Maximum Value Landscaping Projects: Lawn

By FrontDoor.com | Published: 3/01/2010

Boost your home's value and add curb appeal with a healthy green lawn.

Your lawn is the first thing people see when they approach your home, and regardless about what people say about judging a book by its cover, it's crucial to make a positive first impression. In buyers' minds, if you've neglected the outside of your home, imagine how bad it is on the inside.

An ugly front yard not only scares away guests and potential buyers, it brings your home's value down and drags down prices for the entire neighborhood. Just ask any homeowner whose neighbor's lawn is cluttered with old cars or scary animal statues.

This doesn't mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars to hire a landscape architect. Simply maintaining a green, healthy, clutter-free lawn is enough to add curb appeal and increase your home's value.

CURRENT TRENDS

• Green with splashes of color. Healthy, lush lawns are always in vogue. Up the wow factor and create a focal point by grouping a variety of bright-colored flowers in one area.

• Privacy. Homeowners are bringing the outdoors in by creating small fenced privacy areas within a section of their front yards or patios. Many people are also using evergreen plants with thick foliage, like White Pines or Leyland Cypress, to create natural privacy fences.

• Accent pieces. Add character to your lawn with a unique, eye-catching feature, like an interesting group of plantings, fountain or fish pond.

BIGGEST MISTAKE

As with any home improvement project, it's easy to go overboard and blow your budget. Appraisal expert Leslie Sellers advises homeowners to have a long-term landscaping strategy before jumping in. Come up with a master plan and then do pieces at a time, he says.

EXPERT TIPS

• On a Budget: Don't be afraid to get down and dirty. Remove clutter, dead plants and weeds. You can find inexpensive lawn care products at any home improvement store. Maintain and mow your lawn consistently.

• Mid-Range: Have your soil tested for any chemicals needed to promote healthy grass and reseed any bad areas. Consider hiring a professional to treat your lawn with fertilizers or bug killers. Shop around for competitive prices for basic lawn mowing maintenance.

• High-End: In addition to professional treatment and maintenance of your lawn, add attractive features that are standard for your neighborhood, such as an elegant water feature or a designated outdoor area surrounded by evergreens for privacy.

Slideshow Inspiration: A Look at Lawns >>

Do-It-Yourself Inspiration: 6 Steps to a Weed-Free Lawn >>

Back to: Maximum Value Home Improvement Projects

Back to: Top Landscaping and Yard Projects

• #1 Lawn
• #2 Plants
• #3 Lighting
• #4 Driveways
• #5 Irrigation

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