Great Ideas for Low Maintenance & Xeriscape Landscaping

Landscaping is a necessary evil when it comes to real estate investing. Depending on the property, renters might want (or expect) a plush grassy front yard with well-manicured hedges, or they might not care at all and prefer to park on that same grassy front yard. Like most things with real estate investing, it is a balance of cost vs. benefit. However, with some upfront costs, it could save you hundreds per year in landscaping costs which would boost your property's value by $5,000-$10,000.

• Low Water & Mow Grass: There are grass seeds out there that don’t require much water and are slow-growing. They are oftentimes a mix of monkey grass, moss, and clover. While these options will still require some maintenance, they will be reduced compared to traditional grass.

• Mulch or Bark Dust: Having a 3-inch layer of mulch or bark dust will be aesthetically pleasing and also be functional. it has a warmer feel than other options but does not have the maintenance of grass. You can purchase it in a variety of colors and is easy to apply. If using cedar, it has the added benefit of keeping insect pests away. You should assume your property will need to be touched up every 1-3 years depending on the depth.

• Ground Cover: Using ground cover is a great way to give some color to your space while keeping it easy to maintain. Look for varieties that are hardy enough to withstand foot traffic like Creeping Thyme, Leaf Speedwell, or Snow-in-Summer.

• Rocks: No matter if you are using boulders, flagstone, river rocks, or pea gravel, rocks can add an attractive and low maintenance effect to the property. While you could do the whole yard in rocks, it is better if you use them in conjunction with another type of landscaping. Just know that weeds will grow between the rocks so spraying an herbicide every year will be necessary.

• Turf or Synthetic Lawns: The technology in synthetic lawns has improved dramatically in the past 5 years. It looks and feels just like real grass but without maintenance. The one drawback is that pet odor can tend to linger in these products, especially during the hot summer.

While new landscaping could be costly to install, it will pay for itself by saving you money each month. Not only that but it will make your property more valuable since you lowered your monthly expenses.