The Powerful Appeal of Curb Appeal
Before anyone sees the inside of your home, they see the outside.
For some that’s all they will ever see. It is important then to have it look its best, and never is this more important than when you are selling your home.
Ever see a ‘For Sale’ sign in front of a house with knee high grass and weeds on the lawn, overgrown bushes and hedges blocking the view of the home? If you were looking to buy a home, would you be compelled to stop and have a look around or flee in horror? While grass can easily be cut, and hedges trimmed, it creates an aesthetic barrier that will keep potential buyers away.
There are some common-sense approaches to improving your home’s visual appeal, and some that might not seem as obvious. Here are some good ideas:
• Mow the lawn! This qualifies as the most obvious, and easiest, thing to do so by all means do it! You don’t have to have a greens-keepers keen eye for detail, a nice cut once every week or two gives the home a cared-for look that buyers will appreciate.
• Trim bushes and/or hedges, weed and mulch flower beds. Cutting back wild branches, especially at window level, can really enhance the look of your home. Like a nice haircut can attract compliments, this too will catch the attention of potential buyers. In terms of flowerbeds, few things are more prone to elicit ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ like a fresh coat of dark brown or red mulch.
• Create an inviting front porch. A fresh coat of paint on front door trim, and even painting the door itself, can really make a home pop. If you have room create a seating area, even if it is just a single chair, to give it a pleasant lived-in look. Seasonal decorations are always a great idea, think pumpkins and cornstalks in the fall, or flowers in decorative pots in the spring and summer.
• Clearly visible house numbers. This is such a small thing, and inexpensive, but it can impress first time visitors. Let the first words upon their arrival be ‘Here it is!’ and not ‘Is this the right place?’. There can be no overestimating the power of a positive first impression!
• Paint, install, or repair light fixtures. Some potential buyers don’t have the time to look at houses during daylight hours, especially during those short winter days, and arriving at a dark and impossible to see home can be a real let down. You don’t need to install Hollywood spotlights, but something that showcases the front of the house, and side or garage, can definitely look inviting and have them return for a better look during the day.
• Power wash what you can! Sidewalks, a paved driveway, siding, and even your roof can definitely make your home pop. Even if the places in question are covered in mold or grime odds are years of soot, dirt, and other buildup have dulled the true color beneath. Hiring a professional or just renting a unit yourself are both affordable and can really produce impressive results.
• Tidy up around carports, garages, and side areas. Face it, we are all guilty of having an area of the yard accumulate trash cans, abandoned projects, lawn chairs, and other objects that can detract from an otherwise clean looking landscape. Clean it up!
• Hang bird feeders, lots of bird feeders! Okay, this one is maybe optional, BUT potential homeowners spotted a wide array of birds living at your home will most likely impress. Some folks have never, or rarely, seen hummingbirds and they are one of the easiest birds to attract. Having a feeder or three in place near the front of the home during spring and summer can really be a fantastic conversation starter that makes every visitor feel impressed and at ease.
• Paint, paint, paint! Paint shutters, trim, patios, porches, and outdoor furniture. A fresh coat of paint can add vibrance and excitement. Choose colors that accent one another and their surroundings. Bright red, properly placed, can be a terrific focal point for viewers of your home.
This is not a complete list of how you can increase your home’s eye appeal, but it contains a lot of great ideas for you to consider. The old adage is true: You never have a second chance to make a first a first impression. Make sure when selling your home that you pay attention to the powerful appeal of curb appeal!
If you are looking to sell or buy a home call RENOMAX Real Estate at 540-737-5617, or visit https://www.renomaxva.com/. We help maximize your home’s exposure, list your home absolutely FREE, and bring you qualified buyers.
