The power of outdoor staging

In the North East, we cherish our outdoor spaces and that elusive south-facing garden is often top spot on a buyer’s wish list. Even if you can’t offer a south-facing sun trap, a compact granite courtyard in the city or a sprawling garden in the shire can be spruced up to work as a powerful sales tool.

We’ve spoken about the 8 second rule before, the time it takes for a prospective buyer to make their first impressions. If the garden is overgrown or the driveway weathered, you’re creating problems before they’ve even seen your beautiful new kitchen.

Here’s how taking a proactive approach to staging and cleaning the exterior of your home, not just in the insides, can add to your final sale price:

Deep clean

A clean exterior suggests a well-maintained home, implying that the “hidden” parts of the property (ie roof, gutters and drains) have also been cared for.

ü  Power-wash the driveway, paths and patio. Remove moss and clean the windows (and frames) until they’re sparkling!

Garden staging

Staging a garden doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, check out MarketPlace for some second-hand garden furniture, pots and planters that makes will make a big difference to your photos and in real life.

✔ Define zones and invite buyers to imagine enjoying their lives in your property – even a small patio can be set with a little bistro set, texture cushions and a tray with two glasses

✔ Add pops of colours with a few seasonal planters near the entrance to create a high-end feel

Curb appeal

Someone once said to us, “think of the front door as the handshake of the home” and it’s stuck with us!

✔ If the paint is fading of peeling on your front door, consider a fresh coat, and make sure any brassware is polished – and the doorbell actually works!

✔ We see so many beautiful looking homes where the first thing a viewer sees are the bins, which kills the vibe. Moving them out of sight, or to a less visible area, makes a world of difference.

Light the way

Although longer nights are coming, it’s worthwhile considering people driving past your home in the dark hours.

✔ Solar path lights or a (working and switched on!) porch light create a sense of warmth and security.

Outdoor staging can seem like a slog if you’ve already spent weeks preparing the inside of your home – and between avoiding rainy days, the heavy-lifting and power-washing, it’s easy to see how it gets left until the last minute!

At EPIC, we can manage the entire transformation on your behalf. From professional garden clearance to lifestyle staging of your patio, we ensure your home makes a solid first impression.

Planning a spring sale? Let’s get your outdoors in shape.

01224 645 500 | epicpropertyservice@gmail.com | LinkedIn