The Complete Guide to Downsizing
Moving to a smaller space can be incredibly freeing, but it also requires thoughtful planning and emotional preparation that goes well beyond a typical move.
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Curb appeal isn’t just about impressing the neighbors. According to NAR’s 2023 Outdoor Features Remodeling Impact Report, strategic outdoor improvements can deliver jaw-dropping returns—with one project yielding more than double your investment back.
Here’s the surprise nobody saw coming: Standard lawn care service delivers a 217% return on investment. That’s right—spend $415 on professional fertilization and weed control for your 5,000-square-foot lawn, and REALTORS® estimate it adds $900 in home value. No other home improvement project—indoor or outdoor—comes close to this ROI.
Three outdoor projects earned perfect 10 “Joy Scores” from homeowners:
The emotional payoff is real: 68% of homeowners report a greater desire to be home after completing outdoor projects, with 60% experiencing increased daily enjoyment of their property.
Beyond that stunning lawn care ROI, here’s what else pays back handsomely:
Compare these to typical indoor projects, and outdoor improvements often deliver superior returns.
When preparing to list, REALTORS® most frequently recommend:
Notably, 92% of REALTORS® have suggested improving curb appeal before listing, with 97% believing it’s important for attracting buyers. Translation: Skip the curb appeal at your own risk.
Despite assumptions about COVID-driven outdoor living trends, 88% of homeowners said they would have tackled their outdoor project regardless of the pandemic. However, landscape professionals did see massive demand increases:
The top motivations reveal practical priorities:
Interestingly, only small percentages cite resale value as a primary motivator—yet the returns speak for themselves.
Outdoor projects see higher DIY participation than indoor renovations:
This DIY-friendly nature makes outdoor projects accessible to more homeowners, potentially explaining their popularity.
Here’s a fascinating finding: 84% of homeowners who complete one outdoor project want to tackle more areas of their home or yard. Outdoor improvements create momentum for continued property investment.
If you’re selling within 2 years: Focus on lawn care, landscape maintenance, and tree care—high-ROI projects REALTORS® specifically recommend.
If you’re staying long-term: Invest in joy-generating features like patios, pools, and outdoor kitchens. The daily happiness boost justifies costs that might not fully recover at resale.
If you want both ROI and joy: New patios, landscape upgrades, and wood decks deliver strong returns (89-100%) while scoring 9.7-9.9 on the Joy Scale.
Outdoor remodeling offers something rare in home improvement: projects that can actually return more than you invest. While not every outdoor project is a financial winner (pools return just 56%), the combination of exceptional ROI on basic maintenance, perfect joy scores on lifestyle improvements, and universal REALTOR® agreement on curb appeal’s importance makes outdoor remodeling a smart play.
Start with the basics—professional lawn care and landscape maintenance—then build toward the features that enhance your daily life. Your wallet and your wellbeing will thank you.
Source: 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features by the National Association of REALTORS® and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), based on surveys of 2,620 homeowners, 160 landscape professionals, and 1,891 REALTORS®.
Moving to a smaller space can be incredibly freeing, but it also requires thoughtful planning and emotional preparation that goes well beyond a typical move.
Curb appeal isn’t just about impressing the neighbors. According to NAR’s 2023 Outdoor Features Remodeling Impact Report, strategic outdoor improvements can deliver jaw-dropping returns—with one project yielding more than double your investment back.
Getting the timing right when you sell your home can mean the difference between a quick, profitable sale and months of stress with a stagnant listing.
Basic lawn care pays big dividends.