Curb appeal is the attractiveness of your home as seen from the curb. Curb appeal is always desirable and is especially critical when selling your home. Even if your home is absolutely beautiful on the inside, potential buyers may receive a negative first impression and drive right by without stopping, if your curb appeal is lacking. If the outside of your home appears in disrepair, this can also give the impression that other maintenance on the inside the home may not have been done. Therefore, when you are preparing your home for sale, be sure to remember to stage and make repairs to the exterior as well as the interior!
The following 10 tips will be sure to boost your home’s curb appeal:
1. Trim back overgrown shrubbery in the yard; especially in the front of your home. Doing this will also allow more natural light into the home, which is always a plus for potential buyers.
2. Keep your lawn nicely mowed. If you notice any brown or discolored patches, be sure to replace those with fresh sod.
3. Weed and mulch gardens to give your yard an overall well-manicured look.
4. Plant seasonal flowers to add a splash of color and life to your yard. In winter, try ornamental cabbage or kale. If your yard space is limited, you can plant seasonal flowers in small planters near the entrance to your home.
5. Update outdoor light fixtures to a current style and be sure light bulbs are in working order. Using energy efficient bulbs can be a plus for potential buyers.
6. Replace the mailbox if it is in disrepair or to coordinate with your home’s paint scheme.
7. Repaint the front door, especially if the paint is peeling or cracking. Use a color that accents your exterior color palette and be sure to keep your overall color palette as neutral as possible so that it will appeal to the greatest number of potential homebuyers.
8. Repaint the front porch if it appears worn. If your porch is concrete, be sure to use concrete filler (available at most home improvement stores) to fill any cracks before painting and always use a paint that is specified for outdoor use on concrete.
9. Repair the front walkway to your home if needed. Fill any cracks in a cement walkway with concrete filler and replace any missing stones or pavers.
10. Be sure your house numbers are prominently displayed. If they are difficult to read from the street, replace them with larger numbers.
Doing some small maintenance and repairs to the outside of your home before putting it on the market can help your home sell faster and easier. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression!