Do I have to clean up my Front Yard???.... Won't my House sell anyway???

"Do I have to clean up my Front Yard???..... Won't my House sell anyway???"

As Home Stager's there have been times when we were called in to Stage a Home that the minute we drove up to the House we knew the first thing that needed to be done!!! The FRONT YARD needed a makeover if any potenital buyers where going to walk through the front door!!! Buyers only know what they see... not the way it's suppose to be.

You might ask where do I begin? Here is a checklist from HomeGain. Each year HomeGain does an indepentant study to show Homeowner's the top 10 D-I-Y Home Improvements projects. Landscaping came is as #4 on the 2011 Top 10 Home Improvements that resulted in the greatest (ROI) return on investment.

Landscaping

• Average Investment $540.00
  
• Home Price Increase $1,932.00
  
• (ROI) Return on Investment 258%
  
• Recommanded 93%

With 90% of Homebuyers looking online to purchase a home photos of both the outside and inside of the home can make or break a decision as to a potential buyer even wanting to preview a home.

Here is a checklist (also provided on the HomeGain website) of tips that will improve your curb appeal.

• Mow, trim, fertilze and hydrate the lawn
• Edge the lawn and secure fences
• Remove dead or dying plants and flowers
• Thoroughly weed flowerbeds
• Power wash the front walkways & deck
• Prune trees and bushes
• Rake fallen leaves
  
• Weed and fertilize the garden
  
• Keep firewood neatly stacked
• Keep trash area clean and organized
• Keep walks, steps and driveway obstacle-free
• Remove signs such as "Beware of Dog"
• Replace welcome mat at the door
• Romove moss and weeds from walkways and driveway
• Add colorful plants or flowers near front door and porch area
• If views are obstructed by overgrowth, restore views by trimming trees and bushes.
• If you have an awning for the patio, make sure that it is also free of debris and that there are no tears or worn material. Replace if necessary.

Below you can see two examples of our Home Staging Front Yard transformations, that resulted in a quick sale for both homeowners. By looking at the examples, reading over the checklist and seeing the percentage of ROI (Return on Investment), can you afford not to clean up and improve the look of your front yard??

Front Yard #1 - Before Home Staging

Front Yard #1 - After Home Staging

Front Door #1 - Before Home Staging

Front Door #1 - After Home Staging - What a little paint can do to the look of the Front Door!

Front yard #1 - Before Home Staging

Front Yard #1 - After Home Staging

Front Door #2 Before Home Staging - Be sure to clear all debris from Front Porch and any plant overgrowth

Front Door #2 - After Home Staging - Lighten up the Porch by cutting back the plant overgrowth

Front Yard #2- Before Home Staging

Front Yard #2- After Home Staging

Front Yard #2 - After Home Staging

Front Yard #2 - After Home Staging

"You never get a second chance ..... to make a Great First Impression!"

Linda D. Pufford, ASPM, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional MASTER

707.217.0817

Serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area