If you are planning to sell your home, you want to leave a good first impression with potential buyers. The first thing that a home buyer will see, either online or in person, is your home’s exterior. Here are some tips to improve curb appeal, attract buyers, and speed up the sale of your home.
To Improve Curb Appeal, Start in the Neighborhood
Try to look at your home from a buyer’s point of view. Here are the first steps to take to improve curb appeal.
- When you are driving up to your home, slow down to notice the approach.
- Take note of other homes in your neighborhood. Potential buyers will compare and contrast.
- Stop in front of your home and take a panoramic look. Look for anything in the yard that looks out of place or messy.
Observe from the Curb
Get out of your car, walk around, and take a closer look. Pay attention to these areas.
- Start with the curb. You can’t control the condition of the street, but you can control how your lawn and driveway meet the road. Does the area look neat and tidy?
- If your mailbox is by the street, check its condition. Is it standing straight? Could it use a fresh paint job?
- How do the lawn and landscaping look? A clean and well-maintained lawn suggests that you take good care of the rest of your home. Weeds, overgrown bushes or trees, or dead foliage can ruin curb appeal.
- To improve curb appeal, clean your driveway and sidewalks. You’ll want to remove dirt, grime, and leaf debris and repair any cracks.
- How does the front of your home look? Peeling or fading paint, loose or damaged shutters, and gutters in poor condition all affect the buyer’s first impression.
- Don’t forget to inspect the roof. Repair or replace any missing or damaged shingles. Remove any tree branches or debris from your rooftop.
How to Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Property
From the observations you’ve made, create a plan to improve the curb appeal of your home. Create a budget to tackle these tasks. You will likely recoup any money spent when you sell your home.
- Have your driveway, sidewalks, and your home’s exterior pressure washed to freshen up the appearance.
- Painting is an inexpensive way to improve the curb appeal, especially if it’s a task you can handle yourself. If you cannot afford to repaint the entire house, paint your front door a new, bold color.
- Plan to spend time in your yard to improve the curb appeal by landscaping. Trim foliage, plant flowers, and clean up garden beds.
- If you noticed any defects with the roof or gutters, hire a licensed contractor to make needed repairs. The condition of the roof will be observed in any property inspection that a buyer requests, so you’ll want a professional to do the work.
Before listing your home for sale, call Precision Home Inspectors for a pre-listing inspection. Contact us to request an appointment.