It’s no secret that the U.S. housing market is booming right now.
According to realtor.com, “Strong demand and insufficient supply pushed home prices up at a record-breaking 16.6 percent pace. The combination of historically low mortgage rates, businesses reopening and the lifting of pandemic restrictions fueled a buying frenzy with multiple bids,” creating a seller’s market, while making the path to home ownership difficult for some buyers.
Whether you’re purchasing a fixer-upper as an attainable option to home ownership or selling your home and want to create a positive first impression, licensed landscape contractor, author, television personality and STIHL spokesperson Sara Bendrick suggests five ways to boost your home’s curb appeal.
3) Don’t forget to mulch
After trimming your hedges and shrubs for definition and planting flowers, add two to four inches of mulch to your beds. Mulch keeps weeds down and helps dissipate heat from the sun to protect the soil from drying out, and it also provides a refined look to your landscape. As an alternative to mulch, you can purchase wood chips made of bark.
4) Make a statement in your yard with flowers and blooms
Pick flowers with colors that complement the house colors, which will bring softness to the front yard. Be sure to choose plants that are climate appropriate and thrive in your area; local nurseries are great resources for this. Consider using an auger instead of a shovel to help get through the planting process quickly. Also, be sure to spread your new plants out so that they have enough room to grow and thrive.
5) Add a finishing touch
To draw the eye toward the entryway of your home, hang a wreath on the front door, place a potted plant near the steps and add a water feature such as a self-circulating fountain. Water features such as ponds and fountains can add an architectural element to soften your landscape design and may also attract natural wildlife to your yard.
Whether you’re a seller trying to create an unforgettable memory for a prospective buyer, or a new homeowner trying to make your home more inviting, these landscaping improvements are easy ways to boost your home’s curb appeal.