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Sellers - Are You Creating Buyer Attraction For Summer Outdoor Living?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty NRDS # 146013739

Summer Outdoor Living 

What could be better?

 

Outdoor Sedona LivingI love to garden and summer is a wonderful time to add color and scent to your outdoor courtyard. Sedona is a great place to experience the 4 seasons.  I recently told my husband that I would not own another home without an outdoor courtyard. We enjoy both our front and back courtyards. 

 

Open Your Home To Possibilities

Overgrown courtyard

When we first looked at this home the courtyard was overgrown but I could see the possibilities.  I was excited to see the rest of the home.

 

 

Is Your Property Creating Buyer Attraction?

 

It is late summer if your home has been on the market through these summer months with little or no activity, it could be that you are not celebrating the summer season in and around your home. Sellers need to be aware of this. 

Summer is a great time to invest in outdoor upgrades and indoor options that make your home appealing to buyers. After months indoors, homebuyers respond quickly to outdoor amenities when scoping out homes to buy. 

 

updated invited Sedona courtyard

 

Establish an Inviting Entry

 

Creating outdoor living areas and highlighting outdoor views give potential new owners the impression of both expanded space and bright, fresh access to nature. Establish an inviting entry Make sure your entry is bright and enticing. Set flowerpots to either side of the entryway. Make sure the door itself is clean of fingerprints and grime, or freshly painted a cheery color. Provide a doormat so guests do not track debris into your home.

 

Bring the Outdoors In

 

Bring the outdoors in, during the winter, homeowners often cover windows with heavy drapes to keep out the chill air and drafts. When showing your home in the summer, remove heavy draperies so potential buyers can clearly see the outdoor views. It also lights and brightens the entire interior of the home.

 

Clean - Clean - Clean

 

Clean off fingerprints and smudges from windows and window frames and dust vertical or horizontal blinds and set them to allow both light and views. Add colorful summer-weight throw cushions to living areas and beds, and add flowers to both your bed and bath areas. A bowl of bright seasonal fruits completes a summery look to your kitchen table. Store away quilts and afghans. Clean ashes from your fireplace and clean the soot from fireplace glass to remove the last vestiges of winter. Set a floral arrangement or plant on the hearth. Use light, fresh-scented beads or reed diffusers instead of candles. Use the same scent throughout the house to avoid competing odors.

 

Keep Your Home Cool

 

Keep your home cool but not cold. If you have to air-condition, make sure to set it to cool your home in plenty of time before your potential buyers arrive. If you use fans to move your home's air, make sure they are dust-free and running quietly. Be sure attic fans and other cooling devices operate correctly.

 

Extend The Living Area

 

extend your Sedona outside area

 

Showing your home in the summer means potential buyers will check out the outdoors much more thoroughly than in the winter months. Set up seating areas, hammocks, picnic tables, or other patio furnishings to display the full range of your property. Add planters and box gardens with bright, colorful flowers. Keep the lawn and landscaping trimmed and neat. Water features really add a wonderful relaxing atmosphere to any backyard scene.

 

Wash Windows and Screens

 

Take care of pests like wasps and ants that might scare a potential buyer away. Take care to trim bushes away from windows and doorways. Make sure the exterior of the house is clean and fresh. Clean mold off vinyl siding and moss off brick and stone exteriors. Clear gutters and downspouts and make sure they attach to the structure correctly. Wash windows and screens, and touch up paint on doors, window frames, and trim. Make sure to organize tools, hoses, and other yard and garden clutter. Protect visitors to your home from tripping over lawn toys or the garden hoe.

 

Looking For More Seller Solutions?

 

 

Remember that buyers want to check out every nook and cranny, so keep garden sheds and storage areas accessible and organized. Summer buyers want to know they can use the entire property for their own summer fun. If you need more suggestions on how to prepare your property for a summer sale, contact Sheri today.  I have just added some additional features to the seller page to assist in the preparation of your home. 

 

Call Sheri Sperry for seller solutions

Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Sheri - lovely pictures to illustrate the points you make so well. 

Aug 18, 2019 05:26 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Sheri Sperry - MCNE® it is so SOOOO important to create a fabulous outdoor space - and especially so here in Phoenix, all year long!

Aug 18, 2019 02:21 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

YES YES YES!!!  An attractive living space outdoors is something buyers cannot ignore!

Gorgeous photos !!!!

Aug 18, 2019 04:00 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Thank you so much for the feature, Myrl Jeffcoat.  Outdoor space is some of the most valuable we have.  We need to make it comfortable and relaxing for ourselves and our guests.

Aug 18, 2019 05:14 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi James Dray

Good for you!  My husband feels the same way.  On the other hand, I love getting out there planting and pruning!

Aug 18, 2019 05:19 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

So true Grant Schneider

Buyers will focus on outdoor areas. 

Aug 18, 2019 05:20 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

You are right Barbara Todaro

We do use our outdoor kitchens all year long.  I have 6 gas burners on my BBQ and everything gets grilled outdoors even in the winter!

Aug 18, 2019 05:23 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

I couldn't agree with you more on that point Nina Hollander.

Aug 18, 2019 05:23 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Thank you so much, Marti garaughty

It is an honor to be featured!

Aug 18, 2019 05:25 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Thank you for the shout out Ron and Alexandra Seigel. Those of us who live in milder climates are lucky to have year-round use of our outdoor space.

Aug 18, 2019 05:27 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Joan Cox

Each home is set up to take advantage of the outdoor space. 

Aug 18, 2019 05:30 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD

Three of the pics are from my home and the other three are from listings I sold. 

Aug 18, 2019 05:33 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Jeff Dowler, CRS

I firmly believe that if a house and the outdoor space are not kept up, a buyer with vision will more than likely buy at a huge discount. Keeping the space up is pennies on the dollar.

Aug 18, 2019 05:37 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Thanks so much, Lottie Kendall.  Before and after shots help. 

Aug 18, 2019 05:38 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 - We are very fortunate to live in a climate that you can enjoy all year long! We need to take advantage of our outdoor space. 

Aug 18, 2019 05:39 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Sharon Tara,

Thank you!

If the outdoors are not kept up, I do believe buyers without vision will move to the next home. 

Aug 18, 2019 05:41 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

 I have never realized how much time my wife and I spend outdoors until the summer and you give very sound advice Sheri Sperry - MCNE® 

Aug 18, 2019 09:04 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Great ideas, nice presentation, and super photos.  Makes me think... ponder... about life on the range....  Thanks Sheri!

Aug 19, 2019 07:33 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Outdoor hardscaping/space is #1 on buyers' lists in my area (and I think NAR's home buyers list too) and it can make or break a sale, Sheri! It's so important to stage those areas. What a wonderful post and sage advice for anyone selling in Sedona or anywhere in the nation! 

Aug 19, 2019 10:58 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Sellers should always ask, 

"Is My Property Attracting Buyer Attention?"

Aug 21, 2019 04:25 PM