Does Landscaping Affect the Value of a Home?

Economic Impact

• The short story is that landscaping your home can raise your property value, and if you are planning to sell, you are more likely to sell your house for a higher asking price. The Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association studied various types of landscaping and found that property values generally rose between 12 and 14 percent with the addition of landscaped patios, decks or porches or the placement of islands and plants around the house. Landscaping only the curb area of your home can also have a positive economic impact on your home's value, but is usually lower, in the 4 percent range. Houses that are landscaped with trees, flowers and shrubs also tend to sell more quickly.

Highest Impact

• Most people have budgetary restrictions for home improvement. You may not be able to go all-out and buy an abundance of new trees, shrubs and gardens. If you are working with a smaller budget, let design be your guide. Virginia Tech studied the impact of landscaping on perceived home values and found that the more sophisticated designs led to perceptions of higher property values in more people surveyed. Other landscaping factors included the plant size used around the home and the variety of plants placed in the landscape plan, both of which rated lower in terms of having a positive effect on home value.

Nonmonetary Value

• Landscaping plays a clear role in the economic value of your home and property, but can also offer nonmonetary value. The privacy and peaceful setting you can create in your yard with trees, shrubs and decorative fencing can be appealing to potential buyers. The "natural" environment can help homeowners value their free time and nonwork life with less stress. The enjoyment some people get from gardening and caring for their plants is relaxing and can be valued as well.

Tips for Landscaping

• Your strategy for landscaping to increase the value of your home will differ if you are trying to sell in the near future than if you plan to live in your current residence in the long term. Regular yard maintenance may be all the landscaping you require if you already have planted shrubs and flowers on your property. If you don't take care of the foliage you already have, your home value can decrease. Yards that are devoid of color can be spruced up with bright annuals planted before you list your house with a real estate agent; arranging the flower beds in a curved shape can boost the value up a percentage point, according to Michigan State University horticulturists.

  If you are not selling your home within a year, plan for the future with perennials that will come back and bloom yearly. Consider adding lighting, fencing rock gardens and other features that are more costly. Because you are staying in your current home, you will be able to reap the benefits of the higher investment over time.