The right landscape design can make all the difference to a prospective buyer, especially when it's beautifully and carefully executed. In fact Realtors ® and landscape professionals estimate that a well-landscaped yard can add 5% to 15% to the selling value of a house. Houses that look good from the road carry higher price tags - a fact that turns landscape investments into money in the bank when selling a house. Here area few ideas on how to improve your landscape.

One of the best investments you can make is a glorious stand of healthy trees as part of a well-landscaped yard. Trees can increase the selling value of a home, as well as provide years of aesthetic benefits to owners. Trees also cut down on energy costs.

Since a tree is a long-term investment, it's important to start with a high-quality specimen. In the case of trees, money defiantly buys quality. Trees that are 8 to 10 feet tall - either balled and wrapped in burlap or established and growing in containers - are usually the best buy. Homeowners can expect to pay from $200 to $1,000 for a quality tree.

Add a few plants around the foundation of the house and in "curb appeal" areas such as near the front door. Or, consider using more permanent bushes, especially those that flower in the summer and have colorful buds in the winter.

Gardner's on a budget can buy a few plants, then, add more as your budget allows.

Far an especially inexpensive jolt for your yard, flowers are a homeowner's best friend. Bright splashes of color add visual appeal, though they can have temporary bloom periods. For this reason they're great if you suddenly need to put your market and need a quick landscaping fix. At that point, it's best to stick to the basics, leaving the more costly and permanent landscaping to the new owners.