If you are thinking about selling your home in the next few years — or simply want to build equity — your landscaping is one of the smartest places to invest. Studies consistently show that well-executed landscape improvements recoup 100 percent or more of their cost at resale.
But not every upgrade delivers the same return. After working on properties across southern Minnesota since 1984, here are the five landscaping investments that move the needle the most.
1. Professional Mulch and Bed Maintenance
This is the lowest-cost, highest-impact improvement on the list. Fresh mulch, clean bed edges, and well-maintained plantings tell buyers that the property has been cared for. Neglected beds suggest the opposite — and buyers start wondering what else has been overlooked.
A full mulch refresh for a typical residential property costs $300 to $800 and can be completed in a single day. For that investment, your entire yard looks polished and intentional.
Pair it with weed removal, pruning, and defined bed edges for maximum impact. Real estate agents consistently rank bed maintenance among the top things to do before listing a home.
2. Foundation Plantings
The plantings along your home's foundation are the frame around the picture. Overgrown, mismatched, or missing foundation plantings make even a well-maintained home look dated.
A professional landscape installation focused on your foundation typically runs $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the size of your home and plant selection. The key principles:
- Use a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants for four-season interest
- Scale plants to your home — large houses need larger plantings
- Keep plantings at least 18 inches from the foundation for airflow and maintenance access
- Choose species suited to Minnesota winters (hardiness zone 4a in our area)
Buyers notice foundation plantings immediately. They frame the front entrance and set the first impression of the entire property.
3. Decorative Concrete Curbing
Defined bed edges tell buyers the landscape is organized and maintained. Decorative concrete curbing creates a permanent, seamless border that separates beds from lawn with clean precision.
Curbing typically costs $6 to $12 per linear foot installed. For a front yard with 150 to 200 linear feet of bed edges, that is $900 to $2,400 — and it lasts 20-plus years with minimal maintenance.
The real value is in the perception it creates. Curbing makes the entire landscape look finished, intentional, and high-end. It is the kind of detail that photographs well in listing photos, which is where most buyers form their first opinion of a property.
Homeowners across Owatonna and Faribault frequently install curbing as part of a pre-sale landscape refresh for exactly this reason.
4. Outdoor Living Spaces
Patios, sitting walls, and defined outdoor areas extend usable living space and create emotional appeal that buyers respond to. A well-designed patio area tells buyers they can host, relax, and enjoy the outdoors without needing to add anything.
Concrete patios and hardscape features range widely in cost depending on size and complexity, but even a modest patio installation creates a clear return. Outdoor living projects are consistently among the most desired features for homebuyers in the region.
In southern Minnesota, timing matters. Concrete and hardscape work is best done between late spring and early fall when temperatures support proper curing. Planning ahead ensures your project is complete before listing season.
5. Landscape Lighting
Low-voltage LED landscape lighting is one of the most underused upgrades in residential landscaping. It extends curb appeal into the evening, improves safety along walkways, and highlights architectural features that go unnoticed after dark.
A front-yard lighting package typically runs $500 to $1,500 installed. The impact on listing photos — especially twilight shots that real estate photographers increasingly use — is significant.
Lighting also improves security perception. Buyers feel safer approaching a well-lit home, and that emotional response translates directly into perceived value.
What Buyers Actually Notice
Real estate professionals consistently point to the same things buyers notice first:
- Is the lawn green, thick, and well-mowed?
- Are the beds clean, edged, and freshly mulched?
- Do the plantings look healthy and intentional?
- Is there a clear, inviting path to the front door?
- Does the property look maintained or neglected?
You do not need exotic plants or elaborate water features. You need a property that looks cared for, organized, and move-in ready. That is what creates value.
The Compounding Effect
These five upgrades work best together. Fresh mulch looks better with defined curbing. Foundation plantings look better with landscape lighting. Each improvement amplifies the others.
If budget is a concern, start with mulch and bed cleanup (cheapest, fastest impact) and add curbing and plantings over the following season. Even spreading these across two years puts you well ahead of most properties on the market.
See What Buyers Notice
See how a pre-sale curbing and mulch refresh in Mankato helped a homeowner list with confidence.
View Our Landscaping Projects →
Thinking About Your Property’s Value?
Whether you are preparing to sell or simply want to invest in your property, we will walk your yard and recommend the improvements that deliver the best return for your specific situation. Honest advice, no pressure, and a clear written estimate.
We serve Owatonna, Mankato, Faribault, Waseca, and communities throughout southern Minnesota.
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Want to talk through your options? Call (507) 455-0081 — we will give you an honest read on what is worth doing.