Five Tips to Boost Community Curb Appeal and Value Through Landscaping

The desire to present a neat and attractive appearance extends beyond personal style to include the places where we live. An industry survey shows that over 70% of homebuyers find curb appeal crucial when selecting a community. While elements like sidewalks and roads may lose value over time, well-maintained landscaping can actually boost property values and foster a sense of pride among residents. To preserve these valuable assets, many community associations implement a strategic landscape maintenance plan. Unsure where to begin? Here's a guide to help your association reap the benefits of effective landscaping maintenance.

Your mower or mine?

In smaller communities, in-house landscaping maintenance might be feasible. However, most homeowners' associations benefit from partnering with professional landscaping companies. If you reside in a managed community, a property manager will collaborate with your board or grounds maintenance committee to select the best landscaping firm, arborist, and other service providers. In self-managed communities, a reputable property management company can guide you toward reliable contractors.

Whack those weeds

Weeds can tarnish the beauty of your lawn and landscape, so it's essential to control them. Options range from manual removal to chemical weed killers, or even natural solutions like hot water, soap, or vinegar. Weigh the pros and cons—chemical methods are quick and effective but may harm the environment, while natural methods take more time and effort. Planting more is another strategy. By adding flowers, bushes, and shrubs, you create a lush environment that naturally keeps weeds at bay since all plants compete for resources like water, sunlight, and nutrients.

Life’s a garden, so dig it

Choosing what to plant starts with identifying grass, trees, and plants that thrive in your area, considering local climate, rainfall, soil conditions, and your community's maintenance budget. Once you have a list, creating a landscaping design plan ensures all plants have adequate sunlight, water, and space for root growth. Ongoing maintenance is vital—enrich soil, mow grass to the optimal height, water regularly, and fertilize as needed to cultivate a healthy, vibrant garden.

Save the trees

Trees add shade, beauty, and value to your community. Keeping them well-trimmed, pruned, fertilized, and mulched maintains their health and ensures they remain free of disease. Regular care from association staff or tree-care professionals is crucial. Remember, maintenance of other landscape elements might affect trees. For instance, in dry regions, occasional lawn watering could negatively impact trees adapted to arid conditions. Consulting with a knowledgeable property management company can help navigate these intricacies to maintain a thriving landscape.

Get smarter

Knowledge is power. Educating yourself about grass, shrubs, trees, and landscaping maintenance helps fulfill your association’s responsibility to protect community assets. Valuable information can be obtained from professional landscaping services, community association management firms, local universities, Cooperative Extension Services, and online resources.

By taking proactive steps in landscaping maintenance, associations can enhance curb appeal, support community growth, and improve the quality of life for residents.