Is Landscaping a Good Investment? [+ improving curb appeal on a budget]

When it comes to return on investment (ROI) for home projects, kitchen and bathroom renovations often come to mind. But, more than ever, people value landscaping and curb appeal over other home features. And according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), landscaping projects are… Is Landscaping a Good Investment? [+ improving curb appeal on a budget] as published on Women Who Money When it comes to return on investment (ROI) for home projects, kitchen and bathroom renovations often come to mind. But, more than ever, people value landscaping and curb appeal over other home features. And according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), landscaping projects are one of the best ways to increase home value (and add enjoyment). So, you may consider a landscaping project if you plan to sell your home or improve your outdoor space.  But is landscaping worth the investment? And which outdoor projects add the most value? This article covers all that and more. Read on to find the landscaping projects with the most ROI. And discover excellent ways to improve your home’s curb appeal on a budget. What is landscaping? Before discussing yard projects, let’s define what landscaping means. Landscaping is the design and features of the area outside a home, including softscape and hardscape elements. Softscape features include plants, flowers, trees, grass, and mulch. And hardscapes are things like concrete, pavers, and stone for projects like a pool, patio, or retaining wall. Is landscaping a good investment? The short answer is yes. Improving or adding to a home’s landscaping is among the top home renovations for return on value. Why? A home’s exterior is the first impression of your property. It conveys the look of a clean, beautiful, well-maintained home (or not!). But before starting a home landscaping project, consider the ROI. Some landscaping projects have an ROI of 100% or more, while others offer much less. Which landscaping projects have the best ROI? According to the NAR, the landscaping projects below had the best ROI: Lawn care (fertilizer and weed control)Maintenance (mulching, pruning, and adding plants)Outdoor kitchen (built-in grill, ice chest, sink, countertop, etc.)Upgrading landscape (flagstone walkway, planters, adding shrubs)New patioNew wood deck The top project for ROI was lawn care, at a return in value of 217%. In other words, keeping your lawn healthy and weed-free offers the best return on your money! Other projects return 100% or less. Which landscaping projects have the worst ROI? Most landscaping projects will add to your home’s value. But you won’t recoup the cost with some projects. These landscaping projects have the lowest ROI (according to the NAR): In-ground poolsFire features (like stone gas fire kits)LightingIrrigation systems Interestingly, some projects with the worst ROI are the ones that bring homeowners the most satisfaction! That’s why it’s essential to consider your reasons for doing a project. Consider your reasons Now that you know which projects have the best ROI, consider the cost and reasons for doing it. Investing in lawn care and maintenance makes sense if you plan to sell your home. Not only will it increase value, but it will help you sell your home faster. You can even DIY lawn projects and save money to boot. But if you plan to live in a home for years, more significant landscape projects could add to your enjoyment. For example, you may add a patio, pool, or fire pit so you enjoy your outdoor space even more. Related: Which Home Renovations Return the Most Value? Improving curb appeal on a budget The good news is, improving your home’s landscaping and curb appeal doesn’t have to cost much. And many include DIY projects you can tackle. The key to curb appeal is keeping things simple, clean, and generally pleasing. Avoid trendy or expensive personal projects. Also, if you plan to sell your home soon, steer clear of big projects that need ongoing maintenance, like pools and water features. Inexpensive ways to improve curb appeal Maintenance and cleanup An excellent way to improve curb appeal is to take what you already have and make it look clean and healthy. You can even do it yourself (DIY) on a limited budget. Here are some suggestions: Get rid