Improve your Home’s Outdoor Experience
Portlanders love the outdoors. When we’re not out hiking or biking – rain or shine! – we like to kick it outside our homes. Now that summer’s here, outdoor spaces are center stage.
Whether you’re buying or selling a Portland home this summer, it’s helpful to know a few key differences between the types of outdoor spaces you might find in a typical Portland home.
Porches
I love homes with porches. They have great curb appeal and buyers can imagine themselves hanging out there. In the winter months, porches are also great to have because by definition, it’s a covered space. Raincoats, umbrellas and boots can all be left there before entering the living space, saving many a mess for Portland home owners! Here are some of the most common porch types you’ll find around Portland, and in the MLS listings from your real estate agent:
Open Porch
Your classic porch — covered, with a railing. A porch swing or bench is obligatory. Depending on the sun exposure, plants could do well here. For the summer months, this space is divine!
Staging tip: Get rid of that porch couch in favor of something a little bit more elegant. De-clutter! Curb appeal is essential and stuff collected on the front porch will instantly detract from the first impression your home makes. If the porch is big enough, you can set up a couple of chairs and a table, or maybe even a porch swing. If there is a railing, clean between the rails to remove last winter’s cobwebs!
Sunroom or Enclosed Porch
A sunroom is a porch that is fully enclosed, either built in to the home from the beginning or added through later remodeling. To be included in the total square footage of the house, it must be heated. If it’s just a closed-off space, it’s still a great selling point. Sunrooms function as an extra room for storage, entertaining, keeping an indoor garden, or just relaxing. I’ve seen many types of sunroom construction, but the most common features are large windows, sliding glass doors and skylights to let as much solar energy in as possible.
Staging tips: If your sunroom is south-facing, set up a garden table and chairs among flourishing plants. Fans are a necessity for enclosed porches that have full sun exposure in the summer. If the room doesn’t get a lot of sun, show off the storage capacity or even set up a game room!
Screened or Three-Season Porch
The walls of a three-season porch are permeable, therefore these spaces are not heated or cooled and are not considered part of the finished square footage of the home. The porch may be completely or partially screened in and offers superior protection from insects. Totally screened in porches are rare in Portland – we’re just not a buggy city! However, with a cool breeze in the summer, screened porches are hands-down the best places to hang out in Portland when the heat waves come!
Staging tips: Plants will surely thrive on these porches. Just picture indoor-outdoor living at its finest – chaise lounge, water features and mini bar! However, the less-is-more rule still applies. Don’t let the space become so crowded that buyers can’t walk around the perimeter, or from corner to corner.
Decks
Unlike porches, decks and patios are not covered and not necessarily attached to the house. Depending on the style and orientation of the deck, they can serve many different purposes. Because they’re open-air, they’re an ideal place for barbecues, raised fire pits, or outdoor hearths. The right deck can be an incredible selling point, and if you have a good one, make the most of it!
Deck vs Patio
The primary difference between a deck and a patio is the construction style. Decks are attached to the home (like the deck of a boat) and patios are self-supporting. Also, decks are usually made from wood (cedar is a popular choice) or vinyl made to look like wood boards. They may or may not have a railing.
Hit the Deck
Decks are an extension of the indoor space, a place where kids can play and adults can enjoy the view of the backyard (decks are rarely a feature in the front of a home, though there are exceptions). Some Portland homes may even feature a deck on the roof!
Patios, Modern Courtyards
The word “patio” actually comes from the 19th century Spanish word for an inner courtyard, where the gentry would “hold court” with their friends and associates.
These days, patios are outer courtyards, situated next to the home or out in the grounds. They are usually constructed from paving stones, bricks, tiles or just a slab of concrete. Material is not so important as how you dress it up! Let your imagination go to the place where you would “hold court” with your friends and family — informally, Portland-style!
Staging tips: Because patios are sunken into the earth, staging is essential to highlight the fact that they’re there at all. A fire pit can serve as a nice central feature, surrounded by a few outdoor chairs. Potted plants can also help define the space.
When to Repair and Remodel
Okay, you’ve got the perfect porch, deck, patio, or in-between space — but maybe it’s not as perfect as it could be?
A new coat of paint on the front porch is one of the top real estate agent tips for multiplying your home’s curb appeal. That said, paint does not make a rotted or unsafe porch or deck passable! Boards that are damaged and splintered are exposed to the elements, which can cause rot in the joists and undermine the entire porch or deck. They should be replaced before further damaged is caused.
Because patios are not elevated and aren’t trafficked in the normal showing of a home, cracks and bumps in the paving may be acceptable. However, do make sure they are clearly marked so that they don’t pose a safety hazard.
Professional Staging is a Must
You’re hiring a professional real estate agent, make sure that you get a home stager’s input too when you list your Portland home! I include it in my listing package. Your outdoor spaces will look their best, and buyers will not want to leave your outdoor haven.
