Landscaping and Your Property Value
Did you know that landscaping is one of the best ways to improve your property value? According to a paper by Virginia Tech horticulturalist, Alex Niemiera, it can!
According to the study, one factor that adds most to a home's value, up to 42 percent, is the landscape's design sophistication.
"Better quality design translates into higher value" says Nancy Somerville, CEO for the American Society of Landscape Architects.
The second most sought after feature, raising home value up by 36%, is plant size or maturity.
"The beauty of it is plants and trees mature over time and their value becomes greater. If you redo your kitchen, the minute you put it in it starts to lose its value, because it gets used." Nancy Somerville, CEO for the American Society of Landscape Architects.
In March, 2010, the American Society of Landscape Architects released a survey that asked residential landscape architects what features are most popular with homeowners. About 95% of those surveyed rated outdoor seating areas as somewhat or very popular. Realtors agree that the main value of a patio is that it makes the house look bigger.
Fire pits and fireplaces have a 94 percent popularity rating in the Amrican Society of Landscape Architects survey. "They bring people outside and in New England, they extend the season," says Ray Dunetz, president of the Boston Society of Landscape Architects.
There are many ways that you can enhance the enjoyment and value of your landscaping. We will be more than happy to help you find a way to make your home more enjoyable and valuable in today's market place.
* Quotes and figures courtesy of article featured in the Boston Globe on April 16, 2010