It’s the middle of the summer in Minnesota, which means if your home is on the market, you’ve got more acreage to keep show-ready: A few points about outdoor staging. First and foremost, it doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. I remain a true believer in less is more, and use what you’ve got to make it work. The point of staging is to give prospective buyers a sense of scale (can I fit my table and chairs there?); to illustrate possibilities (oh, a dining area, a sitting area, a garden); and to sell the space not the stuff (wow, that’s a big yard, the deck is nice…). So hint at what you can’t show…make sure the yard looks great from inside the home as well.
Three quick and easy tips for maximum curb appeal with little to no investment:
Just like inside:
1. Repair, repaint and replace: take special care with the front entrance. This is where prospective buyers are standing (and noticing everything) as their realtor is unlocking the door… there should be no missing or loose bricks, the exterior light should be clean and in working order, the door should be in good condition.
2. Clean, trim and green: the view from the curb is the very first impression prospective buyers will have of your home-it will color how they perceive the interior as well. The goal here is a to show a home that is well maintained and cared for. Shrubs should be trimmed, the grass mowed, the sidewalk swept and gardens weeded.
3. Finally the Punch: one well cared for pot of color, an updated welcome mat, a lawn chair with a pillow, table and chairs… it doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated (simple is always better) but it should be easy, well-maintained and timeless-just like your house!
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