How to Stage Your Outdoor Space When Selling Your Hamilton Home
When buyers walk through a home, they aren't just looking at the rooms inside.
If your property has a backyard, deck, patio, balcony or other outdoor space, buyers will also be thinking about how they could use it.
You don't need to create an elaborate outdoor retreat.
The goal is to make the space clean, attractive and easy to imagine using.
1. Give the Space a Purpose
An empty backyard can be difficult for some buyers to visualize.
You don't need to fill every inch of it, but consider showing how the space could be used.
Depending on what you have, that might mean creating:
- A simple seating area
- An outdoor dining area
- A place for a few chairs around a fire pit, where appropriate
- A small gardening area
- A play area
- A comfortable spot to enjoy a morning coffee
The important thing is to work with the space you already have.
You don't need multiple elaborate “stations” just to make a backyard look impressive.
2. Clean Up the Landscaping
This is one area where relatively simple work can have a noticeable effect.
Before listing:
- Cut the grass
- Trim overgrown shrubs
- Remove weeds
- Clear leaves and debris
- Prune where appropriate
- Clean patios and decks
- Remove dead plants
- Tidy garden beds
You don't necessarily need to undertake a major landscaping project.
A well-maintained outdoor space can simply make the property feel cared for.
3. Make Outdoor Furniture Work for the Space
If you already have outdoor furniture, arrange it intentionally.
Avoid overcrowding a small patio with too many pieces.
On a larger property, a table and chairs or a simple seating area can help demonstrate how the space can be used.
Keep everything clean and in good condition.
And if your outdoor furniture is worn out or makes the space feel cluttered, removing it may be better than replacing it simply for the sale.
4. Look at What's Underfoot
Pay attention to decks, patios, walkways and other outdoor surfaces.
Clean them thoroughly and address obvious maintenance issues.
If the deck is dirty, clean it.
If patio furniture is covering a damaged area, don't assume buyers won't notice.
And if you have a garden path, patio or other feature that's already attractive, make sure it's visible rather than hidden by clutter or overgrown vegetation.
5. Think About Privacy
Privacy can be an important part of how an outdoor space feels.
Look at your backyard from the perspective of someone who has never seen it before.
Are there mature trees, fencing, hedges or other existing features that create a sense of separation?
Make sure those features are visible and well maintained.
Don't automatically spend money installing new fencing or landscaping before determining whether the investment makes sense for your property.
6. Show the Outdoor Space in Its Best Light
Outdoor spaces can be particularly difficult to appreciate when they're photographed poorly.
If your property is being marketed during the warmer months, make sure the outdoor areas are clean, tidy and ready to be photographed.
The same principle applies during showings.
Open blinds or curtains where appropriate, clean windows and make it easy for buyers to see the relationship between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Don't Overspend on Outdoor Improvements
Preparing your outdoor space doesn't mean creating a backyard worthy of a magazine cover.
Before spending money, ask whether the improvement is likely to make the property easier to sell or simply make you feel better about the property.
Sometimes the best preparation is simply:
Clean it. Tidy it. Repair what needs repairing. Remove the clutter.
Selling Your Hamilton Home?
Your outdoor space is part of the overall presentation of your property.
If you're preparing to sell, I'd rather help you determine what actually needs attention than have you spend money on improvements that may not make sense.
A thoughtful pre-sale plan can help you decide where your time and money are best spent.
Mike McCarthy, MBA
REALTOR®
Mike McCarthy Realty
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