Prepping the outside of a property significantly increases the value of your home by 10%-20%, according to real estate experts. With the nice weather outside, many homebuyers will pay 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 look at a few ideas that could help you land a perfect offer.
A Manicured Lawn
One of the first things to do is ensure your lawn is mowed and trimmed correctly. A tidy lawn indicates 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 the most beautiful front yard features you can go for. The sight of flowers never gets boring! However, to avoid high-maintenance flowers, use native plants that grow well in the GTA. Put a few colourful potted plants on the porch for a more versatile look.
A Lounge Area With A BBQ
One of my favourite summer activities is barbecuing with family and friends. Many GTA homebuyers are outdoorsy people who emphasize the outdoor amenities of a house. Setting up a BBQ area in the backyard with a cozy lounge corner on the patio can be the best investment to increase your home's selling potential. If you live in a condo and the building allows BBQs, be sure to add an electric or gas grill to the balcony. Condo buyers usually hope for maximum balcony space utilization, they will be thrilled to see a BBQ corner there.
A Mini Playground
If you have a house with a backyard, your target buyers will most likely be young families. So, to cater to your target audience, you can set up a kids' corner in the backyard with a swing, sandbox, backyard slide or a playset to woo the many parents who often screen listings that fit their kids' needs. Dedicated areas reserved for little ones will instantly draw the desired attention.
The Right Lighting
Besides making us feel safer at night, exterior lighting also gives a unique charm to the outside setting. With plenty of choices for the front and backyard, you can pick from many styles and shapes, ranging from ground LED lighting to romantic lantern light fixtures.
Your home's exterior is almost as important as the interior, and summer is the perfect season to invest in outdoor amenities to attract the most homebuyers. For personalized tips to prepare your home's exterior to attract buyers, contact Martin Group today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does outdoor presentation affect value?
Real estate professionals commonly put the impact at 10% to 20%. In summer, when buyers are actively looking at yards and patios, that gap widens.
What is the simplest outdoor improvement?
A properly mowed and trimmed lawn. It is the first thing a buyer registers on arrival, and it signals that the whole property has been maintained.
What should I plant?
Native plants that thrive in GTA conditions, so the garden looks good without demanding constant attention. A few colourful potted plants on the porch add flexibility without a planting commitment.
Does a BBQ and lounge area help?
Meaningfully. Many GTA buyers value outdoor living, and a defined patio lounge with a BBQ shows them how the space works. In a condo where the building permits it, an electric or gas grill on the balcony demonstrates that the outdoor space is usable.
Should I add a play area for children?
If you have a backyard, your likely buyers are young families. A swing, sandbox, slide or playset makes a backyard read instantly as family-suitable to parents screening listings.
Does exterior lighting matter?
Yes — for safety at dusk and for the character it gives the property. Well-chosen front and backyard lighting extends how the outdoor space is perceived well beyond a daytime showing.
