8 ways to boost curb appeal
Improving your home’s curb appeal can help you bring in the buyers and get top dollar for your sale
~especially if you sell during the peak spring/summer season. Here are eight tips to try:
1. Repaint the house
A dingy exterior can make your home unappealing to potential buyers before they even step inside. One of the best ways to refresh it is with a new coat of paint: “A full exterior paint job can go a long way, especially if the paint has faded or is chipping,” says Reese Stewart, a Realtor with RE/MAX Properties SW in Orlando, Florida. “While this can be costly, it can make all the difference.”
2. Repaint just the doors
Even freshening up outside entryways with new paint can have an impact. Zillow’s 2023 paint color analysis found that buyers would offer more than $3,300 less for a home with a bland cement-gray front door than one with a bold black front door. “Painting just the front door or the garages can help spruce up the entry point, since it’s one of the first things potential buyers see,” says Stewart.
3. Clean the windows
If a potential buyer is put off by filthy windows, they may not want to see what sits inside them, even if the interior of your home is actually well taken care of. “Giving windows a good scrubbing is an easy and inexpensive way to give your home that sparkling look,” says Stewart.
4. Refresh the landscaping
Full professional landscaping can definitely improve the appeal of your home in a buyer’s eyes, but it isn’t cheap. Luckily, small and economical upgrades, like a few cheerful flowerpots here and there, can also help a lot. “Take a step back and see if you need to repot some flowers or replace some bushes,” says Stewart. “Even some new mulch can go a long way.”
5. Power wash the driveway
For many houses, the driveway is front-and-center. And years of leaves, rain and snow can wreak havoc on its surface, especially if it’s concrete. “If your driveway is discolored, get it power washed,” Charlie says. If there are a lot of unsightly bumps, gouges and cracks, you might even want to spring for having it resurfaced.
6. Tidy up the lighting
Clean, functional and well-placed exterior lighting not only looks nice, but also can be an important safety and security feature. At the very least, inspect and refurbish the outdoor lighting you have. “Make sure that it is clear of cobwebs and dust and that the bulbs are still working,” Stewart says. “It can ensure your home is well-lit if any potential buyers visit around sunset or drive by at night.” If there are some too-dark areas, consider installing another fixture or two, or installing a motion sensor that turns on the light when someone approaches.
7. Fix the roof and gutters
The look of your roof can be a sticking point for buyers, as can its condition (with good reason). If there are broken roof shingles or other visible issues, or if your gutters are sagging or not properly secured, it’s best to take care of them with the help of a professional before they come up during the home inspection.
8. Upgrade the mailbox
It’s small but significant. The mailbox is one of the first things a prospective buyer will see when they arrive at your home: “If your mailbox is faded or is looking worse for the wear, it’s time for an upgrade,” Stewart says. “It might be a small project, but it’s one that can help improve overall curb appeal.”
Sourced from www.bankrate.com