Realtors know the importance of landscapes to the value of residential and, only sometimes to a lesser extent, commercial properties.Photo: iStock via realtor.com
You could do worse in training newcomers to your company than have them read the National Association of Realtors’ blog, which devotes serious and sustained attention to the importance of the landscape in determining the value of both residential and commercial properties.
Lilacs in a flower bed. Photo: Elenathewise/iStock via realtor.comIn fact, the Realtors’ website, realtor.com, is a gold mine of information for professional landscapers. The site is operated by Move Inc., a News Corp company that manages not only the content but also the constantly updating Multiple Listing Service information, calculators and other tools at the Realtors’ site.
True – and predictably – much of what you’ll find at realtor.com is DIY advice targeting homeowners who are looking to sell. Even then, however, it’s great information to share on your company’s own website.
Besides, the Realtors’ site offers plenty of information of value to landscape designers, project managers and certainly any worker handling installation.
In recent months, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has been cultivating a closer working relationship with the Realtors’ trade association. One result, announced this week, is a survey NALP and the National Association of Realtors developed that “addresses value associated with residential landscape projects.”
Mix of evergreen and deciduous trees.Photo: Milkos/iStock via realtor.com
The results of the survey, which will be co-branded by both trade organizations, are expected to be released in August.
“In order to obtain this valuable data, we need responses for several hundred lawn and landscape professionals,” NALP says in a bulletin to its members, promising the survey will take less than 10 minutes. You can take the survey here.
Meanwhile, here’s an example of what your potential residential customers are reading at realtor.com:
“You need a good plan to fit all these landscaping pieces together. That’s what professional landscape architects do for $75 to $150 an hour, but here’s a cheaper option: Many local garden centers provide landscaping consultations for free or for a small additional cost if you buy plants from them – not a bad deal.”
This one comes from a story titled “Front Yard Landscaping Ideas to Try Now Before It’s Too Late.” It has this in common with others you’ll find at the site: Realtors never discourage their clients from hiring a professional landscaper.
