Sell Your Fixer Upper by Improving the Exterior

One of the first areas a potential home buyer will notice when looking at a property is the exterior. It is the task of the landscape architect to make the exterior top notch and appealing to possible buyers.

Similar to that of the engineer and the building he constructed, a landscape architect envisions the planning, design, rehabilitation and preservation of the man-made property, or in this case, real estate or simply fixer upper homes.

Hiring professionals to assist you in the landscaping of the property’s exterior can be costly, so why not do some of the work yourself? Here are some guidelines that may help you in improving the landscape and exterior of your fixer upper homes.

Make the best out of curb appeal

There is something aesthetically appealing with a downward slope of the ground when looking at the exterior of a property. It may sounds simple, but landscaping on slopes isn't an easy task.

First, you need a retaining wall. Think of it as getting retainers after years of wearing braces. A retaining wall assists in preventing erosion.

You can build your own stone-retaining wall. All you need are a mason’s hammer, shovel, garden hose and a couple of stakes.

Terrace the slope by building retaining walls that can secure the soil in two or more places. A mortar-less retaining wall comes with a drainage system, which means water seeps through the cracks between the stones. However, when damage from water pressure occurs, it can easily be repaired.

Choose stones that have two flat sides which will be placed atop the retaining wall. The heavier the stones, the more stability they will provide. The heavier the stones, the more work you’ll have to do lifting them as well. This is a small price to pay, however.

Design your wall to be able to withstand external pressure. Dig a trench about eight to ten inches deep, fully submerging the first row of stones. Check that the stones are leveled. Just because it is a downward slope doesn’t mean the stones should be jagged when lined up. After completing the first layer of the foundation, continue with the next row of stones. Tuck the soil in when there is a gap in between the terraces. Cascading plants such as lobelia and thyme are also appealing when planted in stone retaining walls.

Cleaning out and replacing flower beds

Of course, even plants need a fresh start. In landscaping, it is also advisable that plants be replenished. Treat the weather like it is spring and you’re about to embark on a change. This is the reason for cleaning out the flower beds.

Remove the dead foliage from past seasons. Make sure that the flowers receive enough fertilizer and water to be replenished again. The flower bed soil must be healthy so that the nutrients will be absorbed by the plants.

When replacing flower beds, make sure that the flowers you purchase and plant are right for the season. Ask a flower expert about proper care for the plants.

It is also advisable that the cleaning extend not only up to the flower beds, but also to the lawn. A green, lush healthy lawn is will always capture the attention of a possible buyer.

Maintaining the lawn

One of the most difficult tasks involved in bringing out the beauty of an exterior is, yet again, the lawn. The first step you must take is finding the right type of grass to plant. Afterwards, purchase the fertilizer and ask the plant specialist when it is advisable to fully water the lawn.

Getting a gardener to maintain and water the lawn once a week will help with improving the lawn’s beauty. Be certain to find someone who you can trust, who will do the job efficiently and quickly with a reasonable asking price.

Some landscape architects also consider providing xeriscape to the exterior. This is where the retaining wall comes in. When done correctly, erosion and the unwanted water can be prevented from coming in and destroying the plants in the yard.

It is the landscape architect’s job to improve the exterior of a buy-and-sell house just as it is an architect’s job to improve the interior. The physical appeal of the exterior is extremely important.

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