Things to Do in Your Garden Before You Sell Your House賣(mài)房前打理庭院的妙招

There’s a lot of work involved in getting your house ready to sell. Unfortunately most people only think of addressing the home’s interior and exterior when revamping， leaving much to be desired in the form of neglected gardens and landscapes. With statistics stating the potential of a 109% return on every $1 you invest in your landscaping， there is something to say for handing over the gift of gardening along with the keys. Successful sales reps often paint a picture of the fresh new life potential buyers will eagerly step into， and the outdoors should most definitely be included in the dream. Whether you’ve put years of sweat equity1 into your own glorious garden， or are just looking to freshen it up with the hopes of multiple bids， we’ve got the checklist to keep you on track.

收拾好房屋待售需要做大量工作?？上?，大多數(shù)人在翻新時(shí)僅關(guān)注室內(nèi)外裝修，而忽視了庭院及景觀，留下許多不足之處。有數(shù)據(jù)顯示，賣(mài)主每投資1美元美化景觀，就有可能獲得109%的回報(bào)——在交付房屋鑰匙時(shí)附帶一份園藝贈(zèng)禮，這樣做是值得的。優(yōu)秀的房產(chǎn)經(jīng)紀(jì)人通常會(huì)勾勒出一幅潛在買(mǎi)家渴望步入的全新生活圖景，而戶外空間絕對(duì)應(yīng)被納入這一美好圖景中。無(wú)論是您已精心打理自家宜人的庭院多年，還是僅希望通過(guò)翻修庭院以求在出售房屋時(shí)吸引到多方競(jìng)價(jià)，下列清單都能為您提供指引。

1. Seasonal weed maintenance

1. 定期除草維護(hù)

It doesn’t matter the time of year， it is always a must to get those garden borders and hillsides cleared of any overgrowth. Think of this as revealing the canvas： Not only are you freshening up the space， but you’re also showcasing the potential of where and how the new owner can put their own personal touch. A neat and tidy landscape， especially in hillside communities， is not only important for fire safety， but also gives that move-in-ready vibe so the new owners won’t have to immediately haul out the garden tools as soon as their boxes are unpacked.

無(wú)論何時(shí)，清理庭院花境和坡地上肆意蔓生的雜草總必不可少。此舉如同揭開(kāi)畫(huà)布：不僅在讓庭院煥然一新，還在向新主人展示個(gè)性化改造庭院的可能性。尤其對(duì)位于山坡的居民區(qū)而言，整潔的庭院景觀不僅關(guān)乎防火安全，更能營(yíng)造出“拎包即住”的氛圍，讓新主人不必行李一拆包就得趕緊拽出園藝工具修整庭院。

2. Trim trees and manicure shrubs

2. 修整樹(shù)木和灌木叢

Whether you have young fruit trees or mature ornamentals， it is important to do a proper pruning across the entire property to amplify the power of arbors. Trees have the capability of increasing your home’s value by 5% to 11%， so make sure existing specimens look in top condition and consider planting a few native or drought-tolerant varieties if there aren’t any currently on the property.

無(wú)論種有幼齡果樹(shù)還是成熟景觀樹(shù)，對(duì)整個(gè)宅院進(jìn)行適當(dāng)修剪以增強(qiáng)樹(shù)木整體效用至關(guān)重要。樹(shù)木能為房產(chǎn)增值5%至11%，因此請(qǐng)確?，F(xiàn)有植株處于最佳狀態(tài)。若宅院目前缺少本土或耐旱品種，不妨考慮種上幾株。

3. Clear all pathways

3. 打掃每條小徑

Pebble and DG2 pathways should get a proper raking to showcase the thoughtful design and passageways you’ve created for navigating the space. Defining pathways helps tell the story of how a potential buyer will ultimately use the area. Guide them into their perfect paradise and take out any guesswork as to how they’ll enjoy the landscape.

應(yīng)該用耙子清理干凈由卵石和碎石鋪成的小徑，以展現(xiàn)為漫步庭院而精心規(guī)劃的通道。將小徑收拾干凈有助于向潛在買(mǎi)家展現(xiàn)未來(lái)使用場(chǎng)景，引導(dǎo)買(mǎi)家構(gòu)想其理想中的生活空間，打消他們有關(guān)如何享受庭院景觀的疑慮。

4. Mulch drop

4. 鋪上護(hù)根蓋料

Selling mid-project or have a native garden that’s currently dormant？ Don’t drop a ton of money on new landscaping that someone will ultimately tear out—drop mulch instead！ The magic of fresh wood chips will revamp both front and backyard spaces. Start by filling in borders and bare spots with a 2-inch layer of non-dyed organic material for a clean and intentional look. Not only will this look fresh， it will also aid in enriching the soil and preventing water loss， which is especially important if you’ve recently added any new plantings.

若出售的房產(chǎn)尚在施工，或庭院以本土植物為主且正處于休眠期，該怎么辦？與其砸錢(qián)打造最終會(huì)被新房主拆除的景觀，不如在庭院里鋪上護(hù)根蓋料！新鮮木屑具有讓前屋后院煥發(fā)新彩的魔力。首先，在花境與裸露區(qū)域填滿2英寸厚的原色有機(jī)木屑，以營(yíng)造整潔效果。這么做不僅能讓庭院煥然一新，還能保墑增肥，對(duì)新栽植物尤為重要。

5. Make choice landscape additions

5. 精選景觀點(diǎn)綴

We don’t all have the luxury of selling during the garden’s prime spring flush， so a few intentional plantings will give a move-in-ready appearance while defining design. If you have a native garden and plants are currently dormant or pruned back， consider dotting a few fresh blooming natives or native-friendly flowers to help illustrate how the space will be filling in during future seasons. If there is dead plant matter on the property， remove and consider replacing it with something that looks best during your current selling season， and do not plant until a week or few days before the listing photo day.

并非人人都有機(jī)會(huì)趕在春色滿園時(shí)賣(mài)掉房產(chǎn)，故而有規(guī)劃的栽種可在明確設(shè)計(jì)風(fēng)格的同時(shí)營(yíng)造一種“拎包即住”的效果。若庭院以本土植物為主且植物正處于休眠期或剛被修剪過(guò)，不妨點(diǎn)綴幾叢盛放的原生植物或適合本地生長(zhǎng)的花卉，以此勾勒未來(lái)季節(jié)庭院日益繁茂之景。若院內(nèi)有枯死的植物，應(yīng)將其移除，并考慮代之以在當(dāng)前售房季節(jié)最適宜觀賞的植物，而且要在拍攝房源照片前一周或幾天再種植。

6. Slim down on the sod

6. 精簡(jiǎn)草坪面積

If you’re thinking of refreshing a grassy patch with some fresh sod just before the house hits the market， reconsider the space and try reducing the green footprint by at least 15–20%. While we understand that a bright patch of green makes your home look incredibly inviting， you can instead easily extend borders or create DG pathways for a budget-friendly and low-effort way to reduce the grassy area while maintaining a pleasing look.

若計(jì)劃在房屋掛牌前通過(guò)鋪設(shè)新草皮來(lái)翻新一塊草地，請(qǐng)重新考慮這塊空間，試著將綠地面積縮減至少15%—20%。雖然蔥郁的草地能使房屋極具吸引力，但也可以選擇輕松拓展花境或鋪設(shè)碎石小徑，以經(jīng)濟(jì)實(shí)惠且省力的方式縮減草坪面積，同時(shí)保持庭院美觀。

7. Repair and stain raised beds and other garden structures

7. 修繕并粉刷抬升式花壇等園藝結(jié)構(gòu)

Homes with dilapidated gardens seem more of an inherited chore than an exciting new chapter. Vamp up beds with a fresh coat of stain and make sure everything is in good working order. If you have a greenhouse， consider styling it out with a few nursery plants. The more you can create a beautiful narrative for people， the more they’ll want to buy into it.

買(mǎi)下帶著破敗庭院的房產(chǎn)更似接手一份苦差，而非開(kāi)啟令人憧憬的新篇章。請(qǐng)修繕抬升式花壇，粉刷新漆，并確保所有園藝結(jié)構(gòu)狀況良好。若搭建了溫室，可考慮種一些苗圃植物加以裝飾。您為買(mǎi)家編織的敘事越動(dòng)人，他們就越容易買(mǎi)賬。

8. Plan out season vegetable beds and containers

8. 規(guī)劃時(shí)令蔬菜苗圃和盆栽

It seems counterintuitive to plant the next season of produce in a garden where you won’t be enjoying the harvest， but you’ll be rewarded with a higher offer on your house. By planting out a few beds you’re creating excitement for the future buyer and a jump start to their new garden journey. People aren’t inspired by blank raised beds and pots， so lure them in with a clear vision of what’s to come.

在無(wú)法享受收成的庭院種植下一季蔬果，這看似有違常理，卻能換來(lái)更高的房屋報(bào)價(jià)。規(guī)劃幾處菜畦，既能激發(fā)未來(lái)買(mǎi)家的期待，又能幫助他們開(kāi)啟全新的園藝之旅?？帐幨幍奶交▔突ㄅ钑?huì)讓人感到索然無(wú)味，那就用清晰的收成景象吸引買(mǎi)家吧。

9. Create plant ID tags

9. 制作植物銘牌

Let’s face it， you must be pretty proud of all the hard work you’ve put into your garden. Now it’s time to show it off！ While not every potential buyer will be plant-proficient， anyone can appreciate it if fresh fruit or specialty plants will be inherited on the move-in day. Take the time to label the types of fruit trees or native plants and order that sign for the certified wildlife habitat you’ve created. We like these copper plant tags that will look stylish while showcasing what your special garden has to offer.

說(shuō)實(shí)話，對(duì)于自己傾心打造的庭院，一定非常自豪。現(xiàn)在是時(shí)候展示了！盡管并非所有潛在買(mǎi)家都是園藝行家，但他們都會(huì)為搬入當(dāng)天即可享受到枝頭鮮果或特色草木而心動(dòng)?；ㄐr(shí)間為每株果樹(shù)或本土植物掛上品種銘牌，并為庭院中經(jīng)過(guò)認(rèn)證的野生動(dòng)物棲息地立塊標(biāo)牌。我們喜歡銅質(zhì)植物銘牌，既時(shí)尚又能一展庭院特色。

10. Thou shalt not install fake turf

10. 切勿覆蓋假草皮

Dealing with an entirely bare backyard？ Don’t make the mistake that many flippers do; resist the urge to throw down plastic turf. Not only is it environmentally wrong， the cost of removal is a turn-off to many buyers. We would personally much rather take on a blank slate than someone else’s careless choices.

完全光禿的后院該怎么辦？切勿重蹈很多炒房客的覆轍，壓下鋪設(shè)塑料草皮的沖動(dòng)。此舉既不環(huán)保，其拆除成本也會(huì)讓許多買(mǎi)家望而卻步。就個(gè)人而言，我們寧愿從零開(kāi)始，也不想收拾別人的爛攤子。

（譯者單位：對(duì)外經(jīng)濟(jì)貿(mào)易大學(xué)）

1 sweat equity（對(duì)房產(chǎn)等作辛勤裝修保養(yǎng)而使之增值的）財(cái)產(chǎn)增值勞動(dòng)。

2 = decomposed granite風(fēng)化花崗巖。此處指碎石。