I would think a new owner would want to choose their own privacy plantings. Could you perhaps include an allowance for purchases at a local garden center as an incentive? I would think there must be some other problem (on a busy road perhaps, or an outdated interior in need of upgrades...?) because privacy plantings would be an easy fix for a new owner. While a potential purchaser might use the lack of privacy as a bargaining chip, I wouldn't expect it to be a deal-killer if the house is otherwise suitable and attractive....

Couldn't of said it any better than Woodyoak.

Include a noted discount allowance for landscaping in your offer. The new owner might decide to install a fence or lattice screening or landscaping .

If you do plant some shrubs I would be more inclined to plant some native shrubs such as Cornus sericea, spirea, vaccinium, Juniper virginiana, ferns, and possibly a few Cornus floridas.

Mahoneys or Cape Cod Nursery are both good sources. I'm a little partial to Mahoneys due to long time loyalty and in the past have had a great selection of hydrangeas and roses that have performed well at our S.Yarmouth cottage.

I would avoid planting anything at this point. As sure as you do, a potential buyer will not like what you've selected. That you are being told "lack of privacy is the problem" may not be the problem at all. People seem to frequently look for ways to avoid telling the truth. They might not like the house for some other reason, but latch on to any easy and obvious excuse. Everyone would know that they could plant any privacy screen they wished so, as Woody says, it would not be a deal-breaker. Why not invite someone knowledgeable about real estate, who will be honest, to visit the house and get their unvarnished feedback? Landscaping is what a person should employ early on--right after they buy a house--to get the biggest, exponential bang for their buck. With the exception of adding a few annuals, it's not cost effective at the end of home ownership.

This post was edited by Yardvaark on Sat, May 18, 13 at 19:45