Little touches make the difference:
The right landscape design can make all the difference to a
prospective buyer, especially when it’s beautifully and
carefully executed. In fact, REALTORS® and landscape
professionals estimate that a well-landscaped yard can add
5% to 15% to the selling value of a house. Houses that look
good from the road carry higher price tags—a fact that turns
landscape investments into money in the bank when selling a
house. Here are a few ideas on how to improve your
landscape:
Trees:
■
One of the best investments you can make is a glorious stand
of healthy trees as part of a well-landscaped yard.
REALTORS®
across Texas and the rest of the country know that healthy
tress can increase the property value of a home, as well as
provide years of aesthetic benefits to owners. Trees also
cut down on energy costs. When Kiplinger published the 25
best ways to invest $1,000, buying a big tree was at the top
of the list. If your selling timetable doesn’t allow for
planting and nurturing a tree to maturity, remember this
advice for your next home.
■
Since a tree is a long-term investment, it’s important to
start with a high-quality plant. In the case of trees, money
definitely buys quality. Trees that are 8 to 10 feet
tall—either balled and wrapped in burlap or established and
growing in containers—are usually the best buy. Homeowners
can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $1,000 for a quality
tree.
Plants:
■
Add a few plants around the foundation of the house and in
”curb appeal” areas such as near the front door. Or,
consider using more permanent bushes, especially those that
flower in the summer and have colorful buds in the winter.
■
Gardeners on a budget can buy a few plants, then add more as
your budget allows.
■
For an especially inexpensive jolt for your yard, flowers
are a homeowner’s best friend. Bright splashes of color add
visual appeal, though they’re usually temporary. For this
reason, they’re great if you suddenly need to put your house
on the market and need a quick landscaping fix. At that
point, it’s best to stick to the basics, leaving more costly
and permanent landscaping to the new owners
Speed up the inspection:
|
Here are 10 things you can do to speed up your
inspection:
■ Make sure gas, water,
and electricity are turned on and gas pilot lights
are burning.
■ Ensure that pets
won't hinder the inspection. Tell your REALTOR®
about cats or other animals that should be kept
inside.
■ Replace any
burned-out light bulbs.
■ Test all smoke and
carbon-monoxide detectors and replace batteries if
needed.
■ Clean or replace
dirty HVAC air filters.
■ Move any wood, stored
items, or debris away from the foundation.
■ Unlock or remove
locks from any items the inspector must access:
gates in fences, electric service panels, crawl
space hatches for pier-and-beam construction, attic
access hatches or doors, and special closets.
■ Remove any items or
debris blocking these areas: electric service
panels, water heaters, attic access ladders or
hatches (some debris may fall when hatch is opened),
crawl-space access hatches for pier-and-beam
construction, heating and air-conditioning
equipment.
■ Trim back tree limbs
from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow
access.
■ Repair or replace
broken, damaged or missing items; door knobs, locks,
and latches, window screens, rain gutters and
downspouts, window locks, broken glass, anti-siphon
devices on exterior faucets, and chimney flue caps.
■ Following these 10
steps can make your home inspection go faster and
result in a cleaner inspection report.
|
|