Summertime Staging-- The Essentials

Monday, June 23, 2025

It's summer, and people like to spend time outdoors. Do you want to knock the socks sandals off home buyers when they see what your outdoor spaces offer?

We hear a lot about curb appeal, but let's take a moment to consider backyard appeal. Here's a list of the essentials and some special add-ons that raise the rating for your backyard spaces.  

Places to sit

Creating an outdoor
seating area doesn't
require new or 
expensive furniture.
Photo: Apartment Therapy

An outdoor space needs at least one level area for seating. If you don't have a flat, solid surface like a porch or patio, look for a spot of level ground where you can stage some seats. Seating areas create the illusion of extra square footage. Chairs need not be pricey or plentiful. 

A comfortable outdoor seating arrangement can especially be a draw for people working from home, parents of small children, and young adults who want to entertain more at home. 

Note: It pays to rent a pressure washer if your deck, patio, porch, or walkways need a refresh.    

Cooking area 

An outdoor kitchen with a grill, sink, and maybe a small fridge is bound to add value to your home. 

Even a fire pit, portable grill, or existing fireplace gives people the idea that they can gather, entertain, or prepare food outdoors. Just sitting around any fire is cozy, and buyers know this. Consider the ways you could tap into the power of fire in your backyard space.  

Adding a chiminea to your yard creates an 
instant focal point. Photo: USNews 

Some privacy

This one is a biggie for me, and for most of us. Whether relaxing, playing, or entertaining, it feels good to escape to your own yard's privacy.  

If you have nearby neighbors and there is no landscaping to enclose your yard, there are other options. A screened porch is ideal, so if you have one, make sure it is staged to look inviting. 

Privacy screens around a patio or deck are one possible way to create instant privacy. It could be worth it to add a fence to all or some of your yard, especially if your neighbors' backyards are not as attractive as yours. And, don't ignore the potential that even a small side yard offers as a slice of privacy.  

Here's an example of a side yard that 
didn't go to waste. A path, some plants, lights,
and a table were all it took to suggest a hideaway. 

Water feature

A water feature is always both relaxing and refreshing. While not for everyone, a well-maintained pool in the backyard can be a huge selling point, even an item on the must-have list for many buyers,  especially in warmer climates.

If you already have an above-ground pool, keep it clean and enclosed as a safety feature. If the market for your home is families, a splash pad can be a perk, especially one landscaped into your yard. Another water feature that many buyers like is a hot tub, as long as it is in good condition and sparkling clean. 

Don't forget the charm of a simple, bubbling, outdoor fountain.    

A solar fountain will keep
birds interested, adding life to
your yard. Photo: Navlovesm

Cool spots

Many parts of the US are so warm during the summer months that outdoor living is not a priority. But spring and autumn could be ideal. For warmer areas, shaded spaces and a way to create a breeze will remind people on tour that pleasant outdoor living is still possible. Just the sound of an overhead fan is relaxing, so turn it on when there's a home tour. 

If shade is scarce in your seating area,
an umbrella could solve that problem.
Photo: PhiVilla 

Greenery and flowers

No outdoor landscape is complete without some living plants. Even if your tiny urban terrace has no room for potted shrubbery, containers of colorful flowers or fragrant herbs will make it memorable to people touring your property. 

Choose annuals over perennials to guarantee plenty of continuous color through the summer months. Use large containers that don't dry out too quickly. You can put a sprinkler on a timer to make it easy to keep them hydrated and happy. Use a fertilizer that promises blooms.    

I've written about the advantages of growing an herb garden as part of your landscape. 

Choose flowering annuals that 
will last the season in your area.
Follow the "thrill, fill, spill formula."
Photo: NYTimes

Get the look, get the book

If you are staging your home. I want to hold your hand. You'll benefit from all the easy, economical tips and techniques for decluttering, cleaning, and staging that I've compiled in my eBook, DIY HomeStaging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar.  Don't leave without downloading it!

Top Photo: Monica Wants It

Read more »

DIY Homestaging -- What Can Go Wrong?

Thursday, June 05, 2025

Three cheers for you if you've decided to stage your own home for the real estate marrket. 

There are plenty of good reasons to stage your own house instead of hiring a professional homestaging company. I've written about the advantages of DIY staging over professional staging.

But some people struggle with staging their own home. If that sounds like you, let's review seven problems common to people who don't stage homes on a daily basis and see what solutions are available.     

1. Emotional attachment

If you are struggling with guessing what buyers prefer to see as decor instead of what you like,  you're not alone. While there's no accounting for taste, some guidelines do exist. 

For example, professional stagers and real estate agents strongly suggest removing things like family photos, certificates and awards, political and religious items, things like a collection of memorabilia, wall posters of sports teams or celebrities, abundant refrigerator magnets, or anything else too personal or distracting.

It's not goodbye to some of your favorite possessions. They're just taking a vacation from being on display. Find places to store these things, like pretty boxes on high closet shelves, or in plastic bins under a bed.

Stage so people are envious of your
lifestyle. Photo: James Nathan Schroder

Choose colors and accessories that anyone
could like. Photo: Lauren Leonard 

Simple decor is non-distracting. Don't shun 
neutral colors and simple accessories.   

2. Limited budget

No one wants to waste money. But since staging a home can increase its sale value by as much as 30%, purchasing some services or items can pay for themselves. 

Here are three ways to help handle the expense of staging. 

If you are replacing things like older towels, throw pillows, blankets, or curtains, buy from big-box and discount stores. Discount stores and thrift stores can also be places to source wall art, mirrors, and lamps that your home is calling out for. 

Use what you have. Look around your home for furnishings that are not being used at all or not being used creatively. Are there quilts forgotten in a chest? A mirror in the attic? Vintage baskets in the garden shed or garage?  

Borrow from family or friends. If there is a coffee table or side chair you know would look stunning in your home, ask to borrow it. Does a friend have a large fake plant she'll loan to you? 

It's time to get imaginative with sources, and don't be afraid to give yourself a realistic budget. Remember that you are saving the money you would pay for a professional staging service.  

Thrift stores are treasure houses of inexpensive furniture 
perfect for staging a home on the market. Just be choosy. 

             

3. Not being objective

"I don't know where to start," is a common expression when people decide it's time to move. I always advise a seller to consult with a Realtor before making any changes. 

An experienced, local real estate agent will help you understand the current market so you don't overdo your staging or skimp on staging. She'll also know how to market your home, letting buyers know that home improvements were done by professional builders instead of "homeowner projects" that might not pass code. And she'll know to advertise your major improvements like soundproof windows as  "upgrades," not just "repairs." 

Don't be offended if your listing agent or a good friend points out flaws or clutter you may not notice because you're used to seeing them. This is not a time to be sentimental or casual about how your home looks to other people.  

4. Limited time

Prepping a home for sale takes time. You'll need to manage it so that everything gets done but you don't sacrifice your sanity. Start with a master plan -- a list of what decluttering, cleaning, and repairs need to be done. Group similar tasks. It helps to set deadlines and block out short periods of time. "Today I will spend one hour organizing the laundry room." 

If what needs to be done seems daunting, boost your confidence by recalling all the skills that you have learned during your lifetime that will help you stage your home. Get help when you need it, such as hiring a carpet cleaning service or someone to pressure wash the driveway.     

5. No "decor sense"

Don't sell yourself short. You've lived in your home and you know what makes you happy about it. Focus on what you like to look at and what others have admired. Then, simplify it and keep it clean.     

I've written about the ways that you can train your eye to distinguish good decor from what looks cheap or distracting.  By doing so, you can predict how people touring your home will judge your rooms. 

If you need tips about arranging furniture, I've written an eBook on that.   

I've also written about how you can choose color palettes that flatter and coordinate with your existing features like those handsome bathroom vanities or those beautiful granite countertops you love! 

Simple furnishings are best. Oversized vases
and artwork are your friends. Photo: Banner Day

6. No storage space

Decluttering often means removing things like excess furniture, sporting equipment, or off-season clothing. Where do you put the things that good staging says should not be taking up space or are distracting? The answer can be off-site storage. 

You're probably familiar with the adage, "It takes money to make money." If you are tightening the purse strings, now's the time to remind yourself that staged homes sell for more money than unstaged homes. They also sell 73% faster, and every day your home remains unsold costs you money in insurance, taxes, utilities, upkeep, and perhaps mortgage payments. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to using a 
storage and moving system like PODS. 

So, don't look at storage fees as wasted money. It's a bettrer system than storing boxes full of stuff in a corner of an unused bedroom or the garage, which gives the message that you are anxious to move and that you might accept a lower offer. If you have necessary belongings that are visible but don't add perceived value to your property, it will pay you to put them in temporary storage. 

7. Not a photographer

Today's home buyers begin their search online, so photos are what makes them decide which way to swipe. Most homeowners and real estate agents do not have the training, experience, and photography equipment to deliver a professional portfolio of photos for your listing. 

If you have ever been present to watch a real estate photographer shoot a home for a listing, you know that there is no comparison between what he does and what even someone who takes good pictures with her cell phone can do. The pro will have the experience and equipment to make sure the lighting is evenly distributed, that the angles are accurate and not distorted, that the colors are true and flattering.

The pro might offer you other services to help sell your property, like drone shots and virtual tours. Your Realtor will know what your competition is doing in the way of photos, but you can educate yourself by searching online for homes in your market. 

Get the look, get the book

Be sure to check my other posts about solving the problems common to DIY homestagers, like this roundup of the pros and cons of staging your own home versus hiring a professional. 

And don't leave without downloading my 155-page eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar. It's guaranteed to be your bible for improving the value of your home on the market. 

Read more »

Rate Your Home with This Quiz

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Today's buyers can be choosy. Perhaps they've watched too many home makeovers on TV. Or perhaps they've saved money for years, waiting for the right time to buy their dream home. 

Is your home someone's dream home? 

Here's your list of today's most in-demand features that attract serious buyers. The more of these upgrades you can claim, the higher your score, the faster your home will sell, and the more money you'll see.     

Move-in ready

Not many people are shopping for a house that's been neglected. Most home buyers are looking for a problem-free home so they can move in directly from their previous residence. Older buyers have been down that road already. And Millennials are busy with careers and family. 

A home that looks like a DIY project  -- things like outdated appliances and paint colors, problem plumbing, a damp basement, insufficient electrical or HVAC systems, an old roof -- will attract investors or flippers who will offer you a rock bottom price. 

Staging will make your home look like a well-tended property, but you still need to fix problems that will get a black mark from a home inspector. 

Give yourself 5 points if your appliances are new-ish and convey with the property. Add 5 more if your roof is less than 5 years old, and 5 more points if your wall paint colors are neutrals in all the rooms. Add 5 more if all your plumbing is PEX, another 5 if your HVAC system is problem-free, quiet, and efficient. 

The roof of some homes takes up lots of 
space in a MLS listing photo. 
Does your roof look this good? 

Contemporary technology 

Up-to-date technology impresses buyers. They may be comparing your property to newer ones, houses that have more than just smart doorbells. 

Newer technology makes even an older home look like it is keeping up. 

Score yourself 5 points for each of these upgrades: a security system that adjusts things like lighting and interior tempertures (especially if voice-controlled), triple pane windows, a built-in electric vehicle charging station, eco-friendly water treatment, and air quality modifiers and purifiers. Extra credit for any solar energy panels or passive solar features, or micro-wind turbines.       

Outdoor living space

Americans are rediscovering the pleasures of spending time at home. Rather than go out , many would prefer to stay in for recreation and exercise, religious pursuits like meditation or prayer, eating and drinking, gardening and other hobbies, socializing and entertaining, reading and watching movies, and working from home. 

You'll be ahead of the competition if your home offers opportunities to enjoy these activites. Give yourself 5 points for a patio, porch, or deck. Add another 5 points for a family or play room, and another 5 for a home office. Add another 5 for a firepit, hammock, or outdoor seating, and another 5 for a swimming pool that's easy to maintain, such as using CO2 for pH stabilization.      

Storage capacity

Given the growing popularity of off-site storage facilities, it's obvious that most Americans have more belongings than they have the space for. If your house has storage space like an easily accessible attic, an oversized garage, a separate garden shed, a walk-in pantry, a designated laundry room, or generous closets, make sure your Realtor includes these features in your listing. Give your home 5 points for each of these storage features. 

Remember that storage areas like laundry rooms, garages, closets and she-sheds can be staged to make them look organized and inviting. 

Sometimes you can locate spaces for 
everyday storage in an entryway or hall.
Photo: Crate and Barrel

If an attic, crawl space, or other storage areas show signs where wildlife has entered and done damage that needs to be remedied. Droppings from mice, rats, bats, squirrels, and other animals pose serious health hazards and can damage your property, so make sure you've remedied any infestation. 

This garage makeover from My 100 Year Old Home gave 
the owners a recreation, laundry and storage room. 

Flexibility

Some buyers want an open floor plan, but some want the traditional one. What's more important is that your rooms can function in different ways. Of course, kitchen and baths will serve one main function. But even a kitchen can be a family's primary eating room. And a bath can be staged as a spa-like space. 

One example of a flex room is a basement that's staged as a craft room, media room, or workout space. Another is a dining room that is staged as a game room and library. 

Sometimes, a wide hallway, utility room, or stair landing can be staged with cabinetry as a storage spot. A bedroom can be staged as a home office. 

If an office in your home has a daybed as well,  it can be listed as a bedroom if it meets certain other requirements. 

Give yourself 5 points for each room in your house that is staged to show it serves more than one purpose, as long as it meets the legal standards.   

Get the look, get the book

How did your house rate for having special qualities that buyers respond to? If your score is over 100, chances are it will easily become someone's dream home soon! 

If you want to improve your chances of a quicker, more profitable sale, download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips To Sell Your Home Fast And For Top Dollar. You'll get all the tips and methods you need to make your home the one that buyers want. I've spent decades in real estate --  buying, rehabbing, staging, and selling-- and I want to share what I've learned with you.  

Read more »

Staging a Nursery

Thursday, May 01, 2025

Once you list your home, you never know who will buy it. Unless your Realtor says the market for your home is a certain demographic, it's always best to stage so anyone could fall in love with it. 

If you and your Realtor agree that your target market is young families, and you are currently using one bedroom as a nursery, here are some tips to make it buyer-friendly.            

Choose pastels  

As with any staging project, selecting a color palette is the best first step. 

I've blogged about pastels being a good choice for staging. I always endorse a cohesive color scheme throughout the house, even the exact same color paint on walls in all rooms. It's more economical, lets professional painters work more efficiently, and helps a house feel larger. 

Pale versions of blue, cream, green, and coral are good choices for most rooms, and they work well in a nursery. 

Colors to avoid are vivid ones like reds, purples, deep greys, and dark greens. I've blogged about my easy and foolproof method to choose a paint color.    

I would avoid painting a baby's room what many buyers would consider a "baby color" or a gender specific color, such as a pink or blue that you would not like in all the other rooms. 

A room designed for a baby can still strike a
neutral tone, the way this room suggests 
various uses. Photo: New Crown Interiors

Stage for any use 

Since many buyers are either childless or have older children, it's not to a seller's advantage to stage one bedroom specifically as a nursery unless there are four or five bedrooms in the house. If you have a three-bedroom condo with a den, consider staging one of these rooms as a nursery or children's room. 

If you are using one room in your present home already as a nursery, you'll have a crib and changing table, and possibly a rocking chair in the room. Declutter, and then try to minimize non-essentials. Then you can add pieces that hint at other uses for the room, like a desk or treadmill or daybed. 

But make it easy for buyers to envision the room as a regular bedroom, office, or playroom.

Just because it's a baby's room doesn't mean you
can't stage with sophisticated pieces like this 
elaborate antique dresser. Photo: Monica Benevidez

Decorate for grown-ups 

It's never a good idea, for safety's sake, to announce the names or ages or activities of your children when a home is on the market. Besides removing that kind of information, you should replace typical nursery art and decor with universally appealing art like landscape paintings and nature photos. 

Other decorations and furnishings common to nurseries that should be removed during staging are play tents, mobiles, oversized stuffed animals, and murals. Remind yourself that it is only temporary. 

A daybed is a natural choice for
styling a nursery because it looks
so comfortable and suggests
other uses the room can have.
Photo: The Houses of Daylesford 

Focus on the perks

Whenever you stage a room, a good question to ask yourself is, "What makes this room special?" If it's the natural lighting, be sure that window treatments allow plenty of it in. If it's the size or shape or layout of the room, keep the room clear of clutter. If it's the cabinetry or built-ins, stage them to call attention there. 

Talk to your listing agent to determine how diverse your market is. If only retirees or investors are your prospective buyers, staging a nursery isn't practical.  

Stage to show how the room can easily become whatever the next owner wants. The number of bedrooms is one of the primary ways homes are listed, and every buyer has a wish list of how many they need. Be sure your Realtor and Zillow have the correct number of bedrooms specified in the online listing.  

Get the look, get the  book

I've written about staging rooms for children. And I've written an eBook about all the other topics you need to know so that you make the most of your home sale! Go here to download my DIY Home Staging Tips To Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. 

Top Photo: Nathan Schroder

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Checklist for the Perfect Backyard

Friday, April 11, 2025

When your home is on the market, you want it to appeal to the largest pool of buyers. A backyard is one way to do that. 

That's because a backyard serves many purposes -- different purposes to different people. To most buyers, a backyard is that important oasis and private retreat. Others value it as a place to entertain or an area for recreation. Families want a place for children to spend time outdoors, away from their electronics. For most pet owners, a backyard is on their "must-have" list. And more than ever, Americans are pursuing outdoor hobbies like gardening, keeping chickens, meditating, or bird watching.    

But often, a backyard can be a cluttered eyesore that discourages buyers. Here's your checklist to make sure your backyard is something that makes buyers want to own it.

Basic requirements 

The best backyards are ones that don't cry out for immediate work. This is especially important to first-time buyers and busy families. They don't want things like a fence or deck that has peeling paint, or shrubbery that's overgrown, or turf that's patchy. But features like tidily mulched beds, drought-resistant plants, and smart irrigation will win them over. 

Backyard privacy is a prime requirement for buyers, so if you have a fence or a mature hedge, make sure it's mentioned in the specs of your online listing. There are ways you can create small areas of privacy with lattice panels, a shade canopy, or artificial greenery screens.  

If there is a view from your backyard,
either near or far away, make it obvious.
Use the technique of "borrowed view" to
make it part of your staging.
Photo: Michael Partenio via Meredith

Also, everyone wants a flat, usable lawn. It's a must for games, playground equipment, and an above-ground pool. A patio, deck, terrace, or deck is almost essential because it's like an outdoor living room and makes your interior square footage seem larger. 

These are the must-haves. Let's look at the optional perks that add value to a backyard.  

Geenery is a must

Whether your property is large or small, urban, suburban, or rural, mature plants are important. Trees and large shrubs provide shade, privacy, and natural beauty. If there are overgrown, dead or diseased trees on your property, it's time to call a tree removal company. It could be that only some branches need to be removed to rejuvenate a tree. Make sure your tree trimmers haul off the debris. 

Smaller shrubs suggest that a home is a newer building, so if you have bare areas that make your backyard look ordinary, it might be time to install a variety of small plants like hollies, spireas, abelias, mugo pine, or boxwoods. Any garden center will help you select some that are low maintenance and inexpensive.  

How to stage your backyard

A patio or deck staged with seating will entice buyers to linger and imagine themselves as owners. Pathways and stepping stones will encourage them to explore even a small area and appreciate the sense of spaciousness. 

Outdoor seating should harmonize with 
the style of your home -- from new and
elegant to fun and funky, and everything
in between. Photo: Kimberly Gavin via Meredith

Any landscape hardscape, like a patio of concrete, pavers, natural stone, or brick, benefits from some soft touches like nearby greenery or hedges. Container plants of colorful flowers will add a homey touch. Even in winter, a patio can be staged with colorful containers of hardy evergreens. 

A grill isn't a necessity, but if you have one, make sure it is in good shape and clean. Games like cornhole or badmitten might be suitable, but avoid staging with equipment like horseshoes (unless plastic), a playset, treehouse, or trampoline, that could lead to a lawsuit for injury.

When it's impractical to install
or care for turf, sometimes gravel can
be the foundation of your patio or yard.
Photo: James Nathan Schroder via Meredith

If you are planning to fix and flip a neglected property, it could pay you to hire one landscape company like this one who will take care of everything from correcting drainage to adding sod, a patio, and any other features you think will return a profit.  

Other touches that add charm to your backyard space are garden lanterns, string lights, firepit, solar fountain, herb garden, shady pergola, picnic table, lounge chairs, hammock, or birdbath. Depending on the season, pots of colorful annuals always make for perfect outdoor staging.

A simple herb garden like this, or a raised 
bed of blooming annuals is easy to construct
with purchased, mature plants. Photo: The Spruce

 Get the look, get the book

Prepping your backyard for the real estate market is similar to the way commercial properties need to be planned. Both require plantings that are attractive all year and don't require much maintenance to keep them looking good.

Whatever you invest in improving your backyard will return dividends when you sell. Your backyard can be The Thing that tempts buyers to choose your home over other properties they've viewed.

Be sure to go here to read about and download my homestaging eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll learn all the secrets that professional stagers use to make homes irresistible to buyers. Don't wait while other sellers scoop up all the motivated buyers!

Read more »

Tempt Buyers with Your Outdoor Style!

Monday, March 17, 2025

The wish list a homebuyer has in his mind usually specifies the number of bedrooms and baths. But often high on these lists are other items -- outdoor amenities like a screened porch, a fenced yard, a great view, a double garage, a pool, space for a garden, or a large patio. 

If your home has any of these features, be sure buyers notice. Stage them to make them as obvious and appealing as possible! 

Landscape

Probably no wish list is going to include "beautiful landscaping," but if you groom your yard at selling time, it could be what reins in a purchase offer faster. 

If there's one word to describe how a landscape should look when a home is on the market, it's "manicured." It should not look so immaculate that it resembles Disney World, but it needs to appear well-maintained. 

Before your Realtor schedules the photographer's visit, you'd be smart to pay for a lawn service to take care of any overgrown trees and shrubs, and clear away any debris. If your home is listed in a season when the landscape is not at its peak, perhaps you can provide your listing agent with photos of your yard when it's in its prime.   

Mulching and edging make a
border like this of mixed shrubs 
look cared for and easy to maintain.  

An outdoor feature like a fountain or
a simple herb garden, rock garden or 
succulent garden, make a landscape more 
interesting. Photo: IntimateLivingInteriors

Front entrance

Your front facade is like the anchor of your curb appeal. Stage our entrance area to make it obvious and cheerful. That can call for something colorful, unique, or whimsical. It's an opportunity to emphasize local traditions and style. Avoid anything controversial, like political signs or doormats that use rude or obscene words. 

If you have hardscape like a paved driveway, concrete or brick paths, or a poured patio, now's the time to pressure wash these areas. Pressure washing vinyl or fiber cement siding makes your house look new. Products like Spray & Walk Away make cleaning vinyl railings and shutters easy.

Your home's front facade is usually its profile
shot on your online listing. A clean and simple
landscape like this makes it photogenic. 

A shaded front porch with a comfortable wicker chair
and a floral wreath makes this entrance extra charming.  

Back yard

Backyards are where homeowners go to relax and entertain. Outdoor living space increases the value of your home, and spaces like screen rooms, decks, and patios cost less per square foot than interior rooms but make any house look and feel larger! 

Home buyers envision themselves moving up the ladder of success with their home purchase. A pool can be a status symbol or a necessity. In some areas and in some neighborhoods and with some families, a swimming pool is essential. One of my neighbors says his backyard pool keeps his teenage boys at home rather than "getting into trouble." Other people want a pool for the exercise it offers, or the ability to be outdoors and stay cool. 

If your property includes a pool, it's bound to be the focal point of your yard. Keep it in perfect repair, extra clean, and prepared for whatever season your home is for sale. Having it professionally serviced will add to its allure, keep it healthy, save repair costs, and extend its life.     

One selling point of this condominium
is its private backyard with an adjacent
patio that's staged as a bird-watching station.

Drone photography will help clients see
your setting from a new vantage point.
This photo shows off the hot tub.  

Imagine the delight when people touring
homes on the market step into this
outdoor area with a view. The seating says,  
"Stay a while, and imagine living here!"

It's simple to stage a pool 
in summer with some potted plants
and some outdoor lounge chairs.
Photo: Young House Love

In snowy winter months, your pool service
company can keep your pool looking like
the asset it is. Photo: Latham   

Garage

There was a time when a garage was just a place to park the family car and have a workbench for home repairs. That's history! Today, people use their garages for home gyms, offices, hobby areas, man caves, or storage. No matter how you're utilizing your garage, now is the time to streamline it to show its spaciousness and versatility, even if that means storing some things offsite temporarily. 

The popularity of a backyard storage building is skyrocketing in America. If you own one, make sure it is mentioned in your MLS listing and included in the photographs. You may not be able to stage it like a pretty She Shed or the ultimate Game Room, but you can make it look as spacious as possible for showings by decluttering and organizing it.  

If your garage needs a fresh look,
there are ways to give it more style,
according to what This Old House says.

Kristi at Addicted2Decorating gave her
backyard workshop a cottage look with 
her own DIY touches like a brightly
painted door, wooden steps, a pergola,
shutters, and window boxes.  

Get the look, get the book

Buyers often decide which house to buy based on one selling feature they love -- features like that pool, spacious patio, or extra garage! Be the seller who tempts buyers with your outdoor extras. Your staging should reflect the neighborhood style while introducing unique elements that make your home on the market memorable.

Get all the advice you need to homestage your own property. You can do it! Just follow the advice I've  learned from decades in the real estate, home improvement, and staging field. Download your copy here of  DIY Home Staging Tips To Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar.

Read more »

Three Upgrades That Buyers Love

Thursday, March 06, 2025

When we're talking about curb appeal, there are times when those sweet touches like potted annuals by the front door and a new mailbox aren't enough to meet and beat the competition in today's housing market. 

To be competitive, your home might need some professional services in addition to DIY home improvement projects. 

Let's look at three upgrades worth hiring out if you want a quick sale for a selling price you love.  

Add a fence

Americans love their fenced yards! Whether it's for privacy, security, blocking a poor view, or to create a safe area for pets or children, a fenced yard is a definite plus. 

You can seek the advice of your listing agent to learn what buyers in your market expect. Fence installation isn't a do-it-yourself task, but what you can do yourself is use these criteria to judge what determines a good fence company. 

Check with local building codes and ordinances for things like required setbacks from property lines. If you are in doubt about your boundaries, it's time for a professional survey that you can make part of your sales package. 

Fencing can frame your property, minimize
some of its deficiencies, and  
emphasise its best features. Photo: Cascade

A fence can be a problem-solver for certain home sellers. If your nextdoor neighbor has an ugly backyard that's cluttered with unfinished projects, you can install a privacy fence. If your little bungalow home looks insignificant, you can add the proverbial white picket fence. If your home abuts a busy street, you can muffle it with a tall fence that acts like a sound buffer. 

Depending on the style of your home, your budget, the area to be fenced, the purpose of the fence, and local traditions, your fence could be made of wood, metal, or vinyl. Chain link fences serve a purpose, but they're anything but pretty. Metal fences are attractive and durable but costly.  Wooden fences can be money-savers, but vinyl fences offer the aesthetic benefits of wood without the maintenance. And most of today's buyers want a low-maintenance home.   

Paint your siding

Nothing makes a house sparkle like a brand new home more than a fresh coat of paint. Your home's siding could be stucco, fiber-cement, engineered wood, real wood, metal, brick, stone veneer, or vinyl. Except for brick and stone exteriors, all these surfaces can accept paint if the painters prep the surface right, and then use the right kind of paint. As an alternative, sometimes a good pressure washing is a substitute for a new paint job. 

If you paint, choose a neutral paint color that fits the character of other homes in your immediate neighborhood, but is not identical. You'll save money if the color you choose is the same or similar to the exiting color because one coat will probably be enough. 

Don't be the neighborhood's crazy person with the purple house. For historic neighborhoods, planned communities, and condominiums, be aware of local ordinances, and HOA rules about what paint colors are approved.  

Some homes have a combination of siding
material, like this facade of vinyl and 
engineered stone. Photo: First American Roofing 

If your wooden siding has not been painted in 10 years, it's time to invest in a professional paint job. This is especially true if the original paint project was not the best quality, or if your home is prone to strong sunlight or extreme weather. Some experts say that most homes need new paint every three to five years, or every four years for stained wood. Fiber-cement siding like Hardi Plank will go 15 years before needing paint.    

Count yourself fortunate if you have cedar siding or a brick or natural stone exterior, since these low-maintenance materials are especially attractive to buyers. The cost of painting a home's exterior will range from $1,800 to $13,000, depending on your location, home size, siding material, and necessary prep work. 

Spruce up your yard

Unless you are an active gardener, or have been depending on a yard maintenance company for years, chances are your landscape can use some tweaking. 

Consider contacting some professional landscaping services, but don't feel obligated to hire a particular service just because you've asked for an estimate. These companies understand you are "getting quotes." You will learn from each contractor you speak with, but I would limit your list to three or four. 

You can make a choice based on price as well as what landscape changes seem like worthwhile ones. Check the company's website for a portfolio of its work. Read reviews on Yelp and Nextdoor. Get opinions from neighbors and local landscape suppliers.  

Questions to ask yourself and the people giving you quotes: Does my yard look as good or better than others in the neighborhood? Does it show signs of neglect like overgrown areas and damaged trees? Are there ways I can make the yard require less maintenance? 

It could be that all your landscape requires to impress buyers is a "deep cleaning." In one day you could have beds that are freshly mulched and edged, plus all your shrubbery neatly pruned. 

If you decide not to make major changes in your landscape, you'd be smart to schedule a maintenance company to regularly mow the lawn, edge any beds, and keep the hardscape clean for as long as your property is for sale. This cost is worth the benefit of a manicured landscape. 

Using indigenous plants appropriate to your 
climate will ensure that they stay healthy 
with minimal care. Photo: My Domaine

Get the look, get the book

Be sure your home is ready for its MLS photographs! 

Whatever you spend to improve the looks of your property can significantly increase buyer interest and add to your selling price. Remember that every day your home stays on the market costs you money in things like taxes, upkeep, and interest charges. Speed up the sale of your property by investing in an interesting and yet tidy exterior that will impress buyers. 

Download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll be surprised at the many ways your home can be worth more! 

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