When you think about potentially selling your property, the first part you tend to think of renovating or improving is usually the indoor spaces like a kitchen or bathroom. However, an emerging trend is to prioritise the landscaping first.

If you are fortunate enough to own a property with an outdoor area or garden, not only is it a major drawcard for potential buyers but it can seriously add value to the home. So, when the time comes to sell, starting from the outside could help you boost your sale price. Here are our six top landscaping tips to help add value to your home.

1. Trees are king. Especially in Rockingham. Research shows that a structurally sound broad based tree can help add thousands of dollars to your home.

So if you have trees on your property make sure to emphasize them, invest in them and have their branches trimmed and kept tidy. However, there are any trees that have the potential to look unsteady or that you know need to be chopped down for safety purposes, call the council and have them removed. It’s better to be safe than have a buyer complain about having to remove them and use that as a negotiation tactic.

2. Mulch and weed. Yes, this might sound like a horrendous task especially if you plan on doing the majority of the landscaping yourself. However, ridding your garden of weeds and laying a bed of mulch down where they once grew will make the area look well maintained and fresh.

Even if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, a few hours spent weeding can be a huge transformation for the presentation of your property. Make sure to remove the weeds properly and if necessary poison them so you don’t have to worry about them popping up again throughout the sale process.

3. Lawns are meant to be green. If you have neglected your lawn either on purpose or by accident then make sure at the very least it is the right colour.

If your lawn is beyond repair, it’s worth looking at laying new, fresh lawn or invest in tidying up the patches so they aren’t so obvious.

4. Keep it simple. Of course buyers would be impressed if they venture into the backyard to find it resembles an Amazonian jungle with plenty of exotic plant species. However, the rose coloured glasses will eventually fall off and the reality of maintaining multiple plant species will probably turn them off the property. Stick to well-known plants that are easy to care for and if possible – mix it up with a variety of colourful flowering plants.

5. Screening. Landscaping doesn’t just mean potting a few pretty plants. The surrounding borders and relaxation spaces are just as important. Screening is a great way to make your land look bigger than it is.

Whether the property is smack bang in the middle of suburbia or relatively isolated, privacy is always a big concern. Adding in bamboo screening or investing in tall plants that can provide them with some coverage will definitely add value. Remember to keep it tasteful and neutral, something that flows nicely from indoor to outdoor living.

6. Recycled materials. If you are keen to save money whilst also improving your property using recycled materials is a great way to achieve a professional look. Recycled pavers, decking and garden edging are all cheap and easy to find. There are plenty of ways to make your property stand out using environmentally friendly materials. It’s also a good way to entice buyers, letting them know that your entire garden was built using recycled and re-used materials.

So whether you consider yourself a landscaping expert or newbie there are plenty of unique and stress free ways to improve your outdoor area. If you want to really impress potential buyers, asking a gardener or landscaper to help with a few of the jobs will add a hint of much needed professionalism.