Investing in Your Second Largest Asset Landscaping

By Steve Jacobs, Nature Designs

Aside from your home, your landscape is typically the second largest personal asset you own. Its an asset that can add tens of thousands of dollars of value to your home. Landscaping not only adds value immediately; it continues adding value for years to come because while other home renovations, such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades, eventually go out of style, plants and tree continue to grow and become more lush and valuable year after year. To ensure that youre adding value to your home, heres a list of investment opportunities to consider:

Add large trees that are healthy and properly prunedRecent nationwide surveys show that mature trees in a well-landscaped yard can increase the value of a house by 7 percent to 19 percent. Not only do trees contribute to curb appeal; they provide much-desired privacy and shade. Strategically placed trees can also cut down on air conditioning and therefore electricity bills.

Quality hardscape Brick, stone, and exposed aggregate there are so many wonderful options for hardscapes. We dont typically recommend pavers or concrete for estates because pavers dont often give that high-level appearance while concrete and stamped concrete tend to show age over time. Its important to choose a hardscape option that complements your garden and home. Investing in a quality driveway material is also something to consider since driveways play such a key role in curb appeal.

Swimming poolsThanks to San Diegos incomparable weather, San Diegans can throw pool parties all year-round! A swimming pool is a must if your goal is to convert your backyard into an oasis. Not only do pools add to your quality of life; a well-designed pool adds value in the luxury home market.

Water features Imagine lounging in your backyard listening to the trickle of water from your fountain, waterfall, stream or pond after a busy week. Water features add a peaceful ambience to an outdoor space, help drown out neighboring noises as well as enhance the beauty of your landscape. Water features also add an element of uniqueness to your landscape that can increase your property value.

Outdoor kitchens and living rooms Experts say that outdoor kitchens and living rooms help sell homes in warmer climates. Its key to build outdoor kitchens and living spaces that blend with your homes design. As an added bonus, you can use the drain water from your outdoor kitchen sink to irrigate your flower beds.

Curb appealFirst impressions are lasting, which is one of the reasons curb appeal is so important for the value of your home. There are so many wonderful ways to enhance curb appeal such as adding colorful planting beds, columns and walls, and upgrading light fixtures. Its also important to prune and lace trees and shrubs to show off their beauty.

In order for landscaping to increase your property value and the value of life in a meaningful way, its imperative to have a landscaping plan. Your landscape is a living asset, meaning that much care is needed so that each plant thrives. A good professional landscape contractor will look comprehensively at the site before choosing hardscape materials and plantings because, for example, if the wrong plant is planted in the wrong location, the results can be overgrown plants that are too close to the house, that block windows and views, or trees with roots that destroy a walkway or driveway. Quality landscape maintenance from trained professionals will ensure excellent results.

Whether youre looking for short term landscaping solutions to increase your home value to sell immediately or long term landscaping solutions to increase your quality of life and property value, visit Nature Designs to learn how we can help make your landscape even more of an asset. Log ontohttp://naturedesigns.net/ or call us at(760) 945-4321.

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Investing in Your Second Largest Asset Landscaping