These warm days and cool nights remind us that we live in a wonderful climate perfect for an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. It’s what brings a lot of people to move to Palm Springs. The idea of opening the patio doors wide open and sunbathing in winter warmth poolside is alluring. Buyers, whether they’re looking for a single family home or a condo, are more and more drawn to outdoor spaces that are pleasant and inviting.

If you’re thinking of selling within the next year or two, and want to sell for top dollar, and in a reasonable timeframe, now is a good time to take a look around the yard and poolside to see what might need to be done to make them more inviting to perspective buyers; what to do that will make them fall hard in love with your home.

Studies show that the return on investment for landscape improvements is better than many other improvements that sellers take on. While I’m not familiar with studies that focus solely on Palm Springs (Coachella Valley), I’m confident from my decade + experience selling real estate that buyers react positively to nice landscaping, and to attractive (well-kept) pools.

So, what can you do that’s relatively easy and affordable to make your gardens and poolside play to buyers’ emotions? More buyers are “eco-conscience”; most appreciate a garden that is water-wise, but at the same time isn’t just a field of gravel with a couple plants here and there. A desert-friendly garden CAN be “lush” and inviting.

If your garden is already “desert-friendly”, take a close look to see if plants need editing, or a good trim. Perspective buyers shouldn’t have to skirt a plant walking up to the house. That’s not good curb appeal! Perhaps there’s areas in the yard that are a bit barren. It’s a good time to plant something attractive that compliments your landscape. Palm Springs buyers appreciate privacy; most things you can do to create a greater sense of privacy will make your home more attractive to more buyers. Hedges will grow quickly here, and fall or spring are good times to plant! Just remember to keep your hedge “friendly”.

Buyers look at the pool carefully. Does it need to be replastered? Is it discolored? Is the equipment making funny noises, or leaking? These are all things that sellers are smart to tend to before the home goes on the market. Often, a good acid wash and tile cleaning will make the pool look new!

Your home will stand out from the crowd if you take a few steps to amp up the yard and pool. If you don’t know where to start, I have references for gardeners, landscape designers, and pool contractors, of if you’d like a consultation with me, I’m happy to engage in a conversation about what we can do to get your gardens and poolside “show ready”!

Russell Hill/760.898.8399/russell@poolsidewithrussell.com/dre 1427657/homesmart