When you decide to sell your house, your focus is probably on the look of the inside – renovations, upgrades, keeping it neat and tidy for showings. But first impressions start right from the outside so just as much focus should go into the landscaping of your home as the details of the inside.
The first thing potential buyers notice is the front yard and this is why curb appeal is important. You don’t need to hire a landscaper and completely redo your yard by any means, but simply things like making sure your lawn is maintained and looks fresh and green can go a long way. Don’t forget about the edges and trimming the trees and shrubs, too. Depending on the time of year, you’ll want to make sure that any fallen leaves are raked away and the garden is weeded.
Spend a bit of time freshening the garden with fresh annuals to add some pops of colour among the shrubs and potentially consider added a nice potted plant or decorative urn to the front porch as well.
If your home is going up for sale in the winter, there’s not much you can do for the garden, but you should make sure that the driveway and walkways are cleared of ice and snow and try to create neat piles when doing so. Don’t forget to salt!
Backyards are important to some buyers and could be the aspect of your home that makes or breaks the deal. This is particularly true if you have a pool, spa, pond or any type of specific landscape that may require more maintenance.
If the potential buyer feels the backyard is an important home feature, then they’ll want to picture themselves in it. Make this easier by maintaining the lawn and gardens and, season permitting, creating a welcoming outdoor living space that they would love to spend time in.
Make sure that when a showing is booked, you have comfortable seating that encourages the buyer to spend time outdoors. Consider borrowing an outdoor fireplace if you don’t have one to add to the ambiance.
Make sure that the pool or spa is well maintained – that the water is clear, debris is skimmed away and any patios or decks that surround the area are in good shape and free of weeds and damage. If there are any damages like cracks in the concrete, be sure to have those filled before potential buyers come by for showings. If you have a deck, consider adding a fresh coat of stain.
The first impression of a well kept yard will go a long way in giving potential buyers the feeling that the rest of the house is just as well kept and may be the aspect that seals the deal.
