I was showing some clients a number of properties recently in neighborhoods with large yards. There was one house in particular that I thought would be perfect for my clients. The house had numerous bedrooms and baths, the kitchen and bathrooms had recently been redone and the front and back yards were large with gorgeous shade trees. My clients were moving from a large metropolitan city and were anticipating a family home with plenty of outside space. As I drove up to the property the yard was completely overgrown, leaves were everywhere, and the flower beds were unkempt. First impressions are everything and this was definitely not a good one. My clients liked the house but felt the yard would be too much work…and “suddenly” there were other things that bothered them about the house. They ended up buying something else. Though I know this was the house for them, they ultimately didn’t buy it because of the yard and the first impression of what they saw.

Spending a small amount on plants, and putting in a few hours of landscaping to your yard will add more value than almost any other improvement. If you are planning on selling your house in less than a year these three suggestions will work wonders: edge your beds, nourish the grass, and scatter color with a variety of plants throughout your beds. While your house is on the market make sure you maintain the yard, keeping the grass cut, beds mulched, and walkways, decks, and porches swept.