As a seller, you want your front yard to make a good first impression. House hunters might see a dozen homes in one weekend—you want yours to stand out. Lawn striping might just give your curb appeal an edge.

Lawn striping is a mowing technique that creates a pattern of alternating light and dark green stripes on your lawn, similar to what you see on professional sports fields and on golf courses.

Gene Caballero, cofounder of GreenPal, a lawn care booking platform, has striped thousands of residential properties during his landscaping career. He explains that striping is a smart lawn upgrade because it’s inexpensive, doesn’t require any chemicals, and delivers a high visual impact.

“It’s a great way to boost appeal and make a home more attractive,” Caballero says.

What is lawn striping—and how does it work?

To be clear: Striping is done with a lawn mower, but it’s not actually cutting the grass.

Luka Milicevic, a contractor, builder, and real estate agent based in Nashville, TN, explains the grass patterns are the result of grass blades being bent in different directions.

“Light stripes appear when the grass is bent away from you, and dark stripes appear when the grass is bent toward you. It’s all about how sunlight reflects off the blades,” he says.

Milicevic adds that it’s gotten more popular over the last few years—particularly in the Midwest and the northeast, where cool-season grasses (which are ideal for striping) are common.

He says it’s especially popular for homeowners who are looking to spruce up their home in time to sell. And while a well-manicured lawn isn’t necessarily going to add value to a home, it “is the first thing potential buyers will see, so it will drastically improve their overall perspective of the home.”

Can the average mower do this—or do you need special equipment?

Striping can be done with a typical mower, but it does require a striping kit, which usually costs anywhere from $100-$300, Caballero says. Alternatively, he says homeowners could use a weighted roller behind the mower.

He adds that he’s seen some homeowners drag a weighted PVC pipe or even a broom across the grass. “You dont need any fancy gear,” Caballero insists.

Does striping only work on certain grass types?

Caballero explains that, when it comes to striping, some grasses are easier than others to work with.

He adds that cool-season grasses, like like fescue, ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass, which thrive in cold winter climates, are the easiest to stripe.

“They’re more flexible and reflective,” he explains.

Meanwhile, Caballero says that warm-season grasses, like Bermuda and Zoysia, which thrive in high temperatures and are commonly found in southern states, are “stiffer and don’t tend to bend as easily—thus making stripes harder to achieve.”

Milicevic notes that grass height also affects results. He says that taller grass bends more easily, creating more dramatic stripes. He recommends mowing the whole lawn evenly at 2.5–3.5 inches before striping.

Health of the grass also matters. Caballero says: “Healthier grass always bends more uniformly and holds striping patterns better.”

How much effort does it take to maintain the look?

Milicevic says maintaining lawn striping is easy to do—but can take some time.

For one thing, he says it’s important to water the grass often (as healthy grass responds better to striping) and mow the grass regularly.

“Don’t cut more than a third of the grass blade at a time to keep it healthy and flexible enough to bend for striping,” Milicevic says, noting that keeping the blades sharp on your mower will help, as “dull blades tear grass, leading to a ragged look that won’t stripe well.”

He also advises varying patterns weekly, to avoid grass wear and ruts from wheels, and to keep mower blades sharp for a clean cut.

Should you hire a professional or DIY?

Some people do their own lawn striping while others hire out. So, what’s right for you?

If you have a large, uniquely shaped yard or you’re looking for a complex design, Caballero advises homeowners hire a pro. He also notes that if you already get your lawn mowed, the landscaper can probably add striping on for cheap.

But Caballero says that many homeowners can DIY, especially if they have the proper mower (like a riding mower or a zero-turn) and a striping kit.

To do your own lawn striping, Milicevic says to mow your lawn normally first.

“Start with a clean, evenly cut lawn. Make sure your mower blades are sharp for a crisp cut,” he says.

Next, he says you’ll need a striping kit or roller attachment that bends the grass as you mow.

“Some higher-end residential mowers come with striping kits; otherwise, you can use a weighted rubber flap or a water-filled roller,” he says.

Before you start striping, Milicevic suggests planning your pattern.

“The easiest pattern to start with is straight lines,” he says. “Pick a focal point and mow in straight passes, overlapping slightly. Alternate directions on each pass.”

But he notes that once you’re comfortable with straight lines, you can create checkerboards, diamonds, or waves by alternating the direction of mowing and roller passes.

Is lawn striping worth it?

So, is lawn striping a good idea? Zach Fertig, the co-owner of Property Leads, a company that connects real estate investors with properties, says it’s a great way to upgrade a home’s curb appeal, especially if you’re looking to sell soon.

He notes that your home’s exterior appearance “can absolutely impact how quickly a property gets attention,” adding that “when a property looks clean and well-kept from the outside, buyers will assume that it’s also been cared for on the inside.”

Plus, lawn striping has the added benefit of looking great in pictures, which is key for sparking buyers’ interest when they’re scrolling online, Fertig adds.

“Investors looking to wholesale or flip often tell us that a small investment in visual appeal like this can help increase interest and even better offers,” he says.

“For individuals heading on summer vacation, there are several key things to keep in mind to ensure you’re protecting your vacant home and property while you are away, whether it’s for a weekend trip or a monthlong getaway,” says Jen Wilbert, assistant vice president, property portfolio at Travelers Insurance. “It’s important to have a solid plan in place before leaving town.”

But what exactly does “I’m going on vacation” home safety prep entail? Well, it’s definitely more than just locking the door on your way to the airport.

1. Create a plan to maintain everyday appearances

Robbers will case out homes that look empty. So if you’re en route to vacation, you want to create the illusion you never left.

“It’s important to make it look like someone is home even if you are not,” says Wilbert, who suggests using automatic timers or smart lightbulbs that can be controlled remotely to turn lights on and off in various parts of the house and installing motion-sensitive lights outside to add security. “Outdoor lighting can be the difference between your home being targeted, or not, by thieves.”

Creating the appearance that you’re still present also means making a plan to keep up with everyday home-maintenance activities. Yes, you should have someone collect your mail, stop your newspapers, and ask a friend or neighbor to grab any packages that may be delivered while you are away. But don’t forget about typical “weekly” tasks as well.

For example, an unkempt lawn can signal that your home is vacant, which could attract burglars.

“Arrange for lawn mowing so you do not advertise when you are away from home,” suggests Wilbert. “Also, ask a neighbor to set out your trash on collection day and then retrieve empty cans and recycling bins the same day.”

2. Secure your home from the inside out and outside in

Obviously you’re going to lock your doors when you leave, but have you thought about all the other ways someone could get into your house?

“Reinforce external access points, which are any entryways or openings to your home that can be accessed from the outside,” says Wilbert.

This can be done with deadbolt locks and security hinges which make it more difficult to remove the door or tamper with the hinge pins. Also refrain from leaving your house key hidden somewhere outside your home and make sure all gates, fences, and garage doors are locked and secured.

And don’t forget about the windows!

“Before you leave on vacation, you’ll want to ensure all of the windows on your home are locked and cannot be opened from the outside,” says Wilbert.

If your window does not have a lock and you are unable to have them installed before you leave for vacation, Wilbert suggests that homeowners consider inserting a restrictor, using a piece of a wood as a wedge to block the track (if it’s a sliding window), or applying a security film to make it harder for intruders to break the glass.

Finally, if you have a security system, safeguard your home against theft by ensuring alarm systems are functional prior to your departure.

“If you have an alarm monitoring device, you can run the system in ‘test mode’ triggering doors and sensors to see if the system is working properly,” suggests Wilbert. “If you have a self-monitored system, ensure you are receiving notifications through app, text or email.”

3. Prevent pests from moving in while you’re out

Thieves aren’t the only kind of intruders you need to be aware of when heading out of town. Without you there to stop them, the ants (or something bigger!) could go marching one by one right into your home.

“It’s important to note, that most homeowners insurance policies do not cover pest infestations,” warns Wilbert.

As such, she suggests you should clean your home thoroughly and take out any trash before leaving to discourage pests from settling in while you are away.

It might also be a good move to arrange for a pest control company to conduct routine or preventive maintenance before you go. And don’t forget to inspect the premises for potential animal entry points, such as ensuring the fireplace flue is closed.

Finally, check weather stripping, insulation, and doors and windows for any significant deficiencies that could allow water or insects to enter.

4. Handle emergencies from anywhere

The best approach is to prevent emergencies before they happen.

Start with unplugging televisions, computers, and appliances that could be susceptible to lightning and power surges. In case of fire, you’ll want to make sure you have installed and tested smoke detectors on every floor—preferably linked to a monitored fire alarm system that will alert authorities in your absence.

If you are going to be away for a week or longer, Wilbert also suggests you can call your local police department’s non-emergency number to inform them of the vacancy and provide emergency contact numbers in case something happens while you are away.

“Some police departments will even do a vacation patrol to make sure there are no signs of trouble, and your home is secure,” says Wilbert.

5. Compile a comprehensive inventory list

This is a step many travelers don’t think about ahead of time, but in the off chance that something does happen to your property while you’re gone, would you be able to accurately recall everything you own in detail?

“Document possessions inside your home and on your property that may be of value, before you leave on vacation,” advises Wilbert. “Create a photo or video inventory and store it in a cloud-based service to ensure it won’t be lost, stolen, or damaged during any disaster at your home.”

Take pictures of relevant rooms or items—including serial numbers, purchase dates, receipts, and other details. If you choose to create a paper version, consider storing it off-site in a safe deposit box (which is also a good place to store any expensive jewelry or heirlooms). Wilbert says you may have possessions that are worth more than you think and your homeowners insurance policy may not cover those high-value items—unless accounted for and appraised.

“Having a detailed and up-to-date inventory list can help to expedite the claims process allowing you and the insurance adjuster to accurately assess the value of your lost or damaged possessions if something were to happen,” says Wilbert.

6. Remember not to advertise your absence

Finally, as tempting as it may be, keep your vacation plans private.

“Refrain from sharing travel plans on social media to prevent potential burglars from exploiting information about when your house will be vacant,” says Wilbert.

Even though you’re away on vacation, for safety’s sake, you want your house to look like you opted for a staycation this summer instead.