People love to throw a lot of numbers at you when you’re selling a home. They will tell you a finished basement will add X, or a new kitchen can add Y. But are any of these numbers real?

What about curb appeal? We all know your buyers are going to make some snap decisions about your home right away, based on the state of the yard and the exterior. That first impression your home makes from the road is invaluable. But is it also intangible? Will investing in lawn care services to help you sell your home make a difference?

Yes, several reliable sources have published clear numbers showing that your lawn and curb appeal directly impact your sale.

How Does a Healthy Lawn Boost Curb Appeal​? The Numbers

When it comes to maximizing your curb appeal, lawn care is always going to give you a high impact, with a relatively lower cost than most interior updates like new appliances or an upgraded bathroom.

The numbers speak for themselves:

• 92% of Realtors say curb appeal is crucial

• Lawn care services have a 217% return on investment (ROI)

• Good landscaping can increase your home’s value by 5 - 13%

• Homebuyers say that they would pay nearly $10,000 more for curb appeal

• Staged homes with maintained lawns sell 73% faster

The message is clear: Upgrading your home’s first impression should be the first thing on your to-do list.

Let’s take a closer look at some of those numbers.

92% of Realtors Say Curb Appeal is Crucial

It’s nearly unanimous! A whopping 92% of surveyed REALTORS® said that they recommend that sellers improve their curb appeal prior to listing.

Most realtors have seen evidence with their own eyes. Many have seen instances of two comparable houses on the same block on sale at the same time, but the one with the neglected yard sits on the market much longer and eventually sells for tens of thousands less.

Lawn Care Services Have a 217% ROI

The NAR's remodeling report listed lawn care services as the most cost-effective outdoor improvements a seller can invest in, with a cost recovery rate of 217%. That’s more than twice the ROI of the next best outdoor project, with landscape maintenance coming in second with an ROI of 104%.

The survey defines “standard lawn care service” as six seasonal applications of fertilizer and/or weed control on a 5,000-square-foot lawn and “landscape maintenance” as mulch application, regular lawn mowing, pruning shrubs, and planting about 60 perennials or annuals.

By comparison, much flashier improvements didn’t rank nearly as high, with a new irrigation system returning 83% of your investment, and an in-ground pool installation recovering 56% of your costs.

Landscaping Increases Your Home Value by 5 - 13%

There is no single definitive source or accepted number in this area. However, reliable sources have quoted similar numbers:

• A Virginia Tech study found that landscaping improvements increase value by 5.5% to 11.4%

• The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics reported that curb appeal increases the sale price by an average of 7%

• A Michigan State University study put this number at 12.7%

Again, there is no universally accepted number, but we can safely put the range between 5-13%.

Homebuyers Will Pay Nearly $10,000 More for Curb Appeal

Meanwhile, American Home Shield reported that homebuyers are willing to increase their offers by $9,195 for homes with great curb appeal.

That same survey found that 68% of homebuyers consider bad curb appeal a dealbreaker, which means they won’t even consider the home, regardless of what it looks like inside.

Staged Homes Sell 73% Faster

If you’re looking for a quick turnaround to sell your home, a well-maintained and inviting yard will help you close the deal much faster.

It’s hard to find lawn-specific stats when it comes to average closing time. However, industry experts have stated that a staged home (which includes a well-manicured lawn) tends to sell 73% faster than an unstaged home.

And if you’re already taking your lawn game seriously, that means less work and not having to bring someone in at the last minute to get your yard sales-ready.

Ready For Your Yard Upgrade?

Whether you’re looking to sell your home, or you recently bought a new home and the yard is a fixer-upper, Weed Man can help! We have a full range of professional lawn services that can take your lawn from weedy to “Wow!”

“Started using Weed Man last year and noticed a significant change in my lawn. Less weeds than before. I am continuing to use their services this year. Their customer service and specialists are very helpful and knowledgeable.” A 5-Star Google Review.

You can start right now and get a free lawn care quote by telling us a bit about your yard.