How to Break Up With Your Lawn and Boost Resale Value

This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

From rain gardens to xeriscaping, the environmental benefits of resilient landscaping are well documented. Replacing grass with lawn alternatives can save water, attract pollinators and reduce the need for harsh fertilizers and pesticides.

But if you’re eventually planning to sell your home, what will potential buyers think?

Thankfully, you don’t have to choose between landscaping that’s good for the environment and resale value. Here’s how to ditch your grass thoughtfully.

Do: Consider curb appeal

First impressions matter. More than 90% of Realtors recommend that sellers boost their home’s curb appeal before listing, according to a 2023 joint report from the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Whether you’re moving now or in the future, landscaping projects remain a surefire way to produce a positive return on investment. Homeowners can recoup the full value of an overall landscape upgrade, according to the report.

For maximum curb appeal, natural landscaping should have tidy borders around walkways and avoid obstructing windows or doors.

“Something that complements the...