Getting your home ready to sell involves serious planning to ensure buyers see the full potential and value of your property. That’s why most sellers will spend weeks or even months cleaning, decluttering, painting and staging. Each step helps make your home more appealing to prospective buyers.
However, there is one critical element many homeowners overlook entirely. Before a buyer ever steps foot inside your home, they’ll see your yard. So it’s important to keep the outdoor space looking its best—no matter the season.
Many sellers in Toronto believe that landscaping only matters in spring and summer. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Even if you’re selling in the winter or fall, there are things you can do to make your home dazzle anyone who sees it from the outside. Autumn, in particular, can be a fantastic time to sell, thanks to the stunning natural beauty of fall foliage.
Here are five landscaping tips to maximize your outdoor curb appeal no matter what season you decide to list your home.
1) Consider Hardscaping
When you think of landscaping, you picture a yard full of trees and shrubs and a lawn that has been meticulously weeded and cut. “Hardscaping” is a little less well-known but can add beauty and long-lasting character to your outdoor spaces. Hardscaping refers to any elements of your landscaping that aren’t plants.
Brick walkways, metal gazebos, decorative rocks—they all belong in this category. During the warmer months, they add appeal to your yard as buyers imagine themselves lounging in the afternoon sun.
As temperatures begin to drop in the fall or winter, these features can make your outdoor space feel cozier and more inviting. It extends the amount of time that the new homeowner can enjoy outside, which also adds significant perceived value to your property. Potential buyers want to imagine enjoying life in your home, inside and out. Attractive hardscaping can help them paint a desirable picture of what life will be like once they take possession.
Want more tips for selling your home in Toronto’s West End? The posts below will give you food for thought:
- Home Renovations That Add Lasting Value
- 5 Tips to Make Your Home Irresistible to Young Buyers
- Buyers Are Going Crazy for These Home Features
2) Add Some Foliage
Creating lush outdoor spaces comes naturally in the spring and summer. With a little care and maintenance, you can have gardens blooming and the grass flourishing throughout the warmer months. However, your property can start to look a little more barren once temperatures plunge and the leaves fall.
Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to counteract this effect. Planting hearty fall vegetation allows you to make the most of the growing season. Opt for plants that are lush enough to fill out the more sparse areas in your yard. Gold mound spirea is a popular option, thanks to its full leaves and the pop of autumn colour it provides. Virginia creeper, with its deep red hue and attractive vines, can also work well.
In the winter, a few strategically placed evergreens or even artificial plants can add life to your yard. The effect can actually be quite magical when coupled with a pristine snowfall! Once you begin exploring the possibilities, you can make your home visually attractive to potential buyers regardless of the weather.
3) Use Autumn Mulch
Who doesn’t love the sight of a green and freshly mowed lawn? This easy curb appeal is one of the reasons many homeowners like to sell in the spring. Once fall hits, you may find that your lawn appears a little more sparse—which isn’t a great look when buyers come to visit.
Luckily, decorative mulch can help. Using it in and around your plant beds can provide some extra coverage—and even add aesthetic value to your yard. Consider using materials that offer seasonal colours and fragrances. Cedar chips and shredded pine bark are both great options.
4) Keep It Clean
During the transition between seasons, home exteriors can get pretty messy. That’s why it’s so important to give your property a once-over before each viewing. Leaves and plant debris should be cleared from your lawn and gutters.
Wipe down outdoor decorations, such as your bird feeders, lights, and sculptures. Lastly, don’t forget to bring in any clay pots or glass ornaments that could crack as the weather gets colder.
In the winter, be sure to keep your walkways clear and salted at all times. This keeps prospective buyers safe and happy while showcasing how well you have taken care of your home. Lining the driveway and any walking paths with solar lights and torches can be a beautiful final touch.
Understanding the current market is the foundation of a successful home sale. The resources below will help you stay informed:
- Navigating Toronto’s Shifting Real Estate Market: A Guide to Successful Home Selling
- Unlocking the Keys to a Successful Home Sale in Toronto: Insider Tips and Tricks
- Why Should You Pivot Your Home Selling Strategy?
5) Add Seasonal Accents
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest impact. In the autumn, that could mean adding some planters full of seasonal flowers.
- It could mean installing warm landscape lighting to illuminate the pathway to your front door.
- It could even be as simple as touching up the paint on the fence that separates your property from your neighbour’s.
Whatever you do, just be sure that the improvements you make are carefully considered and executed.
While many sellers underestimate the value of landscaping in the off seasons, like fall or winter, it has the potential to significantly boost your property’s appeal. For help upgrading your front yard, talk to a seller’s agent, a designer, or simply a lawn care or gardening expert at your home improvement store!
Getting ready to sell your home? Get in touch with us today at info@sidorovainwood.com or call 416-769-3437. We know what buyers are looking for, and we can help you get your home in tip-top shape!
