A professionally landscaped property is a sure ticket to resale. It gives a home curb appeal, an outdoor living area, and value. "It's the first thing you see," says Don at Pine Lake nursery and Landscaping, a nursery and landscaping company serving Charlotte, NC and the surrounding areas.
That was two years ago. As an appraiser, I ride through many neighborhoods day in and day out. I am starting to see in this down market the extra landscaping home owners are putting into their yards in order to add curb appeal. The question is why? So I went back to my favorite landscaper and questioned him on why this is happening. Was it for personal preferences? To add value? Or in high hopes of selling the property faster?
Pine Lake Nursery and Landscaping says that a year ago when the market was still in decent shape; although we had another problem, the drought. After the drought ended, we got extremely busy replacing dead trees and plants that could not tolerate the dry conditions. Now were seeing home sellers calling us up for what he calls a "I need to sell my home landscape package". This may consist of plants, flowers, and trees that are drought resistant, and low maintenance. Homeowners need something that makes the yard look good, and will add curb appeal, and hopefully move the home faster. Were even seeing some home owners and bank owned property owners "painting their yards". We do not do it, but we know of a company that does. He says that this is nothing new, but it is new to the residential side. He explained that golf courses, football Fields, etc. all do it. How do you think it gets perfectly green?
How times have changed. Home owners went from installing landscaping for mainly personal preferences, to a must do to sell their homes. The owner of Pine Lake Nursery and Landscaping doesn't mind one bit, he's busier than ever. www.pinelakenursery.com www.appraisercharlottenc.com
