Yard staging is often overlooked by people selling their homes. Curb appeal is very important, and many sellers will spend a great deal of time and money on their windows and doors. For some reason, however, many tend to ignore the appeal of their yard. Whether a front garden or a backyard, it is important that your home looks good both inside and outside. Here are some yard staging tips to consider.

You must impress potential buyers immediately. Curb appeal is important, yes, but the look of your yard or garden is just as important. In fact, for many buyers your garden is more important than your exterior paintwork.

1. Yard Staging and the Lawn

The lawn should be neat and tidy. Cut it and edge it properly before viewing. A simple curved spade edger will do fine to give the edges of your lawn a neat and ‘cared for’ look. Avoid overgrown grass and weeds – including daisies. These might look cute to you, but could lose you a sale! Remove any clutter such as children’s toys.

2. Shrubs and Trees

Cut back any overgrowth on shrubs and trees. Make them look neat. Make sure you cut back any foliage that shades sunlight from your yard. You want it to look as bright and clean as possible – not dark, gloomy and dingy. Cut back any foliage or tree branches that touch the house structure or even block light from the interior of your home. Get a professional to do this if necessary.

3. Plant the Right Flowers

You will usually know you are going to sell your home a few months in advance of actually doing so. Use plants that will look their best when you intend to show your home. There’s little point in planting spring flowers if you intend selling in the fall when they will be fading and looking withered. If you are unsure, employ a professional gardener with instructions to make your yard look at its best when you are selling your home.

4. Paint Everything

Paint all the woodwork and metalwork in your yard. Your fences, gates and posts should look fresh and clean. The same applies to the exterior woodwork of your home. White paint is usually best, though black is also fine for metalwork such as wrought iron gates and railings. Your entire home should look as new as possible.

5. Remove Clutter

Garden gnomes are out! You might like them, but many don’t and on balance it is best to hide them in the shed when yard staging. Clear away all the kid’s toys, and on the day of viewing give your backyard and garden a good inspection. Try to get everything working – if you have a pond make sure the water pump is running. The same applies to fountains. Clean the pond and make sure the pool is pristine clean if you have one.

6. Clean Everything for the Day

Power wash everything that can be power washed the day before viewing. Don’t do it the same day because you don’t want everything to be wet when your potential buyers arrive. The patio, decking, eaves, walls, drive and paths must all be washed clean. Make sure there are no signs of algae on wooden decking.

7. Table and Chairs

Set up an outdoor table and chairs at a particularly beautiful spot. You could use a fountain or pond, or simply your patio or decking. A barbecue is another good idea when yard staging. Show that you use your yard as an outdoors room. This also gives viewers the impression that your climate is good – it must be if you BBQ and sit outside regularly. Sling a hammock between two trees to give that lazy Sunday look. It’s the impression that counts!

Keep that in mind when selling your home. The impression means a lot! Yard staging is an art. Learn it well and you will easily sell your home. The price you get is another matter. That might depend on how good you are at yard staging and making a good impression.