News And Advice From The Leading Thousand Oaks Tree Trimming Company
As most every homeowner knows, this is the hottest market for home sales in our lifetime. Low mortgage rates and a low inventory of homes for sale are fueling record home prices. That’s all doubly true for the market here in the Conejo Valley. Still, if you’re planning on selling your home, it pays to take some basic steps to ensure that you really do get top dollar. If you’re not planning on selling in the near future, don’t worry — these tips will be valid no matter when you sell.
First off, if you’re wondering if your common sense notion that nice landscaping improves property value is really correct, rest assured. In a research study from Virginia State University titled The Effect of Landscape Plants on Perceived Home Value, the author, Professor Niemiera, concludes that mature landscaping with a sophisticated design (versus minimal landscaping) adds anywhere from 5.5 to 12.7 percent to the home’s value, depending on geographical location. You don’t have to be a math wiz to figure out that that means adding anywhere from $50,000 – $100,000 to a typical home in our area.
Of course, we’re not talking about suddenly adding mature, sophisticated landscaping in the few months before you sell. But we are talking about some simple things you can do to improve your home’s curb appeal and really catch a buyer’s eye. Try these four tips:
- Basic Cleanup. Before you think about adding some color or shrubbery, go for a basic once-over to make your yard clean and tidy. Rake the leaves, pull any weeds from cracks in the driveway or sidewalk and, aside from mowing the lawn, edge the lawn and along any flower beds for a neat finishing touch. Also, a month or two before you sell, give your entire yard a good feeding so all plants and the lawn look healthy.
- Prune and Trim. This is such an important step that it’s really part of basic cleanup. There’s nothing that distracts more from landscaping than a broken or brown tree limb. If you have branches you can’t get to easily, give us a call. We’ll not only trim your trees but shape them nicely. And speaking of shaping nicely, pay attention to your hedges and shrubs as well, both in terms of general health but also shape.
- Add Color. Freshly planted annuals are a great way to make a yard look bright and cheerful. Also, consider some potted plants near your front door — the more colorful the better!
- Mulch Away. Fresh mulch around your trees and in your flower beds is an excellent finishing touch that really communicates how much you care about your yard.