Boost the Curb Appeal of the House You’re Selling
Curb Appeal Tips for Selling Your Home
You are ready to move, and you are packing up your old home with the hope of beginning a new adventure in a new city, home, and area. But first, if you are a homeowner, you need to sell your previous home.
The realtor sign is ready to go up, but before it does, your real estate agent wants to talk with you. The problem: curb appeal. This is probably one of the fastest ways to sell a house: make your former home appealing to potential buyers.
Welcoming Porch and Outdoor Spaces
Your agent makes several low-cost suggestions that will bring fast results.
- Make sure the yard is clear of debris, and the grass is cut. Just creating the appearance of a home that is well-kept goes a long way toward inviting people to stop and look. The same goes for the inside. Clean, paint (if needed,) and straighten up the interior just as you would the exterior.
- Remove yard “art” that is specific to your taste. Most real estate agents will advise you to make the home you are selling attractive and a place where buyers can see themselves living.
- Paint your front door and shutters. If your door has faded, it may need to be re-stained or painted. Remember, the entryway to any home is the focal point. The door into your former home should reflect the interior space, so in this case, add something that reflects your style—like a welcoming wreath or simple clay pots with beautiful flowers flowing out of them. Invite people to stop and come in!
- Power Wash Driveways and Exterior Surfaces This is an easy button that will cost you a little time and money but brings a big reward in curb appeal. It only takes a weekend to freshen up your home’s exterior. Brick, wood, and vinyl siding are safe surfaces to power wash, as are wood decks and concrete sidewalks. If you don’t own a power washer, you can easily rent one from your local home improvement store.
- Install Outdoor Lighting In today’s world, this is easy to do. Outdoor lighting significantly impacts your home’s curb appeal. Using what architects call “up lighting” in trees also creates a warm, inviting curb appeal. If you aren’t able to use lights that require wiring, install solar fixtures. Solar outdoor lights are budget-friendly and easy to install. Remember, buyers drop by your house at all times of the day and evening to see how the house looks from the curb!
- Do a Mailbox Makeover Better Homes and Gardens lists this as an “eye-catching” point for potential buyers. “Mailboxes should complement the home and express the homeowner’s personality. For a mailbox that sits closer to the road, surround your mailbox with a beautiful flowering garden to instantly make your front yard more welcoming and approachable.” If your mailbox is attached to your house, you still add happiness with flowers, a little paint, and fresh street numbers.
- Refresh Planter Beds Roll up your sleeves and tackle those weeds in your garden beds. Maybe add some annuals to the mix, so it looks attractive and inviting. Add new mulch to restore color faded by sunlight and harsh weather, or freshen your pine straw isles. If stone or brick borders your bed, consider cleaning and resetting the pieces.
- Replace Faded or Old Hardware You can easily replace faded house numbers, add a new mailbox, or change out the hardware on the front door. Think about what would make your old home look fresh and pop.
- Install Window Boxes Window boxes are a curb appeal idea that offers a fast, easy way to bring color and charm to your home. Choose boxes made from copper or iron for a traditional look. Select painted wood for a cottage feel.
- Update or Freshen Your Porch Seating If you have a front porch with furniture, add welcoming porch furniture and invite people to stay awhile, especially potential buyers. You can even add the cozy feel of a living room with rugs, throw pillows, and end tables.
If you don’t have space for a couple of rocking chairs, add a small wicker chair or bench that says Welcome! “Comfortable outdoor seating is a curb appeal idea that encourages everyone to engage with neighbors and participate in street-side activities.” (Better Homes and Gardens)
Don’t forget to update your porch with colorful outdoor furniture, which is an easy way to boost curb appeal on a budget.
Do some upgrades and replacements
- Replace worn, out-of-date storm doors. A full glass door adds safety and allows the beauty of the home’s door to shine through. Storm doors are still an easy and fairly inexpensive change for maximum curb appeal.
- Add Shutters or Accent Trim The editors for Home and Garden suggest adding shutters to dress up your old home and get it ready to put on the market. “Shutters and trim are curb appeal ideas that add a welcoming layer of beauty to your home. Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass. New composite materials, such as PVC resins or polyurethane, make trim details durable and low maintenance.”
- Replace Gutters and Downspouts. Don’t put your house on the market with sagging gutters. You will want to have them cleaned and painted if needed. You can replace your gutter system and make a huge curb appeal statement. Or if you are on a budget, clean and repair it.
- Repair Broken and Cracked Concrete If your driveway is cracked, stained, or has weeds in it, then you can easily make it look attractive. “First, repair the cracks and stains (and kill the weeds), then dress it up by power washing the concrete or even staining it. For more room to move your car or park, add stone, brick, or pavers to the sides of the driveway to widen it. This adds value to the sale of your house. “Establishing a crisp, clear shift between paved and unpaved surfaces can help to set off a driveway and enhance curb appeal.”
- Add a Water Feature Tasteful birdbaths, metal cutouts, sculptures, and even wind chimes are great choices for outdoor decor. Make sure your water tables or sculpture has a timeless feel to it. Water sounds are a great way to create a soothing and welcoming environment. Make sure you place fountains on level ground for the sound’s best vantage point.
- Install a Trellis For exterior design on a dime, use an arbor or trellis to add something special to your front yard and complement your plantings. To make this curb appeal idea even more budget-friendly, build a DIY trellis. Then, train a flowering vine up it for a gorgeous living wall treatment.
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