Find Your Home Value
Home Appraisal Tips & Advice
California Home Values and Property Taxes: Are the Laws What They Should Be?December 22, 2008
California is once again rethinking Proposition 13, the law that bases home property taxes on the purchase price of a house. Will a new property tax law pass? California Home Values Are Falling: Can There Be an Upside?
September 30, 2008
Home sale prices are down and most people have seen a loss of home value in their neighborhood. Can there be a hidden benefit? Selling Your Home Successfully in Today's Market
September 8, 2008
Yes, the home selling market has slowed in the past year; however, houses are still being purchased on a daily basis. What is the secret to successful home selling? Landscaping and Home Worth
By Karen LawsonHome Worth Columnist
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Whether you're a master gardener or only water and mow your lawn when needed, there are ways to enhance the appearance of your home with landscaping. Choosing plants and trees suitable to your climate can help reduce lawn and garden care while strategic placement of trees can provide shade during the heat of summer. Although it may be difficult to pinpoint how much landscaping can add to home value, it is possible to enhance energy and water conservation through careful landscape design and planning.
Don't Have Time for Lawn Care?
Home value is generally based on what's popular with homebuyers in your area. With many families on the go from dawn to dusk and beyond, low maintenance lawn care can be a priority. Selecting plants native to your area, or at least compatible with your climate can help avoid extra lawn and garden chores. Here are some landscaping ideas that can make your home more appealing to potential buyers:
Shade Trees: Strategically positioned shade trees provide shade for windows, outdoor living areas, and delicate garden plants during summer. Ultimately, this can help reduce your energy costs while adding interest to your home's exterior appearance.
Xeriscaping: If you live in the desert or another arid climate, drought tolerant landscaping can significantly reduce water usage and lawn and garden maintenance. Xeriscaping isn't limited to cacti and succulents; attractive shrubs and trees can be combined with rocks and groundcovers to create gardens for every taste. The highly variable texture and colors of a xeriscape can accentuate and compliment your home.
Efficient Irrigation Systems: Busy homeowners often don't have time for manual watering. Automatic sprinkler and drip irrigation systems can be a big plus for people who want their homes to look good without spending a lot of time on lawn care. These systems also conserve water and can prevent runoff and irregular watering.
When making home improvements to enhance home worth, don't forget about your lawn and garden.
About the Author
Karen Lawson is a freelance writer with extensive experience in mortgage banking. She holds BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.