10 Backyard Features That Are Scaring Away Homebuyers
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Selling a home can be a circus. While sellers are preoccupied with buttering up the inside of the house and staging rooms to perfection, it is easy to overlook the backyard. But here’s the kicker: A poorly designed or maintained outdoor space can send potential buyers running faster than a cat at a dog show.
A yard that is too cluttered or has bizarre décor choices can be a real turn off for buyers. How to avoid that? Let’s find out.
Overgrown Landscaping
A major turn off is a backyard that looks like it’s been left to fend for itself. Buyers could be overwhelmed by unruly shrubs that look like your average toddler and trees that look like a wild jungle. Instead of family barbecues, they could see hours of back breaking labor just to make the space livable. Buyers want to see potential, not a nature documentary.
Unkempt Swimming Pool
How wonderful a swimming pool is! Sure it sounds delightful, but imagine a neglected pool — it’s pretty scary. Green water, visible debris and cracked tiles can quickly turn a refreshing oasis into creepy swamp. A lot of people don’t want to deal with the hassle of cleaning and repairs. After all, who wants to jump into a pool that looks like it’s from a horror film?
Excessive Decorations
A personal touch is great, but when a yard looks like a garage sale exploded, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Too much garden gnomes, wind chimes and all the brightly coloured ornaments may just distract buyers from the natural beauty of the space. Instead of being charming, it can feel cluttered and chaotic– difficult for potential buyers to imagine their style.
Poorly Maintained Deck or Patio
A deck or patio should be a warm invitation to relax outdoors, but if it’s peeling, warped or infested with mold, they’ll run to the door. They have to be safe and welcoming, not scary and rundown. These outdoor areas can show their full potential with a little TLC.
Lack of Privacy
Picture this: You’re attempting to relax outside in your backyard, but you’re constantly being watched from outside by neighbors or passersby. Lack of privacy can be a huge turn off to buyers who are looking for a private retreat outside. Fences, hedges or strategic landscaping can turn a scary place into a place to relax.
No Defined Areas
Buyers can be left scratching their heads at a yard that has no rhyme or reason. If there’s not clearly defined areas for seating or dining or gardening, it feels pretty chaotic. The buyers may have difficulty visualizing how they can use the space. With a little thoughtful landscaping and zoning, a backyard can feel inviting and functional.
Outdated Hardscaping
If your patio is probably straight out of a 1970s sitcom, and it’s time for an upgrade. An outdated and uninviting yard can be created by old bricks, cracked concrete and rusty railings. Trendy materials can make all the difference in how the space is perceived, and buyers often are searching for a modern aesthetic.
Invasive Plants
While some plants may be pretty, if they’re taking over every nook and cranny, they may scare off buyers. Invasive species can become too much and choke out other plants, leaving you with a yard that looks like something from a horror movie. For homebuyers seeking a peaceful place to live, the idea of fighting with Mother Nature to claim their backyard might turn them away.
Neglected Garden
Gardens, when neglected, can make people sad. A vibrant garden can turn into a scary sight when weeds take over flower beds, dead plants, and a lack of color. After all, garden in distress may well be like a nightmare to the buyers dreaming lush landscapes and blooming flowers.
Pests and Critters
A few ladybugs are harmless, but a backyard with an abundance of pests can be a real nightmare. Whether it’s ants marching in formation or a raccoon trying to set up shop, unwanted critters can turn a yard from a paradise to a horror story. What homebuyers want to do is picture hosting gatherings, not fending off a battalion of bugs or wild animals.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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