Selling Your Home? Don't Neglect the Yard

What's the first thing that you typically see when you go to someone's home? Unless it's dark outside (and even then your attention may still be drawn to it), the first thing that you notice is the yard. How many times have you wished that your yard looked better than it does? Don't worry; you're not alone in that sentiment. And, if you're trying to sell your home, you'd be wise to make sure that it's in tip-top shape, because the yard is a major part of the total package.

Buyers look at everything. And, if they do miss something, the agent accompanying them (if they've hired one) most certainly will not. The land surrounding your home, no matter how small in acreage, is too big to ignore. A buyer won't think twice about passing your property by if the yard is not up to par.

Of course, this is not to imply that you need to have a five-star Disney World-type lawn with shrubs clipped in the shapes of squirrels and other woodland creatures. Each and every blade of grass doesn't have to be the deepest, darkest shade of green to be healthy and acceptable. But, the lawn must be dressed as well as the home for the potential buyer to accept the full package. A poorly kept lawn can lower your property value and, therefore, the total worth of your home. Your neighbors won't appreciate that and neither will you when you see the offers that come in (or don't come in) as a result. Investors may see a substandard yard as an opportunity to lowball you. If they're successful, they'll then turn around and do what you could have easily done, and sell the house for a profit.

The overall appearance of your yard is very important. A ragged lawn creates an eyesore. A property with curb appeal, on the other hand, will induce buyers to stop and look instead of just speeding past. Furthermore, buyers don't want to have to dig out their rake and shovel as soon as they move in. A lawn with problems is generally not something that they'll want to tackle, even if the house is top notch – unless, of course, they bought the property at a steep discount (again, something you won't be very pleased about).

If you don't want to get your hands dirty bringing your yard up to specs, consider hiring a landscaper or yard service. Landscapers don't just plant shrubs and trees; they're able to create designs that will complement your yard. They can also recommend practical changes – such as privet hedges if your yard doesn't have a fence, or the right types of plants and trees to use on hilly property to prevent land erosion. A yard service company can to tell you how to get your lawn back in shape. If you've had problems growing grass (or you've been very successful in growing weeds or bald spots), your yard will need the attention that a gardening professional can provide. When it comes to selling your home, their services will be worth the price.