Monday, 1 May 2023
WOW! What a beautiful backyard Oasis When a buyer is thinking about whether or not they want to come and book a showing to see your house, they’re not just looking at the location, size and number of bedrooms, they’re also interested in the outdoor space. This is very important to most people.
Just like we all like different kinds of homes, we all like different kinds of outdoor spaces. Whether it’s big or small, has grass or not or can accommodate a pool or just a few friends to hang with, the important thing is…it has one!
When you are preparing your home for sale, you must ensure you are creating an outdoor space and feature it, just as you would feature your kitchen or bathroom. One of the most desirable features for buyers is usable outdoor space. We all want a place to go outside and garden, or just sit and relax with friends. If you have a space like this that physically exists, great. You need to go a step further and make it look inviting. You want your potential buyers to feel comfortable and linger inside and outside your house.
I have had more than one buyer not purchase a home because the backyard was not in good condition or they just didn’t want to be bothered fixing it up. They look at gardens full of weeds and whatnot as a sign that the seller doesn’t care. Remember, the outside is what people see first. Especially this time of year in the Spring, I often have buyers who make a beeline for the backyard as soon as we arrive at the house, because they’re excited and thinking about the Summer parties and get togethers they may have back there. You don’t want buyers feeling disappointed before they even step foot inside the house. Even if it’s not important to you, it’s important to most potential buyers.
Here’s a few things you can do to increase the feeling of love from a buyer for your outdoor space:
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If one doesn’t exist, create a little patio with some inexpensive patio stones arranged in a square together and top it with a cute bistro set and umbrella. It doesn’t have to be a huge patio, enough for at least two people to sit comfortably.
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Keep the grass cut. This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many homes we show where the grass hasn’t been cut for a few days, especially if the home is vacant. A freshly cut lawn is like rolling out the red carpet to potential buyers.
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Plant some colourful flowers. There are a number of inexpensive annuals like impatiens, geraniums or begonias. Get yourself some cute planters and get planting.
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Create a firepit with some stones or bricks. If you’re not allowed a fire pit per your local by laws, get a chiminea.
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Don’t forget the lighting! It’s just as important outside as inside. You can get all kinds of outdoor lights these days. It’s nice to have lights lining a walkway or patio and perhaps hanging from the umbrella.
Remember, your property is not just the inside of the house. Buyers are looking at the entire thing, from the grass, trees and shrubs to your interior fixtures. They will use the whole space so it has to be ready for them to view in its best light possible.
Check out how welcoming this outdoor space is now!
Contact me for a full report on how we can work together to get your home sold.
