EL CENTRO, Calif. – Water restrictions might get even stricter in the Imperial Valley as a result of California’s drought. So what does that mean for your landscaping and property value?
“It use to look beautiful like carpet green, but now it’s pretty dry because we don’t use a lot of water.” said home owner, Everardo Rosales.
Rosales says he misses the days when his lawn was a lush green. This summer he’s watched his front yard dry up before his eyes because of tighter water restrictions in El Centro. Real estate officials say the browning lawns haven’t decreased property value in the area yet, but add landscaping definitely makes a difference to your home’s cost.
“If they allow their landscaping to die, it’s not going to help their value it will hurt their value some.” said Robert Prince who has been in the real estate business for 30-years.
Water restrictions vary from city to city, but in El Centro you can water three days a week.
Prince says that should be enough to keep a lush turf if you water efficiently.
“Doing it once in the morning early before light and then at the end of that evening, that seems to take care of it to make sure we don’t lose any green.” said Prince.
Homeowners like Jay Thomas has been able to maintain a healthy turf despite the restrictions.
He says he is aware of the negative effects limited water use can have on his home – especially during the summer months.
“Now why would you want not to water your property and make it look like crap and then if you have to go and sell your home they’re going to say it looks like crap.” said Thomas.
El Centro officials say they foresee allowing residents to water their yards even less in the coming months, but are working on stretching current water restrictions the way they are for as long as possible.
“I want it to look nice and green but if they say we cannot use anymore water, what can I do? Nothing. So, let see what happens.” said Rosales.