Staging Matters!
We’ve talked a lot about staging a home interior, but what about the exterior? You can never underestimate the importance of a good first impression, and the outside of your home informs the first impression of a potential buyer. Curb appeal means making a buyer feel welcomed, and showing that you’ve taken good care of the home. While there are a few differences between staging an exterior versus an interior, the basics are the same. You want to keep the area clean, well-maintained, functional, beautiful, and winsome, with a balance of being a clean slate with some touches of personality. Here are four tips for staging a home exterior to sell.
4 Tips On How To Stage A Home Exterior To Sell
Clean the Driveway
Before any tour, be sure to park your car down the street or somewhere other than your driveway or garage. It will help the garage look bigger and not be a distraction from the front of the house. If you have advanced notice of a tour, you may also want to spray down your walkway and driveway with a hose. This will freshen it up! Before all of this though, when you’re initially prepping the house, give the driveway and sidewalks a good pressure wash, fill any cracks, and pull sidewalk weeds. And don’t neglect garage doors, which take up a huge amount of space and are one of the first things the eye is drawn too. Make sure yours is well-painted and works!
Upkeep the Lawn
During the duration of the selling period, you’ll want to keep your lawn watered and mowed. Pick up branches, edge the lawn, and trim shrubbery. Keep an eye out for holes, bare patches, or dead grass. After this, turn your attention to any gardens. Garden care will depend on the season and the timeframe in which you’re selling. Consult a gardener or landscaper about the best options for your yard to maximize what you have! No matter what you decide to do though, top off all garden beds with fresh mulch for a nice smell and a crisp look. Potted plants and hanging vases are excellent options, especially if you have a small yard or a bare front porch. You don’t need a green thumb to put in a bit of extra care into your garden and lawn.
Maximize the Front Door
The front door is like the handshake of the house. It’s the first contact point into welcoming a buyer into the privacy of the home, so make it pop! Check if there is peeling paint or animal scratches on your door. Consider a new paint job; don’t be afraid to choose a bright, striking color! Then go ahead and clean the screen door and any windows. See if your shutters, house numbers, and trim could also use new paint. Depending on the season, a wreath or other decoration may be appropriate, and finish it all off by laying down a new welcome mat.
4. Care for the backyard
Start by clearing all debris and personal items from the yard. Store garbage cans away from sight. Now is a good time to do a basic maintenance check on all your outdoor appliances. Do your porch lights work? Are your gutters clean and attached securely? Is the mailbox in good shape? How about the fence? Are there holes or broken boards? If not, it’s time to get that fixed. Make sure all lawn furniture is also clean and in good condition. If you have birdbaths, clean those and refill them. If you have a swimming pool, be prepared to keep that cleaned daily and maintained during the whole selling process. If you have a deck, it may need to be stained.
With a little hard work, you can drastically improve your chances of selling your house faster and for more money. You’ve loved this house, and now, it’s time for others to see what an amazing home it can be.
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