In today’s competitive housing market, sellers can create an exterior sanctuary to gain an advantage when selling. With consumers maintaining a tight grip on their purses, many are looking for ways to make their home environment more attractive and enjoyable. And with the warm summer months just ahead, appealing to American’s love of outdoor spaces can significantly increase a home’s charm.

Creating or updating areas for privacy, entertainment, play, or gardening will have an almost universal appeal, and it just may create the competitive edge needed to generate a sale. Much of the work is not necessarily expensive, with many projects requiring little more than a couple of weekend’s labor. And with the dramatic increase in vegetable gardening due to the recession as well as a concern for food safety, home sellers have a great opportunity to appeal to those with an interest in growing their own food.

Of course, it’s not as simple as buying some play equipment or a new barbecue grill. For the greatest “bang for the buck” such projects should be well-planned and executed, and should be designed to appeal to a wide audience.

I’ve listed a few simple projects that are both inexpensive and attractive:

● Expanded deck or patio

● Pergolas, trellises, or garden gates

● Fire pits or chiminea

● Koi pond or other water feature

● Separate cooking and entertainment areas

● Low maintenance planting beds with colorful native plants

● Distinctive seating and dining areas with temporary or permanent shading

● Well-maintained herb and vegetable garden

Those whose homes justify the extra expense might consider:

● An outdoor fireplace

● Built in grill and counter space

● Outdoor appliances

Sellers who would like to try this technique must remember to make the area appealing from inside the home as well and to place the most attractive areas where they are readily visible from as many interior vantage points as possible. With a little effort an average yard can be transformed into an outdoor retreat, separating a home from its competition; and it just might be the advantage to take a home from “For Sale” to “Sold.”

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