Spring is an excellent time to get your home’s exterior façade and outdoor spaces in peak condition. After the cold winter months the outdoor spaces tend to look worn down and dirty without proper attention. As you prepare to list your home, pay close attention to your exteriors as buyers will inspect and judge your outdoor areas as much as the interiors. Buyers form an opinion of your total property the moment they arrive, so don’t let the exterior give a bad first impression.

our top pre-sale tips for your exterior spaces:

POWER WASH EXTERIOR SURFACES

If you don’t own a power washer we recommend that you rent or borrow the tool to wash away the dirt, mildew, and grime build-up on siding, windows, sidewalks, and other exterior surfaces. Not only will the outdoor surfaces dramatically improve, but the clean windows will allow more light into the home and brighten your indoor spaces as well.

COMPLETE ALL MINOR REPAIRS

It’s important to buyers that both the home’s interior and exterior be in good working order. Potential buyers are mentally adding up the costs to address the necessary repairs as they tour the home, so complete minor exterior repairs before listing. This includes paint touch ups, cleaning out and securing gutters, replacing any ripped window screens and straightening crooked shutters. Exterior lights should also be replaced matching bulbs and to the extent any light fixtures are broken or dated, we suggest replacing the fixture with a updated fixture with simple, clean lines.

CLEAN UP LANDSCAPING

Wow your buyers with an impeccable lawn and landscaping. Block a day to clean up your landscaping by weeding, removing leaves and other debris, trimming and shaping hedges, and cutting the grass. We recommend that you invest in a new layer of mulch, as well as add some pops of color in planters near the front entry. If your home will be vacant while it’s on the market, be sure to keep up with the mowing and landscaping regularly, particularly in advance of open houses and showings.

STORE AWAY TOYS, TOOLS AND GEAR

The longer you are in a home the more stuff you accumulate, both inside and outside. We recommend that you pack away any outdoor clutter, including extra furniture, toys and yard tools, by storing them (neatly!) in your garage or basement. Strive for an outdoor space that is totally clean and clear, with the exception of outdoor furniture.

WIPE DOWN FURNITURE AND/OR REPLACE CUSHIONS

Without proper care, outdoor furniture takes quite a beating during the winter months. Thoroughly clean your outdoor furniture and apply paint touch up’s as necessary to address any chipped or fading paint. If the furniture cushions are faded or worn, we recommend that you replace with new cushions, which are inexpensive and readily available.

Should your budget allow, it’s a great idea to create an outdoor space that feels like an extension to the home’s interior. Whether it be an outdoor dining set up or some casual seating, buyers will view the space as a bonus area to enjoy and entertain. Below are some fun outdoor area rugs to help create that outdoor oasis.