Home buyers will tell their Realtor how many bedrooms and bathrooms they want. They'll talk about square footage and location. And although they may not add it to their wish list, outdoor living space is still important to buyers. 

If the grounds outside your home make it easy for them to imagine a lifestyle they want to step into, you're more likely to see a purchase offer. Making your outdoor features like a porch, patio, balcony, deck, or yard isn't as complicated as staging your indoor spaces.

Here are six ways improving what's outside your home will help sell your home.  

Your online photo looks better

Your home's first photo on MLS online listings and sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com is like your LinkedIn profile shot. People will make a snap judgment about whether they like it or not.  

Professional real estate photographers know how to flatter your home and still represent it honestly. Encourage your Realtor to hire one. And then, be ready for him. Remove clutter and other distractions from around the building. Now's the time to manicure the shrubbery, top dress any beds with mulch, and pressure wash paved surfaces. 

The outside entrance of a home should
include some welcoming and interesting
details. Photo: Atlantic Archives

Buyers value a good neighborhood 

No one wants to own the worst house on the street. And people judge a home (and its owners) by how it looks from the street. Make sure your property comes up to neighborhood standards. 

A home purchase represents a significant, long-term financial investment. For most people, it is the largest asset they will own. They want to feel confident they are making a smart decision. Build their confidence with a well-tended property.

A beautiful lawn influences how buyers perceive the rest of your property. Green grass suggests care and comfort. Surveys indicate that 90% of Americans prefer living in homes surrounded by grass lawns. If your home is in a region where lawn watering is rationed or impractical, use hardscape and zone-appropriate plants to create that cared-for look.

Photo: A lawn needn't encompass the 
entire front expanse of a property. 
Hardscape is part of this landscape.

Children need outdoor time 

Young families will look for homes that are kid-friendly, ones that provide space for children to be outside and engaged. Today's parents are aware of how much screen time their children are getting and how little time they spend outdoors.

A study referenced by Sanford Health reveals that American children average only four to seven minutes a day of unstructured outdoor play. Make your outdoor spaces easy for families to envision how they can reclaim that lost outdoor time.

You don't need to install a sandbox and a swingset to make your point. Simple things like a path of stepping stones, a fountain, a picnic table, or a small table and chairs suggest that children can spend time there safely. A fenced yard is a big plus.

Outdoor entertaining is popular

You'll want your yard to look like a haven for kids but also an oasis for adults. Make sure a porch, terrace, deck, or patio is clean, in good repair, and staged with some comfortable outdoor furniture. 

Depending on the season when your home is listed, a grill, a cornhole game, a badminton set, or a croquet game could be additions that make the point that your yard is a natural for entertaining. Here's how to build a firepit for less than $100. If you have a storage shed on the grounds, let that be part of what makes your home special. 

Landscapes are for relaxing

People purchasing a home are hoping for a better lifestyle, one that gives them time to relax and enjoy their new home. If your outdoor areas are staged right, you'll make it easy for them to imagine how they will spend their leisure time. 

If you have a balcony or porch, don't ignore it when it's time to sell. I've blogged about the value a porch adds and how to stage it.

There's usually room for a small
seating arrangement on most porches. 
Photo: Bria Hammel Interiors.

Consider adding a small private seating area in a corner of your yard. It helps if hedges or a trellis or fencing give it a feeling of enclosure. A windchime or small fountain adds soothing sounds, and a birdbath or birdfeeder introduces a focal point, plus the sounds and sights of nature. If summers are hot where you live, make sure there is a shady place to sit outside and relax.  

Everyone wants a good view  

Do any of the windows in your house have a view that you enjoy? If so, you'll want to show it off with effective staging. Keep window treatments from blocking any desirable views like waterfront, mountains, or an attractive cityscape. 

Photo: A good view from inside can be
close by or distant, natural or planned.  

The value a view adds to a property depends on various things. Buyers may question whether the scenery could change because of future construction or the growth of trees. But an eye-catching view can help your home stand out in the market.  

One deal-breaker for sellers is a view that's unpleasant. It could be something like a next-door neighbor whose backyard -- one that your bedroom window overlooks -- is a junkyard of discarded auto parts and materials he intends to recycle someday! Now's the time to create window treatments that let in light but mask any scenes that aren't an asset to your property. I like cafe curtains for that purpose.    

Get the look, get the book

Elevating an outdoor space with staging isn’t about adding extravagant features. It’s about presenting the yard with purpose. Your staging can make a difference between a showing that’s forgettable and one that sticks in buyers' minds. Make it easy for them to imagine relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying life both inside and outside your home. 

My homestaging eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar will give you all the advice and encouragement you need to do it yourself. Download it now to get started with the kind of staging that's simple, economical, and effective!