We’ve all heard about the importance of staging your house to impress potential buyers when you’re hoping for a quick sale, but what about staging the yard?  This goes beyond the obvious tasks of cleaning up the yard and tucking in a few bright flower patches. Find out how to effectively stage a yard when your house is for sale. Not only will your house likely sell faster, you’ll also make a potentially greater profit.

Start by covering the basics

Before you can effectively stage the exterior of your home, you need to tackle basic curb-appeal projects. Take the time to:

• Mow the lawn
• Remove all toys and games
• Weed lawns and flower beds
• Plant colorful annuals (assuming the season is warm enough)
• Rake up debris, leaves, and twigs – particularly if you’re selling during autumn

Assess the remaining focal points of your yard

Once your yard is tidied up, take a look around to see what else can be improved. If the yard is already looking better than it has in years, you might want to ask a friend to come over and offer suggestions. Essentially, try to find someone who hasn’t become accustomed to your yard as it currently looks – they’re more likely to see potential areas of improvement.

Below, you’ll find suggestions for further ways to enhance the appearance of your yard.

Spruce up your patio furniture

Whether your patio furniture sits in the back or front of your house, it’s a good idea to make it look like new. After all, a potential buyer isn’t likely to favor a worn appearance in the yard – that creates the risk that your yard will be viewed as worn and old.

If you have wooden patio furniture, consider slapping on a fresh coat of varnish. If the furniture is worn and weathered, take the time to sand down the rough spots before painting with varnish.

Metal patio furniture is also easy to spruce up with a simple can of spray paint. Be sure to clean the surface of the furniture thoroughly before painting – this will ensure a better cling for the paint. And take note:  if you’re going to do a spray-paint job in your front or backyard, be sure to thoroughly cover the ground around your work area so you don’t get spray paint on your grass or concrete.

If you have plastic patio furniture that’s cracked and weathered, you’re better off removing it from the sight of potential buyers.

Finally, consider purchasing chair cushions with bright, merry prints. They’ll liven up your patio furniture and will provide a cheerful atmosphere to your yard.

Fertilize your grass

Weeding and mowing your lawn isn’t always enough to ensure a healthy, green appearance. Plan in advance of your home sale and fertilize your lawn. Depending on the age and health of your lawn, you may need to start by aerating the soil and covering the surface with a special weed killer.

Many local lawn and garden centers offer soil testing that helps you determine exactly what type of fertilizer to apply. Simply bring a sample of your lawn soil into one of these places and then pay heed to the advice they give you. Just note that after applying fertilizer, several weeks may pass before your lawn shows signs of improvement.

Create clean borders

Clean edges and clear separations between lawns, walks, and flower beds are important when staging a yard for a sale.

Consider renting an edging machine from a local home improvement store. Such machines allow you to closely crop any vegetation (and lawn growth in particular) that falls along a sidewalk or driveway border.

You might also invest in inexpensive concrete or stone borders that can be placed between flower beds and lawns. Rocks or picket-plastic borders are also an option. Though your selection will likely depend on cost, make sure to choose something that matches the overall tone and décor of your house.

Stage your deck or patio

If your house includes a deck, balcony, or patio area, give it the same attention you’re giving the rest of your yard. Sand and smooth the wood and sweep up debris. Varnish or paint the area to make it pop. Consider adding a few planters of colorful annuals or tuck in a small, motorized water fountain.

If your deck, balcony, or patio is a favorite place of yours for a certain activity, communicate that to your buyers. For instance, if you and your family enjoy having meals outside on your deck, set a patio table with colorful placemats and picnic-ware to show buyers that the area holds an extra benefit.

Power wash to impress

Your final move in staging your yard should be a thorough power wash for your exterior walls, windows, and drive. This is the most time-effective way to get your house gleaming – just be careful not to strip off any paint or siding during the wash. 

When you’re done, you’ll find that your home’s exterior is fully ready to impress and woo your potential buyers.