Creating a beautiful backyard isn’t something that comes up in real estate selling tips very often. Because the backyard is behind the home and usually doesn’t have major impact on curb appeal, most sellers spend their time and energy on landscaping the front yard. But spending some time behind the house can make a big difference. Here are some real estate tips for quickly sprucing up the backyard:

 

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  Basic maintenance. At the very least, you should make sure the lawn is trimmed and green, relatively free of weeds and safe. Even if they can’t see if from the curb, people will still venture into the backyard, so make sure it’s neat and clean even if you’re not planning on doing anything else.

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  Decks and patios. If the home doesn’t already have a deck or patio, this could be a great opportunity to add some extra value to the property. The most important thing to remember when building a deck or patio is to make a budget and stick to it. These types of outdoor projects can quickly spiral out of control and come to cost way more than you intended. If the home already has a deck or patio, a quick coat of paint or a new stain can bring it back to life and make it habitable again. And that means extra appeal for  the open house.

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  The value of trees. If there aren’t trees in the backyard, consider adding a few. Trees can add major value to a property, even if they’re behind the house. Just make sure you aren’t violating any neighborhood or homeowner’s association codes for your area.

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  Fix the fences. Does the backyard have a fence? Make sure it’s in good condition and is free of holes and gaps. If the yard doesn’t have a fence, would it benefit from being fenced in? Families with children and pets are drawn towards fenced backyards, so consider adding one.