Ask any real estate agent if landscaping matters and the answer will be immediate: yes, absolutely. But the more useful question is how much it matters—and what kind of landscaping actually increases your property value versus what just looks nice in the short term.
In the Okanagan, where curb appeal plays a big role in buyer decisions and outdoor spaces have to stand up to multiple seasons, smart landscaping isn’t just cosmetic. It can make or break first impressions, increase usable space, and signal to potential buyers that the entire home has been well cared for.
The Numbers Are Clear
According to the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, well-designed landscaping can increase a home’s value by as much as 10 to 15 percent. It’s one of the few home improvements that can hold its value for years and doesn’t require constant upgrades. While kitchen trends come and go, healthy trees and thoughtfully designed yards are timeless.
Even modest improvements like edging, mulch, and properly trimmed shrubs can give you a strong return. Larger upgrades like patios, retaining walls, lighting, and irrigation systems can do even more, especially in higher-end neighbourhoods where buyers expect a finished outdoor space.
Curb Appeal Still Drives Showings
For most real estate listings, the first showing happens online. If the exterior photo doesn’t make someone pause on a listing, they scroll past it. A tidy, attractive front yard with clean lines and low-maintenance plantings immediately signals that the homeowner has cared for their space.
But landscaping value doesn’t stop at the front yard. Backyards are now viewed as extensions of the home. Whether it’s a small urban courtyard or a larger suburban lot, buyers are drawn to outdoor spaces that feel intentional. If it looks like an extra living area and not just a patch of lawn, it sticks in their minds.
Results that Take Root
We worked with a couple outside of Kelowna who were prepping their home to sell. They had an average yard—healthy grass, no big issues—but it lacked structure. We added a paver walkway, reshaped the garden beds, installed a small fire pit patio, and planted low-maintenance shrubs that would still look good during the fall listing window.
The home sold in four days, above asking, and the buyers specifically mentioned the yard as a deciding factor. In a market where several similar homes were sitting for weeks, the landscaping helped seal the deal.
What Landscaping Adds Value and What Doesn’t
Adds value:
- Native plants that thrive in your region
- Defined edges and clean transitions
- Healthy, mature trees (if well placed)
- Functional outdoor features like patios or decks
- Drip irrigation systems or smart watering setups
Adds complexity (but not always value):
- High-maintenance gardens with rare plants
- Water features that require seasonal care
- Oversized retaining walls or unused rock beds
- Any layout that’s difficult to mow or maintain
Buyers may appreciate the look of a complex garden, but they often hesitate if they see a time-consuming maintenance load.
Landscaping Shows Long-Term Care
One of the biggest reasons landscaping impacts value is perception. A well-kept yard makes a potential buyer feel that the rest of the home has been looked after too. Overgrown trees, dead patches of grass, or crumbling walkways do the opposite. They suggest deferred maintenance and hidden problems.
It Pays to Invest in Your Yard
Landscaping isn’t just about making your yard look nice for now. It’s about creating an outdoor space that supports your lifestyle and signals long-term value to anyone who might buy your home down the road.
Whether you’re planning to sell in a few months or a few years, investing in thoughtful landscaping is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your property, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Contact the team at Okanagan Yard Works today to discover the difference a properly landscaped yard can make.
