Any real estate agent will stress the importance of curb appeal, a home's first chance at a good impression based on how it looks from the street. And from a seller's perspective, a lush green lawn and manicured shrubs can do wonders in wooing a prospective buyer.
But buyers shouldn't get swept off their feet too quickly, charmed by landscaping detail or the welcoming shade of a mature tree.
Here are some tips on what to look for:
- Plant health. Even if you're not an arborist, there are some telltale signs that a plant is sick. Wilting plants or brown and crispy leaves are warning signs that a plant might not be in good health- Placement of tree limbs. Look to see if any limbs are touching a roof or could interfere with a power line - both possible areas of concern.
- Placement of tree limbs. Look to see if any limbs are touching a roof or could interfere with a power line - both possible areas of concern. But be especially aware of a tree limb hanging over the chimney. A blocking branch could affect the draft and create higher carbon monoxide levels in the home.
- Problems underground. It's tougher to look for evidence of heavy root growth than it is to take a survey of the limbs above. But sometimes roots will make their presence known by lifting or cracking a sidewalk or driveway, creating a trip hazard. Also, a depression in the yard could indicate a leaking sewer line as a result of root interference, and may need to be checked further, he added.
- The lay of the land. Take a drive around the block and get a good look at the ground the home is on. Is it at the bottom of the hillside, at the top of one, or on flat land? It's important that rain isn't able to follow a downward slope toward the foundation, a condition that could lead to flooding.
