5 Landscaping Tips To Add Appeal To Your Home

The outside of your home is the first thing visitors and home buyers see. It could be a make or break for some. Many home buyers we work with in Northeast Ohio won't even go inside if the exterior is a mess or not inviting. There are a lot of different techniques and ideas today for sprucing up your home's outside living space. Here are five basic tips to freshen up your yard and add life, value and appeal.





1. Dress Up The Outside With Details. Add black planter boxes right under the two main windows of the home and fill with ivy, green plants and flowers. Use colors that complement the home and other landscaping. Add a new mailbox and new, larger address numbers to add drama.

2. Lighting May Be The Answer. Add large, modern lantern lights to the sides of the front door, or update a lawn lighting pole to something more classy and dramatic. Use ground lights to accent the home, door or special landscaping. Adding light to the exterior of the home adds safety, beauty and a wowing affect.

3. Add Color To Highlight. Choose a color pattern to accent the color of your home and greenery in your yard. A fresh batch of flowers planted in the spring will blossom over the summer months and add a sense of depth and appeal to your curb's view. Try building in layers with the brighter colors in front. Don't go crazy with color. Work with two or three colors.

4. User Water In Your Design. There are many different affordable fountain and water accents you can add to your landscaping. There's something calming and appealing about water and pond-like settings that home buyers love. A weekend project like adding a small pond with rocks or a fountain on the deck or in the yard can add value, drown out noise and give your home an extra punch of interest.

5. Take Care Of Your Lawn and Shrubs. Make sure you fertilize and treat your lawn regularly. Pay attention to bald or brown spots and replant new grass if needed. Shrubs should not grow over the windows or be taller than an awning in the front yard. Add fresh mulch each spring to bring your entire landscaping look together. Trim trees and bushes down. It will show off your home better and all the other details you've just added.

Spring Home Selling In Ohio

Many sellers wait until the spring season to put their home up for sale. Why? There's this belief that home buyers want to purchase when the weather is warm and children are about to get out of school. That belief holds true for a section of the buyer population in Ohio, but the truth is: It's time to put your home on the market only if it's right for you and your home.

And then there's this... "It's a bad time to sell. I'll never get my home sold. Nobody is buying right now. The market is horrible for sellers!" That may be somewhat true. A lot depends on your home, your personal situation, your expectations and your bottom line. 37,000 homes sold last year in Northeast Ohio alone (15 counties.) Someone is buying and homes are selling every day. Check your city's current market statistics here to get an idea of overall values at the moment.

Home buyers right now are faced with incentives to purchase like never before. New home buyers will now receive an $8,000 tax credit if they close before December 1st, 2009. Many will want to cash in on that. Interest rates are incredibly low. That won't last forever. There are FHA loans that allow down payments to be gifted by others. Home buyers need to be aware of what's out there and they can always contact us for mortgage loan or new program information. We're always in the loop with new ways to assist home buyers.

There are still and always will be people looking for a home. It's one of those things in life we sort of need. You know, food, water, oxygen, shelter? It's still a need regardless of what the six o'clock news tells you. Putting your home on the market in the spring/summer season means a bit more competition, due to the belief and many sellers waiting until the tulips are in bloom. You'll be successful if you have get your home in order... and your facts.

• There are a lot of homes for sale in Ohio and around the country: Fact.
• We're showing homes all over Northeast Ohio every single day to a large amount of serious buyers: Fact.
• Homes sit on the market due to either being over priced, lack of marketing or they aren't in good condition or updated: Fact.
  
• Your home will sell if it's priced correctly and in good condition: Fact.
• You have to be able to bend a little with terms and repairs like moving dates and the home inspection: Fact.
• You need to listen to your Realtor and/or a home stager when they give you advice and make recommendations: Fact.
• De-cluttering your home and making necessary upgrades and repairs before it goes on the market is necessary: Fact.
• Neutralizing your colors, decor, landscaping and living spaces is a must: Fact.
• Removing personal items, religious items, photos, odors, signs of pets and your outdated wallpaper or carpeting: Fact.
• It takes a little elbow grease, work, determination and cooperation to sell a home: Fact.
• Pricing the property correctly the first day it's on the market and not waiting until the activity is dead is the right way to list: Fact.
• Each home and situation is unique and needs to be addressed and handled accordingly: Fact.
• Having an experienced Realtor and company behind you actually marketing your home outside of the MLS with extensive local and Internet presence is a priority: Fact.
• Getting your home and photos in front of every potential home buyer not just in the Cleveland area but around the globe for those relocating is a must: Fact.

Bottom Line: The fact is...Anytime is a good time to sell your home. There will always be people looking to move in any season including spring. As long as your home is clean, updated, priced correctly, aesthetically pleasing, and marketed properly, it will appeal to the masses and stand out in the crowd. It will sell... and that's a fact.

Our team of agents at Howard Hanna have the best tools to market your property. Contact us to get the process started or to discuss our marketing plan. Let us show you how we dominate the internet by being the Cleveland, Ohio area's largest Realtor website. We have thousands of home buyers visiting our site monthly in our database. We match their needs daily. If you're selling a home, it needs to be in our list. Email or call anytime, 216.323.4620






Cecilia * Andrew * Judy * Diane * Rich * Cindy

Biggest Landscaping Mistakes

Lawn ornaments such as swans, gnomes, religious statues, etc. Too many decorative lawn pieces leads to clutter and it's obnoxious. Choose one piece if any to accentuate your lawn.

Lawn waste like tree leaves, grass clippings, cut down shrubs or pine cones is a lot to keep up with and a lot of work, but you have to get rid of fallen limbs, leaves. If possible, recycle with a compost pile.

Planting incorrectly is a mistake made by many. Planting too close to the home can lead to root issues, limb issues hitting the home or roof and also bug problems. Many bushes or flowers are planted in too much sun or too much shade. Make sure you're planting your trees and shrubs correctly and far enough apart.

Planting too deep will encourage root rot and will suffocate your trees or plants. Make sure you're planting them at the height of the container they come in or look each plant up online to find out each plant's specific depth needs.

Cutting your grass too short is harmful. It will lead to bald spots and browning. During the summer, you want to give it a little more shade so set it to 3 inches. Your lawn will be healthier if you adjust those lawn mower blades.

Your window's view is important. When landscaping, remember the view from inside! All angles of the interior should be thought of when planting trees or view obstructions. Make sure the landscaping is enjoyed inside also. Plant for enjoyment from the inside and out.

Wrong sized pots for plants can cause your plants or flowers to shift, dry out or the roots can become too bunched. Make sure the pot you're using is one size larger than the pot it came in. If there are roots coming out of the bottom of the pot that's the first sign of a needed transplant.

Fertilizing properly is a must. Many either fertilize too much or not enough. Don't be intimidated by fertilizing. Ask your home center for advice and items you'll need. Spring and fall is a must. Mix in new soil with fertilizer when planting. Never fertilize in the bright sun and always water thoroughly when finished.

Picking the wrong plants can lead to unnecessary work and money spent. Pick plants that work best for your yard and sunlight. considering space, shade and climate is key.

Remember the animals! You need to protect your plants from deer, rabbits and other animals that may munch on your flowers or plants. Throw in bitter plants along with the yummy ones and protect the plants if necessary with chicken wire around a garden or proper fencing. If you don't protect, you may be a victim of theft.

Some plants reproduce on their own. One seed today may multiply later. It could end up being a nightmare and also kill your existing landscaping. Make sure you know the final outcome with size and multiplication so you're not dealing with the offspring down the road or a tree to cut down.

Prune properly and prune at the right time. Pruning is an art and you need to be careful. Some plants can be pruned back to almost nothing and some can only be trimmed or pruned half way. Usually fall is the best time to prune. Find out which plants you have and when they need to be pruned.

Too much color is a mistake and scattered flowers everywhere is a mess. Too many different colors leads to chaos and doesn't make any of them pop out individually. Choose one color that frames your home's color. Different shades of that base color is okay but stay within the same palette.

Water frequently. Don't over water and don't under water. An inch of water a week is perfect for most lawns and flower beds. Water deeply but infrequently. The best time of day is early morning. It gives your plants all day to dry and prevents mold and insect growth. Set your sprinklers to morning, not night and make sure you're watering just enough.

Failing to be family friendly is a big mistake many make. How are you going to use the lawn? Do you have kids and pets? Will your landscaping be family friendly? Will your kids be playing ball and landing in a thorny bush? Don't decorate your yard just for looks or curb appeal but also for your family and visitors.

Impulse buying is a big no no! Don't just buy flowers or plants because you see them in the isle and they're gorgeous. Make sure you keep your yard and reality in mind. Make a list and go to the store focused.

Yard monotony is yuck. You're making everything uniform and not diversifying your yard. Using different plants helps maintain soil balance along with insect balance. Stay away from the pallets on sale.

Avoiding maintenance or not doing enough is another mistake. You have to keep up with your garden and lawn. If you know from the beginning you're not going to spend a lot of time maintaining, pick plants or flowers that don't need a lot of upkeep.

Landscape for the seasons not just for spring. Choose plants that grow and look good in most if not all of your seasons.

Don't underestimate the cost of landscaping. It's expensive! Landscaping and quality plants will cost you along with having someone possibly putting things in. 10-15% of the cost of the home is added in to new construction. Remember that when starting all over again or from scratch. Do it once well and you won't have to do it again.

Lighting in your yard is crucial to utilize the beauty in the day along with the night. Exterior lighting is the best way to bring the outside in and the inside out. Nighttime can be one of the most relaxing and fun times to enjoy your yard, make it seen! Light the trunk of a tree and your focal points. It also adds curb appeal, safety and value.

Don't forget the front of the home. Many focus on the backyard when thinking of their landscaping or entertaining but the front yard welcomes and brings them to the back. Keep things simple and neat. Add color and have a popping and appealing front door.

Coordinate your landscaping with your home. Architecture is important to consider. The theme of your exterior should match and reflect your landscaping with a balance.

Make a plan when landscaping and building a theme or design. Make a landscaping budget and layout your lawn according to your budget and choices. Your lawn project will never end or end up a mess if you don't plan ahead. It's easy to fall in love with purple petunias at the home center but if you have nowhere to put them, the point is costly and pointless.

If you're going to be showing your home while it's for sale, simplify your yard and make it neutral for everyone. Take some of your personal likes and items away and save them for your new home that you'll be moving into. Don't forget to remove unnecessary personal items from your deck, yard and porches.

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Curbing Your Curb Appeal

Whether you are trying to sell your home or just make it more appealing, the exterior is the first thing buyers or guests will see. It is important to make sure that from the curb your home is aesthetically pleasing. It does not really matter what the inside looks like if the outside is an instant eye sore or turn off. Adding charm to the exterior also adds value and overall attractiveness to the entire property. Make sure you are not overdoing it or going about it the wrong way. Overkill is not necessary and unfortunately it is prevalent. Learn to let go and curb your curb appeal.

As a Realtor, I can not tell you how many times I have walked onto a property with someone, and the first words were “Uh oh, I hope the inside looks better.” Or “Wow, so far, so good.” Let us focus on the dos and don'ts of proper curb appeal.

Siding should be well kept and painted if needed. Carefully choose a proper color to accentuate the style or features of your home and neighborhood. Bold colors are chancy and have to be selected with caution. It doesn't matter where you are in the country, Every location is different. Some Victorian or traditional homes here in Ohio, in areas such as Lakewood, Rocky River, Cleveland Heights and Beachwood, are best suited for bold colors. If your home is modern, earth tones may clash. Cold colors such as blues and purples typically do not work well with brick homes while pale or neutral colors may drown out a home’s architecture depending on the surroundings and other homes on the street.

Pressure-wash any dingy siding, decking, awnings and porches and replace siding sections that may have dents or flaws. Any mold or moss growth should be removed (Bleach and pressure-wash). Old television antenna or satellite dishes should be taken down and chimney caps in place along with proper flashing.

Windows and screens should all be in tact and cleaned regularly. A stiff bristle hair brush works well for screen build up. New storm doors are a great way to add appeal for a decent price. If your current doors/screens are in need of paint or replacement, it may be something to consider.


Windows in today’s market are looked at seriously and replacement windows are almost expected. New windows can add a wow factor instantly. If you can’t quite swing it, at least make sure your existing windows are sparkling, free of cracks, functional, and there are no missing storms or screens. Paint the window trim if needed. No paint should be chipping or pealing including on the home, porch, awnings, or windows.

The yard should always be looking its best. Bushes and landscaping should be neat and trimmed so that the beauty of your home is seen. The lawn should be edged and flower beds maintained if present. Patches on the lawn should be filled in and weeds removed on a regular basis.

Proper watering is necessary to maintain the work and money you’ve put in. Wild flowers purchased in quarter packets should never be planted if they are going to become overgrown and not kept up. If you have had mulch in the past but have not freshened up the beds with new mulch recently, replace or remove. Ferns on the porch or planted flowers in pots that are now wilting or dead should be removed instantly and flower color choices should not clash with the home’s color scheme.

Too many different style bushes, trees or flowers bunched together can clutter and overcrowd the beauty of each group individually. Complement the landscaping and space accordingly. Large porches should have large planted pots. One small hanging basket on a wrap around country porch is best put away. A happy medium of colors/sizes of flowers and plants is key.

Large trees that are or are starting to hang onto the home or garage should be watched and trimmed often. Not only can it cause harm to your roof but it scares potential buyers away and looks neglectful. Gutters should not have plants growing inside of them. I’m serious. I have seen gutters that have not been cleaned in so long that there is build up and growth.

Make sure all outdoor items that are not being used are put away neatly, including lawnmowers, toys, hoses, garbage cans, and couches and refrigerators on porches. If it does not belong outside, it should not be there.

Address numbers should be the proper size and color for your home or location it is placed. Adding new address numbers or a new mailbox is a cheap and effective way to spruce up the home.

Lighting is also a crucial part of exterior appeal. Solar or ground insert lighting along flowerbeds or walkways should all have bulbs. If one is blown out, the entire effect is ruined. Keep with the same lighting choice. If you’re working with amber lights, stick with amber. Place accent lights near doors and make sure the home looks welcoming after dark.

A home buyer looks at the exterior first. If the items mentioned above are not addressed properly they view it as neglect. If you are neglecting the outside, what should they expect on the inside? Don’t let them raise eyebrows before even stepping foot on the inside. Guests, visitors and neighbors will appreciate your efforts and notice your attention to detail and maintenance. Most importantly, you won’t be coming house, you’ll be coming home. You will reap the benefits and be pleased with your work and homes curb appeal.

Contact our RE/MAX team of expert Realtors in Ohio for more home tips and assistance.