Homes that have been professionally landscaped can fetch 15 percent to 20 percent more at the time of resale than homes that lack landscaping.

National Association of Realtors' Realtor Magazine, August 2005

Landscaping is one way to increase a home's value. The general rule of thumb is that you get back 100 percent to 200 percent of what you invest in landscaping when you sell your home.

Homes with nice landscaping are likely to see sale prices that are 4 percent to 5 percent higher compared to similar properties in the neighborhood, according to the Guide for Plant Appraisal, published by the International Society of Arboriculture. And homes with landscapes that are not as nice as others in the neighborhood could see sales prices that are 8 percent to 10 percent lower.

Eighty-four percent of the real estate agents interviewed for the study said a house with trees would be as much as 20 percent more salable than a house without trees.

According to the National Gardening Association, homeowners spent $36.8 billion on lawns and gardens in 2003, of which $11.4 billion was spent on landscaping. And no wonder-it offers the best return on investment of any home improvement you can make. Many savvy homeowners are hiring landscape architects to help them realize their dreams. Here are some tips to help you make an educated choice: Think about what you want and how you will use your landscape. Formal entertaining, herb gardens, and children's playgrounds are all possibilities. Don't limit yourself to plants and trees; maybe you would like a fence, a fountain, a deck, a patio, or other outdoor element.

+ Make a realistic budget. One rule of thumb is to invest 5 to 10 percent of your house's worth. If this seems steep, consider that appropriate landscape improvements are estimated to return 100 to 200 percent of their cost when a house is sold.

+ Look at books and magazines for ideas and start a file of plants, trees, gardens, yards, pools, patios, decks, fences, etc., that you like—or dislike—to show your landscape architect. This will help you communicate what you want to achieve—or avoid.

+ To find residential landscape architects in your area, go to Firm Finder. Credentials are important. Landscape architects are licensed to practice in 47 states and must pass a rigorous exam. Members of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) have met their membership requirements and keep up with the latest technology and trends through ASLA publications and continuing education programs.

+ Interview a few landscape architects and ask for references. A good designer will walk around the home and ask a lot of questions about your lifestyle, what you want to accomplish, and your budget. They will not hesitate to provide references for you to call or to answer questions you may have about their services and fees.

+ Ask about maintenance. Some homeowners enjoy working in their yards and gardens, some hire a service to do it, and others don't want to bother with it at all. Be sure to let your landscape architect know how you feel about the upkeep of your investment.