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Home sellers these days have a lot of things to contend with. Unless the property is absolutely gorgeous the homeowner will need to do something to attract attention and entice buyers to come in.
Like the old adage says, “the first impression is the last impression” and it has a lot of weight when it comes to selling a home. Of course we have all seen those TV shows that depict expert gardeners spending hours, days and maybe even weeks preparing a home’s garden and lawn. But is that even realistic for most of us? Here are some tips on how you can achieve top-quality results in landscaping and curb appeal without spending lots of time to accomplish it.
Invest in Low-Maintenance Plants, Shrubs and Flowers
Depending on the position of your home you can plant things that do not require much attention. There are plenty of low, medium and high light plants and flowers that can easily function without much attention through an entire season. Some plants even work well with less water – ideal for homes in drier climates.
One easy to care for flowering plant is the daylily. These garden wonders are pest-free, cover a good amount of ground or border space, grow quickly and withstand both hot and cold climates. Colorful additions include plants like rhododendrons and peonies – both available in a variety of colors and each low-maintenance. Be sure to talk to a garden expert where you buy these plants to check on planting location for each.
For greenery and fullness you can add ferns – a plant that is available in thousands of varieties and very easy to care for. Perfect for shady spots in your lawn, ferns also do well in other parts of your landscape area without needing a lot of attention.
Arrange Colorful Patio/Porch Accessories
When you are done planting, the next thing you should do is to make sure the immediately visible exterior portions of the home and the driveway are both clean. A warm and inviting entryway will almost always attract buyers and entice them into wanting to explore behind the front door.
For inspiration, check out some of the home design magazines online or go window shopping online on websites such as potterybarn.com or pier1.com so you can see how their displays infuse bright colors in a warm and inviting way. You don’t have to go all out and spend too much money – just enough to add some dimension and interest to the space. Just one chair with colorful cushions, bright flowers in a striking planter and a topiary or two might be all you need. Of course you also want to invest in a brand new welcome mat that literally welcomes buyers into your home.
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Enhancing curb appeal does not have to break your back or your bank – but by spending just a little bit of time you can spruce up your place enough to make buyers head your way rather than to the neighbor thatdoes have a green thumb and plenty of time!
