Landscaping to Help Sell Your Home

First impressions are powerful. Prospective buyers may view a photo of your home’s exterior online before they ever walk up to your door. If you want to capture their interest, be prepared to invest some time — at least one month — and money into some landscaping touchups. If you are wondering if it’s really worth it, consider this: 71 percent of homebuyers consider curb appeal important, according to a National Association of Realtors survey, so landscaping your yard (particularly in the front) before you sell is a must. If a potential buyer doesn’t like the outside, they won’t be enticed to tour the inside.

Add a Touch of Color

One way to make your home look appealing is to add some of nature’s breathtaking beauty. A splash of color will make sure your home looks inviting. Every season of the year can offer an array of vibrant options. If you’re selling in the spring, the flower possibilities seem endless. Spring annuals will bloom for months, making them low maintenance. If you are putting your home on the market in the dead of winter, the resilient camelia is a good selection because it can withstand cold, and even prefers shade. 

Plant in a zigzag pattern instead of rows to catch the eye and fill in any gaps. You can add more design by choosing plants with dynamic shapes and textures. HGTV suggests labeling each plant or flower and placing a scrapbook inside your home for your potential buyers to examine. This catalog will be valuable for new owners when they want to learn how to care for the plants. You could even spruce up your front porch with a few hanging plants. Consider installing a planter’s box under the kitchen window.

Go for the Green

When planting shrubs, choose three or more of the same type to keep your yard looking refined, says Michelle Cobb, owner of Blue Iris Designs in Colorado. Be sure not to go overboard; you don’t want it chock-full. Evergreen shrubs are generally effortless, so they may be a viable option for your yard.

Mulch Away

Mulch is a great labor saver as it slows weed growth and simplifies your garden duty. Don’t be intimidated by all the different types and shades, though. Make your selection from red, black or brown, depending on your surrounding plants and flower colors. Mulch also makes your yard pop and you only need a layer of two or three inches. While you’re at ground level, take time to reset those landscaping stones. And be sure to fix any loose steppingstones to prevent tumbles. 

Keep Your Yard Well-Manicured

Even though you are anxious to move into your new home, you will still need to stay focused on making your current residence look irresistible. Those viewing your home will notice brown or dry spots as well as weeds, so mow often, keeping your lawn about two inches high. If you don’t have enough time to seed bare patches, throw down a few pieces of sod. 

Get Your Yard in Order

This is the least expensive thing you can do to help sell your home, yet many people overlook it. Rake those unsightly leaves overflowing onto the street; just remember to get rid of those yard trimmings bags! Grab those trimmers and prune the overgrown shrubs and bushes; you don’t want your yard to look like a rain forest. Remove any dead branches and tree limbs. Get rid of the wayward moss and out-of-control greenery to impress potential buyers. And now for the hard part no one wants to do — be sure to pick up dog droppings. Prospective home buyers will not want to see it, smell it or step in it.

Refresh Your Home’s Exterior

You want to showcase how well your exterior has been maintained, so walk up to your front door as if you were a first-time viewer. Do your house numbers look fossilized? Sprucing those up will also help viewers locate your house when the sun goes down. Check for cobwebs around the entrance and sweep under your welcome mat. Dispose of empty flowerpots or bins and clean your gutters.  

Consider a Fresh Coat of Paint

You want to showcase how well your exterior has been maintained. Tidy up your front door by slapping on another coat of paint. Tidy up your front door by slapping on a new coat of paint. You don’t want possible buyers seeing chipped paint as they enter their next potential home! In the back, does your pergola or deck look like it’s on life support? Perhaps you can revive it with a new paint job — or at least giving it a good scrubbing.

Pressure Wash Away Years of Dirt Buildup

Residents are often the last to notice those discolored sidewalks and driveways. However, interested buyers will be able to see those spots by just driving down your street. Algae, mold and dirt can be a real eyesore. If you have a swimming pool or fountain, remember to direct the power washer spray there to disintegrate ugly water stains.   

If you have a birdbath, be sure to clean it. This can either be an enchanting wildlife feature or an abhorrent mosquito habitat. Alternatively, plant a few colorful flowers inside the birdbath. A fountain’s trickle can be a peaceful invitation, so make sure yours is in working order when those potential buyers arrive.

Create Some Ambiance with Lighting 

Add floodlights or sensory lights to enhance your home’s atmosphere during dusk or nighttime showings. Solar lights are perfect and inexpensive. If your pool has underwater lights, create a welcoming mood by flipping that switch. Speaking of lighting, if it’s not the holiday season, be sure to remove any remaining Christmas lights dangling from the roof or encircling shrubs and windows. 

Add a Soothing Outdoor Lounge

Everyone loves a relaxing area to recline at the end of a long day. You don’t have to take out a massive loan for this; simply grab some chairs and stack a few landscaping stones to build a fire pit for roasting S’mores. If you want to splurge on a beautiful outdoor reclining set and take it with you, just be sure your Realtor knows that it’s not part of the package.

By keeping your property looking spectacular, you will be poised to enter the pathway of success and sell your home. Grab a cup of coffee and watch — your results will be rewarding. In no time you’ll be enjoying your new home!