Landscaping increases property value by up to 28%, says Gamuda Land

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Landscaping can increase overall property value by 20% to 28%, said Gamuda Land Sdn Bhd’s manager of architecture and product development Khariza Abdul Khalid, during her talk at the Malaysia Property Expo Klang Valley 2015 (Mapex-Klang Valley 2015) today.

At her “10 tips to increase property value through landscape” presentation, Khariza said investors spent 10% to 15% less time to sell a property that incorporates smart landscaping.

The talk highlighted 10 landscape factors, which are environmental, aesthetic, health, enhancement, securing inhabitants, creating a setting, comfortable environment, privacy, achieving outdoor function and enriching lives. The factors are segmented into two  categories: external and internal landscaping.

A key denominator in landscaping is location. “A strategic location will boost the value of your property, especially if your property is situated near a park or public amenities,” she said.

“For instance, Desa Park City, developed by Perdana Parkcity Sdn Bhd, is highly credited for its green surroundings. The landscaping standards of Desa Park City has become the benchmark for other comparable developments,” added Khariza.

A good landscaping tip is the creation a personal herb garden. Khariza explained that certain plants can be incorporated in landscaping to boost one’s health, such as misai kucing (cats whiskers), bunga kantan (etlingera elatior), daun kaduk (wild pepper), lemongrass, ginger, chrysanthemum and pandan.

Home security can also be enhanced through landscaping. “In order to prevent snatch thefts, footpaths should not be placed next to the main roads. Instead, you could use plants and bushes as barriers to protect pedestrians. You can also place cactuses on your fence, to fend off thieves,” she said.

“For other safety features, you could include ground covers and trees, to barricade slopes or any hidden areas. Designing a retaining wall to enclose certain areas is a good example for security. It provides easy access to your garden and sets limitations around the house, between the neighbours,” said Khariza.

Internal landscaping sets the tone of your entire property. “To create a seamless channel between indoor and outdoor functions, homeowners could segregate a large lawn area and also install a water feature in their private gardens,” she concluded.