use a lawn-treatment application to green up the lawn and kill any weeds.  It may take time for the treatment to work, so start on this step right away, because even if you can only get one application complete, it will make a big difference.  Keep the lawn mowed—and mow it properly.  To do so, ensure the mower’s blade is sharp and don’t leave clippings on the ground, which will only turn brown and get dragged into your home.  These two steps will give your lawn a clean look.  For times when you just can’t get around to mowing the lawn, have a name of a lawn service provider on hand so they can take care of it at short notice.
   
When it comes to trees and shrubs, remember they are there to accent the design and architecture of your home, not to cover it up, so be sure the shrubs do not grow against the house or over walkways.  Elevate the trees and be sure there are no broken or hanging limbs.  Nothing screams neglect more than a bunch of dead branches.
 
Last, clear the garden beds out by getting rid of leaves and weeds then top them off with a fresh covering of mulch, which will provide an attractive contrast between the beds and the lawn, as well as make the plants pop.  Mulch is easy to apply and relatively inexpensive.  

From my experience landscaping matters to the client.  Order versus disarray wins every time, so don’t wait until the last minute to clean up your landscaping to help you get top dollar for your biggest investment.  
If you are interested in buying or selling your home, contact me today at 814.234.4000 or christurleykbb@comcast.net.  I would be happy to assist you.