In a market that’s flooded with foreclosed houses and a scarcity of buyers, how can pool builders help consumers sell their homes?
Chris Cipriano may have come up with an answer: outdoor staging.
It’s a new spin on a traditional home-selling technique.
Home staging is the act of sprucing up a private residence before it goes on the market, and is typically focused on indoor areas. The goal of staging is to sell a home quickly, at the highest possible price, by making it appealing to the largest number of potential buyers.
“Fixing up the outdoors and improving curb appeal is a vital aspect of selling the home,” said Cipriano, who is the CEO of Cipriano Landscape Design, based in Mahwah, N.J. “This is why outdoor staging is just as important as the traditional indoor [jobs].”
Cipriano’s services range from a home visit and consultation to fully renovating a client’s backyard. Those requesting consultations tend to be do-it-yourselfers who just want direction for freshening up their yards. In these cases, suggestions can range from removing outdoor clutter and dilapidated sheds to having the yard professionally mowed.
Yard renovations, on the other hand, are more involved. They may include adding new plants and flowers, statues, outdoor night lighting or updating a pool.
“A quick spiff-up for pool and patio areas would be to add decorative urns with flowers, outdoor furniture, and having the area pressure-washed and in order,” Cipriano said. “More involved updates could include new coping, tile and plaster.”
Outdoor staging fees can range from $300 for a consultation to $30,000, depending on the service and updates that will be completed.
Cipriano’s service was created in response to the housing crisis, but he thinks it’s a good idea regardless of how the economy is faring. “People will always be looking for a better return on their investments,” he said. “Improving curb appeal is essential when selling a home in any type of market.”
Cipriano plans to begin advertising his new outdoor staging service in March using local newspapers and probably the radio.