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Backyard Updates To Attract Buyers This Summer

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 01 June 2016 09:56

It's easy to overlook the backyard in favor of kitchen upgrades and front-porch appeal, but when you're trying to sell your home, you need to spend a little time on the backyard as well. In fact, in a home that otherwise shows well, a backyard can be the deal breaker, or the feature that seals the deal. Whether you're a real estate agent or a homeowner, here are some ideas you can use to spruce up this outdoor living space — without spending a fortune.

1. Create an Outdoor Entertaining Space

Whether it's something simple, like arranging your patio furniture in a more inviting way on your deck, or something more elaborate, like installing an outdoor kitchen, find a way to create an entertaining space in your backyard design. You can use your existing furniture, sprucing it up with spray paint or colorful outdoor cushions.

What can you do if you don't have a deck or patio? Use landscaping to create an entertainment area and put your furniture right on the grass, or you can purchase picnic tables and park benches to create seating in the yard! The key is to give the buyer the idea to use the space as a place to entertain. Also, consider adding permanent seating, as the buyer will view this as an asset in favor of the home. 

2. Add Some Color

Most home sellers will spend some time adding color to their front yards by planting flowers that draw attention to the home, but don't forget to do so in the back as well. If you have flowerbeds or boxes, add some colorful plants to them. This will make your backyard appealing to potential buyers.

3. Consider Privacy

Privacy fencing, particularly around the entertaining area, can be a true asset to the modern buyer. Today's homeowners use outdoor living space like an extension of the home, bringing out everything from a full kitchen to a TV, and they are going to want a measure of privacy as a result. If you don't have the funds to fence the entire yard, you can add a privacy panel around your patio or deck to give the feeling of seclusion, with less expense.

4. Light the Space

Outdoor lighting allows the backyard to be functional even after dark. Whether you add a string of lights around the deck or line your paths with lighting to lead guests through the backyard after dark, the brighter you make the space, the more appealing it becomes. This can also help you showcase the yard to those buyers who have to visit the home after dark and wish to see exactly what you have to offer.

5. Keep the Landscaping Low Maintenance

A beautifully landscaped yard is important, but you must strike a careful balance with this. If you have a green thumb, you can easily go overboard with complicated gardens that your buyer will struggle to maintain. Even if these are beautiful, savvy buyers will recognize the challenge of maintaining them and walk away. Instead, choose low-maintenance landscaping.

Not only does a low-maintenance backyard that looks attractive appeal to a buyer, but it also frees your time so you can focus on other aspects of the home-selling process. To keep the yard low maintenance, consider purchasing perennials that will return year after year, require minimal pruning and grow well in your area. Opt for an automatic watering system as well to ensure the yard always looks great.

Remember, potential buyers have a number of homes to choose from. In order to make yours the one they choose, you have to ensure that it has features that go above and beyond the competition. For many property owners, the backyard provides that space where they can really make their home stand out.

 

About the author:

Jeff Caldwell is Brand Manager of Superior Shelter (srpshelter.com), a company that designs and creates custom outdoor shelters — with products including steel gazebos and pergolas — to solve your outdoor shade needs. Superior Shelter works with landscapers and architects worldwide.

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Jeff Caldwell

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