As the Eastern Shore’s spring somes to an end, it’s time to get out the gardening gloves. For many homeowners, it’s a seasonal tradition and an enjoyable way to make your yard as lovely and inviting as possible. It’s also a major selling point for prospective homebuyers, and is often the first feature they notice when visiting a listed property.

If you're considering selling your Eastern Shore home or property, don't skimp on making your yard and landscaping one of the best exterior features of your home. With a few easy landscaping tips, you can help your property stand out from all the others and maximize its blooming, summertime appeal.

Coordinate With Color

Accenting with pops of color is an excellent way to move your yard from drab to fabulous. Many buyers prefer a nice green lawn, so dedicate some time and water to ensuring your yard isn't dead when it's time to list it. You don't need an in-ground sprinkler system either - you can find easy-to-use sprinkler units and hose attachments at your local hardware or home improvement store. You can also add color with flowers, shrubs, and trees: pots filled with annuals are an easy, affordable, and quick way to spruce up a drab entryway, driveway, front porch, or patio

Power Wash

Sometimes an outdoor area doesn't need a complete overhaul to look brand new. When it comes to decks, fences, driveways, and other outdoor surfaces that accumulate dirt and grime, power washing is a quick and easy way to freshen things up. You don't have to go out and buy a power washer: many home improvement stores rent them out, and for the cost of the rental and a couple hours of your time, your home could look like new (just be sure you do the correct type of wash for your job - pressure washing is great for delivering a deep clean on hard surfaces, like a driveway or concrete patio; soft washing is a low-pressure type of power wash more suitable for houses and roofs).

Lead the Way With Light

While it's highly unlikely you'll have many people come and view your home at night, a great and easy way to boost your current landscape is with lights! Whether it's adding a new outdoor lamp, or putting in walkway/path lights (solar ones are readily available and environmentally friendly!), buyers love to see little details that enhance a home's features. Pathway lights are often overlooked by homeowners, but a home with outdoor lighting will always speak volumes to potential buyers.

Ditch the Dead Plants

A nice manicured yard always rates highly among buyers. But if half of your yard is dead, despite being landscaped, it's a good idea to ditch the dead plants. Take a couple of minutes each day to check out your yard - grass, flower beds, pots, etc. - and pull out anything that's dying or dead. While it's definitely a plus to have flowers and shrubs, if they're rotting, you're better off getting rid of them completely.

Makeover Your Mulch

Flower beds are a great focal point for any yard, especially when they're a real show stopper. But if your beds look weathered or rough, they can be a definite turn off to buyers. An easy, affordable and sure fire way to spruce up a tired flower bed is by adding new mulch or other ground cover like bark chips or gravel to help make the beds look fresh and new. A yard that has fresh mulch will always look great to a buyer.

The real estate market is slowing down, with some properties on the market longer than in recent months. If your home has been sitting, or you're thinking of listing, don't hesitate to spruce up your yard or outdoor areas this spring and early summer. The tips above are a great place to start.

If you’d like more tips and information on listing your home, don’t hesitate to reach out: courtney@mychesapeakehome.com I can help you navigate the the local market, and would be delighted to provide you with individual guidance on listing or in the search for your forever home on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.