Stop the car!

By
Home Stager with Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9

STOP THE CAR !  is the reaction you want to evoke from your buyer. With "For Sale" signs breeding like rabbits, it is the wise seller whose property "wows"  drive bys. So how do you get the "gotta have it" emotion in the buyers mind?

Just as you declutter the inside do the same for the outside. Remove all tacky lawn and garden ornaments. Mow lawns. Spread Green Valley 18/6/12 over the lawns for a quick pick me up. Fill in the bare and low patches with blend soil ($28 a yard, delivery extra) Spread seed and water.

After  pruning, string trimming, edging and weeding add a top dressing to the now defined gardens. Newer on the market , this composted bark mluch is fine ground and is dyed black with vegetable dye. It is a "green' product biodegradable into soil.  ($35 a yard, delivery extra)  It does not fade and lose its colour like the old brand. Great stuff--- it holds the moisture and discourages weeds. Your supplier should suggest a blower truck for the larger jobs.  

Add bright colour with containers. In my area, a  local nursery supplies planting skill for free -- if I bring in containers and pay for the soil and plants. It is great service. Source out one near you. Now that Mother's day is over , nurseries are blowing out all hanging baskets --- they will usually fit a 12/14 inch container. Remove the hanging wires and voila instant colour for the front deck and gardens. Top dress with the composted bark mulch for a finished look. By placing the container directly in the soil the seller can take them to his next property. Check out www,gardensoxx.com  for another quick planting system. Small shrubs, boxwood. hydrangeas and many grasses also can supply instant colour and texture.

Trend wise match the colours of your plants to your container. One colour containers are in, re: black and chartreuse , all white flowers, or vivid double impatiens. Another big trend is foilage only-- coeleus comes in the great lime green as well as purple and all colours inbetween--add trailing sweet potato vine and creeping Jenny

One final touch add solar lighting along the pathway to the front door.(Canadian Tire sale $29.95 for 10)

So much to know! Use your local nursery's talent and expertise and make your clients happy with minimal expense.

Comments (6)

Robert Schmalz
West Los Angeles Real Estate Group - Santa Monica, CA
Cal. Lic Broker
Thanks Marilynn, these are good tiips for a quick makeover. Thanks
May 11, 2011 09:37 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Marilynn-thanks for the great landscaping finished touches report with prices? I think you really nailed it, I personally have stop getting bark because I hate the way it fades, this could be my solution. Best. 

May 11, 2011 09:39 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

God ideas for the outside. Thank you for the post..

May 11, 2011 09:52 AM
Doug Bullwinkel
Envoy Mortgage,NMLS ID 6666 - Sacramento, CA
Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS #281609

Good tips to beef up the curb appeal.  First impressions are so important, not only on the inside but outside as well.

May 11, 2011 09:58 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

All really good tips...so important to flash forward into prime placement, on those drivebys!

May 11, 2011 10:04 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Marylinn, This post is jam packed with great information on improving curb appeal.  Thanks for all the sources and costs - it's really a great list of items to keep in mind. 

May 11, 2011 07:00 PM