Yard staging is used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the outdoor spaces around a property. Having a nice yard is a high priority for many home buyers and staging the exterior spaces of a home can make the difference between a fast and easy sale and no sale at all. Yard home staging is typically low cost, but rather labor intensive, so it makes an excellent DIY staging project.
This resource section provides help in preparing your yard to delight prospective buyers during the real estate sales process.
Yard Staging Techniques
To make sure your yard is prepared for the varied demands of potential buyers, here is a list of home staging strategies which should be completed prior to listing the house for sale:
Achieving excellent curb appeal is crucial. Be sure that the front yard of your home presents a positive first impression or potential buyers might not even stop to come inside.
Backyards and side yards are family spaces. Be sure that these areas are safe and in good condition. Check walkways, fences, decks and patios to be sure there are no functional or aesthetic issues which could become deal-breakers. Most of these common yard problems can be fixed simply and cheaply with a bit of sweat equity.
Clean-up the lawn and plant fresh flowers in the beds. Check the landscaping for trees and shrubbery which might need pruning or removing. Never leave dead or damaged plants on the property, as these will set a negative tone for the entire yard. Remove these liabilities and replace them with beautiful thriving botanicals.
Stage any secondary structures on the property to enrich the appeal of the main home. Do not neglect pool houses, guest houses, rental cottages or outdoor kitchens, since these will add tremendous value to the property.
Yard Property Staging Solutions
Never leave children’s toys around the yard. Make sure to store these items away in a dedicated shed or garage area.
If you have a pet, do not allow waste to build-up in the yard, as this is a real turn-off to a potential buyer. The look and smell will have them running and they will not look back.
Hiring a professional landscaper for a few months is a great way to ensure that your grass and botanicals will be in top form to receive buyers. Unless you have a truly green thumb, a professional gardener is a real value of an investment and you are sure to see a good return on this money.
Finally, keep an eye out for bugs and animal nests. Birds and squirrels can nest in windows or on the roof, causing a real concern for would-be buyers. Bugs, such as ants or bees, can exist all over a property, and although they are outside, buyers do not want to see them so close to the house. If these issues are a problem for you, be sure to call a qualified exterminator as part of your exterior staging project.
Yard Staging Help
Staging your yard is very important, regardless of the size and layout of your outdoor spaces. Large yards and small yards can both be dressed to appeal to a range of buyers, as long as they are nice and inviting. Barren or ill-maintained spaces are a liability, regardless of how many nice features are on the property. Take the time and effort to make a real positive impression with your yard.
Hire a home stager to give you some advice about how to optimize your outdoor property for sale.
