OUTDOOR STAGING TIPS: SIMPLE TASK YOU CAN DO EACH SEASON

Regardless of the season, there are some things you can do to make your house appealing to buyers. You want those previewinag homes to be impressed enough to make an appointment, and you want those who just happen to drive by your beautiful home to call their agents and ask them to send them the details and make an appointment. If you are really struggling to find or implement ideas, you may want to consider hiring a stager,
Here are some ways to make that positive first impression.

     First of all, while you should always stage all sides of your home, think about the first part buyers will see if they are driving (or walking ) past your home. Most times it’s the front entry area, but it could be the side. Other times, you may be on a corner and buyers may see both one side and the front of the home. Just pay extra special attention to those areas buyers see first. Remember, you always want to play up your home's positive features and downplay any features that aren't so appealing.

Winter

 

Natural arrangements in nature, like these, don't require any work from you.

Copyright 2007 by Field Outdoor Spaces

• Clear all pathways
  Make sure all walkways, paths, driveways, and parking areas are plowed, shoveled and de-iced. If you must keep sand or salt out in plain view, at least make sure it’s in a decorative container –- not a plastic bin. Not only is this important for safety reasons, it makes the home look more attractive and it allows showings to occur at any time. It also shows buyers that you take good care of the home.
• Add some lighting For security reasons, make sure you have lighting on the main pathway to the front door. If you have a long driveway and live in a rural area, add lights to mark the edges of the driveway.
• If you have a steep driveway, encourage visitors to park on the street (if it’s allowed and safe) and have them walk down the driveway or clear a special path down to the front door from the street. Extra touches like this show buyers you care about their well-being.
• Also consider adding some uplighting to highlight exterior architectural features or trees. Especially when there is snow on the ground, the light looks great as it glistens off the snow.
• Keep exterior lights on, even if you aren’t expecting a showing. 
• Put some interior lights on timers too. Somehow, the lighting makes the house look warm and inviting. 
• Smoke coming from the chimney of a fireplace or wood stove also adds a nice ambiance.
• You can even add basic white lights on porches or decks or even on small bushes or trees. Just make sure they don’t make it look like it’s the holidays (if it’s not) and don’t overdo it.

• Add a sturdy doormat
  Do this both at the exterior of the front door and in the interior. Leave a rubber floor mat for shoes to encourage guests to remove shoes, or offer them plastic foot booties. Both will help keep your house cleaner.
 
Winter arrangements can be just as beautiful as those of spring or summer.
Copyright 2010 by Daryl Mitchess




• Add some pots, hanging baskets, or window boxes.
  Fill them with winter arrangements. You can find tons of ideas by doing a search online. Dress up your mailbox the same way. (See photos above and below.)

 

These outdoor planters look great when they greet buyers at the front door.

Copyright 2007 by Daryl Mitchess 

Spring

 

Nothing says spring like flowers sprouting from bulbs underground.

Copyright 2007 by Field Outdoor Spaces

 

This is when everything comes to life again -– including buyers looking for homes. Use those cold winter nights to prepare your home for those spring showings if you are getting ready to list.

• Remove any traces of winter
  Put away snow shovels, and those bags of salt or sand.
• Remove winter greenery displays.
  Replace pots, baskets, and window box arrangements with spring bloomers.
• Bring the seating out of storage.
  Bring out those benches or chairs you had by the front door or the chairs and side tables you had on the front porch.
• Add some spring bulbs around the mailbox or light posts.
  Buy some vines that are already growing and train them around the mailbox or light post.
 
Adding plants and greenery around mailboxes or lamp posts really dresses them up.
Copyright 2007 by Field Outdoor Spaces


• Spruce up any wood items that faded with the harsh winter weather. Fences, shutters, and other wood items may have lost some paint or acquired some stains.
• Fix any damage that was done to walkways or driveways.
  This can be the result of the winter weather, the freezing and thawing, as well as damage done by plow trucks.
• Start adding a few spring plants here and there.
  You don’t have to do everything at once.
 
The whites and greens look great together, along with some pops of red and yellow.
Copyright 2007 by Field Outdoor Spaces


• Look for ways to add color.
  This can be through plants and foliage, new entry mats, or paint on the deck, shutters, porch, or even window boxes and planters.
• But up bird feeders if you don't have any yet. If you already had some up over the winter, add the seed mixture that attracts those that visit your area this time of year.
• Put that bird bath back outside.
  If you don't have one, consider getting one. They come in a range of styles and prices to fit any budget -- and you can take them with you when you move.
• Put pots and planters back out. If you live in a climate with cold winters, many had to be brought inside, such as those made of terracotta, to prevent cracking.
• Start bringing out patio furniture Clean and repair furniture for your porch, deck, or other outdoor spaces.
• Begin those spring tasks,
  Pick up sticks and other items blown down by winter storms.Start cleaning up planting beds.

Summer

 

Summer calls for bright colors that won't fade under the strong sunlight.

Copyright  2007 by Field Outdoor Spaces

• Replace those spring bloomers.
  Instead, add the more vibrant flower colors of summer. Paler and lighter colors tend to look washed out in the harsh summer sun.
• Make sure you have some shady areas.
  Show buyers that your yard offers some areas to escape from the direct heat of the sun.
• Keep up with yard tasks, including cleaning up after pets.
  Keep the lawn mowed, garden beds mulched, and trees and shrubs trimmed.
• Add some more flowers. Add arrangements in hanging baskets, along with more pots, window boxes, or window seats with planting boxes on the ends.
• Remember to use lighting to make your home look attractive and inviting
  See some of the suggestions for winter, above.
• Make sure you show buyers how to use your outdoor space.
  Set up a table and chairs for eating, another area for lounging, and a grill area for cooking for summer barbecues.
• Water features are another great feature for both spring and summer.
  They provide not only a pleasing sound, but suggest a cooling feeling.   

 

This water feature made with natural stones provides a relaxing sound for buyers. 

Copyright 2007 by Field Outdoor Spaces

• Don’t put out too many knick knacks and tchotchkes.
  They look cluttered and lessen the value of the home.

 

Fall

 

This arrangement has all the elements of fall, without focusing on a specific holiday.

Copyright  2007 Field Outdoor Spaces

• Replace your planters, baskets, and boxes with fall flowers.
  There are still plenty to choose from. Twigs and branches with colored leaves are another great option for fall.

 

This is a great example of a fall arrangement that doesn't use the typical fall items.

Copyright 2007 by Field Outdoor Spaces

• Keep up with leaf raking.
• Make sure walkways and driveways are clean and aren’t covered with leaves.
  This is not only appropriate for aesthetics, but slippery leaves pose a slipping hazard.
• Add fall-themed accents.
  I also recommend to stay away from holiday decorations –- and this goes for any season or holiday -- because that’s too style specific and can offend those that don’t celebrate certain holidays or are turned off by them.
  One example is Halloween. Pumpkins and hay bales, as well as mini gourds are perfectly okay, but stay away from jack-o-lanterns, witches, and ghosts. You may not understand why the potential buyers feel so strongly about a holiday, but why take the chance and offend any buyers? It’s not worth it. (See photo above for a good choice.)
• Add a welcome mat.
  Choose fall colors or motifs, such as pumpkins.

If you are selling in one season, but want to highlight how your home looks in another, make a photo album showing what your home looks like in other seasons. Get buyers to imagine spending future seasons in their new home. You want to tug at those emotional strings.

Show flowers, trees, and wildlife that you see frequently in your area. For example, there was recently a sighting of a snowy owl less than a ¼ mile from where I live. The owl was just hanging out on the roof of one of the apartment buildings. This would be a great picture to print and put in a frame. Again, pull at those emotions.

This final tip goes for purchasing just about anything. We buy with our emotions and our hearts. We later justify our decisions and choices with reason and our heads.