A common theme since the start of the pandemic has been an insatiable appetite for outdoor activities for most people. In fact, sales of everything for the outdoors from bicycles to paddle boards and boats have risen dramatically over the past 18 months or so. When it comes to home sales, the increased demand for outdoor living is no different. With more and more home buyers looking for additional space, a focus on outdoor living has certainly been apparent recently. While most sellers focus a lot of their attention on getting the interior of the home ready for showings, it is important to remember the importance of the outdoor space as well. Below we discuss a few areas to focus on when getting your property ready to list for sale.
The great outdoors
- Outdoor kitchen: In South Florida particularly, we are spoiled with a climate that allows year round utilization of our outdoor space. When it comes to entertaining outdoors, nothing is more convenient or enjoyable than an outdoor kitchen. If space and budget permit, an outdoor kitchen that includes a grill, a small counter top, a small refrigerator, and perhaps even a sink is a difference maker for prospective buyers. This important feature should absolutely be highlighted for any home listed for sale.
- Pet and kid-friendly spaces: Having one or more areas in the backyard dedicated to kids and/or pets is another feature in high demand. For example, if you have a swing set in the backyard, you may consider leaving it. If the prospective buyers have children, they will absolutely love this feature. Similarly, a dog house in the backyard is another item that may catch they eye of prospective buyers. In fact, pet adoptions have actually increased substantially since the start of the pandemic.
- Privacy: For many buyers, privacy is an extremely important feature for any home. If your home is located in a development where it is in close proximity to other homes, privacy becomes even more important. If you have large hedges or a tall fence around your property, be sure to highlight this in your listing. If your home does not have these items for privacy, you may consider installing a privacy fence prior to listing it. This may help the property show better and perhaps prevent additional costs later during the negotiation process.
- Smart irrigation system: Most buyers today are looking for advanced technology and environmentally friendly features. A smart irrigation system addresses both of these demands. Furthermore, these systems also provide financial benefits to the homeowner since they typically do not utilize as much water. It is important that a smart irrigation system is highlighted in any listing as an important feature.
Summary
Of course, there are many other outdoor features that are important when listing a home for sale. Although not the scope of this article, we have previously written articles about the importance of curb appeal. Needless to say, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. A well groomed and maintained front yard is critical to the success of any home listed for sale. Overall, outdoor features should be stressed wherever possible for homes in South Florida. We are extremely fortunate to enjoy the tropical climate and more people are doing so in their own backyards.
Are you looking to buy or sell a property in South Florida? Now more than ever, it is critical to have a qualified real estate team and the proper search tools behind you. At Live South Florida Realty, Inc., we have been a leader in the South Florida market for many years. Let our team of professionals assist you with buying or selling your piece of paradise today! In addition, our recently launched “Florida Home Search” app is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With real-time MLS feeds, this app lets you set your own alerts to notify you as soon as a property meeting your needs hits the market. Furthermore, it will also let you know of recent closed sales in your area so that you may be even more educated on the market. Be sure to download this app for your smartphone or tablet today!
