Those that have the most motivation for a successful sale will have me review the property months before selling. These savvy sellers will ask what they can do to maximize their planned sale. Sometimes I am a little surprised as to what plans might include: for example ripping out an existing yard to get some tax credits for decreasing grass. What’s the odds that future buyers may actually like the turf for their children to play? Or in a home without a pool, the odds that they will rip everything out to construct one? How much does the plan, the plants, the install and the upkeep of new plants cost vs. The water savings in the short term?
I helped a buyer get a credit to remove an entire backyard of concrete. (The sellers evidentially liked the concrete for frequent entertaining and easy hose-offs over shade, plants or trees!) The cost of the concrete install was probably 3x the cost of its removal. When you figure in the install and the removal of the concrete, it could be considered a painful and substantial loss to the seller. Words to my clients, call me before you add, dig, demolish, replace or paint. I strive to guide my sellers to fruitful, profitable selling.