Why Your Lawn Is Crucial If You’re Selling Your Home in Austin, TX

A beautiful lawn in Austin Texas

Since Austin’s booming real estate market continues to remain strong and competitive, making your home stand out is key. Yes, buyers appreciate spectacular interiors, but you shouldn’t neglect your yard. After all, it’s the first thing potential buyers will see when they pull up. Let’s take a closer look at why your lawn is crucial if you’re selling your home in Austin, TX.

Austin’s Real Estate Market 

The Austin real estate market has been heating up for years, and homeowners in the area are eager to take advantage. Additionally, existing home prices have increased as buyers flock to the city for its amazing quality of life and booming economy. That creates a fast-moving environment where having a pristine lawn can help set you apart from the competition. 

New construction is taking off, too, particularly in areas like downtown and the surrounding suburbs. However, with higher mortgage rates and the backdrop of global uncertainty, buyers are being more choosy about the homes they purchase. 

Pro tip: You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. That first impression matters, and it starts the moment buyers arrive at the curb. 

Your lawn, along with other outdoor home improvements such as a fresh coat of paint on the front door and updated fixtures, can be the difference between a property that lingers on the market and one that sells quickly. Moreover, a landscaping makeover isn’t just a smart decision when it comes to selling a home in the Austin area–it’s essential. 

The Easiest Way To Increase Property Value

Your property’s curb appeal can influence how potential buyers perceive your home. Having a neat, healthy lawn can make all the difference when trying to attract home buyers and helps add value to your property. It’s one of the easiest and most straightforward ways to make sure your home stands out in the competitive Central Texas real estate market. 

Typically, a beautiful lawn will add value to your property by approximately 10 to 12%. 

Pro Tip: Treat your lawn as a reflection of what prospective buyers can expect inside when they walk through.

Remember, having a well-maintained lawn goes a long way in making a buyer take notice of your home. It shows them that you’ve taken care of the place and that they won’t have to do a lot of work before they can enjoy their new home. 

With some basic lawn care tips for Austin, you can greatly enhance the value of your home before you ever put it on the market.

How Can You Make Sure Your Lawn Stands Out in Austin?

One of the fastest and least expensive ways to give your home a facelift is to do something about its yard. It’s no secret that having a good lawn adds curb appeal to any property, and the competition is fierce in Austin. 

Simple maintenance, such as mowing and edging with a proper edger and not a weed whacker, can go a long way toward sprucing up your property.

Here are a few other tips to make sure your property looks its best in Austin, TX:

Trimming and Edging Are Key

A lawn mower trimming grass
Photo Credit: Pixabay

There are a few key elements to consider when it comes to lawn care in Austin. One is trimming. This involves cutting the grass at a consistent height, no more than a third of the blade’s length. You want your lawn to look neat and well-kept, and the trimming should be precise for the best result.

Also, edging the lawn is important in order to define the edge between your lawn and any flowerbeds, driveways, or walkways. This will give it a more professional, structured look. A proper edger is preferred over a weedwhacker, and the edges should have a slight curve.

Mulching the Clippings

Grass clippings in lawn
Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures

Rather than bagging up the clippings from your trimming, you can put them to good use. Mulching is the key to keeping the nutrients in your soil by leaving the clippings on your lawn

This way, the beneficial microorganisms in your soil will not be destroyed, and your soil will get supplemental nourishment. It’s an excellent idea in hot, dry climates such as Austin.

Whether you go with clippings on the lawn or other mulching options, a layer of mulch will help keep your soil moist and cool during the Texas summer.

Aeration and Fertilization Are Necessary, Too

In Austin, grass needs to breathe. Especially when the soil is compacted and hard over time, aeration is important. This will also improve drainage and allow beneficial microorganisms to help your grass thrive.

Choose a fertilizer that’s suitable for your lawn based on its type and condition. It’s not enough to just trim and edge your yard, you also have to fertilize it to keep it healthy and lush. You should ideally use a slow-release, organic fertilizer. These are friendly to the environment and provide richer, longer-lasting nutrition for your lawn.

Pro tips:

  • Care needs are different for the various Austin grass types: Warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass need to be aerated in May or early June, and cool-season grasses like fescue or ryegrass should be aerated in October or November.
  • When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, do it during the late spring or early summer, and give your lawn another round of fertilizer at the end of summer before September.

Watering Is Important 

A lawn being watered with pink chairs in the background
Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures

Watering your lawn properly is an integral part of lawn care and one of the most important rules to abide by in Austin. This city receives an average of 35.5 inches of rainfall per year, so the only way to ensure that your lawn stays hydrated is to follow Austin-specific tips for water management

Austin has water regulations during the summer months for lawns, so it’s essential to check the city regulations to avoid any fines. Learn more about how to keep your Austin lawn watered with these restrictions in our guide. 

Pro tips: In order to have a healthy and vibrant lawn year-round, you must water your grass deeply, on a consistent schedule, and never during the hottest part of the day (12:00 pm to 6:00 pm). Focus on hand-watering any hard-to-reach spots. 

Get to know your lawn, its soil type, and other specific needs. That will help you estimate the amount of water needed for optimal health and provide you with valuable insight into how to manage your water usage most effectively. 

FAQ About How Lawn Care Affects Real Estate in Austin

How important is the backyard when selling a house?

The backyard is just as important as the front yard when it comes to selling a house. People today are looking for outdoor living space, so having a neat and inviting backyard is key to making them notice your property. Ensure the backyard is just as focused on maintenance, trimming, and cleaning as the front yard.

Do you have to mow the lawn when you sell your house?

You should mow the lawn to keep it looking neat and tidy. If you’re selling your house, having a well-maintained lawn is all the more important.

Why should we have a lawn around the house?

A lawn around the house helps increase its value and adds to its curb appeal. It also provides an attractive outdoor space to relax and entertain in, reducing the amount of noise and providing cleaner air. Additionally, a lawn helps maintain soil moisture and prevents erosion and runoff.

What is the best time to cut the lawn in Austin, TX?

Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to mow your lawn in Austin. These are the hours when the ambient temperature is cooler, reducing the grass’s stress and helping it retain its moisture.

What should you do to your lawn before selling your home?

Some basic lawn care practices are important to consider if you’re selling your home. These include regular mowing and edging, cleaning up any debris, removing weeds, and fertilizing the grass. You should also trim any shrubs and trees.

What is the best type of grass for a lawn in Austin, Tx?

There are several types of grass suitable for a lawn in Austin. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine are popular choices for a lawn in the Texas summer because they can tolerate the high temperatures and drought.

What if the lawn is too high?

When the lawn is too high, it will take longer to dry out, leading to disease and diminished health. To prevent this, you should regularly mow your lawn and maintain it at the right height. A dead or diseased lawn can have a huge negative impact on the value of your home. 

Final Thoughts

If you plan to sell your house in Austin, TX, a well-maintained lawn is an absolute must. Real estate agents will tell you that a neat and attractive lawn is one of the best ways to make sure buyers take notice of your property and can help maximize the sale price.We get it, though. It’s a lot of work to keep up with lawn care, especially in the heat of a Texas summer. So, professional lawn care services in Austin can come to your aid. Whether you choose to manage it yourself or employ the help of a lawn care expert, the effort is worth it for the reward of having a beautiful, well-tended lawn.

Main Image Credit: Austin Texas / Another Believer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Luminita Toma

Luminita Toma

Luminita Toma is a nature-loving writer who simply adores pretty flowers and lawns. After plenty of research and writing on lawn care and gardening, she's got a keen eye for plants and their maintenance. When she's got some spare time, there's nothing she enjoys more than chilling with her friends, hitting the theatre, or traveling.