How Trees Can Increase Your Property Value

When you buy a home, there are a multitude of factors to consider before you make your final choice. The valuation of your future home — and earning potential in the years to come — might be something high on your list. If that’s the case, you might be surprised to know that a mature tree can be appraised anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. Now, if your lot has four or five trees that are healthy and maturing well, you can see how this might add up.

Move-In Improvements

Of all the renovations you could perform on a home, it may be curb appeal that really wins out in the end. Forbes cites that landscaping is the best, easiest, and most reliable way to increase your home’s value, and HGTV quotes the expected increase to be 7 to 19 percent! The U.S. Forest Service estimates an increase of closer to 20 percent! Obviously, a “finished” look in your yard and on your lot speaks to future buyers. Because newly planted trees take 5 to 7 years to reach an adult size, homes with healthy, mature trees that have plenty of years to continue growing are much more attractive to potential homeowners. Research shows that you’re nearly guaranteed to make a 100% return on your landscaping investment, if not more. This calculation can be helpful when deciding your budget: “Spending as little as 5 percent of your home’s value on landscaping may get an ROI of as much as 150 percent” (Quicken Loans).

Save On Your Energy Bill

Shade trees do a lot more than just keep you cool while you’re out playing in the yard. They actually shade your whole home! Blocking direct sunlight can reduce your air conditioning needs in the warmer seasons, potentially reducing your cooling bill by 50%. In the cooler months, you’ll find that having trees around your home can also help insulate against wind and snow — armed against cold winter gusts, trees planted on the north and northwestern sides of your home can cut heating costs by up to 30% per year.