How to Evaluate the Landscaping Around Your Home

When filling out your Fortify Form after purchasing your Fortify Plan, one important detail to consider is the state of the landscaping around your home. Landscaping plays a key role in both aesthetics and security, influencing visibility, access points, and potential hiding spots. Understanding whether your yard is well-maintained or overgrown can help you assess the security needs of your home. This guide will help you evaluate the landscaping around your property to accurately complete your Fortify Form.

1. Minimal or No Landscaping

If your home has minimal landscaping or no landscaping, it’s important to consider how this affects both the appearance and security of your property. Without much foliage or greenery, your home may be highly visible from the street, but it may also lack important elements that enhance curb appeal or deter potential intruders.

Characteristics of Minimal or No Landscaping:

  • Limited or no plants, trees, or shrubs around the home.
  • Exposed property with no natural barriers between the home and the street.
  • Lack of landscaping may make it easier to monitor the exterior but can also make the home appear stark and unwelcoming.

Home Landscaping Assessment:

  • No landscaping around your home may simplify security, as there are fewer places for intruders to hide, but it may also make your home more exposed.
  • Consider adding basic landscaping elements like low shrubs or flower beds to enhance curb appeal while maintaining visibility around entry points.

If your property has minimal landscaping, be sure to note this in your Fortify Form, as it can impact the security measures recommended for your home.

2. Overgrown or Neglected Landscaping

Overgrown landscaping or a neglected yard can pose a variety of risks for homeowners, especially when it comes to security. Overgrown bushes, tall grass, and unkempt plants can provide hiding spots for potential intruders and reduce visibility around your home.

Characteristics of Overgrown or Neglected Landscaping:

  • Tall grass, thick bushes, or large, untrimmed trees blocking the view of the home.
  • Pathways and entry points obscured by foliage, making it harder to see who is approaching the house.
  • Neglected yard areas may also be harder to maintain, leading to potential pest problems or damage to the property.

Landscaping for Home Security:

  • Overgrown landscaping should be trimmed back to improve visibility around your home, especially near doors and windows.
  • Maintaining a well-maintained yard not only enhances the property’s appearance but also reduces security risks.

If your home has overgrown landscaping, make sure to indicate this on your Fortify Form, as it will help your Fortify Plan suggest strategies for clearing sightlines and improving yard security.

3. Dense Foliage Around Property

Having dense foliage around your property can create a sense of privacy, but it may also block views of key areas, such as windows or entrances, making it difficult to monitor activity around your home. Dense foliage can be both a security risk and a benefit, depending on how it’s managed.

Characteristics of Dense Foliage:

  • Thick trees, shrubs, or hedges that create barriers between the home and the street.
  • Foliage that provides privacy but also creates hidden areas for intruders to lurk.
  • May obscure key access points, like windows, doors, or garages.

Landscaping Visibility Around House:

  • Consider thinning or trimming dense foliage to improve visibility around entry points while still maintaining privacy.
  • Installing motion-activated lighting near dense foliage can help illuminate hidden areas and deter potential intruders.

If your home is surrounded by dense foliage, be sure to mention this on your Fortify Form so that your Fortify Plan can address potential security risks associated with low visibility.

4. Light Foliage Near Entry Points

Light foliage near entry points is often the ideal balance for homeowners who want to enhance curb appeal without compromising security. With carefully placed plants and shrubs, you can maintain a welcoming appearance while ensuring clear sightlines around doors and windows.

Characteristics of Light Foliage Near Entry Points:

  • Low-growing plants or shrubs that do not block windows or doors.
  • Decorative landscaping that complements the home’s exterior without compromising security.
  • Clear visibility of key access points, making it easy to see who is approaching the house.

Yard Maintenance Tips for Security:

  • Regularly trim and maintain light foliage to prevent overgrowth that could obscure entryways.
  • Consider adding lighting to highlight entry points and deter intruders from lingering near the house.

If your landscaping features light foliage near entry points, include this in your Fortify Form to ensure your security plan reflects the appropriate balance of visibility and aesthetic appeal.

5. Open and Well-Maintained Yard

An open and well-maintained yard is one of the best setups for both security and curb appeal. With clear views of the entire property, there are fewer places for intruders to hide, and your home presents a tidy, welcoming appearance.

Characteristics of an Open and Well-Maintained Yard:

  • Trimmed grass, neatly pruned shrubs, and strategically placed plants that enhance the home’s appearance.
  • Clear sightlines around the entire property, with no large objects or overgrown areas obscuring views of entry points.
  • Easy visibility from the street, which can help deter criminals and allow neighbors to keep an eye on the property.

Property Landscaping Evaluation for Security:

  • Regular yard maintenance can prevent overgrowth and ensure that your home remains visible and secure.
  • Adding strategic outdoor lighting can further enhance the security of an open and well-maintained yard.

If your home has an open and well-maintained yard, make sure to indicate this on your Fortify Form so your Fortify Plan can take advantage of your property’s visibility and security-friendly design.