Curb Appeal Landscaping: 4 Ideas That Can Increase Your Home’s Value by 12.7%

Congrats: You’ve updated the dated kitchen cabinets and KonMari’d your clutter with fervor. But before you list your home to market, consider this stat: The simple task of sprucing up your lawn and landscape can increase your home’s value by 12.7 percent. Why? Well, because first impressions count, right? And when a buyer sees a well-cared-for home, it shapes their gut instinct on the property.

Luckily, it doesn’t take a shmancy landscape architect to make a huge difference. We checked in with Phil Dwyer, Ph.D., turf grass scientist for Scotts Miracle-Gro, for four easy tips that’ll boost curb appeal and help you get maximum $$$.

Step 1: Get rid of any messy, meddlesome weeds. For a small job, a weekend of hand pulling (we know, delightful) will do the trick. But for deep-rooted weeds or large areas, you’ll want to consider a weed killer or hired help.

A lawn with thin, patchy grass is a sad sight indeed. Dwyer recommends using springtime to lay new seed down over the spots and watering every day. P.S. There are specialty products that can expedite the process.

“Well-maintained mulch not only makes the yard look good, but it helps protect the moisture and temperature in a garden’s soil,” says Dwyer. The best part? Usually all you need is a quick refresh as opposed to a new layer entirely.