Add Value to Your Home - Landscaping

Just recently my friend had his house appraised between $800,000 and $815,000 by two different independent house valuators. He spent two days hard work in the garden placing new grass on mats, bringing in new plants, putting creepers on the wall, and adding a water feature. He sold his house at an auction two weeks later for $853,500. It only took him a few hours of his work and a few thousand dollars to make a lot of profit.

Some people however believe that a good garden will only sell the house quicker. It is important however to not over-capitalize your garden. A good rule of thumb is for every dollar you spend you'll get around $1.15 back. This still depends on the quality of the work done. Which is why if you know nothing about landscaping contact your local landscaping designer for help.

You must also think twice before deciding to put a pool into your backyard. In many cases these can be seen as a liability as they may cost several thousand dollars a year to run.

You must also think twice before deciding to put a pool into your backyard. In many cases these can be seen as a liability as they may cost several thousand dollars a year to run.

Here are some easy features you can implement that may increase your houses value:

-Mow your lawn! The most obvious. If your grass is dying plant some new grass or use grass mats.

-If you have a pond or pool make sure it is clean, put in fresh water if you have to. Nothing is more disgusting than having grime floating on your pool or dirty leaves. If you have water plants in your pond make sure they are nice eye catchers, for example colorful lilies.

-Trim your trees and shrubs.

-Get rid of all those weeds.

-Clean any pavement areas.

-Make sure your plants aren't dying, instead colorful and vibrant.

-A hot, put scented plants or shrubs near your windows. This can give the house a very nice smell. Something like lavender.

-Weather protection. Be careful about to not spend too much on this.

On the other hand these may decrease your houses value:

- Adding a pool.

- Unmentioned garden, such as dying plants, weeds etc...

- Lack of weather protection.

- Too much concrete.

- Too much clutter. A garden should be spacious.

- Poor linking between garages, utilities, the pool, and the house.

This article is owned by http://www.use-your-equity.com and written by John Whiteside. Learn more about real estate investing, and how to create and use the equity in your home! The original article can be found at http://www.use-your-equity.com/Landscaping.ht ml

Italian Vegetable Seeds

Some might ask, "Why grow Italian vegetable seeds?" Why bother... Read More

Grow Herbs in your Garden for Pleasure and Profit

Herbs can add a touch of magic to your garden... Read More

Moss on Lawns

Just about right now, we start to see moss on... Read More

Spice up Your Garden with Rare Flowering Bulbs

Any experienced gardener knows the secret to a beautiful garden... Read More

To Salt or Not to Salt Your Pond

The important question of whether or not to add salt... Read More

My Spring Bulbs Wont Bloom - Why?

You can hear the wailing from here. "Why aren't my... Read More

Teak Patio Furniture Is The Perfect Choice For Your Terrace

You have spent hours of time and quite a lot... Read More

Gardening Tips for Early - Mid July

Now we are fast approaching the hottest time of the... Read More

Mowing the Lawn

This is more of a follow up on my original... Read More

Feng Shui in the Garden

"The Ancient Art of Placement" called Feng Shui (pronounced phung... Read More

Starting Seedlings Indoors

Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like... Read More

The Home Garden

The garden should be near the house and away from... Read More

Flowers Wilting? Tips for Making Your Flowers Last Longer

We all know one disadvantage of flowers is that they... Read More

Chicken Soup for the Soil

Keeping Your Soil HealthyYour soil is the most important part... Read More

Hills and Holes: Not Part of Your Landscaping Design?

Do pests 'gopher' your lawn? Chances are, if you have... Read More

Using Push Reel Mowers

If you're not familiar with push reel mowers or if... Read More

Turn Your Patio Into A Voluminous Vegetable Garden

My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban... Read More

Fun, Funky Garden Plants

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden... Read More

Gardenscape On A Shoestring

Many of us flip through garden magazines, all the while... Read More

Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping

Naturalized bulbs look beautiful in a wooded setting. You can... Read More

Plan Before Buying Rose Bushes

So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your... Read More

Rosemary: The Herb of Remembrance and Friendship

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly called rosemary is an aromatic herb indigenous... Read More

Low Maintenance Teak Furniture

In all likelihood you have heard of teak furniture and... Read More

Choosing the Proper Pond Pump

Whether you have a preformed or a liner pond, a... Read More

How to Build a Shed

The easiest way to build a shed in the backyard... Read More