Simple Outdoor Hacks That can Help Sell Your Home Faster This Spring & Summer
The sun stays out longer each evening and mornings are filled with the sweet sound of nature’s song…spring is here, and summer isn’t far behind. The problem is that early spring is full of melting snow, mud and dead grass…not what you’d call enticing elements of curb-appeal, but you somehow need to make your home stand out in the crowd during these busy selling seasons because first impressions do matter!
Try these hot outdoor tips to sell faster this spring and summer!
Create a vision
Take a trip to the curb…yes, do it! When you get there, turn around and take a good look at your home. In fact, bring your Realtor® and brainstorm some ways you can raise your home’s appeal meter. Try to view it from the perspective of a potential buyer. What would make a buyer stop and look twice at your home and want to come in and look around? To do that, you’ll need to create a vision that house-hunters will buy into. You don’t want to break the bank here so talk to your Realtor® and their home stager about where the smartest investments are for your home in order to draw a potential buyers’ attention away from things you can’t do a lot about (like spring mud and melting snow) and create enticing curb appeal. In summer when nature is in full bloom, take advantage of what mother nature has to offer by incorporating these elements into your big picture vision. Check out our tips on outdoor improvements that will add value to your home.
Work the land
Big or small, your yard space is a significant item on a home buyer’s checklist. If you didn’t take care of it in the fall, rake up any left-over leaves, throw on some grass seed where needed when the ground is thawed, and stay on top of stooping and scooping after your furry family members. Don’t forget to tidy up the clutter outdoors as well. Put away any toys and anything else that is not specifically designed to add appeal or create ambiance before a showing. A well-trimmed and well-kept yard is an easy sell for buyers…they notice.
Summon a green thumb
If you’ve got a green thumb, you’re in luck, but if not, recruit a friend, family member or professional to help your garden grow from drab to fab! Landscaping is a crucial component to making your home stand out. It adds a pop of colour and charm to your home. Creating a beautiful landscaped yard can be as simple as adding some planters and shrubs or, depending on your budget and space, a fresh new landscape altogether. The important thing is to make the outside of your home eye-catching, clean and full of life! There are many lovely options you can choose from in outdoor planter arrangements when the weather is still brisk.
Entertainment spaces and places
Do you have a pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen or entertainment space? These are bonus features that can raise the “wow factor” when it comes to selling your home. Make sure your pool, hot tub or any other water features are in good working order and well-maintained when you list your home on the market. While you’ve likely staged the inside of your home, your outdoor entertainment spaces can benefit from an updated design too. You can power wash the deck, add some plants or arrange and paint some furniture to make those spaces as welcoming and attractive as possible!
It’s the little things that count
You may have gotten used to the chips in the paint on your front door and no longer see it, but trust me, potential buyers will. Now is the time to work on all those little touch-ups and quick fixes you haven’t gotten around to, so definitely add a fresh coat of paint to the front door or garage. Go one step further and place a new welcome mat at the front door. Make sure all your outdoor lights are working; you may even want to update these with more modern fixtures. The small details can add high impact to potential buyers’ first impression of your home.