It’s not just the interior of a home that potential buyers are looking at when they are searching for their new home. The outdoor living space has become a major selling point for buyers .While preparing the inside of your home for buyers, be sure to set aside some time to add a bit of style and luxury to your backyard space. This recent U.S. News & World Report article by Sally Forster Jones shares 4 tips on how to create an inviting outdoor living setup.
Spruce it up. At the very least, your outdoor spaces should be clean, tidy and well-maintained. The first impression is the most important, and a bad first impression is hard to overcome.
Pay attention to how your home looks from the street or on a potential buyer’s first approach. Does the property look inviting? Make sure the driveway, parking area and any walkways are clean and clear for easy accessibility.
Lawns should be kept cut, and dead or dying patches should be restored. The landscaping and gardens should be thoughtful and well-maintained. Identify areas that are in need of repair or refreshing. Maybe the fence around the vegetable garden needs a fresh coat of paint. Maybe the existing outdoor furniture is faded and needs to be reupholstered, or the wilting potted plants need to be removed and replaced with fresh vibrant ones.
Set the Scene. Homebuyers are looking at spaces both inside and out, and considering how they will use them in their daily lives. Setting the scene to capture a buyer’s imagination and his or her attention is critical.
You want your home to be memorable and to stand out against the competition. Professional staging companies are one resource available to assist in designing a scene that will showcase your outdoor areas in the best light possible.
However, there are also some things you can consider on your own to create a space that will make the next buyer want to curl up next to the fire pit, break out a bottle of Pinot and invite over a few of their closest friends.
Consider how a space is meant to be used and showcase that use. Is the front porch the perfect spot to relax with a book? You can evoke that idea by creating an intimate seating area. If the patio next to the pool is meant for lounging in the sun, it should show that – possibly with a row of cushioned lounge chairs with nicely folded beach towels and brightly colored umbrellas. Showing is always more powerful than telling.
Light the Scene. Outdoor lighting and landscape lighting is particularly important and often overlooked. Many buyers insist on seeing a property at night as well as during the day and if you are planning to take twilight photos, exterior lighting is even more critical.
Make sure all of your current landscape lighting is working and replace burnt out bulbs, including the pool light. Then determine if any areas are lacking. Walking paths and stairs should be well-lit as well as your outdoor entertaining areas.
Think soft and romantic rather than motion-sensing spotlights. Candles, fireplaces, lanterns, outdoor lamps, stylish fixtures and overhead lighting from fixture or string lights are perfect options to light your scene.
[Read the full article here]
