Home repairs can improve resale value

Moving into a new home has been made more difficult by the sagging real estate market.

Some people who are planning a move have found it difficult to shed their old home because few people are interested in buying in today's market. But there are ways to make one's home stand out in a crowded market - including making exterior home improvements.

A study in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture looked at the impact of landscaping on 75 for-sale homes in Lubbock, Texas. The report found that for every dollar spent on landscaping, homesellers experienced a 35 percent return. Additionally, landscaping a home would, on average, increase its sales price by 5.7 percent, the study found.

The Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado suggested that homesellers add colorful and well-maintained plants to their front lawn. Pulling weeds or applying herbicide can keep a lawn in shape, while aerating or fertilizing the grass in the fall will keep it healthy.

A home's front lawn is the first thing a buyer will see when shopping for a new home. A bad first impression can make them hesitant about moving into the property.

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