Here are some ideas for that area - choose plants based on your zone and the amount of sunlight in that area. Curvy paths tend to be more attractive so consider moving the steps to a more curvy shape. However, I wouldn't expect improvements to that area to dramatically change the likelihood of getting your house sold.

"Curvy paths tend to be more attractive ..." I have to disagree. Paths (or any entity) that FITS the space, is efficient and sensible usually look best. Things the seem contrived, purposeless or unrealistic look worst.

The steppingstone path is underwhelming and not very inviting. But it is better than putting in another path on a budget that someone might not like. At least this one looks easy enough to discard. The patio has the look of belonging to an apartment ... everything is temporary, could be packed up and moved in a hurry. There are no planting beds around. Unfortunately, it's not practical to plant things when the effects are needed in a big hurry. The bed you could do without wasting a lot of money is develop bed and mulch them. For example, one would not likely have a grass strip between a patio and fence, which is what's happening here. Also, the grade should meet the top edge of the patio surface, such that the patio appears inlaid ... not stuck on top of the ground, creating a very short step all around.

some ideas:

Hi Sherry, With a house that large, I imagine it has a lot of bedrooms. A lot of bedrooms usually mean a larger family. A larger family, not always, but usually wants/need a larger yard. Sadly, you cannot make the yard any larger. So,, not knowing the temperature area you live in, or what the rest of the yard looks like, or your budget, it is hard to give advice. I am guessing you want something more inviting for an entrance and Dig Dougs Designs photo is a great idea. If too expensive or time consuming, perhaps a fence and an arbor with pots of plants on each side of your path. Place colorful cushions and pillows on the furniture and other decorations. From the photo, the patio furniture looks really worn out, if so, it would be worth the investment to replace it. The whole idea is to have someone want to really, really be in the yard in spite of it's size. Good. luck and please let us know what you do

Yardvaark’s comment about the grade around the patio is on the money. I am a DIY gardener, so I would likely lift the sod along the edge as far back as needed, add enough tamped down soil to bring it up to grade in a gradual taper, and replace the sod, watering it in well so it isn’t a trip hazard.

For the patio, get some bright cushions and a new, bright inexpensive rug that coordinates.

For the path to the backyard, I would likely put in an edging to make a wide woodchip path around the stepping stones that flares out at the end to replace most of the worn grass with woodchips. Place a pair of large, brightly planted pots out at the front end to frame the walkway. Leave the remaining grass to either side of the woodchipped path. As Yardvaark said, a path with random squiggles isn’t logical or comfortably walkable.

Just like for the inside of the house, you want to aim for neat, uncluttered, and well cared for. The posted inspiration photos are unlikely to be realistic in your time frame (needed to be started a year before the house went on the market) and I doubt will be worth the needed investment, but you can make changes that will make your yard look better cared for.

Backyards are usually far down on the list of importance to most homebuyers, prices in my area are down 100k from the high last year, that may be the big problem.

So is that how you access the back yard? I think we need more pics or details.

I agree with NHBabs comments. I am a landscape designer who recently sold her house. There isn't enough time to create a new landscape and it may not be what the new owner wants anyway. Yes, the house seems huge for the lot but many people don't care about that. I am envisioning the huge houses on small lots that I have seen in my area.

What I see when I look at the photo is a dreary no color patio and landscape and an unkempt lawn. Everything is the same tone.

I would spend some money on having new turf laid down in this area so the grass looks really good. Large square pavers would fit the space better, I think. A couple of very large pots with great colorful flowers near the walls, at the beginning of the walk area. Repeat at the end. Color in a new rug and pillows. More very large pots with flowers or large plants around the yard as needed to make it lively and fresh. Also pots with flowers on the patio. If your lawn in not in good shape I would put down new turf (instant gratification), or have a professional grass service green it up with an application of ??? iron ( they should know what might work in your area). If you could hang some gauzy curtains at the corners of the pergola it up it would help to soften all the hard edges and the hard fence. The flower and plant colors should coordinate with the colors of the fabrics.

I suggest you have a landscaping firm or interior plant firm do the pots and a designer who stages houses handle the patio area.

Good luck.

Don't waste a lot of money. Nice cushions on furniture. Cute pillows. Add bright colored annuals to pots that have the palms in them. All that will go with you when you move. Maybe???????, fix dead grass at front right corner.

If you were staying there, all the ideas are great. Moving, the next person will say, "Ugh, flower beds, I don't want to take care of flower beds!"