Add outdoor touches to help buyers feel at home before they step inside.
Buyers make up their minds quickly about whether a home feels right. So, thoughtfully staging the exterior to make it inviting can help buyers visualize themselves coming home from the first time they walk up to the front door. Even if you don’t offer home staging services, you can share tips with clients on how to make the entrance to their home more appealing.
Declutter the lawn
Give the front yard a deep clean by removing any debris or neglected lawn ornaments. Store toys and lawn care items out of sight. It’s easy for homeowners to stop noticing things like old sprinklers or empty pots, but they can detract from the clear, uncluttered picture you want to present.
Mow and maintain
Keep the lawn mowed and the landscaping neat. You may want to reseed bare patches of grass.
Wash everything
If it can be washed, wash it! Rent a power washer for the sidewalk and driveway. Be more cautious with the front of the home: a garden hose might work well, or even a scrub brush on an extension pole. Wash the windows and clean every hard surface.
Paint the door
A new coat of paint can freshen up the front door. If the trim matches the door color, consider repainting that, too.
Replace hardware and house numbers
New door hardware and house numbers are inexpensive improvements that can help pull together an updated look.
Add flowers
Blooming annuals can give an instant infusion of color and interest to flower beds, planters, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Consider adding flowers anywhere you can, especially near the front door, to draw the eye.
Update light fixtures
Take a close look at porch lights, path lights, and lights near the garage. If any of them seem outdated or worn, replacing them could be worthwhile.
Check the mailbox
At a minimum, the mailbox probably needs to be cleaned. If it isn’t helping the home’s look, give it a fresh coat of paint, add a decorative element, or replace it entirely. And don’t forget that the area around a mailbox often presents landscaping opportunities.
Take a seat or two
There’s something so inviting about a place to sit. Whether it’s a porch swing, rocker, bench, hammock, or Adirondack chair, setting up a place to rest sends a signal of welcome.
Tell a story with color
Would you like potential buyers to see this home as cheerful, elegant, peaceful, or bold? The color palette you choose for your staging can enhance that impression. Choose neutral shades with an accent color or two and weave them throughout. You might try including your colors in a tasteful wreath for the door, an outdoor rug, cushions, or a decorative planter.
Don’t forget to put out the welcome mat
Once you’ve led your visitors to the door, be sure to say welcome with a clean and attractive mat that matches your décor.