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Bought a
fixer-upper
that you
are
turning
around
both
inside
and out?
Looking
for an
effective
and
inexpensive
way to
look
after
your
landscaping
design
needs
while
fooling
those
who see
your
home
into
thinking
you’ve
broken
the
bank?
Here are
some key
considerations
for
keeping
your
landscaping
costs
from
running
out of
control.
Plan
Once
you’ve
established
your
budget,
start
considering
your
needs
for your
landscaping
project.
Don’t be
too
concerned
if your
plan
looks a
little
sparse
at
first;
it’ll
take
time for
your
yard and
plants
to fill
in.
Expect
to see
impressive
results
by the
second
year. If
you are
willing
to be
patient,
spacing
your
plants
out will
save
money.
Lawns
While
many
homeowners
obsess
about
their
lawns,
the
truth is
that
these
green
areas
can be
kept
more
effectively
and
inexpensively
than
many
consider.
For the
most
part,
homeowners
cut
their
lawns
too
short.
By
cutting
lawns at
2 inches
and
above,
root
structure
will be
stronger
and the
result
is a
lawn
that is
more
resistant
to weeds
and
needs
fewer
costly
treatments
to look
great.
If you
are
starting
from
scratch,
seeding
your
lawn
areas is
far less
expensive
than
more
costly
sod.
Flower
beds
Perennial
flowers
are
often
slightly
more
expensive,
but over
time,
prove to
be a
more
cost
effective
way of
filling
flowerbeds.
Try
combining
perennials
with a
mixture
of
smaller
shrubs
that
work
well
with the
sunlight/shade
and soil
composition
in your
yard.
Your
local
gardening
center
can help
you
decide
which
plants
are
right
for the
particular
space in
your
garden.
Make
sure you
have
sketched
out a
rough
plan
with
dimensions
and
compass
points
when
visiting
the
garden
center.
Sun
exposure
plays a
key role
in
determining
their
suggestions
and your
success.
When you
have
finished
planting,
draw a
garden
map
marking
down
where
and what
you have
planted.
This is
a nice
feature
to have
when
selling
your
home as
it
allows
potential
purchasers
the
opportunity
to
identify
the
plants
in the
garden.
Make
sure you
keep a
record
of your
purchases
(most
garden
centers
will
guarantee
their
perennials
for a
period
of up to
two
years)
and keep
in mind
that
many
perennials
are
often
sold
cheaper
later in
the
season.
Be sure
and
check
with
your
local
garden
center
for
deals
and
after
season
planting
tips.
Avoid
concrete
While
the pros
often
work
with
expensive
and
messy
concrete,
DIY
types
can
utilize
sand to
create
walkways
and
patios.
Careful
planning
will
eliminate
the need
to cut
many
bricks
or
stones.
Less
water
means
less
money
Depending
on where
you
live,
the cost
of
watering
your
lawn and
garden
can cost
a
fortune
–
especially
if your
landscaping
needs
excessive
amounts
of
water.
This can
be
avoided
by
taking
the
“xeriscaping”
approach
to
landscaping,
which
leads to
the use
of
drought-tolerant
plants.
Look for
opportunities
Plant
sales,
especially
at the
end of
season,
are a
good way
of
picking
up
perennials
inexpensively.
Additionally,
keep
your
eyes
open for
plant
swaps
and
other
opportunities
to
acquire
plants
for your
project.
Less can
mean
more
If you
are
planning
on
selling
your
house,
you can
add
inexpensive
shrubs
and a
lot of
mulch.
This
will
look
attractive,
but is a
cheap
way of
disguising
any
landscaping
shortcomings.
Potential
buyers
will
find it
attractive
and will
likely
want to
put
their
own
personal
landscaping
design
in
place.
Think
Local
Local
quarries
can
provide
decorative
crushed
rock at
a
fraction
of the
cost
typically
associated
with
traditional
landscaping
and
garden
shops.
It may
be
cheaper,
but it
usually
looks
great
and can
cover a
large
area for
little
money.
Contact
Me
I can help you with every
aspect of buying or selling your home because I’m
experienced, because I am a Better Homes and Gardens
Rand Realty Real Estate Professional . . .and because I
care.
As
your
Better
Homes
and
Gardens
Rand
Realty
Sales
Professional,
I
will
provide
you
with
the
information
you
need
to
make
an
educated
decision.
The relationship between a home buyer or seller and their agent is based on trust, shared goals and understanding. I strive to continually improve and to do this I listen and take the needs and wants into consideration.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you. |
