Often we focus on the interior or our homes when preparing for a sale; however think about the first impression most buyers see of your home…it’s your home’s exterior photos.
Same goes for buyers driving around the neighborhood, they are looking at the outside of your home. Is the yard maintained and freshly landscaped, the home painted an appealing color, is there room in the backyard for pets and BBQs? In this case, buyers are judging a book by its cover.
Here are some small outdoor upgrades to help sell your house, often faster and for more money.
Make a Clean Sweep
Cleaning and staging your home’s exterior is just as important as the inside. Ensure weeds are pulled, surfaces wiped clean and if possible, pressure wash your home and patio or deck.
The exterior paint should be in good shape as well as the doors. Make sure they are operational and inviting, a new coat of paint and wreath are quick updates.
Flower Pots placed on either side of a doorway creates symmetry, drawing a buyer into the home. Make sure to plant flowers that can tolerate full sun or shade depending on your exposure.
Did you recently update your home’s interior door knobs? Make sure that change is reflected in your exterior door knobs and patio lighting. Nothing says dated to a buyer like an old brass patio light from 1980.
Create Zones for Seating, Dining and Playing
Helping buyers visualize how they would use the yard. Creating separate areas for dining, lounge seating and play help to set the scene for buyers.
Whether it’s brunch, BBQ or birthday parties, everything tastes better outside. Utilize any open space for a dining area, shade is preferred so under some trees, or a patio umbrella. Just a small table with chairs will work, setting a centerpiece with candles or a flower pot helps to set the tone, just as it would at your indoor dining table.
Entertaining and relaxation are important features to buyers. Carve an area for comfortable seating around a small table, fire pit or ottoman. Throw pillows and an outdoor rug can help to carry your interior design outside, making both spaces cohesive.
Lastly, is play areas for pets, kids or adults. Think about your favorite hotel or vacation spot. Is there room for playing catch, setting up a tent or maybe even a wine bar? Creating these same spaces at home is appealing to buyers. They can visualize themselves having happy hour or watching the kids pay tag in the grass.
Spruce up Your Garden
Even the best backyards can fall flat without adequate plants or flowers. Try adding some pops of color with vibrant annuals, increase privacy with some evergreens or fill open space with full shrubs.
Here in Colorado, drought tolerant, high wind and cold resistant plants do best. Some great examples for your garden are Juniper and Arborvitae evergreens, Dogwood and Spirea Shrubs, as well as Salvia for pops of purple and blue.
Tight on space, a vertical garden or pots with cascading plants could fit the bill. Place them towards the end of your patio or backyard, drawing the eye to the back, thus making the space feel larger.
Raised beds will increase your home’s value. Sustainability is a key feature buyers are searching for. Providing a space for herbs, fruits and vegetables to grow could be a key selling point.
Let There be Light
Adequate lighting can transform a space, especially for those early evening showings. Illuminate the walkway to your front door with in-expensive solar pathway lights, no wiring or batteries to worry about installing.
Strings of bulb lights are not only on trend, but a cost-effective way to light up the back yard or patio space. Hanging them across and above your dining and lounge areas creates a subtle glow and charm.
Interested in selling your home? Contact me for a Comparative Market Analysis today!
