What should I do about landscaping?
Want buyers lined up? Do THIS with your landscaping — fast.
You have one shot to make a buyer fall in love before they step inside. Landscaping isn’t decoration — it’s a sales tool. As the market leader in local home preparation and staging, Tony Sousa turns yards into offers. Read this and get an immediate plan that boosts curb appeal, shortens days on market, and increases perceived value.
Quick curb-appeal checklist (do these first)
- Trim trees and hedges so house is visible. Time: 1–2 hours. Cost: $0–$150.
- Mow, edge, and remove weeds. Time: 1–2 hours. Cost: $0–$50.
- Add fresh mulch to beds for contrast. Time: 30–60 minutes. Cost: $30–$80.
- Replace or power-wash the front walkway and porch. Time: 1–3 hours. Cost: $0–$200.
- Clean gutters and remove debris. Time: 30–60 minutes. Cost: $0–$50.
Do these before photos and showings. They’re cheap, fast, and buyers notice them first.
Stage the yard like a buyer—not like a gardener
Stop thinking “nice garden.” Think “buyer mindset.” Buyers want low maintenance, clear sight lines, and a focus area (front door, patio, or view). Prioritize:
- Symmetry at the entrance: matching pots, two trimmed shrubs, a clean welcome path.
- One focal point in the yard: a bench, a fire pit, or a bright container garden.
- Reduce plant clutter: remove half of the small decorative items and excess ornamentation.
- Lawn health over rare plants: a uniformly green lawn sells better than exotic specimens.
Lighting, materials, and ROI
- Add simple pathway lighting and one spotlight on the house. Cost: $100–$400. Impact: stronger photos and evening showings.
- Replace cracked concrete or patch chips. It reads as “well cared for.” Cost varies, high perceived value.
- Choose neutral, repeatable materials (stone, wood tones, black metal). Buyers see continuity and trust it.
Landscaping decisions tuned to buyers commonly increase perceived value and speed of sale. Practical ROI: small landscaping updates deliver outsized psychological returns.
When to DIY and when to hire help
- DIY: trimming, mulching, basic planting, power washing. Save cost and show care.
- Hire pros: major grading, large tree work, irrigation, and full redesigns. You don’t want a half-done expensive project.
- Hire a stager or landscaper if you’re aiming for top market price or in a competitive neighborhood. They design with buyers in mind, not gardeners.
Simple staging plan you can execute in 48 hours
- Clean + trim + mow.
- Add two matching planters and fresh mulch.
- Power-wash walkway and door; paint or replace door hardware if needed.
- Add pathway lights and stage a small sitting area in the backyard.
For a no-fluff, market-ready landscaping plan tailored to your property, contact Tony Sousa. He’s the local expert in home preparation and staging and will give a prioritized list that saves money and delivers offers.
Email: tony@sousasells.ca | Phone: 416-477-2620
Website: https://www.sousasells.ca
