10 Outdoor Staging Tips for Selling Your Home This Summer
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There’s nothing worse than needing to sell your home but it doesn’t get any traction. It can weigh you down, make you feel like you’re stuck in an unsellable home and there’s no way out.
That is far from the truth!
There are countless things you can do to make your home more appealing to buyers, but have you ever thought of outdoor staging?
We know what you’re thinking, “Staging is a waste of money, forget about outdoor staging!”
The reality is, outdoor staging (staging in general) can help sell your house quickly and for more money! Who would have thought, right?
Here are 10 outdoor staging tips for selling your home this summer that will prove worthwhile.
Note: We should point out that some of these tips aren’t all about staging – some of them are things to do before preparing to stage.
1. Decluttering is essential for the exterior, too!
Real estate agents always recommend that their clients take some time to declutter and depersonalize their home when they’re selling. This should be extended to the great outdoors as well. Potential buyers aren’t going to want to see your kids’ or pets’ toys all over the backyard, nor will they be too keen on your pink flamingos and garden gnomes!
2. Invest in outdoor storage
Most people will have some kind of set up for storing their outdoor gear, tools, and the like. This could be a shed, the basement, garage, or even an outdoor storage closet. If you don’t already have an outdoor storage option, invest in one.
You will be able to hide various lawn tools or holiday decorations in your storage. Better yet, if you invest in a permanent structure like a shed or building a detached garage, you are adding value to your home.
3. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to clean the exterior
Your house may not look like it needs a thorough cleaning, but you’d be surprised by the difference a good power washing can make! Power Washing areas like the driveway (if you have a hard surface driveway, of course), walkways, patio, deck, and the actual exterior facade of your home is a fantastic way to make your home stand out.
4. Complete the repairs you’ve been putting off
We hate to say this, but when it comes to spotting the things that are wrong about a property, buyers have eyes like a hawk! That’s why it’s crucial that you complete any of the repairs or maintenance tasks that you’ve been putting off. These tasks should include repairing a leaking faucet, securing loose decking, trimming the trees, repairing the gate, etc.
If there’s any task that you cannot do, consider reaching out to your local handyman for help. It will be an additional expense, but in the long run, it’ll pay off.
5. Create a welcoming front entryway
When it comes to making a good first impression, you should look at your front entryway as the pinnacle of all of your efforts. Well, maybe not all of your efforts, but you should definitely take some time to create a welcoming entryway for potential buyers.
The easiest way to do this is by putting a season-appropriate wreath on the door, putting out a new welcome mat, and updating the light fixture. However, if you want to go big, you can find a lot of great ideas on Pinterest to draw inspiration from.
6. Use potted plants to give your walkways more color
If your yard is lacking in color or pizazz, you can’t go wrong with adding potted annuals along your walkway or on your front porch. Autumn is right around the corner, so flowers like mums, violas, marigolds, and pansies are great because they’re available in a wide range of colors. Other flowers that will add a pop of color include petunias, impatiens, and celosia.
7. Add outdoor lighting to illuminate dark areas or special features
You might have updated your patio light, but why stop there? If your yard has a few dark spots, your walkway isn’t the brightest, or you have lawn decor, you can’t go wrong with adding more light. You can add simple solar lights along the walkway or driveway for added safety. Spotlights are good for brightening a dark corner of the yard or drawing attention to special lawn decor.
8. Let outdoor living space shine
Whether it’s an outdoor kitchen, a front porch, a covered gazebo, or a simple patio, dress it up! By dressing up your outdoor spaces, you’re showing off the space, but more importantly, you’re giving them the idea that these spaces are perfect for creating a comfortable and relaxing entertaining area.
9. Ditch outdated, dirty patio furniture and get new
When you’re dressing up your outdoor living spaces, look at the furniture. Does the furniture look like they’ve seen better days and need to be replaced or do they just need a good cleaning and new cushions?
Even if you buy the cheapest patio furniture you can find, it’s going to translate a lot better than gray, weather-worn plastic furniture that’s supposed to be white. Part of staging is giving buyers the idea of what their lives could look like if they lived in this home.
10. Elevate your landscaping by hiring the pros
Improving the landscaping can have a dramatic impact on how your home is received by potential buyers, buyer’s real estate agents, and even the rest of the neighborhood. It’s odd, but when one neighbor has a beautifully landscaped yard, the rest are likely to follow suit (or at least try to make their yards look good). You know what that means? Your property value is likely to go up, as well as the rest of the block.
The trick to selling your home quickly is to stage it, both on the inside and outside. A well-staged property is much more likely to get a lot of attention by serious, well-qualified buyers than a property that hasn’t been staged.
Staging your home may cost more than you’d like to put into a property that you’re trying to sell, but it will be worth it once you’re sitting at the closing table, waiting to exchange the keys to your (old) house for a big-fat check.
