20 Landscaping Mistakes That Make Home Buyers Walk the Other Way

20 Landscaping Mistakes Landscaping Mistakes That Make Home Buyers Walk the Other Way That Make Home Buyers Walk the Other Way

1. Large Water Features 1. Large Water Features Sure, water features can help create a relaxing outdoor space, but it takes work to keep them maintained—work potential buyers might not be up for. Sure, water features can help create a relaxing outdoor space, but it takes work to keep them maintained—work potential buyers might not be up for.

2. Invasive Plants 2. Invasive Plants Some invasive plants may look pretty, but they are definitely a turnoff for buyers, as they can quickly take over a yard. Some invasive plants may look pretty, but they are definitely a turnoff for buyers, as they can quickly take over a yard.

3. Large Trees 3. Large Trees While the right tree may offer shade in your landscaping, big trees too close to the house can be a red flag. While the right tree may offer shade in your landscaping, big trees too close to the house can be a red flag.

4. A Huge Lawn 4. A Huge Lawn A healthy lawn can be a plus when selling your home, but there can be too much of a good thing. A healthy lawn can be a plus when selling your home, but there can be too much of a good thing.

5. A Poorly Made Fire Pit 5. A Poorly Made Fire Pit A fire pit can be a draw for buyers who love backyard entertaining, but a poorly made fire pit can be a definite put-off, not to mention a fire hazard. A fire pit can be a draw for buyers who love backyard entertaining, but a poorly made fire pit can be a definite put-off, not to mention a fire hazard.

6. Too Many Annuals 6. Too Many Annuals Since you must buy them each year, annuals can be expensive and a lot of work to maintain for novice gardeners. Since you must buy them each year, annuals can be expensive and a lot of work to maintain for novice gardeners.

7. Dog Urine Spots 7. Dog Urine Spots A lawn full of brown spots from your dog could make some buyers think twice, as it may say you don’t bother with upkeep. A lawn full of brown spots from your dog could make some buyers think twice, as it may say you don’t bother with upkeep.

8. Lawn Chemicals 8. Lawn Chemicals With more homeowners turning to organic ways to keep their landscaping lush, chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers are a no-no. With more homeowners turning to organic ways to keep their landscaping lush, chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers are a no-no.

9. Cracked Concrete 9. Cracked Concrete Cracks in your home’s concrete patio or walkways aren’t just unsightly, they can be dangerous. They can also be costly to fix. Cracks in your home’s concrete patio or walkways aren’t just unsightly, they can be dangerous. They can also be costly to fix.

10. Unconventional Containers 10. Unconventional Containers Some feel using unconventional containers adds a unique touch to the yard. This style just doesn't appeal to everyone and can be off-putting. Some feel using unconventional containers adds a unique touch to the yard. This style just doesn't appeal to everyone and can be off-putting.

11. A Messy Yard 11. A Messy Yard A messy or unkempt yard may give potential buyers a bad first impression. A messy or unkempt yard may give potential buyers a bad first impression.

12. High-Maintenance Trees 12. High-Maintenance Trees Certain kinds of hedges and fruit trees may need pruning, spraying, or painting throughout the year or the need to pick up fallen fruit regularly. Certain kinds of hedges and fruit trees may need pruning, spraying, or painting throughout the year or the need to pick up fallen fruit regularly.

13. Expensive Landscaping 13. Expensive Landscaping One easy way to cut landscaping costs is to replace some annuals with perennials. Opt for native perennials in larger flower beds and borders. One easy way to cut landscaping costs is to replace some annuals with perennials. Opt for native perennials in larger flower beds and borders.

14. Plants That Attract Pests 14. Plants That Attract Pests While some garden pests are harmless, others may severely damage or even kill your plants. If you decide on a plant or tree that’s notorious for attracting pests, make sure you have a plan to keep bugs at bay. While some garden pests are harmless, others may severely damage or even kill your plants. If you decide on a plant or tree that’s notorious for attracting pests, make sure you have a plan to keep bugs at bay.

15. A Sloping Yard 15. A Sloping Yard Not only is soil erosion a problem, but maintaining the sloping section of a yard can be a never-ending nightmare. Not only is soil erosion a problem, but maintaining the sloping section of a yard can be a never-ending nightmare.

16. Inadequate Drainage 16. Inadequate Drainage If your landscape doesn’t have the right drainage , you may be left with a muddy, messy pit for much of the year. If your landscape doesn’t have the right drainage , you may be left with a muddy, messy pit for much of the year.

17. Overly Thirsty Plants 17. Overly Thirsty Plants When planning your landscaping, consider how much watering you (and potential buyers) are willing to do. When planning your landscaping, consider how much watering you (and potential buyers) are willing to do.

18. Poisonous Plants 18. Poisonous Plants Some common landscaping plants that are poisonous to dogs include gladiolas, daffodils, milkweed, and ivy. Plants such as rhododendron, lily of the valley, foxglove, and hydrangeas are known to be poisonous to humans. Some common landscaping plants that are poisonous to dogs include gladiolas, daffodils, milkweed, and ivy. Plants such as rhododendron, lily of the valley, foxglove, and hydrangeas are known to be poisonous to humans.

19. Damaged Features 19. Damaged Features Nobody wants to see a crumbling retaining wall or rotted flower or garden bed boxes, as they can be both unsightly and dangerous. Nobody wants to see a crumbling retaining wall or rotted flower or garden bed boxes, as they can be both unsightly and dangerous.

20. Lacking a Color Palette 20. Lacking a Color Palette If your home is a pastel color, look for flowers that create a contrast, such as bright orange flowers against a pale blue house. If your home is a pastel color, look for flowers that create a contrast, such as bright orange flowers against a pale blue house.

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