Styling Outdoor Space Sale
It’s peak season for real estate with many choosing to take full advantage of the Spring weather in selling their home. As outdoor spaces are becoming increasingly more valuable, perfecting your styling is one of the most effective ways to maximise your property’s value.
We speak to Prue McLaughlin director of Kay & Burton who shares her tips on how you can inspire prospective buyers with a well-styled outdoor space.
Show off your best assets
Every property will have at least one standout feature of the garden. It could be a well-equipped outdoor entertaining area, a tennis court, croquet lawn, vegetable patch or a beautiful pool. Prue says it’s important to “create the feeling of living outdoors in these areas”.
By simply putting up your umbrellas, setting up your bocce court or styling with sun lounges beside the pool you can show off your outdoor amenities to buyers.
“You want to make the buyer feel they can jump right in and pick up where you left off”.
Create a great first impression
Buyers will be making notes the minute they arrive at your front gate, so creating a great first impression is vital. Update your house numbers or letterbox and give your gates a fresh lick of paint to enhance your street presence.
“Don’t forget to dress your driveway” says Prue. “Where there is a gravel driveway, lay fresh gravel and fill in any pot holes. Give your stone driveway a good clean, remove any mould or excess dirt. Dressing your driveway is like putting a fresh doona cover on a bed.”
Enhance the indoor/outdoor living
It’s no secret, Australians love indoor/outdoor living making homes that open up onto the outdoors highly desirable. A big mistake vendors make is not drawing enough attention to this feature.
“If your home is designed for outdoor entertaining, open your doors up. Have a large kitchen that faces the garden? Open it up to make the most of the view. Don’t rely on buyers visualising how they can use the space, show them!”
Clean up your junk
The saying ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ doesn’t apply when it comes to selling your home. You may think it’s obvious to clean up your property and declutter, but you’d be surprised at how many sellers don’t take the presentation of their outdoor space seriously.
Prue says clearing out disused children’s toys, old furniture and garden equipment is paramount. “Even give your garden sheds a good tidy, making sure gardening equipment is all stored away neatly.”
“Clean or sandblast your decking or pavers to get rid of any mould that’s built up over the winter” says Prue. “Same goes for the exterior of your home. Wash it down, remove any spider webs and give your entire outdoor space a deep clean.”
Get gardening
An overgrown garden with unsightly gaps is going to make the buyers feel your outdoor space is unloved. Replace any plants that are dying or already dead, and fill in any gaps. Finishing your garden beds off with a fresh layer of mulch will not only improve your outdoor space visually, but also keep the weeds under control during your sales campaign.
“If you have a view, prune your trees or hedges to maximise your outlook. Equally, if you have a courtyard space, ensure you have privacy and are looking at greenery rather than perimeter walling”, says Prue.
Feature pots are also a great way to add interest to the garden and increase your greenery, Prue explains.
Styling quick fixes
Pay close attention to the details and style the garden in a way that help the buyer visual themselves living in your outdoor space.
“New outdoor cushions are an inexpensive way to create a visual impact”, explains Prue. “Replace covers on seat cushions that are stained or mouldy, and mix old furniture pieces with new so that it looks lived in, but cared for.”
Prue says a big mistake she sellers make time and time again is over styling. “Cheese boards, wine glasses, ice buckets are all too forced. I appreciate the effort they’ve taken, but subtle styling works much better in both the photos and viewings” says Prue.
