Curb Appeal

3 reasons to make it pop, and 3 steps to get there.

Reason #1:  In a recent study, it was discovered that 71% of home buyers make their decision at the curb, and the trip into the house is simply to confirm what the buyer has already decided.  I have not idea if that percentage is accurate.  71 seems pretty specific, and I am dubious that anyone could really know such a statistic so precisely.  However, I do know that curb appeal matters to buyers.  Here is what I have found in 13 years of working with sellers, buyers, and realtors.  Tidy matters.  No matter how simple, or how sophisticated a landscape is, if it is well-kept, a buyer translates that to the rest of the house.  And likewise if it is a jumbled mess.  To make matters worse, a poorly kept landscape looks like a problem that needs to be fixed, and buyers start subtracting from the home price before they even get in the door.

Reason #2:  Even if you are not selling your home, the view from the street is your personal presentation of yourself and your family to the rest of the world.

Reason #3:  You come home to it every day!

So, now that we agree that it is important, how does one go about developing good curb appeal?

1.  Plan well.  The front of a home is a signature, and the landscape is the frame and flourish.  Plan to highlight the most important features, such as the front door, or an octagonal sitting room.  The landscape should be the capable assistant, not the superstar.

2.  Mind the speed at which the front of your home will be viewed.  I thought about putting this as number one, because in my opinion, it the most misunderstood design principle.  Since viewers will pass your home at 30 miles an hour in their car, and even walking up the sidewalk occurs at the astonishing speed of 3-4 miles per hour, changing plant varieties too often will result in a plan that is difficult to read.  Save the variety, and specialty plants that have little impact from a distance, for the back yard.  Simplify your plan by creating larger masses and sweeps of plants.  This does not mean your plan must be boring!  (refer to the previous blog about sophistication in your landscape).  Plant shrubs and perennials in groups of 5, 12, or even 100, rather than 1’s and 2’s.

3.  If you find yourself stymied or uncertain, hire a professional designer.  And if you don’t know a good one, you can always reach the professionals at Paragon at 260-627-8342!