Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is the first thing your buyers see when they drive up to your house or view photos on a listing.   Great curb appeal is the opportunity to make a great first impression.  Consider how the façade, your porch, front door, driveway, landscaping, yard and even the mailbox if you have one would appear to a potential buyer.   Does it provide the welcoming, well kept and inviting feel that would be appealing to a buyer?

Some items to bring the curb appeal to a positive light may require a large investment but there are some items you can do that are easy, inexpensive steps you can take to enhance the curb appeal.  Below are some ideas that can make a positive impression to help “grab” your potential buyer’s attention.

Wash Away Dirt

With your garden hose, you could rinse dirt and debris from your driveway and sidewalk.  Depending on the type of exterior you have the garden hose or a power washer might help the exterior look fresher and cleaner.  If you or someone else has a power washer, make sure to be careful about the windows as a power washer can damage windows or the exterior depending on what type and the condition.

Grass and Flower Beds

Keep the grass mowed and flower beds as weed free as possible.  If the flower bed needs to be “refreshed” add flowers and plants that add color.  They do not need to be expensive selections just welcoming and appealing.

Tame Your Trees, Bushes, Shrubs and Flower Beds

Trimming trees, shrubs and bushes gives the appearance of maintenance and offers the advantage of enhancing the other features of your home.     

Outside Lighting

If you have outside lighting, make sure it is in good repair.   A photo of the lighting at night can be an attention grabber in a listing.

Paint Your Front Door

Your front door is a major focal point and when your potential buyers view your home, they are going to see your front door close up as they enter your home to view.  This is a feature of your home you want to keep in welcoming and in good condition. Consider if it needs to be repainted or the staining needs to be freshened.  Perhaps it just needs a good cleaning.   A great looking door has the extra benefit of helping other features of the exterior of the house stand out.

Provide the welcoming feel of a place to sit and enjoy the outside area of the home

If you have a porch or patio, set out patio furniture. If you have a great shade tree this could be a place for a bench.  If you have a fire pit, pool, etc. use garden furniture or other items to help your potential buyer realize the value of the area.  The focus is to provide your Buyer the extra features you house offers and ideas on how to enjoy these extra benefits of you house.

Install A New Mailbox

If your house has a mailbox, is it fresh and appealing or is it old and possibly needs repair.  The mailbox is one of the first items a buyer will see.  Replacing with a new mailbox can provide a feel of a well-maintained home and extra curb appeal.  Select a color and style of mailbox that compliments your house.   Going one step further you can plant flowers or plants around the base of the mailbox.

Great curb appeal can make your house stand out to your potential buyers as well as increase your home value.