April was National Lawn Care Month. And though the event is now over, recent research shows that yards are too important for real estate professionals to ignore:

• 79% of Americans say a lawn is important to them when renting or buying a home.
• A nice yard is the second most sought-after feature when buying a home, just behind a renovated kitchen.
• 77% of Americans relax in their yard at least once per month.

If you’re trying to sell a property with a lawn, it’s imperative you (or the current homeowner) make sure the yard is looking top-notch. So, let’s put our work gloves on and maximize that curb appeal!

Cultivating a Sea of Emerald

The most basic (and arguably most important) metric for a healthy lawn is the quality of its grass. Thankfully, proper mowing and watering techniques can create a beautiful expanse of emerald buyers will love.

Keep the following tips in mind to make sure you’re making the most of your mowing time:

• Only cut the top third of the grass during each mow. Anything shorter can dry it out and prevent the grass from accessing all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
• Don’t mow when the lawn is covered in rain or dew. When the soil is soggy, heavy machinery (like a lawn mower) can leave ruts and trenches throughout the lawn.
• Keep the mower’s blades sharp. If they’re too dull, the grass will be torn instead of cut, which makes the yard more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Mowing is only one part of the lawn-grooming process; a healthy yard also needs proper hydration. To make sure the lawn you’re working with gets the proper amount of water, keep the following two tips in mind:

• Water your lawn a few times per week—but not daily. Overwatering can stunt root growth, depriving your lawn of crucial nutrients.
• When the weather is hot, water the lawn in the cooler morning or evening hours. Otherwise, the sun will evaporate the water before the grass has time to fully absorb it.

Planting the Seeds of Success

Your lawn’s thirst is quenched, and its length has been trimmed to perfection. Now it’s time to take the next step by giving your grass some botanical friends!

• Are there any brown or barren patches scattered throughout the yard? Sod can help. Use it to fill in any areas where the grass isn’t up to snuff to create an even, full-bodied plot of green.
• If the lawn doesn’t have a garden, spruce it up with some potted plants. These can provide a unique visual flare without requiring a landscape specialist.
• When selecting plants, coordinate their attributes with the home. Choosing plants with colors or sizes that complement the rest of the property can make an otherwise average lawn stand out.

Accessorizing Your Way to Victory

If you’ve followed the first two sections, the lawn you’re working with is already looking dandy. But if you want to get a little more ambitious, these ideas can take a yard to the next level:

• Do any sections of the lawn look too empty or dull? Consider adding decorative rocks. They can greatly enhance the property’s aesthetics for a relatively low investment of time and money.
• A water-based decoration can grant massive curb appeal. Installing a fountain or pond isn’t always cheap, but it can easily make a lawn one of the most appealing on the block.
• To neatly tie the yard and home together, add a walkway to the front door. This gives the property a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that’s sure to attract more prospects.

The Grass is Always Greener

When selling a residential property, it can be tempting to pour all your energy and focus into the house itself. But the yard can be just as important to your clients, if not more so.

By taking a holistic approach, you can use the strengths of a well-groomed lawn to your advantage and make the property pop.

This article is for informational purposes only.