Spruce Up Your Backyard, Spruce Up Your Home’s Value
A big mistake many Home Sellers make is thinking they only need to make the front of a house & the inside look appealing because it’s what everyone sees first. They think, “The unkempt backyard isn’t that unattractive. It’s fine.” What we often forget is that outdoor living is just as important to indoor living to many Americans.
If you’re looking to get the maximum possible value from your property in Southwest Florida, then you need to give your backyard some love. Here are 5 tips that are essential to help raise your home’s value!
Landscaping
Having overgrown bushes and trees can obscure windows, therefore darkening the interior. They can also make it difficult for Buyers to get a good look at the house. Most Buyers don’t want to do a bunch of work on their new house, let alone the backyard. They want “move-in ready”. You put in the work, and you will profit from it, too! Trimming the hedges, bushes, trees, mowing the lawn, cleaning up yard debris, & planting a few regional-appropriate flowers will add some serious curb appeal!
Be Thrifty
Let’s be honest, many of us appreciate outdoor living but we don’t want to spend a fortune to pay for it. A high-maintenance house could be a turn-off to a potential buyer. Not to mention, you the Seller may not want to spend a bunch of time & money on landscaping. So, figure out your budget first & foremost.
You can keep it simple & budget friendly by not going for high-cost landscaping because you could end up losing money and doing the majority of the work yourself. Basic landscaping (like mowing, cleaning up your lawn’s edges, etc.) can be pretty affordable: $200-$500 but you could save that by doing it yourself.
A Place to Gather
It’s no secret that backyards are a place for people to “hang” – BBQ’s, morning coffees, playing with pets, relaxing, etc. so there should be a designated place, like a patio or deck for people to chill. If you’re working on a budget, you can put down some pavers to place patio furniture on for entertaining. You may want to make space for a BBQ area.
A nice backyard can inspire imagination. The more that buyers can picture themselves living there, the more the chances you are in selling your house for top value!
Time To Shine
Landscape Lighting, also known as Backyard Lighting, is a great way to add appeal to your backyard. LED (light emitting diode technology) has never been more affordable or accessible and uses up to 80% less energy than incandescent or halogen lights. You can get your lighting solar powered, making installation & maintenance a breeze.
Use them to brighten up gathering areas, pathways, and to ward off potential burglars. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to brighten up your backyard and turn into the oasis it was meant to be! Your buyers will see your property in a whole new “light”!
Add a Fence
If you’ve got one and it’s in good condition, you don’t have to worry about this. If you don’t have one, this is one way to really bolster your home’s value. Everyone likes privacy and having a good, solid fence provides that. It’s as simple as that! Many Buyers look to see if the backyard has a fence.
If you have a fence but it isn’t in great condition, consider making repairs and painting it. Or planting some bushes/trees in front of it (if possible).
Conclusion
Everything is contingent on your budget. So, remember to plan accordingly! What can you realistically afford? What can you do yourself? Whatever it is, we know that sprucing up your backyard is one way you can make your house in Southwest Florida more appealing. Good luck!
