A thoughtfully designed backyard can significantly impact your home’s marketability, influencing how potential buyers perceive the entire property. Conversely, a neglected, overgrown yard can instantly turn buyers away and leave a negative first impression. In our latest blog post, we share practical ideas to transform your yard into a major selling point, helping you secure the best possible return on your home.
For more ways to enhance your home’s appeal, check out these landscaping tips and learn how to make your outdoor space irresistible to buyers.
The Value of a Well-Maintained Yard
There’s a reason why it’s called the great outdoors—a well-landscaped and meticulously maintained yard can add up to 15% to the value of your home. If a buyer falls in love with your yard, that number can increase by an additional 12% in perceived value! That’s a substantial boost that could make all the difference when selling your home. Here are some effective tips to ensure your yard helps sell your house.
Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is crucial when selling your home. Unfortunately, potential buyers often do judge a book by its cover. An overgrown front yard, peeling paint, and general disarray can deter buyers from even stepping inside. To ensure your home makes a great first impression, take these steps:
- Touch up the paint as needed to keep the exterior looking fresh.
- Update fixtures, locks, and the doormat to create an inviting entrance.
- Refresh the mailbox with a coat of paint and plant flowers around the base.
- Trim bushes and trees, and pull any weeds from flower beds.
By enhancing curb appeal, you can significantly increase interest in your property and attract more potential buyers.
For additional insights on boosting curb appeal, explore this guide on exterior home improvements.
Make Them Feel at Home
Your backyard represents a valuable opportunity to showcase your home as a perfect place for entertaining and relaxation. To help potential buyers envision themselves enjoying the space, create distinct areas that encourage socializing and leisure:
- Set up multiple seating areas to invite conversation and relaxation.
- Consider adding leisure features such as a hammock or fire pit.
- Transform the grilling area into a functional outdoor kitchen, making it feel like an extension of the home.
During showings and open houses, take full advantage of the backyard by grilling some burgers and creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. This can help buyers imagine themselves hosting gatherings and enjoying outdoor living.
Clean Up
A clean and well-organized yard speaks volumes about how you care for the rest of your home. If you invest time and effort into maintaining your yard, buyers will assume you’ve done the same for the interior. A tidy yard signals pride of ownership, something that potential buyers will appreciate and respect.
- Power wash the sidewalk, porch, driveway, and any other surfaces that need it. A good power wash can be as impactful as a fresh coat of paint!
- Pull weeds, edge the lawn, and trim back any overgrown bushes and trees.
- Eliminate any clutter in the yard. Even if it’s something you use regularly, if it detracts from the yard’s appearance, store it elsewhere.
- Wash windows inside and out to enhance the view of your beautiful yard.
- Touch up any chipped or worn-out paint.
- Repair anything that needs fixing, such as steps, the mailbox, or fencing.
Be Efficient
While you want your yard to be beautiful, it shouldn’t be a chore to maintain. Simple, clean landscaping is often the best approach:
- Be mindful of water usage, particularly in drier climates.
- Avoid planting high-maintenance vegetation that requires constant care.
- Consider incorporating a rock garden, or using sand or gravel in parts of the yard to create low-maintenance areas.
Whatever landscaping choices you make, do so with your potential buyer in mind. Your yard can be the key to closing a sale or losing a buyer. Keep these tips in mind when preparing to sell your house!
If you’re considering selling your home, we’re here to help with innovative and inspiring ideas to get your property market-ready