A recent study has highlighted the financial benefits of maintaining curb appeal for residential properties, showing that a well-kept lawn and landscaping can increase a home’s value by up to 7%. The research, conducted by the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), analyzed over 400 photos from Google Street View using a deep-learning algorithm to assess visual attractiveness.
According to the study, “The value of curb appeal could be as high as 14% during cold residential markets,” said Dr. Sriram Villupuram, director of the Ryan Reilly Center for Urban Land Utilization in UTA’s College of Business. This suggests that in slower housing markets, investing in exterior maintenance can yield even greater returns.
The findings are significant for property managers and landlords. With approximately 10.6 million Americans owning rental properties, technology now plays an important role in managing rentals efficiently. Tools like GreenPal help connect property owners with reliable lawn care services, streamlining maintenance tasks.
In practical terms, enhancing curb appeal can reduce vacancy periods and allow landlords to charge higher rents. For example, improving landscaping and regular mowing may attract tenants more quickly and potentially lead to better lease terms. A hypothetical scenario outlined in the study shows that after investing $1,800 in curb appeal improvements—including hiring a lawn care company—landlords could see their net income rise by over $4,000 across two years compared to minimal investment.
Realtors also support these findings. In a survey of 350 realtors, 97.7 percent agreed that good lawn care positively affects home prices and the selling process. More than half believe landscaping can improve a home’s value by 15 percent or more.
“Often, you hear the term ‘curb appeal,'” said Ken Sisson, a realtor in Los Angeles. “Well, great landscaping goes a long way here in that department. There’s a huge difference when prospective buyers drive up in front of a home with little, no, or awful landscaping versus when the landscaping is spot on and compliments the home well.”
Sisson added that homes with regular mowing tend to attract more buyers: “We know that homes with multiple offers sell at a higher price and, most of the time, above the list price,” he said.
GreenPal provides property managers with an online dashboard to request quotes from local commercial landscape companies. The platform verifies each service provider’s credentials and allows users to schedule services for multiple properties under one account. Payments are processed securely through Stripe’s PCI Service Provider Level 1 system.
After work is completed, vendors send time-stamped photos as proof before payment is released—a process designed for transparency and satisfaction.
The study underscores how simple improvements like regular mowing and fresh mulch can have measurable impacts on both home values and rental incomes. Services such as GreenPal aim to make these upgrades accessible for property owners looking to maximize their investments.
