How to Increase Your Property Value from the Outside In

As a homeowner, you know your house is not just a place to live but is also an investment that can build wealth. That process is called home appreciation, and the rate of that appreciation depends on several factors. Here are some ways to increase your property value.

Ensure You Care for the Grass and Landscaping

Maintaining a beautiful yard will increase its value as the first thing potential buyers notice is your landscaping. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you care for your lawn.

While keeping your grass cut and maintained will show you care for your property, it’s best to avoid cutting it too short. Cutting too short can cause brown patches and may expose the delicate roots to the harsh sun. You might feel that cutting the grass longer will prevent it from growing back, but it will look lush and stay healthier in the long run. Also, consider leaving the grass clippings in your yard to help add more nutrients and nitrogen to the soil.

When it comes to watering, you might feel that more is better, but that’s not always the case. You’ll want to avoid watering too frequently, as that can result in a shallower root system. Instead, turning the sprinklers on a couple of times each week can encourage the roots to stretch deep in search for water.

Fertilize the grass every year or so. The timing and kind of fertilizer used is determined by your climate and the type of grass.

Aim for the grass to grow thick so it can defend against weeds. Once there are enough leaves of grass, they can easily choke out incoming weeds. Still, if you have an issue with unwanted weeds, there could be a soil issue that makes it hard for the grass to grow well.

Finally, mulch is an excellent way of helping the soil retain its moisture, and it can reduce the number of weeds in the area. Plus, it’s inexpensive.

You’ll often see red mulch in commercial areas, but for a residential area, it’s often better to stick with black or brown mulch. Red mulch comes from recycled wood chips, meaning it will break down faster. On the other hand, black mulch often retains heat and sunlight better, making it best for cooler climates and brown mulch will likely make your plants look more vibrant and healthier.

Consider Using Flowers to Increase the Beauty of the Property

You can get plants and flowers to add a bit of color to your home. Start by focusing on your front porch so it will stand out as potential buyers drive by. Try grouping specific colors or types of plants in odd numbers which will result in adding a visual flow to the landscape. Having groups of colors lets the eye move around gently instead of causing it to jump around.

Start increasing your home’s value by improving its outside appearance. Focus on having a lush, green lawn and then adding plants and flowers to give it more life. Though there are a lot of components to achieving the lawn you desire, don’t feel you have to do it all by yourself. Consider hiring a lawn care company like TruGreen in Montana to take care of things.

13 Things NOT To Do If You Want Your Dream Home!

Looking To Purchase A Home This Year? 

Here Are 13 Things NOT To Do If You Want To Get Your Dream Home

13 THINGS YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT DO BEFORE CLOSING ON YOUR NEW HOME

1. Do not change or quit your job during the process and Do not change your name before closing.

2. Do not buy any large ticket items (like five dollars or more) Seriously! 

3. Do not Make David Copperfield deposits. All funds need to be traceable and show proof of where they originated from. 

4. Do not talk to the Sellers directly (loose lips sink ships)

5. Do not lie to your lender about your child support, alimony, wage garnishments or any other payroll reductions. It will eventually come out and will effect your ability to get your home.

6. Do not call the owner on a “For Sale By Owner” sign. Let your agent contact them to set up a showing and request more information in order to keep professionalism and your protection in place.

7. Do not choose a lender off the internet only because they offer a 0.001 interest rate. A good lender is so very crucial to your process and they can make or break your ability to get a home. 

8. Do not wait to find the absolute PERFECT house. You will always be limited by income, zoning, inventory at that time, and even property taxes. Think of every home to be an investment and choose wisely with your mind and not necessarily with your heart. Understand the 80/10/10 Rule If you find a house that has 80% of what you are looking for, 10% of things you can change and 10% of things you can live with, then it’s a keeper!

9. Do not co-sign for even a candy bar! Do not even go window shopping and let people pull your credit!

10. Do not order Direct TV, Cable, Telephone or any utility that will pull a credit report unless you want to write a letter of explanation about the credit report to the mortgage company

11. Do not give away your negotiation power by speaking frankly in the house during a viewing. (always assume you are being recorded)

12. Do not shop for your new home before being FULLY approved for a home loan. Nothing hurts as much as finding the house you love and then you loose it when someone else beats you to it because you were not completely ready to make an offer with a pre-approval letter.

13. Dying before the transaction closes (this really messes things up, BIG TIME! Please don’t die before the closing… 🙂