Springtime is peak season for listing your home for sale. A well-manicured lawn and colorful landscape provide a luring setting for buyers on the hunt so let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Plan for a springtime sale by prepping the landscape the previous fall. Clear any clutter from the yards, trim back shrubs and tree limbs and clean out gutters. Rake the lawn and flowerbeds. In February or March, apply a pre-emergent weed killer. Pro tip: Organic versions are available.

The lawn is fundamental to a good-looking landscape, so when spring arrives, keep it healthy. Aeration improves air supply to roots. If the grass is thin in areas, reseeding can help, but take a sample tuft of your grass to a nursery or grass farm and get an exact match. Apply fertilizer and weed control . Depending on how much snow and rain you received over the winter, be sure that the grass is well hydrated and green. Of course, keeping it well trimmed and groomed is essential.

Showcase your flowerbeds. In spring, lots of blues, reds and yellows bring vibrancy. Plant varieties that have a long blooming period, spring into summer.  If you are still trying to sell by fall, yellows and oranges accompanied by pumpkins usher in cooler weather and the coming holidays.

Natural stone edging around flowerbeds creates a transition from lawn to beds. Be sure to lay a good three- to four-inch layer of quality mulch in the flowerbeds to insulate plant roots from seasonal temperature extremes and to retain moisture in the soil.

Run your sprinkler system manually for just a couple of minutes per station. Make sure each area is getting good coverage. Are all sprinkler heads rising to full height? Clear any turf that may have grown over the heads or clogged the nozzles. Look for leaks and redirect heads spraying onto paved areas.

Trim trees, plant new ones. If mature trees have low hanging, unruly limbs, trim them back for a neater and more expansive look to the property. If you have large, blank areas of lawn, consider planting a new tree.

Keep hoses and other implements in the garage or an attractive garden shed in back to keep the yard tidy.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract

When preparing your home for sale, drive-up appeal is crucial, but don’t overlook the importance of your backyard space, where potential buyers should be able to envision themselves relaxing. Let’s make it shine in six quick and easy steps.

Clean up the clutter. For many people, the backyard becomes a haven for junk when the garage has more than it can handle. That decrepit barbeque grill, the leftover lumber from the fence repair, and any other eyesores need to go.

Clean off the deck or patio. If your patio is dingy, or the deck needs refinishing, try power washing them. Repair any broken or decaying spots, and then apply a new stain and seal. For patios, clean out grass and weeds growing between masonry joints. With very little money and minimal effort, your outdoor space will look nearly new.

Landscaping should accent the living area with lush greens and colors that pop. The lawn should be weeded, well hydrated and manicured. Use colorful potted plants to accent the patio or deck. Trees and shrubs should be neatly trimmed.

Replace or refurbish patio furniture. Most patio furniture can be repainted. Replace tired seat cushions for a fresh look.

Polish and clean the barbeque grill and add a new cover. If you have an outdoor kitchen, make sure counters are clean and free of any cracks or chips. Outdoor refrigerators should be clean inside and out.

Use accent lighting over the patio or deck and along walkways to highlight features of your backyard living space. For less than $50, drape string lights overhead to create a festive setting.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. 

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article's photo was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Backyard fences are a popular choice these days, particularly if you’ve got small children or pets that wander. But before you put up the first panel or pound in the first fence post, drive through your neighborhood to see what’s customary and check with town or neighborhood authorities to see if there are rules governing the height of fences, what materials can be used, and whether or not fences must be landscaped.

Still not sure? Here are a few pros and cons to fencing, along with a quick guide to the types of fence materials. 

Benefits. A well-chosen fence can add a sense of place and help define your property. If you have pets or children, a fence will keep them contained. You’ll also need a fence if you have a pool. Many people like the privacy fences afford them. More secure fence options can also keep unwanted visitors off your property.

Drawbacks. In some cases, a fence may not be a good option. This may be the case if you live in an area where most homes don’t have fences. Erecting a fence may make your home feel isolated and unapproachable. Using low quality materials or a style that doesn’t coordinate with neighboring fences can detract from your home.

Fencing options. Fencing options — both style and material — are wide ranging. The best choice for you will depend on the purpose of your fence, the types of existing fences in your neighborhood, and your budget.

Metal and chain link fences are durable, and work well to define a property or contain animals. While chain-link fencing isn’t particularly attractive, it is an inexpensive option. The average price for metal fencing is around $9 CAD per foot, to around $5 per foot to $15 USD per foot.

Wood fences can be used for neighbor-friendly picket fences or privacy fences. Wood choices are wide-ranging but one of the most popular is pressure-treated lumber, which resists rotting and requires less maintenance. Fences can be left natural or altered with paint or stain but require more maintenance. Wood fencing costs at around $15 CAD per foot, to around $5 per foot to $10 USD per foot.

Vinyl fencing is easy for a homeowner to install because it’s lightweight and comes in panels. Though durable and requiring little maintenance, vinyl won’t work for security fencing. Range from $22 per foot to $33 CAD per foot, to around $20 USD per foot, vinyl fencing is affordable.

Aluminum is an alternative to wrought iron that offers a similar look at a more affordable price — from around $29 to $42 CAD per foot, to $30 USD per foot. It is often used to border a yard or pool.

Wrought iron is a strong material with longevity. Its benefits include an attractive traditional style and excellent security. This kind of fence must be made and installed by professionals and comes with a hefty price tag. Wrought iron fences may cost up as much as $130 CAD per foot, to around $100 USD per foot.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Prices above does not include labour for professional installation. Prices and listing order were revised to reflect estimates in both CDN & US dollars from HOUSEOPEDIA's original article. 

When prepping a home for sale, don’t forget the exterior of the house in the rush to revamp the interior. Curb appeal is key. If potential buyers aren’t dazzled by the exterior of a home, they might enter the house with a negative impression — assuming they go inside at all. Here’s a handy outdoor checklist.

1. The landscaping. Dead plants and unruly yards are sure turnoffs. Luckily, those types of issues are easy fixes. Replace dead plants and shrubbery with low-maintenance plants that are native to your area. Unsure of what to plant? Ask for help at a local nursery. Native plants generally require less maintenance and watering.

2. Neatness counts. Put away toys, tools and anything else that might be cluttering the yard or driveway. Haul away any trash. Pull weeds, mow and trim the lawn on a regular basis and don’t forget to sweep away yard clippings, excess dirt or pine straw. If you’re a fan of garden statuary or artwork, consider packing away most of your collection. It could be a turnoff.

3. The door. After sprucing up the front yard, take a look at the front door. What does it say to potential buyers? Is it secure and well-maintained? Does the lock work or do you have to jiggle the knob sometimes? Is a new doorknob needed? Once all repairs are made, give the door a new coat of paint. It’s an easy and inexpensive fix that will transform the front of your home.

4. What about the lighting? Make sure the front entrance is well lit for safety and showmanship. Also check lights around the garage or patio. Replace burned out bulbs and any broken fixtures.

5. Details, details. Test the doorbell to make sure it works. Is the house number visible? If not, repair or replace. What about the mailbox? Repaint and repair as needed.

6. Let it shine. Stand at the curb and give the house a critical look. If it still appears dingy, have the house, driveway and walkways pressure washed and the windows cleaned.