March 29, 2023
Staging the Exterior of Your Home to Sell
Your home’s exterior is the first thing prospective buyers will see, giving them a taste of what to expect from the interior. It’s essential to make a stellar first impression. A clean and beautiful house exterior can encourage visitors to see what the inside has in store. It also does wonders for its curb appeal, a property’s visual attractiveness when someone views it from the street. The more desirable your property looks, the more it’s worth during the final sale.
Home sellers looking to stage their exteriors can benefit from several tips and methods. This guide will outline a few examples.
6 Ways to Stage Your Home’s Exterior
Depending on its condition, staging your home exterior to sell may involve various measures. These can include anything from adding a few porch decorations to repainting your front door. Captivate potential buyers with the home exterior staging tips below.
1. Wash the Exterior
A thorough wash can help your exterior sparkle and shine. Most houses can tolerate low pounds per square inch (PSIs) from pressure washers, but avoid washing your home’s exterior at full capacity, as this can damage the siding or knock it loose. Pressure washers can also remove paint, so stick to a gentle setting.
Vinyl siding can usually withstand a higher PSI of 2,500 to 3,000. Soft-grain wood, stucco, and aluminum exteriors usually warrant a lower PSI of 1,200 to 1,500. You can also wash exterior features like decks, fences, and windows. When pressure washing windows on a multi-story home, never use a ladder. Use an extension wand or second-story nozzle kit to reach them.
Likewise, you can pressure wash the driveway or sidewalk surrounding your home. These sturdy surfaces typically call for a PSI of 3,000 or higher. Begin by spraying away from the surface of the sidewalk or driveway, slowly aiming the hose at it from a few feet away.
While you’re sprucing up your sidewalk, driveway, or blacktop, pull any grass or weeds that have accumulated in cracks or consider filling these cracks to further enhance visual appeal and value.
2. Prioritize Landscaping
Lush greenery is sure to draw some eyes, making your front lawn and backyard essential considerations when staging your home. Research shows that attractive landscaping can boost home value by 5% to 12%. Be sure to take care of these proper landscaping measures, especially before house showings:
Mowing and trimming your lawn.
Raking leaves.
Weeding and mulching flower beds.
Adding colorful flowers and plants to flower beds.
Watering plants and flowers.
Trimming bushes and hedges and removing dead branches.
Removing branches, damaged lawn furniture, animal excrement, and other debris from your yard.
3. Touch Up the Paint
When it comes to upgrading your home’s exterior, a fresh coat of paint can go a long way. Repaint any exterior surfaces that appear faded or worn, such as the front of the house, gutters, trim, shudders, front door, or fence. Sticking with neutral tones like gray, black, brown, or white is usually the best bet.
Bright orange shutters may appeal to those with more eccentric tastes, but many other homeowners may find them off-putting. Try to avoid overly bright or overwhelming colors when painting any exterior home elements. If you plan to pressure wash any exterior features, make sure you complete that step before doing any painting.
4. Clean Gutters
A house can look stunning on the inside, but rusty or leaking gutters around its exterior may suggest otherwise. To increase your home’s curb appeal and encourage buyers to explore what the rest of the space has to offer, be sure to clean out your gutters and downspouts. It’s important that they’re attached, in strong condition, and not hanging askew off the house.
Some signs to repair your gutters include:
Rusting metal or peeling paint.
Overflowing rainwater in your gutters.
Pooling water at the base of your home.
Sagging, warped, or uneven-looking gutters.
Staining along your home’s siding.
Plants growing in your gutters.
Mildew or staining in your attic.
Simply clearing your gutters of leaves, twigs, and other debris can make a world of difference in your property’s appearance. When left unaddressed, these materials can quickly clog your downspout. When clearing the grime from your gutters, use a ladder and always have someone spot you.
Alternatively, you can call in a professional to clean them out for you. Generally, gutter cleanings are recommended in September, then again in late October before winter weather is in full swing. A specialist can also handle more damaged cases that warrant full replacement.
5. Upgrade Light Fixtures
Examine all of your outdoor light fixtures to ensure they work properly and no bulbs are burnt out. Consider replacing any rusted or outdated sconces, then polish them to boost your home’s exterior presentation further.
While house showings typically occur during the day, consider flipping on these outdoor lights beforehand — a well-lit exterior can make the home feel brighter and more welcoming for viewers.
Aside from light fixtures, you should also check other hardware like doorknobs, mailboxes, and house numbers to see if any of them are due for an upgrade. These are usually quick, easy, and inexpensive fixes that make your home’s exterior shine. If possible, try to coordinate all of your hardware material for a clean, cohesive look that attracts buyers.
6. Add Some Decor
Finally, add some decorative outdoor touches to really sell the presentation. Here are some ideas to consider:
A seasonal wreath, welcome sign, or new doormat for your front door.
Spotlights to illuminate pathways or garden beds.
A string of bistro lights for your yard or patio.
A comfy outdoor seating area with new cushions, colorful throw pillows, and a rug.
Accessorizing your porch and yard is a great opportunity to entice buyers. Defining the outdoor space with more light, cozy furniture around a fire pit, and other decorations create an elegant, relaxing atmosphere. This is a great selling point for buyers looking to entertain guests.
While you’re in the process of enhancing your outdoor decor, be sure to remove any yard clutter that may distract or turn off possible buyers. Once all of your home’s exterior features are clean, updated, and in good condition, it’ll be ready to take on the housing market with style!
Book Your Home Cleaning With Maid Bright Today
A clean home plays a critical role in impressing potential buyers. Servicing North Virginia and surrounding areas, our team at Maid Bright can deep clean your home to prepare it for staging and selling. Family-owned and operated since 2004, our award-winning cleaning services, superior customer service, and high-quality results have made us a trusted residential cleaning provider.
We offer customized plans to fit our clients’ needs, including moving cleanings, one-time solutions, and more. Whatever your unique requirements, Maid Bright is ready to assist you. Book your cleaning appointment to prepare your home for staging today!
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