Latest / Your Local Real Estate Expert - The Schultz Realty Podcast / EP20: Can Your Garden Add Value? How Outdoor Space Impacts Your Sale
Transcript
- Hi, I'm Sarah Schultz, and welcome to your local real estate expert, the Schultz Realty Podcast. As the award-winning number one agent and agency for Mount Warren Park Bahrs Scrub and Windaroo. I've been helping buyers find their dream homes and exceeding sellers expectations on price and service in our area for over 10 years known as The Property Matchmaker. I'm here to share stats, facts, and insights to make your real estate journey in the local area. Seamless and. Successful can a few weeds and an overgrown hedge really cost you thousands on your sale. In short, yes, you'd actually be surprised how many buyers are turned off before they even step through the front door. Hi, I'm Sarah Schultz from Schutz Realty and welcome back to your local real estate expert where we talk all things real estate across Bahrs Scrub, Mount Warren Park, Windaroo, Beenleigh and surrounding areas. Today I wanna talk about something that's often overlooked, but has a massive impact on how your home performs in the market. And that is your garden, your lawn, your landscaping, your whole area. Specifically how much your outdoor space affects your sale price. And by interest, especially here in our local area where the lifestyle is so closely tied to the outdoor. Most sellers put their energy into the inside of their home, decluttering, cleaning, maybe a bit of styling, which is amazing and great. Don't stop doing that. But often, sometimes they forget about that first impression when people are driving up to the front and seeing what your garden and your house looks like. And if that is untidy, sometimes that might even get someone inside to see how amazing you've done with what you've done on the inside. So let's talk about that curb appeal. This is the first emotional reaction a buyer has to your property from the minute they drive up on the street to the driveway, or they're walking up the front path. It's that gut level response that can get that tone for the entire inspection from that point. Psychologists call it the halo effect. It is the first impression is positive buyers are more likely to assume everything else is well looked after as well. The opposite is also true here in our surrounding areas. We have some stunning natural greenery. It's one of the reasons people love living here. So outdoor spaces are a big part of the value that you are offering buyers, whether it's your front, your back, your garden bed, a courtyard, entertaining area, every inch actually really matters. So what a buyer's actually looking for. They're not expecting perfection. No one's perfect. I understand people are living in these properties, but they do expect it to look neat, cared for, and livable. That means the lawns are trimmed. There's no weeds in the garden. The gardens and hedges are all tidy. Perhaps mulched. Trees and shrubs are not overgrown and blocking windows and doors or hanging over houses, you know, letting the natural light throw flow through the windows and letting the home breathe. I often recommend a few key steps before an open house, which is mowing the lawn, edging the pass weed, all the garden beds. Yes, even that little patch. Patch near the fence. Pruning the trees and bushes that are overgrown, hiding the bins, tucking them away behind the gate or near the garage, sweeping your front path of all your leaves, and give the port to clean because first impression, first impressions really are everything. Now if you wanna go one step further and you've got a bit of a budget, consider light landscaping. You'd be amazed what a few hundred dollars in mulch and some new plants can do. Fresh mulch gives the garden that rich, healthy look and makes colors pop of all your plants and your greenery. And a few flowering plants in pots near the entry can totally transform the vibe. I had a seller in Mount Warren Park recently who was on a really tight budget. She spent under 500 on mulch and a couple of native scrubs and a weekend of sweat equity, tidying everything up. We more than doubled our open house turnout, the eventual sale price, well above expectations. Why I can't guarantee it was because of that, but I guarantee that it had something to do with it because that emotional connection would've been there from the minute that they pulled up and all of her hard work was well earned. Now let's talk about entertaining areas. A big deal in Queensland, if you've got one, whether it's a patio deck or even just a small paved area, make it inviting. Put out the outdoor dining setting. Add cushions or a rug, a few pot plants, some ambient lighting. It's even some candles. Whatever you wanna do for an open house, but just to invite them in and see how they could be living in that environment in your property. Show them what it feels like. Let them picture them having a barbecue or a summer evening with their family, or a morning coffee under the sun. It doesn't need to be expensive. It just needs to be intentional and emotional. And depending on the time of year, you can also tailor your garden presentation. So for spring. Go big on blooms and freshness in summer. Focus on cool shady areas and maybe throw a splash of tropical greenery in autumn. Tidy all the leaves and play up any color in the garden. In winter lighting becomes really important. Path lights, porch lights, and even a lantern or two can add warmth and charm. Or even a heater. Now I know what some sellers might be thinking. It's just a garden. Buyers will look past that. Here's the truth. Some will, some people just aren't garden people, but they still appreciate a neat and tidy garden, A neat and tidy, entertaining area, a neat and tidy yard. And if the garden is welcoming and neat buyers feel more excited, more open, and more trusting of what's actually inside as well. And let's not also forget the psychological boost A tidy garden gives you as the cellar. Walking out to that clean well kept yard gives you pride, and that confidence translate when you're talking to buyers or agents about your home. So if you are planning to sell, don't underestimate the value of your yard garden entertaining area. Whether it's a hundred dollars in weeding and your hard labor, or a thousand dollars to a landscaper, it's one of the most smartest investments that you can make to boost by interest and your final sale price. And if you're not sure where to start, that's exactly why I'm here. Again, I will walk you through what matters most, what buyers are looking for in your particular suburb, and how to get the most out of your garden yard and on whatever budget that you've got. Again, I really appreciate you tuning into the Schutz Realty podcast. I'm Sarah Schultz from Schultz Realty, and I'll see you next time with more local property advice you can actually use and remember, your front garden might just. Be your home's biggest marketing asset, so let's go out and make it shine. Thank you for tuning in with me, your local real estate expert, the Schutz Realty podcast. I'm proud to serve Mount Warren Park Bahrs Scrub, Windaroo as a knowledgeable, caring, and reliable resource for all your real estate needs. Whether you are buying, selling, or just exploring your options, I'm here to help you exceed expectations and make that perfect match. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an update and share it with another local who might find it helpful. Until next time, take care. And remember, the perfect property is just around the corner.