Selling Your Home? How To Stage Your Home's Exterior

As with most things in life, the way people go about house hunting has changed in recent years. Once upon a time, driving around different neighborhoods was the only way to get a feel for what was available. Now, most buyers check the internet for listings in their desired locations before contacting a realtor.  If you're selling your home, this can make things a bit easier for you.  You have the opportunity to wow them with photographs of your home's interior and exterior, whetting their appetite for more.  Here's how you can ensure that their first impression of your property is a positive one.

Selling Your Home? How To Stage Your Home's Exterior

Maintain Your Landscaping

If you have a front lawn, it’s absolutely imperative you get it neat and tidy. A yard which has been left to ruin will send a message to buyers that your interior could be the same. Creating a beautiful lawn will take at least one full season, so if yours is in bad shape then it's best to make that your top priority.  If it's the proper season (spring or fall), be sure to aerate the lawn and use a good fertilizer.  Cut the lawn at least 3", and use a natural herbicide like corn gluten.  Water the lawn regularly and deeply; watering on just the surface will do little to help the soil.  For more information on how to grow a lush green lawn, check out this article on Angie's List.

Trim any shrubs, hedges and bushes that are on your property.  Weed and mulch garden beds and plant annuals for aesthetic.  And if there's any debris or miscellaneous items on the front lawn, remove them ASAP.  You live there, sure, but you want potential buyers to envision themselves living there as well.

Freshen Up The Facade

No matter what building material your house is made of--be it wood, stone, siding or shingle--it's essential to power wash the facade. Tough stains and grime can build up over the years, including mold, mildew and lichen. If your home is beyond the help of power washing, you might want to contact someone like Tulsa Renew, who can remove old, outdated building material and replace it with brand new vinyl siding. While it might not sound cost-efficient in the moment, the 89% return on investment should change your mind.  Additionally, siding manufacturers like Certainteed have warranties which transfer from one homeowner to another--a bonus when it comes to reselling.

You May Also Like:

• Does Your Home's Exterior Need A Makeover?  Tips & Tricks For Freshening Up Your Home's Facade
• Tips To Make Your Home More Attractive To Potential Buyers
• Four Ways To Increase Your Home's Value Before Putting It On The Market

​Address Structural Issues

If you have crumbling concrete or wood rot on the exterior of your home, you may want to have a home inspection carried out prior to putting your home on the market.  A reputable home inspector like the Solex Group can give you an idea of what to remedy and how much it may cost, before you list your home.  Not only will fixing structural issues in advance help to sell your house faster, but your home's curb appeal will be that much more attractive.

​Consider Your Windows

It’s also worth considering your windows.  New windows, much like new siding, can return as much as 77.5 percent of their initial cost at resale. While drive-by viewers are unlikely to notice whether or not your windows are new, they'll probably do their best to get a sneak peak.  Make sure to dress them up a little so they are attractive from the curb, and without revealing too much, give potential buyers an idea of your home's decor style. 

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These are just a few ideas for staging your home's exterior.  Would you suggest any others?  Let me know in the comments below!
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