Lousy View from Property - Worth Addressing?

[Mark Scarola]

I just became the owner of a property that was foreclosed on. I saw the inside and it needs a lot of work. Half the place will be need to be gutted and so it'll be a big project. I'm considering different options and scenarios to increase the property value and one thing that stands out is the view across the street. 

The property is at the edge of a residential area with other houses on three sides of it. But from the front it stares at an industrial building and a large empty gravel/dirt parking lot. While my budget is limited because of the amount of work that house itself needs, I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to approach the owner of the parking lot. I was thinking I could plant grass, put in some shrubs, or something to improve the view at least in the area closest to the house. I'm not sure though (1) what would make most sense in terms of how to improve the area without going overboard, and (2) if it would really be all that worthwhile in terms of increasing the property value. What do you think?

[Marian Smith]

I have a house with a view of a junk collectors front yard. I planted two vitex, small multi-trunk shrubby trees that bloom and an oak as a screen. why landscape someone elses land?