Buzz
Searching for the ideal home within your budget involves weighing numerous factors, including neighborhood walkability, school district quality, and the overall state of the property.
Typically, the condition of the front and backyards isn’t a decisive factor—provided the outdoor space exists. However, many buyers fail to consider the trees surrounding the house.
While buyers may notice the trees—particularly if they provide shade or enhance the home’s exterior appeal—they often overlook the ongoing maintenance expenses. Here’s what to consider about this often-neglected aspect of owning a home.
How to evaluate the trees on a property
Although trees in your yard offer numerous advantages, the home-buying process can make it easy to overlook that trees are living organisms that grow and evolve over time. This means you can’t simply ignore them and expect the best outcome (though technically possible, it’s a risky approach).
When touring potential homes, here are some key factors to consider regarding the trees in the yard:
Size/Age: What are the tree’s height and trunk thickness? What is the condition of its branches? Does it have adequate space to grow if necessary?
Location: How near is the tree to the house? Could it potentially fall on the house during a storm or strong winds? What about its branches? Will falling leaves block the gutters? Are the roots likely to interfere with the house’s foundation?
Health: Does the tree appear diseased or rotting? Are there signs of insect infestations?
Type of tree: Does it drop acorns, crabapples, or sap that could affect your yard, house, or parked cars?
If the trees seem healthy and are positioned in a way that doesn’t threaten the house, maintenance costs over time should remain reasonable—primarily involving occasional branch pruning. Depending on the tree size, this may require purchasing equipment for DIY care or hiring professionals for the task.
Hiring professionals to remove a tree can be quite expensive, so it’s best to avoid this cost whenever possible. (More details on this later.)
To understand the potential tree-related challenges you might face, read this personal story from a homeowner who dealt with issues involving the trees in her yard.
What steps to take if you’re serious about the house
Suppose you’re captivated by a home but have reservations about the trees on the property. What should you do next?
One approach is to include an arborist in the home inspection process. If they determine that certain trees need to be removed, you can negotiate the removal costs with the seller during the closing process.
Alternatively, if the tree in question endangers nearby power lines, contact the city or local utility company to determine if the property qualifies for their tree maintenance program. Policies differ based on the home’s location, and this service typically only covers trees interfering with power lines—any other trees on the property remain your responsibility.
