KANSAS CITY STAR ARTICLE

2007-02-23T12:26:00.000-06:00

HOME VALUES AROUND THE KANSAS CITY AREA

Prices Reel from Robust Toward Bust
By Jeffrey Spivak
The Kansas City Star

INSIDE, OUTSIDE, ALL AROUND!

2007-02-23T11:14:00.000-06:00

INVIGORATING YOUR HOME WITH PLANTSCAPING
Whether you live in a 3-bedroom ranch, a condo or a turn of the century estate, a little greenery can go a long way toward improving the image that your home projects. Consider this: according to the American Nursery & Landscape Association, landscaping can add 7% to 15% to a home’s value—and that’s true for condo and townhome owners as well. Patios, fountains, decks and foliage all add value to your home, while providing you and your family with recreation areas, privacy and a serene environment. Most importantly, the natural environment that you create in and around your home serves to create your visitors’ first impression of your home (especially when it’s on the market).

STEPS TO LANDSCAPING YOUR HOME
Whether you’re looking to grow some visual drama on your average urban plot or completely reconstruct a yard that hasn’t been touched since the mid-80s, here are some guidelines to help get you started.

1. Gather your thoughts
Brainstorm, take notes and answer
the questions below:
• What do you want to achieve with
your plants, yard, deck, etc.? Are
you preparing your home for sale
or simply aiming to beautify your
home for personal reasons?
• Are you aiming for a complete
overhaul of your exterior or simple
cosmetic upgrades?
Sometimes simply replacing a few overgrown
bushes, painting the shutters
and purchasing a small potted tree for
your front entry is all you need to refresh
your home’s image. Don’t be afraid to
think big. By building your wish list for
big-ticket items into your long-range
plantscaping plan, you can begin to
budget and plan for them now.

2. Check your limitations
Determine your budget.
Many experts plan the landscape of a
home as a multi-year project, which can
help spread costs and work over several
years instead of just one summer. With
such a plan, you can plant your trees
and annuals in year one, and by the
time you finish your deck in year five, it
will be surrounded by mature greenery.
Assess your available land and features.
How much space do you have, and how
much sun do those areas get? Picture
how these spaces should be connected
or separated for efficient use.

3. Create a plan
Here’s where the hopes and dreams laid
out in step one meet the reality that you
defined in step two.
Draw it out.
Make a pencil layout of the areas
you have to work with, showing the
house/condo, balconies and windows
(for window boxes), driveway, etc.
Note where you want to eventually
add plants and trees, and draw in the
water features and patios that you plan
to install.
Research costs.
Make a list of each of the above items
and determine the cost associated with
obtaining and installing each of them.
Balance this against your budget and
determine when you will tackle each
step in the process.
Although this step is the most complex,
it can be enjoyable if you are willing
to accomplish your goals in stages. Be
realistic about how much you are capable
of doing in a year, and when your job is
complete, you won’t regret the time you
invested in doing the job right.

4. Consult with the pros
As you plan, design and build your
landscape, don’t be shy about asking for
professional advice. Ask family members
and neighbors for referrals on landscape
professionals that they trust. Choose
someone who listens and seems open to
your ideas. A professional is especially
valuable if you’re dealing with a job
that requires permitting. In addition,
working with a pro can save you money
in the long run.

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KANSAS CITY STAR ARTICLE

INSIDE, OUTSIDE, ALL AROUND!