Staging Outdoor Spaces to Sell Your Home
More and more prospective American homebuyers are searching for houses with backyards and patios, but sellers often neglect staging outdoor spaces. According to a recent article released by Realtor.com -- patios and backyards have topped many lists of desired features this year. Senior economics writer George Raitu explains in his article “Top Consumer Home Features During Coronavirus” for Realtor.com that priorities have shifted. Raitu writes that homeowners newly value “quiet neighborhoods, outdoor spaces and proximity to grocery stores.” Raitu notes that this turn towards outdoor activity makes sense during the pandemic. Many stay-at-home and social distancing orders have limited indoor activity but allowed outdoor gatherings. This trend appears unlikely to slow, even as some areas of the country begin to open up and somewhat return to normal. Americans have increased their outdoor activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and have demonstrated a renewed interest in nature. This has included everything from natural home building materials to houseplants.
In fact, according to the Leave No Trace public survey, “37.7% of consumers expect that COVID-19 will change their...activities for the continued future.” The article “As Outdoor Recreation Increases, So Does Opportunity for Investors” by Lincoln International notes that changes in employment are a factor too. The increase in remote workers has meant that commutes have disappeared, leaving more time for exercise and other outdoor recreation. Lincoln International found that “even individuals facing unemployment are turning to outdoor fitness options." Such individuals have pursued activities "like running, hiking and camping as more cost-conscious means to stay active.” Officials from the US Department of Health have enthusiastically encouraged a continuation of this trend for protection of public wellness. This encouragement reflects the positive impacts of nature on our mental and physical health. Given that the trend is expected to continue, sellers should spend a bit more time staging their backyards and patios. Follow below for four tips for staging outdoor spaces to sell your home.
4 Tips for Staging Outdoor Spaces
Clear Clutter and Keep it Clean
One of the simplest ways to demonstrate to buyers that your home has been cared for is to clean up its exterior. A fresh coat of paint on your home’s facade, fence and front door quickly elevates the home. This easy fix can make the home feel newer and more inviting to buyers. In her article “6 Outdoor Space Revamps” for Apartment Therapy, Wendy Helfenbaum recommends cleaning where you can. She encourages sellers to start by “sweeping the deck, wiping furniture and pressure washing flagstones or patios.”
Quoting realtor and designer Laurie Coton, Helfenbaum writes that all “exterior paint should be in good shape,” even along the back of the house. No stone should be left unturned -- both Colton and Helfenbaum advise. Not only should the front yard be well-kept, but the backyard should be “immaculate.” By properly cleaning all outdoor spaces, you will “create the illusion of more overall living space,” thereby making your home seem worth more.
Demonstrate Potential Uses
An article for Realty Times recommends staging your outdoor spaces to demonstrate their potential uses. The article notes that “your outdoor space must include various areas that future homeowners may enjoy.” This manner of staging is especially significant during the COVID-19 pandemic, when most socializing is done outdoors. The article recommends showing off “the potential for an outdoor dining area" specifically. You can do this by "creating an area for entertaining complete with outdoor dishes, chairs, and dining table.”
Use the landscaping of your backyard to your advantage as well. If your backyard has a retaining wall, consider setting up a small seating area in the shadow of the wall. This allows you to better zone your backyard in a way that makes sense to potential buyers without obscuring their visions for the space. You might also choose to set up a few lawn games to help prospective buyers envision various types of family fun. However, be sure to avoid creating too much clutter, as this can make the space seem smaller and less inviting overall.
Focus on Water Features
New Home Source’s article “This is Why Homebuyers Want Killer Outdoor Spaces” notes that -- overall -- “homebuyers are demanding more, better-designed outdoor spaces.” Though exceptional landscaping and play areas for children are desired, “spools” have been an especially hot trend for the last couple years. Spools -- defined as a combination pool and spa -- are one of this year’s favorite backyard water features because they “run around 10- to 15-feet long and no more than six- to 8-feet wide, making them perfect for smaller spaces and smaller budgets.” If your home lacks a pool -- or spool -- consider adding a small water feature to your backyard, New Home Source recommends.
While a bit expensive, the addition could pay off enormously when offers pour in for your home. Including “a small fountain or other water feature” is an ideal choice because it will create a focal point in the yard. It will also “keep the surrounding air cooler” during summer months, encouraging year-round use of the space. Just be sure to make the water feature visible from inside the home, the article recommends. This will help “blur the separation between inside and outside" -- an element many prospective homebuyers are searching for.
Don’t Be Afraid to Accessorize
It might feel corny to place centerpieces on tables or set up an elaborate wine bar for imaginary guests. However, adding personality with accessories can actually contribute significantly to effective outdoor staging. Interviewing Laurie Coton for Apartment Therapy, Wendy Helfenbaum writes that sellers should indeed “set up a bar area, and put out a bottle of wine, wine glasses, and a corkscrew” to create visions of a romantic evening in. Coton also recommends including “comfy lawn furniture around an in-ground pool, rolling up fluffy white towels in baskets, and putting...floats in the water.” During the summer you can “place a book...on a chaise lounge and a tall glass of iced tea...on a side table." Conversely, if selling in the winter, you might want to add “a fire pit.”
Stager Barb Perez -- also interviewed by Helfenbaum -- notes that centerpieces can add a touch of glam and interest to outdoor spaces. She explains that “‘a centerpiece makes the table look more inviting—use potted live plants or flowers, lanterns, candles, or a fun found object.” Don’t be afraid to represent your area with the accessories you choose, Perez recommends. She notes that -- when staging near the ocean -- her team “'sets up a dining scene that looks like a crab feast is ready to start.'" She accessorizes "'with wooden crab mallets, faux crabs and can of Old Bay.'” Overall, accessorizing will help potential buyers better flesh out options for each outdoor space.
By following these four tips -- and remembering that staging the outdoor spaces to sell your home is just as important as staging the interior -- you will improve your chances of getting a great offer on your home!