Buyers Judge a Book By Its Cover: How to Turn Your Yard into the Great Outdoors

As true as the old saying “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover” is, many home buyers don’t always heed its advice. So as the region begins to thaw out from another cold winter, the warm weather opens up another area that sellers need to ensure is clean and clutter-free – the yard. Your home deserves a great setting, so consider your outdoor areas a stage to showcase the property.


“The first thing potential buyers will see is the front of your home,” said Fran Broude, president and COO of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “Step into their shoes and see your home from a buyer’s eye. Issues such as flaky paint or overgrown foliage are generally easy to address, inexpensive to repair and will do wonders in making a great first impression.”


Here are a few makeover suggestions to help your outdoor spaces shake the winter blahs and wow prospective buyers:




• Spring clean. Winter weather can wreck havoc on outside features. Repair any loose bricks in walkways and mend loose boards in the deck. Consider power washing concrete patios or steps that may have gotten stained during the winter months by leaves and debris trapped under layers of snow and ice.


• Highlight focal points. Front doors, garden gates, large trees, or a wide front porch are strong focal points for your home. Highlight these exterior gems by trimming trees, adding flowers, or hanging decorative plants. Ask your Realtor for an objective third party opinion on what you should emphasize to really make your front yard shine.


• Work what you’ve got. Showcase your home’s outdoor amenities – whether it’s a front porch, a backyard patio or a child’s play set. Work with your Realtor to stage these areas so that buyers can visualize themselves there. This means tuck the children’s garden toys away, set up an eye-catching outdoor seating area and mow the lawn frequently.