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06/2011 |
Top 10 Reasons to Treat Landscape as an Investment... |
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Not only will a personalized landscape design or polished lawn allow you and your family to enjoy the outdoors in the ways you would like to, but can also be a good investment in both the short term and the long term. Benefits derived can far outweigh the cost of investment if planned properly. Actually, research shows that the money you spend on your landscape will have you reaping the rewards from the day you first use the space until the day you give it up. Plants are not only are pretty to look at, but can also be put to work for you!
Here is a list of 10 reasons why investing in your outdoor space is a great idea: |
Optimize Space |
A landscape designed around your needs and preferences can
optimize space and act as an extension of the live-able area of your home. This can be very valuable to you and your family for recreational purposes. |
Reduce Stress |
Spending time in nature has been proven to lift spirits and naturally
reduce stress. With a pleasant and accessible environment to spend time in right outside of your home, you will be able to take advantage of these benefits. Also, build stronger relationships and bonds with your neighbors in a soothing outdoor environment. |
Reduce Unwanted Noise |
A properly selected, placed, and maintained tree can significantly
reduce unwanted noise by absorbing sound waves. The same effect can be achieved with berms and hardscape features such as walls. Another option is to mask the noise of the street or neighborhood with the calming sound produced by a water feature. Noisy neighbors no more! |
Block Unpleasant Views |
Block unpleasant views by placing shrubs or trees to create a solid barrier or a light screen depending on your needs. However, it is important to think about how the shade they create will affect other plants nearby. |
Reduce Energy |
Trees provide wind breaks that
reduce energy demand during the winter and provide shade during hot summer months.
This in turn will lower heating & cooling costs when plants are properly selected & placed. |
Reduce Erosion |
Thoughtfully placed plants, that act as landscape buffers can
reduce erosion and run-off of pollutants and sediment to nearby water sources. Ground covers are one of the best erosion controls because rain does not strike directly upon it. Many other low-growing herbaceous and woody plants work as well. |
Save
Water |
Not only can an irrigation system save you unnecessary time spent hand-watering, but also
save water and reduce your utility bill! This is done through consistent, timed activation to targeted areas during off-peak hours.
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Reduce Crime |
Landscape lighting has been shown to
reduce crime by as much as 50%. Carefully placed lighting will eliminate dark areas where prowlers can hide and can act as a powerful crime prevention tool. |
Increase your ROI |
Appropriate improvements to your outdoor space are estimated to get a 100-200%
return on investment when a house is sold. A study done by
Clemson
University states:
“Homeowners wanting to increase the value of their property will do well to consider the cost-effective, return potential of quality landscaping, and to safeguard their investments by hiring licensed, professional landscape contractors to perform the work.”
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Improve Curb Appeal |
Increase curb appeal and speed up the sale of your home by up to 6 weeks! 85-90% of buying decisions are started at the curb. Additionally,
homes with nice landscaping are likely to see sale prices that are 4 -5% higher than similar properties in the neighborhood, according to the Guide for Plant Appraisal. A patio itself can increase property value by 12%! |
Ready to Improve your home's value and curb appeal?
Clearwater Landscape & Nursery provides landscape contracting and nursery services in the Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland metro area, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Contact us today to schedule a free design consultation with one of our landscaping professionals! |