14 Outdoor Upgrades That Make Your Home Unappealing to Buyers

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First impressions are very important when you’re looking to sell your home and the outdoor space is the first thing you want to show your potential buyers. Unfortunately, some homeowners make choices for their yards or exteriors that may be a good idea at a time but end up turning buyers off.

These outdoor features or design elements detract from the home’s appeal and cause potential buyers to move on to the next option before they even step inside. Let’s look at some common outdoor missteps that could turn your home into a place that nobody wants to buy.

Overly Personal Landscaping Choices

Home Upgrades That Ain't Worth It — Photo Credit: Pexels

Personalizing your yard is a great way to make it feel like ‘yours’, but taking it too far with highly specific features can leave buyers wondering what they’re looking at. What about that giant rock garden shaped like your favourite animal? It could be that it means a lot to you, but bear in mind it could be a little out of place to others. Buyers want to picture themselves in the home, and if the yard seems like a customized art job, it will be hard for them to visualize making it their own.

Lawn and Garden Not Well Maintained

Views of a messy or unkempt yard are one of the biggest red flags potential buyers can encounter. Dead plants, piles of leaves or overgrown grass can make a house look unloved. The buyers might start to wonder what other areas of the home have not been taken care of.

Excessive Hardscaping

Genius Ways to Transform Your Landscaping with Rocks — Photo Credit: Dimitrisvetsikas1969/Pixabay

Hardscaping, such as concrete or stone, can add structure to an outdoor space with a well placed patio or walkway, but covering too much of the yard with hardscaping can make the area feel cold and unwelcoming. It is often the case that buyers like to see a balance between functional spaces and green, natural elements. They can make them feel like they’re moving into a concrete jungle instead of a home with a garden oasis if there’s too much hardscaping.

Overgrown Trees and Shrubs

Many people like to have relatively big, mature trees and would like well filled greenery, but older trees and shrubs left to excessively overrun themselves will give a sense of darkness and neglect to the property. Trees and shrubs should be kept trimmed and maintained to make the property feel more inviting.

Over-the-Top Water Features

Water features can be a lovely touch, but it has its pros and cons. Buyers might love all the charm of large ponds, waterfalls, or elaborate fountains, but they could be concerned about upkeep, water use, and the cost of fixing things. Potential homeowners might see what seems like a luxury as a hassle.

Invasive Plants or Weeds

Some plants such as ivy or bamboo can take over a yard pretty quickly if not properly maintained. Although these plants may look pretty at first, they can multiply quickly and need a lot of upkeep to keep them from getting out of hand. It could be a big turn off to buyers who worry that they’ll be battling an invasive species in their new yard. Keeping or removing invasive plants altogether can enhance your home’s curb appeal.

Unnecessary Outdoor Structures

Used wisely, gazebos, pergolas and sheds can add value, but too many outdoor structures can clutter the yard and make it seem cramped. A yard filled with multiple seating areas, outbuildings, or play structures that don’t apply to a buyers lifestyle can be overwhelming and they may be turned off. An open yard that doesn’t feel overdone or cluttered can be a lot more appealing than one that is.

Poor Lighting Choices

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Outdoor lighting is necessary for safety and ambiance, but you can have too much of a good thing and throw off a beautiful landscape. If there are oversized lanterns, too many bright floodlights, it can make the space uncomfortable. People don’t want an airport runway feel in the evening. The way to go is subtle, well placed lighting.

Bold or Unusual Paint Colors

The exterior paint of your home can set the tone for what’s inside, and bold, unusual colors can scare off buyers before they even walk through the door. Purple, orange or neon green might be your personality colors, but they might clash with a buyer’s idea of the future home they will live in. Classic, neutral tones usually make a larger appeal to a broader audience and allow buyers to visualize their own style.

Oversized Decks or Patios

Large deck or patio can be a selling point, but certainly too large of a feature for the yard and out of proportion with the scale of the house will overpower the space. Buyers may think the yard is too small, or that they won’t have enough green space to enjoy. The most important thing to bear in mind when looking to incorporate more outdoor living space is striking a balance between the natural landscaping and the hardscape.

Too Many Lawn Ornaments

Photo Credit: Shutterstock/ Linda McKusick

Although it can be fun to decorate your yard with a few decorative touches, if you go overboard with lawn ornaments, you detract from the beauty of the space. While gnomes, flamingos, windmills and other quirky decorations may be nice, too many can turn the yard into a cluttered or chaotic mess.

Neglected Fencing

A broken or sagging fence can make a bad first impression. Fencing is meant to provide privacy and security, but if it’s run down, it suggests an owner who didn’t invest in the upkeep of the home. If something as visible as the fence is left to deteriorate, buyers might wonder what else has been left to deteriorate. A little paint or a quick fix can go a long way.

Artificial Turf Overload

Low maintenance artificial turf may seem like a good thing, but in large quantities it can also be unnatural or harsh. Buyers may wonder if the space is going to be functional or enjoyable. People love real grass. Artificial turf can make the yard feel less inviting if you have too much, and buyers may be concerned about the long term durability or environmental impact.

Unfinished DIY Projects

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Potential buyers go on red alert over half completed decks, patios, or landscaping projects. Perhaps, they fear that after buying the home they will be left with a to do list. While you may be proud of your DIY work, leaving things unfinished can make buyers think they’re taking on someone else’s problems. If you begin a project, finish it before placing your home on the market.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.