Sprucing up the curb appeal is one way homeowners can significantly increase the value of their home.

A well-manicured property can increase a home’s value by anywhere from 6 percent to 13 percent compared to a property with no landscaping. This could mean an extra $16,500 to $38,100 in value on a $300,000 home just from keeping a property landscaped.

Homeowners should invest about 10 percent of a property’s value in maintaining landscaping, according to The American Society of Landscape Architects.  The Appraisal Institute suggests that spending a relatively small amount of money on a basic design will suffice when seeking to increase home value.

A quick and easy step to improving the landscape of a property is sticking to the essentials. Not only can homeowners add greenery, but they can invest in outdoor rooms, terraces and decks for a quick boost in property value.

Simply planting a few flowers and trees will instantly increase the value of a home for years to come. The number-one thing that buyers look for in landscaping is a sophisticated design. The next up is plant size and maturity.

“Don’t underestimate curb appeal. A home with lackluster landscaping or an exterior in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint will likely be unappealing to prospective buyers and, ultimately, could affect the home’s potential resale value,” said Appraisal Institute President James L. Murrett. “Consumers need to ask themselves if their landscaping is attractive enough to make a prospective buyer walk through the front door.”