Lancaster & Morecambe 01524 843322
Posted on Wednesday, May 8, 2024
To me, it doesn't matter if you have a small backyard or the luxury of a large garden. You need to be the best in your category. You need to be better than your competition. External presentation is key.
Let's start with the basics.
Stand back. Take a look at your front door. Take a look at your neighbour's front doors. Is your door UPVC or is it a wooden door? If it’s UPVC does it need a good clean? If it’s wooden does it need painting? Look at your door furniture. Would it benefit from a quick polish? If not you should even possibly consider replacing it. It won't cost you that much.
How do your window frames look? How about the glass? Sometimes a good wash down or quick paint can work wonders. Remember it’s all about kerb appeal.
Now you might be thinking this is overkill but believe me, many buyers stand back and look at these. If they are plastic give them a good wipe. Maybe use a back to black spray. Are they looking a bit rusty? Look at using metal paint to give them a nice finish. If it means hiring a decorator, it will be worth the investment. Check your guttering. Do you have grass growing out of your gutters? Ask the window cleaner to give them a good cleanout.
That’s the boring stuff out of the way. Now let's look at the garden
If you are fortunate enough to have a front forecourt or garden, you really can make your home stand out from the rest. You need to get pruning, de-weeding, and buy some colourful plants. Add some much-needed colour. Paint the garden fence. Paint the garden gate. Hang the hanging basket or buy a nice modern tub to stand next to your front door. Basically, you are creating a welcoming feel and making your home look better than the neighbours. This is not about keeping up with The Jones, it’s about getting ahead of them!
How does your rear garden look? Is it full of the kid's toys? Has the dog half-destroyed it? Take a harsh look at your planted borders and the condition of your garden fence. Does your patio need a power wash? Could your decking benefit from a fresh lick of stain?
Imagine you were inviting friends, family and colleagues over for a 40th Birthday Party. I say this because my friend is. He is now on annual leave. Guess what he’s doing. He’s weeding, he’s strimming, he's staining his decking. The kid's toys will get neatened away. He’s creating an area where the kids can play. He’s making sure there’s an area where the adults can sit, relax and enjoy his barbecue. He’s shifting his garden around so we all say… nice garden Paul. He’s been out buying new colourful plants. His garden will look great. Make yours look great too. Buyers like a garden, especially in the summer months. Through experience on viewings, buyers can spend as long in the garden as they can in the house itself!
I sell lots of houses with backyards. Please believe me when I say dressing your backyard can make a difference. Even if it’s only small. We can all do something. We can make the most of the space we have.
I also recommend power washing. Give the yard a good scrub. It will look fresher straightaway. How do your fencing or boundary walls look? Often painting walls white will brighten your outside space and often make it appear larger.
Now you have done the basics you need to inject some colour. Buy some pots and fill them with colourful plants or if you have the space create a raised flower bed. Make the most of your kitchen window sill and create a small herb garden. If you have a garden shed you could be creative and add colour by painting it, but keep it tasteful.
Finally, I recommend creating an area to sit out. Even in a small yard, you can add a bistro table for two or a bench. It's all about showing that there is enough space to sit out and relax. On a nice sunny day, pull the barbecue out. It’s also about creating a lifestyle that the new owner can enjoy.
If you would like some advice on how to make the most of your outside space to help sell your home, please ask us. At JDG we are here to help
