4 Yard Mistakes Realtors Notice Before They Even Walk Inside

The list of to-dos when it comes to selling your house might already seem daunting, but there’s one place where sellers should pay particular attention if they want their real estate to grab the attention of prospective buyers: landscaping the yard.

“When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter,” says Realtor.com Executive News Editor Clare Trapasso. “The front yard is generally the first thing that prospective buyers see when visiting a home, so sellers should make sure that it oozes curb appeal.”

That means a freshly cut lawn with trimmed hedges and weeded flower beds. Dead plants and spent blooms should be removed, so all that’s left is a neat and welcoming home with a yard that doesn’t scream “money pit.”

Credit: Getty Images

While ensuring your yard is ready for its close up is one thing, going overboard is certainly another. This isn’t the time to make clear your allegiances, show off your 4H-worthy vegetable gardening skills, or dust off your ceramic garden figurines.

Trapasso says these are trendy pitfalls that can have potential buyers turning right back around. To help you navigate the dos and don’ts of yard trends, Trapasso shared her top no-nos for sellers—and football fans, we’ve even got one here for you.

Quirky Collections

“It’s important for sellers to acknowledge that everyone has different taste,” says Trapasso. “They may see their garden gnome collection as charming, while potential buyers may be turned off by the statues.”

The same can be said for looking ball collections, your bird sanctuary complete with not one but five bird baths, and bottle trees. Just as the interior of the house may benefit from a paring down for selling, so too could the yard. Consider how you can elevate your curb appeal in a less personalized way.

Ambitious Gardens

You may love the fresh produce your little home vegetable garden can churn out, but to a potential buyer who lacks your green thumb, it’s just one more thing that needs upkeep. The location of large plants is also worth considering.

Even a front yard full of annuals can leave potential buyers seeing dollar signs as they estimate the cost for yearly replanting. Trapasso recommends focusing instead on emphasizing your lush lawn and adding neat shrubs and bright perennials that will spell less work for the next homeowners.

Poorly Placed Trees

Prospective buyers might be turned off by trees in addition to gardens, especially if they’re planted in a location that requires a lot of upkeep. While you may not want to uproot a tree while you’re busy trying to sell your house, prune trees so that they appear neat, tidy, and safe.

“Planting trees too close to the home, garden, driveway, or patio can turn buyers off too—they may worry about having to trim branches, a tree falling on the home, or the roots cracking the pavement of a driveway or patio,” warns Trapasso.

The same goes for overgrown, neglected landscaping, like big shrubs and perennials that may be covering walkways or windows. Cut them back so that their presence is less daunting, and remove diseased perennials right away.

Team Swag

Now is not the time to get political or show off your superfan status. As difficult as it may be, stow away those flags and signs that show your allegiances (we’re looking at you, SEC fans) while the house is on the market.

Driving up to a house that’s waving the wrong team colors can stand in the way of the potential buyers even coming through the front door, let alone making an offer.

“Sellers may be die-hard fans of a particular team, but buyers who root for an opposing team may have a negative impression of the home based on seeing that flag hanging out front,” shares Trapasso.

Frequently asked Questions

What landscaping adds the most value?

A wooden deck is a top choice for boosting home value, offering an average return on investment of 72 percent.

Is landscaping a good investment?

Yes, investing in landscaping is smart, as it can increase your home’s value by 10 to 30 percent.

What decreases property value the most?

Skipping important maintenance projects can significantly lower property value. Common issues include overgrown plants, lawns with poor drainage, and aging deck support structures.

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