what type of landscaping in my front yard could potentially hurt my home resale value, and what could raise it

Question

I am replacing my driveway, and currently have only grass growing, with a giant oak inbetween our house and our neighbors

Answer 1

I'm glad you have the oak tree it will give the garden some height.

The trick with garden design is to make your house look like something out of a postcard. Everybody wants to live somewhere that looks lush, cool and inviting. Too many people today plant a couple of shrubs - all the same height, put in a oversize driveway and think they've saved heaps of work. If you ask any real estate agent they will tell you the leafy suburbs with large plantings are the most expensive suburbs in any city.

You need to plot you driveway and house to scale on paper. Then design beds etc on see through paper and lay over the house plan sheet. If it looks tacky on paper it will be in the flesh. Choose three levels if you can, high at the back, medium in the middle and low to the front. This creates a natural look. Don't make your whole garden out of perennials and annuals, they are a lot of work and if you have to sell your house in the 'off season' there is no garden to look at.

Pick some evergreen, and deciduous shrubs and use them as the 'backbone' of the garden, make sure you use ground covers as well this virtually eliminates weeding (no spots for the weeds to grow).

You need to create a 'wow' factor if you are to attract the big money. I've never met a person yet that will pass up the flashest looking house for one that has the "least amount of maintenance".

If you have the money invest in a Landscaper, if not see if you can have your garden professionally designed, but with a view to installing it yourself over time as money becomes available. Do some homework, check out sites such as Better Homes and Gardens or BBC Gardening. Drive around your neighbourhood or more expensive neighbourhoods. Which gardens do you like, why, take pictures. You will find that after awhile the same features start repeating themselves. These will be the design features you can install, and be really happy with.

As mentioned, don't plant a 'riot' of colour, its dating and not very attractive to most people. Shrubs are pretty well low maintenance. Nice shaped beds are attractive, particularly with curved edges. Some hedging or the odd formally pruned shrub make the garden look tidy. Great expanses of concrete don't appeal to many people. I live in Australia and nearly all the driveways here are done in clay paving its much more natural looking and blends in, if you afford it.

A good garden can add between 10 to 20% to the value of a house so it is certainly worth putting time and energy into.

Answer 2

Use native plants if you decide to plant anything else. Native plants don't need much attention. Make sure the oak is not too close to the house. The roots can grow down and damage water lines. Try putting some nice shrubs within a few feet of the house and line the drive with low plants. if you can, put some flowering plants in there, but remember to keep it native. Check your grass for brown or bare spots and fix as necessary.

Answer 3

I truly think any type of landscaping you can do around the foundation of your home and possibly some small beds around the tree or around the drive entry will increase your value. Just make sure you get some professional advice about plant materials and thier needs. Trees are also important. Any place you can plant a nice shade tree will increase your value. Small ornamental trees within planting beds will also look very nice and potentially increase value.

Answer 4

Like the 1st reviewer said. Too much concrete will certainly hurt your resale value. It cost to much money and time to care for. O would use bricks for all your borders. They look better and can be replaced easier. Don't seal them. Don't use ordinary bushes and flowers. Don't have alot of colors either. It's looks tacky to the buyers eye. Stick with one or two colors. Try and use a good top soil. Good luck

Answer 5

Depends on where you live. Here in Arizona, desert landscaping is popular. In the midwest, a lush, full lawn with hedges close to the house seems to be the accepted way to decorate. What's the rest of your neighborhood look like? You don't want to get too creative and upset the applecart. It can be a turn-off to prospective buyers.

Answer 6

Dead plants. Weeds. Empty beer cans. A non-functioning car on blocks. Those sorts of thing will hurt your property value.

Answer 7

too much concrete lowers value
a landscape gardener would raise value