Investing in Curb Appeal Matters
The look of a home's exterior can hint at what someone can expect to find on the other side of the front door. Curb appeal is the attractiveness of the exterior of a residential or commercial property, as viewed from the street. Curb appeal is what gives home buyers their first impression of a property before they even step inside. There is value in having a complimenting and well planned landscape using natural stonework to give your Sparta home curb appeal.
With modern living and more people working from home, backyard patio interest is on the rise. A simple landscape or natural walkway also add interest and help create a feeling of home. Today's buyers place more value in these than ever before. Nature inspired landscaping is one of the few home improvements with an appreciating return on investment. In addition, addressing curb appeal is one of the top projects that all homeowners should tackle before listing their home. Your home will only get one opportunity to make a good first impression, and that begins long before potential buyers walk through the front door.
The first step in creating valuable curb appeal is to assess the condition of your property. Does it capture the essence of nature, peace and tranquility? A professionally installed naturalistic stone patio and natural landscape will always provide good flow through the yard and bring you closer to nature. The type of plants and their locations should complement the features of your home rather than covering them or detracting from them. This means that there should be a clearly defined path to the front door, plants should not cover windows or other architectural features of your home and everything should be neatly and correctly pruned. A general clean up could be all that you need to spruce up your property and return it to looking like new.
If your property has been an ongoing do it yourself project, then it may well be worth the investment to contact a backyard expert to assist you with a transformation of both the front yard and backyard. If your backyard is designed to be an extension of your home, investing in a transformation can also be a very sound investment. Prospective home buyers love to walk into a backyard that gives them a peaceful and natural feeling of a luxurious resort!
I recently entered into the real estate market when I stumbled upon a home on a lake with a naturalistic landscape theme. When I pulled up to the front of the house, the yard was inviting encompassing a gorgeous giant red Maple tree full and vibrant. It made the color of the home just pop. The natural stone walkway wrapped around the tree to the front door and was surrounded by gardens that attracted butterflies and humming birds. I was excited to walk in the front door to see the interior which encompassed absolutely stunning views of the lake from every room in the house. The tour just kept getting better.
As I stepped out the back door into the yard heading towards the lake, there was a wide natural stone staircase down to an old flagstone patio. It gave me a welcoming feeling of escaping life's pressures and connecting with nature. I couldn't help but spend a few minutes sitting on the patio and observing the sounds of nature. The ideal home for me is one where I feel at peace and can become one with nature. This lake property captured everything that the outdoors has to offer. It is truly a work of natural art. There is more work to be done to utilize a steep hill to the right of the natural staircase however, this property made a great first impression with it's overall naturalistic outdoor living vibe.
My passion for nature and commitment to a well planned outdoor living space in my current home is proof that curb appeal makes a difference. The couple that just purchased my home bought it for its natural pond views in the backyard with an amazing ecosystem and habitat for wildlife. The property is surrounded by creatively hand crafted gardens invoking a feeling of oneness with nature. The tranquil feeling they experienced when sitting at the dining room table overlooking the pond made the difference in the sale. They said it's the best kept secret in the area.
It's safe to say that any home with a tranquil and naturalistic ambiance will not only add value to your home but also to your life. The best way to achieve that is by ensuring that your features are well planned and properly installed giving decades of enjoyment. A little intention put into a homes' exterior appearance can increase perceived home value and can also sell a home faster. At the end of the day we all want to come home and feel at peace as we enter into our own indoor or outdoor living spaces.
Article by: Michele Ormond / Sierra Team Manager