GTM is hot

Our Grow The Market study, sponsored by Syngenta, got a mention in Popular Mechanics. Check out the article below:

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but houses with curb appeal sell faster than, well, ugly houses. No surprise there. And properly maintained landscaping—that means well-kept lawns and foliage as well as features such as fire pits, decks, and patios – can significantly increase property values, according to the Appraisal Institute, a national trade organization of real estate appraisers.

Additionally, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors says that potential buyers are often looking out for landscape-related hazards, such as trees too close to buildings that present fire hazards and damage foundations.

And yet, many homeowners aren't convinced that they will recoup their investment. According to Lawn & Landscape magazine, most sellers surveyed believe they would actually lose out on landscape investments.

Will you recover dollars to dollars in sale price? Who knows. But in terms of time-on-market, there is no doubt landscaping can make a difference – especially if you hope to fetch top-dollar for your home. And let's face it: Time is money. Good landscaping not only will help sell a home faster, but also could help increase the value of the home by up to 25 percent.

The key is to make sure your property is appealing to drive-by viewers – especially in upscale neighborhoods. These potential homebuyers may not even be interested in you house yet, but just checking out the neighborhood.

For the rest of the story, click here.