Outdoor space is playing a larger role in buyer decisions, but sellers may get the most value from simple, low-maintenance curb appeal rather than costly garden upgrades.
Outdoor space is becoming a bigger part of buyer conversations, but Realtors® can help clients separate lifestyle appeal from resale value.
According to a 2023 National Association of Realtors® and National Association of Landscape Professionals study, standard lawn care returned 217% of its cost at resale, while landscape maintenance returned 104% and an overall landscape upgrade returned 100%.
"The gap between what buyers want and what pays back at the closing table frames the core conversation agents should be having with seller clients: The outdoor investments that feel the most rewarding are frequently not the ones that perform best at resale," Inman author Jessi Healey said.
For sellers, the key is to focus on clean, low-maintenance curb appeal rather than expensive or labor-heavy projects. Ninety-two percent of Realtors in the report said they recommend improving curb appeal before listing, with lawn care and landscape maintenance among the most recommended projects.
Gardens can be a selling point when they look easy to enjoy. A neat herb garden, raised bed, citrus tree or established fruit tree may help buyers picture a lifestyle. But an overgrown vegetable plot or high-maintenance planting bed can make buyers see weekend chores instead.
Buyers tend to focus on whether a garden fits the way they want to live and whether its lifestyle benefits matter in their homebuying decision. A Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate survey found 76% of agents said outdoor living extensions, such as patios, porches and balconies, are the most requested buyer feature.
For Realtors, the opportunity is to guide sellers toward simple improvements that photograph well and help buyers see outdoor space as useful, attractive and manageable.
“We’re consistently hearing demand for outdoor living areas, gardens, pools and properties that feel like private retreats,” Jack Richardson, principal of The Richardson Team at SERHANT, told Inman. “There’s also growing appreciation for landscaping that provides both beauty and functionality – shade and privacy.”
Source: Inman
