Some of the big advantages when selling your home in the summer are a) it is a busy season, so many homebuyers will be looking for a home, and b) you can make use of your outdoors more than during any other time of the year.
Prepping the outside of a home increases significantly the value of your home, 10%-20% according to real estate experts. With the nice weather outside, many homebuyers will be paying more attention to the outdoor amenities a home comes with. Features like an outdoor chill area, a nice lawn or a charming backyard can all contribute to a more successful sale, so let’s take a look at a few ideas that could help you land a perfect offer.
A manicured lawn
One of the first things to do is to make sure your lawn is mowed and trimmed properly. A tidy and neat lawn indicate that the home is cared for and well-maintained. It is one of the first things homebuyers notice when they show up for a visit.
A nice flower garden
Flower gardens are one of the most classic but also one of the most beautiful front yard features you can go for. The sight of flowers simply never gets boring! However, to avoid high-maintenance flowers, go with native plants that grow well in your area. For a more versatile look, put a few colourful potted plants on the porch.
A lounge area with a BBQ
One of the favourite summer activities is barbecuing with family and friends and many GTA homebuyers are outdoorsy people who put great emphasis on the outdoor amenities of a home. Setting up a BBQ area in the backyard with a cozy lounge corner on the patio is probably the best investment you can make to increase your home’s selling potential. If you live in a condo, though, you can add an electric or gas grill to the balcony. Condo buyers are usually hoping for maximum utilization of balcony space, so they will be most probably thrilled to see a BBQ corner there.
A mini playground
If you have a house with a backyard, your target buyers are most likely to be young families. So, to cater to your target audience, you can set up a kids’ corner in the backyard with a swing or two, a backyard slide or a playset to woo the many parents who often screen listings that fit their kids’ needs. Dedicated areas reserved just for the little ones will instantly draw the desired attention.
The right lighting
Besides making us feel safer at night, exterior lighting also gives a special charm to the whole outside setting. With plenty of choices nowadays available for the front and backyard, you will be able to pick from the many styles and shapes, ranging from ground LED lighting to romantic lantern light fixtures.
The exterior of the home has become almost as important as the interior, and summer is the perfect season to make use of and invest in outdoor amenities to attract the most homebuyers. For more tips on home showing, click here.
For more information on GTA properties, listings and the GTA real estate market, make sure to contact us here.
When it comes to new subdivisions, we give up the mature neighbourhood feel we get in places where trees stretch out and form a green canopy over the street. We exchange this for the convenience of a newly built home in the suburbs with our choice of lot and floor plan, no repairs, and the thrill of being part of a growing community.
However, we frequently overlook the fact that even the most established neighbourhoods today were once brand new. Therefore, we must start like all the older generations and plant trees for our new homes!
So, What Can We Do?
The first step in creating or rebuilding a green canopy is to plant trees where possible on individual lots. It does take time, but not nearly as much time as you might think.
Aside from planting trees, landscaping your yard will help it look more established and comfortable. This will give your garden form and structure, as well as frame the front of your house, and they'll add beauty now and, in the years, to follow. There is an old saying, “the person who plants a tree knowing they will not see its maturity, understands the meaning of life."
Important Tip:
Plant in the fall. Most garden centres cut prices in the fall. You can either save money or get a much more mature tree for the same money. Really a win/win/win. For you, your neighbours, and the planet.
So, let's start planting trees in our newer neighbourhoods! This will not only help the environment, but it will also reward you when it is time to sell!
Contact The Martin Group today for more information, or to find you the right home with beautiful and plentiful trees.
