Did you know? According to Zillow, July is the best time to sell your house to maximize profit. Every home buyer’s first impression is made on the doorstep, and if your home doesn’t have curb appeal, it may never end up on anyone’s must-see list. With a little planning now, you can get your yard ready for sale while enticing potential buyers with summer vibes.
The outdoor appeal of your home is more important than ever. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many buyers have reprioritized what they want out of their next home purchase. People increasingly work from home, lockdowns gave many of us a new appreciation for our yards, and dog ownership (and the need for outside space for these new furry family members to enjoy) has exploded.
Homes with attractive and well-maintained yards can boost the value and even clinch the deal. So, if you’re getting ready to sell your home, here’s our handy guide for making your yard more appealing to potential home buyers.
1. Declutter your yard
An untidy yard can easily put a buyer off. Dead leaves, unmaintained beds, an unkempt lawn, and unloved fences can make a yard look like a lot of work to home buyers.
Giving your yard a quick tidy doesn’t take long. Pick up litter, remove dead plants, pull up weeds, pressure wash, repaint fences, and feed the lawn. If you have a pool, make sure it’s kept clean and well maintained. This can all be done in an afternoon or two and can make a huge difference.
If you have a lawn that’s beyond hope it may be time to call in a professional, so consider those costs sooner rather than later. They can help create a plan to maximize your outdoor space’s appeal while keeping within an agreed-upon budget.
2. Embrace greenery
Even the tiniest patio, yard or balcony can become an outdoor paradise with a bit of greenery. If you don’t have flower beds, invest in pots or planters — buying a few larger pots is always better as lots of little pots can make a space seem crowded.
Knowing which plants are right for you can take some research and planning. If you’re a beginner, go for low-maintenance plants that you can mostly leave alone and trust will thrive. For example, hardy exotics such as palms and yucca plants can handle everything the weather can throw at them and add a dramatic look to any yard. Don’t worry too much about whether the plants you choose are annuals or perennials — by the time annuals have died back, you’ll have likely already found a buyer.
Oh, and this may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to water!
3. Add a living space
Potential home buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living in your home, and that includes the yard. By making your yard a comfortable and inviting space, you can increase their interest. This can be as simple as adding a patio with a table and chairs or putting in a fire pit or built-in barbeque. If you want to go whole hog, you could even add a pool/guest house or she shed, but think about cost versus how much value you’re adding to the property.
4. Increase privacy
The yard should be a safe space that allows you to enjoy the outdoors without having to leave the comfort of your home. Being in view of neighbors or passers-by can ruin the ambience. Potential home buyers might not want to put in the work to boost the privacy of the yard, so this is an easy thing you can do to increase interest in your home. You can also increase interest from buyers with pets if your yard is fenced-in and secure.
Add shrubs or hedges to create natural and attractive barriers between your space and the rest of the world. Make sure any existing hedges or fences are in good condition — repair or treat any gaps as required. Think about whether you need to make any fences taller to increase privacy, but make sure you get the necessary permissions to do this.
5. Don’t forget about the front yard
Curb appeal is essential. It gives your potential buyers their first impression of your home, so mess this part up and you could lose the sale. At the very least, make sure your front yard is tidy — remove any litter or debris, sweep the front path, rake up leaves, and pull up any weeds.
Pay attention to the appearance of your house as well — repaint your front door, install new house numbers, clean the windows, and add some lighting and a potted plant or two to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Your yard could be the key to selling your home
Remember, first impressions are made before potential buyers even walk through the front door. So, maximize every asset your property has to offer. Even the most beautiful, modern, and well-staged home can fall short if it doesn’t have an appealing outside space. Size doesn’t matter. Whether you have acres of land to play with or a tiny apartment balcony, you can create a neat and comfortable outdoor haven for your home’s next inhabitants.
Planning to make improvements to your yard to get your home ready to put on the market? Consider storing patio and backyard items both during the process and after to keep everything looking clutter free and irresistible to buyers.
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