Landscaping Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Home’s Resale Value

When you’re thinking about selling your home, there’s a lot of focus on the interior—decluttering, staging, paint colors. But what about the outside? Your landscaping is literally the first impression buyers have when they pull up to your home. And while a beautiful yard can boost your home’s appeal, there are some common landscaping mistakes that can quietly chip away at your resale value.

Let’s talk about a few of those potential pitfalls—and what to do instead to keep buyers saying “wow” instead of “whoa.”

The Problem with High-Maintenance Gardens

We’ve all admired those magazine-worthy gardens with perfectly pruned roses, rows of hydrangeas, and fancy topiaries. Gorgeous, right? But here’s the thing—what feels like a labor of love to you might look like… well, just labor to a potential buyer.

Buyers often worry about how much time and effort it will take to maintain an elaborate garden. Not everyone dreams of spending their weekends weeding and watering, and a high-maintenance yard can leave some feeling overwhelmed before they even step inside your house.

What’s better? Go for clean, simple landscaping with easy-to-care-for plants. Native species are a huge bonus because they thrive with minimal attention and look great year-round.

Unusual Features: Cool to You, Intimidating to Buyers

Maybe you’ve always loved the calming sound of your koi pond or the grandeur of that tiered fountain you installed years ago. And while you appreciate their charm, not every buyer is going to feel the same way.

Features like ponds, fountains, or elaborate water displays can be seen as costly, complicated, and even risky—especially for families with small children or buyers who don’t want to deal with maintenance.

If you already have these in place, no need to panic. Just make sure they’re clean, well-maintained, and presented as a bonus, not something a future buyer has to deal with. But if you’re thinking about adding one to boost curb appeal? Maybe hold off.

Artificial Lawns: Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea

Artificial grass sounds like a dream—always green, no mowing. And for some buyers, it is. But for others? Not so much. Some see it as unnatural or worry about how hot it can get in the summer. Others think about the cost of installation or eventual replacement.

If you have an artificial lawn, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker—but it can be polarizing. If it’s in good condition, keep it tidy and highlight the benefits. But if you’re considering installing one just to help your home sell, it might not offer the return you’re hoping for.

When Hardscaping Takes Over the Yard

Patios and stonework can be amazing additions to your outdoor space. They create places for entertaining and look polished. But too much hardscaping? That’s another story.

A yard covered in pavers, retaining walls, and decorative stone can start to feel cold and uninviting. Buyers often want green space—room for kids or pets to run around, space for a garden, or just some soft grass to enjoy.

The goal is balance. A patio for entertaining plus some lawn or garden space creates a more inviting, flexible yard that appeals to more buyers.

The Truth About Above-Ground Pools

There’s no denying that an above-ground pool can be a blast during summer. But when it comes to resale? It’s usually more of a splash down than a splashy selling point.

Many buyers see above-ground pools as a liability. They might worry about safety, upkeep, and the potential cost or hassle of removal. Rarely does an above-ground pool add real value to a home—and sometimes it even does the opposite.

If you’re planning to sell soon, you might want to consider removing it and restoring the lawn. If you leave it, make sure it’s well-maintained and blends into the yard as best as possible.

Overly Personalized Landscaping

We all have our own tastes. You might love a whimsical garden filled with gnomes, or exotic plants that turn your yard into a jungle oasis. And that’s awesome… for you.

But when it’s time to sell, anything that screams personal can make it harder for buyers to picture themselves living there. It’s the same reason we suggest neutral paint colors and decluttering inside the house—the more of a blank canvas you offer, the easier it is for buyers to imagine their own life in the space.

If you’ve gone all-in on personalized landscaping, now’s the time to scale back. Simple, classic, and tidy are your best friends when selling.

Wrapping It Up: Keep It Simple and Inviting

Landscaping is one of the easiest ways to make a killer first impression on buyers. But it’s also an area where overdoing it—or personalizing it too much—can backfire.

If you’re thinking about selling and wondering whether your yard is helping or hurting, I’m always happy to offer advice. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes is all you need to spot those little tweaks that make a big difference!

Let’s chat about how to make your whole home—inside and out—market ready. 🏡

If you need any recommendations for trusted local landscapers, we've got a great list—just reach out! 🌿