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How Sellers Can Gain an Edge
First impressions are crucial when your home is on the market. As potential buyers pull up to your house for the first time, curb appeal is the first indicator of a home that's well-cared for. Having a sharp, well-defined edge is one of the most basic and inexpensive ways of enhancing your landscape and curb appeal. It provides a professional look and a sense of clarity and also prevents grass from invading your sidewalk, driveway, and garden beds.
If you want your home to stand out from other Minneapolis homes for sale or Saint Paul homes for sale, you have to put your best foot forward. Here are four simple steps to give your lawn perfectly-edged sides.
- Mark Out Your Path
Marking the boundary is an important and simple step. Start by creating an easy-to-follow line using a rope or garden hose. You'll edge between the line and the flower bed or pavement, so you want to consider how you want the area to look when finished.
For instance, if you'd prefer an informal look, the edge won't have to sit far out. On the other hand, if you're going for a formal, finished edge, consider how much room will be needed for the edging material and how that will impact the final look of the bed. If edging is obvious, you can just skip this step.
- Decide Between Power Edging and Manual Edging
If you're working on a straight edge, start at one end. But with curved edging, it may be easier to control the shape if you work from the center to either side. Also, your technique will vary based on the type of edging tool you have.
Power edging allows you to walk forward slowly and control the path of your edge. If you're new to this, you may want practice in the backyard before you get to the front yard for all to see. Go slowly to ensure you don't go awry or get a wobble cut. Manual edging typically involves the use of a half-moon-shaped heads. To operate this, you rotate the blade left-to-right to get your cut. - Create the Edge
When you have your edge marked out, it's time to finish the job. Use an edging tool and follow the mark around the bed. Cut the turf on the inside of the bed to sever the grass clods. The loosened turf can be removed and added to compost. The goal is to create a very clean edge with a V-shape trench. This slows the migration of grassroots into the best and also prevents mulch from washing into the lawn. - Finish the Edge and Keep Up With Maintenance
The final step will depend on the style of edge and the look you want. For instance, putting down 2 to 3 inches of mulch will help suppress weeds and add rich, dark color to the edge. You can also install decorative brick edging to strike a balance between a formal and informal look. Now that you have your edge in great shape, you can keep it up weekly by weeding and trimming grass along the edge. Be consistent with lawn maintenance, but don't overdo it.
Meticulous attention to detail can help you attract potential buyers and get a great offer. If you have any questions about making landscaping look more professional when selling a home, our real estate agents are here to help. Call today to get started.