Research over a range of states has shown that well landscaped properties increase in value 10-12 percent over just having a lawn.  We talked to our BNI realtor partner Veronica Jaster, with ReeceNichols on the Koehler-Borthnick Team, to find out what that means for Kansas City homeowners.    

Curb Appeal 

Landscaping increases curb appeal.  When a person first sees a home, the landscaping is what they see before the inside.  Poor landscaping can make it very difficult to sell a house.   

For example, Jaster and her partner had been following a house that was listed on the market in May of 2021 and didn’t sell when priced at 350K.  The owner asked Jaster and her partner to sell the home.   

Before her partner and she listed the house, they met with the homeowner and pointed out several landscaping problems like overgrown shrubs, an overhang that was too short and would hit a tall person, and some other things. 

The homeowner corrected the problems and the home sold for 377K after just a few days. 

Curb Appeal Transformation

Before

Demo Started

Blue Crew In Action

Planting Complete

Stone Work Finished

Entry Planter Filled

Sophisticated Designs 

Several researchers have found that sophisticated landscape designs cause the value of the home to increase.  Simple lawn and foundation plantings by themselves are not good enough.  It takes multiple landscape beds with well planted and maintained landscapes and mature trees to really increase the value.  Neighborhoods that have sophisticated landscape designs likewise increase the value of a person’s property. 
 

Jaster says that before the pandemic, a house with a pool was a neutral feature or it could actually lower the price of the home.  Since the pandemic, a pool that is meticulously landscaped can increase the value of a home from 100-200k. 

Right now people are looking for houses with beautiful outdoor living areas so they can entertain properly.  Outdoor structures with kitchens, shade, and other amenities make that more enjoyable. 

Meticulously Landscaped 

The key to improving the value of your home is meticulously maintaining the landscape.  Poorly maintained landscaping with overgrown and dying shrubbery, as with the previous example, can make the house hard to sell.  Recently, Jaster sold a home on a 1-acre lot in a subdivision that showcased some excellent landscaping.  The property was listed for one day with an asking price of 1.35 million.  It sold in a bidding war for 1.5 million.  The buyers stated that the home’s curb appeal and first impression are what really stood out to them. 

Schedule Your Landscape Upgrade 

Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can not only install outdoor living areas of all kinds, but we can maintain them as well.  In fact, one of our clients just won home of the month after our garden care visit.  For more information on how we can increase the value of your home, call (816) 825-2524 or schedule a consultation.