Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Lots of people appreciate nature, but for many it’s not something you can really put a price on. That is, of course, unless we’re talking real estate, where nature suddenly becomes a most prized asset.
A new study from the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station has revealed that homeowners with room to spare in their front yards can benefit massively from creating a more “natural” look in their properties. According to the study, planting a single tree in front of a home adds to its value by an average of $7,130, proving that money really can grow on trees after all. On the other hand, if there are rotten or dying trees in your yard, getting rid of them with the help of Residential Tree Removal Services can free up the space for new and healthy trees.
There are other benefits too. For example, planting a tree on the west side of a home can reduce energy bills by around three percent in just five years, and by 12 percent after 15 years. A tree on the west side of a home can reduce summertime electricity bills by around $25 per year, and air-conditioning bills can be slashed by 30 percent, the Forest Service said.
Another benefit of trees is they can help to reduce damage from strong winds. Trees can reduce 35 mph winds by up to 10 mph when they hit the actual building. As such, this lessens the load on your heating system, reducing heating bills by up to 30 percent.
Moreover, a second study by Clemson University shows that landscaping can increase the value of a property by six percent.
Some of the most desirable landscapes include rainwater harvesting, native plants and drought-resistant plants, permeable paving, and fire pits, according to the 2016 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
