If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times, “we are looking for something with a nice backyard!”
Almost all buyers are looking for that euphoric green space in the back to set up a patio, host barbeques on the deck, assemble a swing set and of course have room for the new dog.
Believe it or not a well laid out yard can offer all these things even if it is small. Nearly every home tour by a buyer concludes with the family exiting through the slider to check out that coveted space which in New England we greatly appreciate when that weather starts to turn.
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If you have a backyard that you’ve been ignoring, it’s time to green it up and clean it up before that first buyer walks through those doors. Here are some tips that will get you going.
- If your grass is brown and weedy try to thatch it and lay some new grass seed with weed killer at least two weeks prior to showing. If you don’t have access to a Thatcher use a heavy metal rake.
- If your backyard shed is overflowing with debris pick up extraneous items and get rid of what you don’t need. Highlight shed with a window box or add a couple of flagstones to create a small walkway to the door.
- Green is great but a little color won’t hurt, add some flowers to highlight a certain area or put out some planters with seasonal pansies.
- Clean patio furniture and set it up with fresh cushions. Outside living spaces are very popular now, so if you don’t have room for a whole set put out 2 chairs with a chimnea to show buyers it’s a great place to sit.
- If you have a swing set limit outside toys to that area, toys cluttering the yard will make it look smaller and less inviting.
- Power wash patios and be sure deck stain is not chipped or peeling. If you have any loose deck boards get those fixed right away.
- Keep grass well mowed and manicured, it shows you care about your home.
- Last but not least if you have a dog PLEASE pick up after him or her, Buyers want to walk around a yard not a land mine.
Spring is finally upon us and the buyers are starting to look, so get that outside area spruced up in a jiffy and remember to be GREEN and CLEAN it looks a lot nicer than brown! (no pun intended)
