Green Thumb, Golden Opportunity: Leveraging Garden Appeal in Real Estate

Gardens are now a big deal in real estate. They used to be just a nice addition, but today, they can speed up the sale of a property by weeks, or even months.   

This is because the modern buyer is increasingly looking at dual-purpose spaces—ones that are both aesthetically pleasing and serve a purpose at the same time. 

And we can’t blame them. A nice garden can be both a relaxing spot and a place for growing lush flowers and even food. In fact, a recent study shows that at least 55% of Americans are now interested in gardening. 

So, we’re looking at a confluence of interests—clients want homes with nice gardens, are willing to pay more for them, and you want to increase your bottom line. Let’s take a look at some simple strategies that enterprising realtors can easily leverage to increase garden appeal.

The Aesthetic and Functional Value of Gardens in Real Estate

A well-designed garden with vibrant flowers, neat lawns, and thoughtfully arranged plants can significantly enhance the curb appeal of a property. 

This visual appeal is not just about beauty; it translates into real economic value in the real estate market. Properties with attractive gardens tend to attract more potential buyers and can often command higher prices. Studies show that properties with gardens can increase property values by up to 20%. 

Likewise, such a green surface can also be designed to provide additional outdoor space, like patios or decks, which are increasingly sought after for relaxation and entertainment. In urban areas, where space is a premium, a well-designed garden can effectively extend the living space of a home.

Additionally, gardens can be equipped with sustainable features like rainwater harvesting systems or composting setups, making the property more eco-friendly and appealing to environmentally conscious buyers.

Key Elements of a Garden That Enhance Real Estate Value

The most crucial part of creating an appealing garden is proper planning. It sets the foundation for a space that not only looks stunning but also requires minimal maintenance. 

As always, your budget is the first order of business. Don’t go overboard—it’s easy to lose track of the bigger picture and go over budget, which causes a lot of home improvement projects to become unprofitable. 

Always have a clear goal in mind, and if you’re slightly short on liquidity, consider financing options—short-term debt like bridging loans for residential projects offer flexibility in terms of criteria, interest rates around 0.39% per month, and can quickly be arranged—on the other hand, more major projects would likely require solutions like a home equity line of credit or a second mortgage.

Enlisting aid isn’t limited to the financial side of things—if you’re unsure about the design or implementation of your garden, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance. There are plenty of landscaping experts who can guide you on plant selection, layout, and installation, ensuring your garden is not only stunning but also practical.

With the prep work out of the way, here are the key components of a garden that can skyrocket a property’s market value:

Create a Low-Maintenance, High-Impact Garden Design

The goal of a low-maintenance, high-impact garden is to create a visually appealing space that doesn’t require extensive upkeep. This approach is ideal for homeowners who want a beautiful garden without dedicating too much time to its maintenance.

Here are some tips: on how to achieve this:

• Choose hardy, local, or drought-resistant plants for your garden. They need less care and suit the climate.
• Design your garden with simplicity in mind. A straightforward layout is easier to maintain and can still offer strong visual appeal.
• Use mulch in your garden beds. It helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and reduces the need for frequent care.

Outdoor Lighting and Water Features

Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing the appeal of gardens, especially when you’re searching for potential buyers. It’s not just about visibility; it’s about creating an ambiance. 

And it can be easily achieved if you:

• Select outdoor lighting fixtures that complement the style of your property. Consider energy-efficient options like LED lights for long-term savings.
• Use spotlights to highlight garden elements like statues, trees, or architectural details. Aim for a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
• Install lighting along walkways, steps, and around any water features to ensure safe navigation after dark.
• Choose a spot for your water feature that is visible and complements your garden’s layout. Ensure it’s accessible for maintenance.
• Understand the maintenance requirements of your water feature. Some may need regular cleaning or winterization in colder climates.

Marketing Strategies for Garden-Centric Properties

As a realtor, it’s essential to understand how to showcase and highlight these outdoor spaces to capture the attention and imagination of potential buyers. 

Here are some tried and tested tips:

High-Quality Visual Representation

First impressions are crucial. High-quality images capture the beauty and uniqueness of the garden, making the property stand out in listings.

Hire a professional photographer to take photos during different times of the day and in various seasons, if possible. Ensure they capture key features like flower beds, unique landscaping, or a well-maintained lawn. Use these images prominently in all marketing materials.

Interactive Virtual Tours and Drone Footage

In today’s digital age, buyers appreciate a comprehensive view of the property before visiting. Virtual tours and drone footage can provide an immersive experience.

Use drone footage to give an aerial view of the garden, showing its layout and relation to the house. Supplement this with a 360-degree virtual tour that allows potential buyers to “walk” through the garden at their own pace, exploring its features in detail.

Engaging Descriptions in Listings

The right words can paint a vivid picture and evoke emotions, making the property more appealing.

Use descriptive and emotive language in your listings. Talk about the garden as a “private oasis,” a “haven for wildlife,” or a “space for sustainable living.” Highlight features like the tranquility of a water feature or the charm of a flowering trellis.

Leveraging AI Tools

These advanced tools can offer a wide bevy of advantages to realtors tech-savvy enough to properly use them.

Since this is a very wide field, the exact tools that should be implemented will depend on your specific circumstances. AI can be utilized in the form of chatbots for immediate engagement, automated document generation to streamline behind-the-scenes business processes, automated sentiment analysis for data-driven decision-making, or even plain old content creation.

The possibilities here are nearly boundless—it’s only a question of what is the biggest priority and what is doable with a reasonable budget.

Targeted Social Media Campaigns

Social media is a powerful tool to reach a wide audience and engage with potential buyers.

Create a series of posts showcasing different aspects of the garden. Use before-and-after photos to highlight improvements, share videos of the garden during different seasons, and post testimonials from landscape designers or previous owners about the garden’s impact.

Don’t forget to leverage audience segmentation and the power of social media analytics—with those two principles in place, you can find your target audience and analyze which platforms or approaches give you the best return on your investment.

Conclusion

A well-designed garden enhances aesthetics and reduces maintenance, a winning combination in today’s competitive market. It makes your property stand out and can command a higher selling price.

As a realtor, you should encourage sellers to maintain green rush gardens as a way to increase their property values and stand out in the market. Also, don’t forget to partner with an Embrace Loan Officer to make the closing process faster once you find a client interested in buying a property with a lush garden.