Real estate
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
As Austin Metropolitan Area cities remain in stage 1, 2 or 3 water restrictions in response to varying drought conditions, homeowners have to keep these restrictions in mind when landscaping—whether they’re buying, selling or staying where they are. Adam Mosier, co-owner of Austin custom homebuilder Mosier Luxury Homes, and Kent Redding, Austin Board of Realtors 2024 president, shared their insight on the most e ective water restriction-friendly landscaping and how this can impact the local housing market. Mosier said there are many variables his team must consider when contracting with landscape installation contractors and thinking about a landscape plan for clients. As an added layer to city regulations, Mosier said compliance with local homeowners associations or decades-old deed restrictions frequently require installations that are “in direct con ict with newly enacted city regulations.” Experts share landscaping tips
Something to note
There are various methods for landscaping to follow city rules and still enjoy your lawn.
When it comes to the real estate market, Mosier said most homeowners will plant what they can a ord and easily nd. However, for potential sellers, Redding encourages them to get prepared a month or two in advance of listing in light of potential water restrictions and to separate themselves from competition. Austin has nearly ve months of housing inven- tory and is shifting from a balanced market to a buyers market, Redding said. With more houses available, many people start the homebuying process online—so it’s important for sellers to put e ort into what they’re showing, but this doesn’t have to be a costly process, Redding said. “I want them to use organic ll dirt, things like that in their yard—the things that retain water well—in advance of listing and taking photos, so that we just don’t all of a sudden show up for photos and everything is brown,” Redding said.
Planting native and drought-resistant plants
Using mulch to retain water
Incorporating hardscape into the lawn
COURTESY AUSTIN WATER
SOURCE: AUSTIN WATER, MOSIER LUXURY HOMES COMMUNITY IMPACT
Things to keep in mind To install landscaping while considering drought conditions and water restrictions, Mosier recommends: Installing smart irrigation systems, which modify watering schedules depending on the weather Considering rainwater collection as a source for irrigation Using a balanced design of drought-resistant plants; arti cial turf; and hardscaping, or gravel Incorporating drought- and heat-tolerant native plants
Major takeaways
On the buyer side, Redding said not many let a lack of a lawn or landscaping a ect their decision, but it’s still important to keep water restrictions in mind while browsing neighborhoods. “I would usually advise them not to get hung up on landscapes because that can be xed,” Redding said. “That’s an item that as a buyer, you have the opportunity as a new homeowner to make some changes, whereas the price, the view, the oor plan—sometimes you don’t have exibility there.”
"Municipalities should heavily favor incentivizing homeowners over regulating landscape plans that restrict the installation of speci c plants and products."
ADAM MOSIER, CO OWNER OF AUSTIN CUSTOM HOMEBUILDER MOSIER LUXURY HOMES
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