Marysville, OH - April 6, 2004 - Every year consumers spend millions of dollars remodeling, rebuilding and redoing their homes to increase their property values. But there's a simpler, less expensive home improvement project that may add even more value: a lush, beautiful lawn.
"Curb appeal plays an important role in a home purchasing decision," notes Richard Roll, President of the American Homeowners Association (AHA)® in Stamford, CT. "What's more, unlike many home improvements involving greater cost and complexity, an investment in your lawn will increase your home's value without triggering an increase in property taxes."
"Mow" Money
Evidence that growing a beautiful lawn will add value to a home is itself growing:
- According to Money magazine, while redoing a kitchen may return only 75 percent of its cost and redoing a bathroom as little as 20 percent, landscaping investments are estimated to return at least 100 percent and up to 200 percent of their costs.
- A study of 2,000 realtors by Homegain.com found that an investment of only $500 in lawn improvements is likely to yield 400 percent of that a mount in a higher selling price.
- Clemson University and the University of Maryland found that homebuyers will pay up to 11.3 percent above the asking price for homes with well-designed landscaping.
- Ninety-five percent of the members of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers say that landscaping adds to property value, while a near-unanimous consensus (99 percent) agree that landscaping enhances property appeal and increases speed of home sales. (2002)
- A recent Gallup survey found that more than 44 percent of U.S. homeowners surveyed said that an increased real estate market value was the most important benefit of well-maintained landscape. (2002)
Good News/Bad News
"For under $100 and about 2.5 hours a year for the average size lawn, you can create a beautiful, healthy lawn that will ensure your property stands out from the rest before anyone even walks through the front door," says Ashton Ritchie, a Scotts Company agronomist and author of Scotts Lawns: Your Guide to a Beautiful Yard.
"The good news," Ritchie says, "is that if homeowners follow a few of my simple tips, the value of their homes may increase. The bad news is that with such beautiful new lawns, they may never want to move in the first place!"
- Don't Let Your Lawn Starve. The difference between a so-so lawn and a truly beautiful lawn is regular nutrition throughout the growing season. Follow the ScottsTM Annual Lawn Care Program, a fail-safe way to a great looking lawn.
- Do Mow Your Grass Tall. Set your mower on one of the higher settings. Your grass will thank you by growing deeper roots to match the increased top growth.
- Don't Let Problems Sneak Up. Weeds and tiny insects you can't even see can get the
better of your lawn before you know it. The ScottsTM Annual Lawn Care Program provides the right protection at the right time for a problem-free lawn.
- Do Water Deeply. Deep watering will grow deep roots. Lawns need one inch of water a week to maintain growth. Run sprinklers long enough to put one-half an inch of water twice a week. Figure out how long to run your sprinklers by measuring the water that catches in a rain gauge or a glass.
For more lawn care tips from Ashton Ritchie, visit www.scotts.com or www.ahahome.com.
For more than 130 years, The Scotts Company (NYSE: SMG) has been the world's leader in do-it-yourself lawn and garden consumer products. The family of brands, including Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho®, give beginning and expert gardeners all they need to create thick, green lawns, beautiful outdoor and indoor gardens, and delicious vegetables and fruits, as well as to keep their homes safe and sound from pests.
The American Homeowners Association (AHA)® is the organization that has been delivering buying power, influence and consumer advice to hundreds of thousands of homeowners across the United States since 1994. AHA has been called "the AAA for homeowners" as it helps its members save money and improve their lives at home, negotiating vital benefits on their behalf, educating and informing them,and representing them on issues of importance.
Ashton Ritchie is available for interviews on lawn care by contacting Erin Houchin at 312/233-1364 or [email protected].
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