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NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        Contact:   Vicki Bendure, APR 
                                                                                                                           (540) 687-3360 or
                                                                                                                           Lisa Schaumann
                                                                                                                           (540) 687-5099

                                        CURB APPEAL IS KING IN DEPRESSED HOUSING MARKET
           April is National Lawn Care Month and PLANET Reminds Home Sellers that 
                                                     Curb Appeal is Crucial to Selling a Home

HERNDON, Va., February 26, 2008 — For people thinking of selling their homes, spring is a very important time to do a major cleaning out and sprucing up. This includes focusing on the yard and the landscape.

“Curb appeal is extremely important in this housing market,” states Jim Martin, CLP, president of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). “If a buyer can’t bring themselves to even stop, you have no chance of their ever seeing the inside of the house or the backyard.”

In this market, fewer homeowners are engaging in big remodeling jobs. A recent e-mail survey by the Zoomerang research company found that about two-thirds of homeowners said they were deferring their home improvement projects until the market improved. That leaves many looking for more inexpensive ways to give their home a makeover.

“One of the key components to making a good first impression on potential buyers is to show off a neat, healthy, and attractive yard.” said Jason Cupp, CLP, president-elect of PLANET.

Another factor in the decision to maintain or improve a home’s landscape is to stay competitive with other properties. A survey that was conducted in June, 2007, by Harris Interactive Inc. for the National Gardening Association, found that the amount of money spent on lawn and landscape services has increased from $24.5 billion in 2001 to $44.7 billion in 2006. With 27 million households hiring lawn care and landscape maintenance services, that means there are many more well-landscaped and well-cared for properties on the market.

Whether people hire a professional or have the skills and tools to do it themselves, the association for lawn care and landscape professionals, PLANET, offers ways to improve a home’s lawn and landscape.

Clean up — Weeding, edging, planting beds, and mulching goes a long way toward improving a yard’s look.

Add Color — Planting annuals in beds, in pots around the house and patio, in hanging plant holders, or in flower boxes really makes a house look cared for and cozy.

Add plants — To solve problems or add interest, plant new trees and shrubs to create focus areas, camouflage foundations and old fencing, or unsightly views.

Do the maintenance — Have trees and shrubs professionally pruned, fix brown spots in the lawn, and remove or replace any diseased plants.

For homeowners who want some help with their lawn, hiring a professional firm to do a walk-through is a good way to start. A professional can assess the health of the lawn, plants, trees, and shrubs and offer recommendations for improvements and fixes.

To find a PLANET professional in your area, visit LandcareNetwork.org/findaprofessional, or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,200 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. For more information on PLANET visit LandcareNetwork.org or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.