Keeping the exterior of your home in tip top shape doesn’t have to break the bank. There are things you can do that will help you to keep some of your hard earned money in your pocket while enhancing your home’s outdoor spaces.
The exterior of your home is the very first thing someone see’s when not only visiting, but just passing by. You certainly don’t want to be the eyesore of the neighborhood, especially if you are preparing your home for sale. Having curb appeal, as we Realtors call it, will help to welcome anyone into your home.
Spring is finally here and presents the perfect time to re-think your landscaping choices and give your outdoor spaces, both front and back, an updated look – but how do you keep costs to a minimum? Here are a few tips!
1. Plan your design before you head to the store. Anyone who likes to change the look of a space knows how you can get a little crazy if you just head to the store without a plan…you come home with a ton of great stuff, but in the end it ends up costing you much more!
2. Share costs with a neighbor. If you are going to have rock or mulch delivered, plan ahead of time with a neighbor. Get a larger load and split the cost. You can also plan for your neighbor to buy one thing and you buy another and take turns using them instead of both of you buying the same item.
3. Purchase for one section at a time. While it may seem appealing to buy in bulk for your entire landscape project, it is better to do one phase at a time. Doing smaller sections at a time may help you eliminate the use of a credit card and save the interest and finance charges!
4. Seek advice from someone with experience. Even if a pro charges you a few bucks for a consultation, that little bit of money spent could save you from making costly mistakes during your project.
5. Shop online. The choices you have are not only expanded when you shop online, but you can typically find cheaper items, especially if you are looking for garden decor. Catalogs are also a great way to increase your options and save a little money (just don’t look in the designer ones)!
6. Purchase perennials. Using perennial plants in your landscape design makes sense because you only have to buy them once. That way you can make minimal purchases every year after that just to add to the design.
If you are selling your home, the landscaping should be neat and lush, weed free, and colorful. Depending on the season you are putting your home on the market, it will change the way you address the issue of curb appeal. For example, in the Spring and Summer months, the landscaping should be tended to daily, as weeds have a way of creeping up quickly. In the Winter, the driveway and any sidewalks should be free of snow and ice, and having a few evergreen plants won’t hurt. Don’t forget about the front door when it comes to curb appeal. The front door should be just as welcoming as the landscaping and the interior of the home.
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Contact Barb Bottitta for any and all of your Lehigh Valley area questions, as well as real estate needs, as I am always happy to help in any way that I can! You can also connect with me on my Facebook Page for events and happenings in the Lehigh Valley area, as well as home ownership tips, real estate market updates, and so much more!
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