When you meet someone for the first time – what do you notice? If you’re like many of us, that initial impression is largely determined by outside appearance. Believe it or not, that concept rings true with your home, too! That’s right, your home can foreshadow clues regarding your personality and sense of style, and its landscaping tells a story as well. Is your landscape sending the message you WANT to convey? If your home is for sale, the following tips can help to make sure you are not missing the mark!
Is your home sending the correct message?
If not, it may be time to consider hiring a gardener or getting help from family and friends to make some needed changes as soon as possible. The right gardener can transform the most jungle-like backyard into a beautifully manicured area of peace and tranquility, in as little as a day! With all the other tasks associated with selling your home, landscaping is a great project to outsource.
Before hiring a gardener, ask friends, neighbors, or a Realtor (wink, wink) for referrals. Once you have a few recommendations, ask questions and raise any concerns you may have with the gardeners/landscapers you decide to interview. Some key points to discuss are how often you would like service and what you need included at each visit. Services range from simple mowing to complete care, with reseeding, watering and fertilizing options. Don’t be afraid to ask your new gardener for help with ideas and improvements that could increase your property value and alert your gardener as to the property status, since there may be times when extra special service is needed (such as before an open house). You might even request that any extra cut blooms be left for you to use inside your home.
Keep in mind that a specialty garden is not the same as basic maintenance. If you have special circumstances, you may want to consider sharing written along with any verbal instructions with your chosen landscaper. Of course maintenance and seasonal costs, liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage are all topics you will want to discuss before entering into any agreement.
Once you have begun your service, inspect the initial work and take time to notice the changes occurring in your landscaping. As you offer feedback to your gardener and become a part of the process, you will see your home evolve into a well-kept, beautifully groomed masterpiece. Your home will create the best impression possible and deliver the message you want to share with potential home buyers.
