If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, you probably want to present your home in the best way possible in the pictures and showings. Curbside appearance plays a large role in the first impressions of potential buyers. While curbside appeal can be subjective, to some extent, there are some steps you can take to raise the overall visual appeal of your home and property. Here are 5 tips to increase the curbside appeal of your home for potential buyers:
1. Declutter The Property
One of the simplest ways to increase your home’s curbside appeal is to declutter the property. Clutter accumulates on the porch, near the garage, in the side yard and on balconies and decks easily, and it can go unnoticed because we see it every day. But to prospective buyers, clutter is an eyesore and a distraction that will impact the first impression of the house.
Many buyers remember their first impressions long after they look at the house. Taking time to put away bikes, cars, yard toys, lawn furniture and other items that could contribute to a cluttered appearance will go a long way in increasing the curbside appeal of your home.
2. Repaint The Exterior
The second step you can take to increase the curbside aesthetic of your home is to repaint the exterior. Chipped, peeling or faded paint are all distractions that potential buyers will notice. A worn out paint job can also be seen as a signal that there may be other parts of the home that are worn out and in need of repair.
If you decide to repaint your home, put some thought into the color you choose. Muted, neutral colors like browns, beiges, greens, and reds are all great choices that look great on most homes. Blue is another color option that is slightly more daring, but can be a great choice for homeowners.
3. Spruce Up Your Landscaping
The third way you can increase the curbside appeal of your home is to focus on the yard and the landscaping. Grass, bushes, flowers, trees, and other vegetation around your home all factor into the first impression that is so crucial for prospective home buyers. In fact, realtors have found that homes with well-done landscaping have higher curbside appeal, and sell for as much as 7% more than homes without that same landscaping.
Landscaping improvement tasks can be as simple as mowing and fertilizing the grass and weeding the flowerbeds, or as extensive as laying fresh mulch and transplanting bushes. Whatever you choose, aim for a neat, clean, well-manicured appearance throughout the property.
4. Don’t Forget About Your Roof
The next thing you can do to increase the curbside appeal of your property and home is replacing the roof. If your roof is worn out, or has visible damage like cracked or missing shingles, water damage or hail damage, it may be quite noticeable from the ground. The roof makes up a large portion of the exterior surface of your home, so if it is damaged, it can send the wrong signal to potential buyers.
If you think your house may have a damaged roof, you should schedule an inspection with a professional roofing company to find out what the best solution is. In many cases, they will recommend a roof replacement, which will boost not only the curbside appeal, but also the value of your home.
5. Make Sure Your Driveway Is In Good Shape
If your driveway is cracked due to the freeze-thaw cycles, crumbling around the edges due to wear and tear, or has roots growing underneath and pushing it up in some places, you should consider some driveway repairs. A smooth, flat driveway that is free of cracks and imperfections is another factor in a person’s first impression of your house.
Whether you want to complete a DIY driveway repair or pay a professional, you’ll want to make sure the driveway is clean afterward. An easy way to make sure the driveway is clean is to use a pressure washer. This will leave your driveway free from streaks, dust, pollen, and mud, and give it a fresh appearance to go with the rest of your home.
Whether you do all 5 of the suggestions above, or just pick one or two to tackle over time, these tips will help you increase the curbside appearance of your home this spring. Chances are, your home has some beautiful characteristics that will be enhanced even further by some TLC, and attractive to potential buyers.