Buying equestrian homes can be a daunting project for many, especially the first time around. There are myriad maintenance issues to consider, even when it comes to the best designed ranches and properties. Normal maintenance will definitely be a chore, and especially when the property has unique and different characteristics.

If you already own horses, you know that it is a substantial financial commitment and one that requires a great deal of time. The same goes for owning equestrian homes, whether you’ve found the perfect piece of real estate in Rancho Mirage or La Quinta, or a property in Santa Barbara.

Every task performed at a stable will be required of those owning a property where horses are kept. Horses require exercise on a daily basis, and even more so for those confined in paddocks and stables the majority of the time. In addition to exercising horses, the paddocks should always be free of trash and debris, especially broken glass. Fences always need to be in a perfect state to prevent horses from getting injured, and stable bedding must be changed daily. Unfortunately, droppings must always be removed to prevent flies and worm infestation.  Tack should be properly cleaned and horses should be groomed after each ride. In addition, it’s typically normal for a horse owner to check the paddock twice a day to make sure horses have clean water and adequate feed, and that they are safely in the stable.

When you are planning your visits to check out real estate in Rancho Mirage or another prime area for equestrian properties, make sure to consider all the maintenance aspects. Think about equipment storage, irrigation, manure disposal, and obviously the amount of space when you visit a potential property or are already in the planning stages.

image: sarasotafarms.org

Are you hoping to sell your Rancho Mirage real estate to the highest possible bidder? Whether you’re selling luxury properties such as equestrian homes, a ranch or beach condos, properly staging the property will highlight its strengths and downplay its weaknesses so that you can appeal to the widest pool of buyers.

1. Create groupings. To make rooms look as large and user-friendly as possible, float furnishings away from the walls and arrange them in small conversational-style groupings. This actually opens up the appearance of each room more than positioning furniture against the walls will.

2. Make a statement. If you have a room that needs work or lacks purpose, add value by repurposing it or adding a standout design feature. Be creative and think outside the box—you can transform a boring guest room into a reading nook with a plush chair, a sumptuous rug and statement lighting. With properties like equestrian homes, you have a lot of area to work with and accessorize—consider vintage lighting concepts or unique window treatments to add stylish flair to your property.

3. Employ lighting. If you’ve ever visited a home that was staged well, it probably felt warm and inviting. An easy way to create that kind of atmosphere is with good lighting schemes. Two key ways to do this is 1) Play with the wattage in both your interior and exterior lamps and fixtures, and 2) Strive to blend three types of lighting: ambient, task and accent.

4. Create illusions of space. To make a section of your house appear larger, paint two adjacent rooms the same color. To take the illusion even further, match your curtains to the paint.

Using staging tips like these will improve the appearance of your Rancho Mirage real estate, luxury home or any other type of property you’re putting on the market. As a result, you will increase your pool of prospective buyers.

image: myislandhomerealty.com