As any great real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal can make or break a home sale. A potential buyer’s first impression of your home will be based on the way the exterior of your home looks from the street, which can greatly influence a buyer’s interest in your home from the get-go. More importantly, the way your home looks from the outside can have a significant impact on the perceived value of your home. If you want to get the best possible offer for your home that results in more money in your pocket, you’ll need to consider curb appeal. Fortunately, there are plenty of quick and easy ways to improve your home’s curb appeal and they won’t break the bank. Even if you aren’t looking to sell your home anytime soon, enhancing your home’s curb appeal can only positively affect your home’s value, and hopefully make you love your home even more!
Here are six easy ways to improve your home’s curb appeal:
#1: Landscape the Yard
According to the co-founder of ListingDoor.com, spending just $100 on landscaping can easily fetch you an extra $10,000 when you’re selling your home. That’s a lot of extra cash! Some home owners might think they need to call in a professional landscaping crew and spend a ton of money to give their yard a facelift, but there are a lot of things you can do yourself in a single weekend. Start by raking your lawn, picking up sticks, treating your grass, and mowing it regularly. If you own a dog, pick up after them in the yard. Pull the weeds out of your flower beds, lay mulch, and plant a new bush or a few more flowers. You may also want to plant new trees or hedges for shade and privacy, two important things buyers notice when evaluating curb appeal.
#2: Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. It can totally transform the way your home looks from the street. Buyers instantly notice fresh paint and real estate appraisers will too. You can also consider painting your front door in an accent color to compliment your home’s new look. If you’re on a budget, try to match the existing paint color. Only paint your home a wild, bright color at your own risk; buyers will either love it or hate it, and appraisers nearly always mark down your home’s value if it’s a polarizing color. A little paint goes a long way, and this is a sure-fire way to improve your home’s curb appeal!
#3: Replace Missing Roof Shingles
When a roof is missing shingles, it is very noticeable from the street. Potential buyers may assume from first glance that your home’s roof is damaged, which would negatively affect your home’s curb appeal, even if your home’s roof is structurally sound. It’s all about the first impression, so pay for new shingles to replace any that are missing and hire a professional to install them if you are wary about doing it yourself. A roof that looks like new will make your home much more appealing to the average home buyer.
#4: Add Accent Pieces
If your home comes with a front porch or a back veranda, treat it like any other room in your home — stage it appropriately! When you’re selling your home or trying to increase the value of your home, these little details matter. Add some outdoor furniture, a few cute pillows, and make the space as livable-looking as possible. The average home buyer does not have the best imagination when it comes to visualizing how each space could best be used. Make it easy for potential buyers by adding accent pieces to your outdoor living areas. It really will make a big difference in curb appeal.
#5: Coordinate with the Seasons
When you are readying your home for the market, coordinate with the seasons and plan accordingly! If your home will be on the market in the fall, plant flowers that will bloom with great autumn colors. If you plan on selling in the spring, plant new bulbs that will bloom just in time for showings and open houses. You can also hang a season-themed ornament on your front door or hang a nice flag that ripples in the breeze. Make your home as inviting as possible and increase your home’s curb appeal by coordinating your accent pieces and landscaping with the seasons.
#6: Clean, Clean, Clean!
Either before or after you tackle these six easy ways to improve your home’s curb appeal, clean the outside of your home from top to bottom. HouseLogic suggests that power washing your home can add up to $15,000 to the sales price of your home! You can also use a power washer on sidewalks, outdoor pools, and garage doors to remove mildew, dirt, and general grunge. You should also clean all exterior windows to make the best first impression on potential buyers. Plus, it will leave your home looking like new!
