Summer means more focus on outdoor areas of the home, so if you’re listing right now, upgrades can only enhance the appeal of the property.
Here are some suggested improvements that need not cost a fortune and which can be a vital differentiator in the current competitive marketplace:
Outdoor living spaces – Furnishing a deck or patio with comfortable seating immediately suggests to those viewing your home that here’s a place to relax and rewind. A built-in barbecue or outdoor kitchen further enhances the appeal.
Central features – A water feature or fire pit creates a focal point in your backyard that suggests fun family evenings outdoors. In the case of a fire pit, this affords year-round utilization as an entertainment space.
Landscaping – Drought-tolerant, low maintenance landscaping is increasingly important for many buyers who won’t have a great deal of spare time for upkeep and who also might have an eye on sustainability of a yard space. Native plants and gravel pathways also make a worthwhile contribution here.
Let there be light – Evening showings are inevitably more common in summer, so your outdoor lighting must be both functional and inviting. Solar lighting is a great way to sustainably illuminate pathways, for example.
Shade is key – Mature trees, pergolas, retractable awnings and shade sails over patios and decks help to create a cooler setting that is bound to impress virtually any potential buyer.
Stay connected – Making sure your WI-FI coverage extends to outdoor areas suggests to buyers that it’s a good space for both work and play.
We hope at least some of these suggestions are helpful to you. Please don’t hesitate to contact Jim if you’d like more specific home staging advice – 415-492-0100.
