10 Tips to Create Maximum Curb Appeal …for a minimum cost!

You may not realize how important curb appeal is to attracting buyers to your home for sale!

Real estate agents participating in Zillow’s recent survey identified updating curb appeal as the best way to make a property more attractive to buyers. That is because buyers unconsciously decide if they are interested in a home before they even set foot inside!

And it is very difficult to change a first impression…that is why Realtors and Home Stagers say ‘the first impression is the only impression”.

You can get maximum improvement for minimum cash with these 10 tips for transforming your home’s exterior.
The least expensive way to add curb appeal is simply dedicating a weekend to decluttering and cleaning up the exterior of your home.

NOW is the time to polish up your curb appeal if you are planning on selling this year

1. Declutter…the driveway

It is easy to leave items you frequently use sitting out so they are accessible when needed. You might be keeping the garbage can in the driveway or have the kids toys all over the back yard. Now is the time to make a new habit of keeping everything extra inside the garage.

2. Put Some Pressure on the driveway and walkway

The exterior of your home is exposed to the elements throughout the year. This can make it look dingy. You might be able to use your garden hose to the strongest setting with soap to clean off your driveway, sidewalk, windows, and fence. If there are a lot of stains you might want to rent or buy a pressure washer to wash off the driveway and walkway, but be careful about using it on your house. It is best to avoid areas on your home that can easily be damaged like windows, doors, or your roof.

3. Shine up the windows

Cleaning all of the windows can add a nice shine to the home. Make sure to clean both the inside and outside of the windows. Clean windows let more light into the home making it look light and bright! Also be sure to remove screens to let more light inside.

4. Trim up all the branches

This may seem obvious, but if people cannot see the home easily from the road then they will not get a good first impression of your property. Take a few moments and look at your home from across the street at multiple angles. Look at the trees and shrubs around the home. If anything detracts from the view of the home, you need to trim it or get rid of it.

If you are not able to reach the higher limbs on trees, or the limbs are rather thick, consider hiring an expert tree pruner. Climbing ladders and using high powered equipment can be dangerous.

5. Mulch and weed

Start with the simple stuff, such as getting rid of weeds and taking out any unwanted things like twigs, leaves or trash. Get some mulch and make sure it is enough to cover the bed’s length as well as the width. Mulch deters new weeds, helps hold in water, and adds a finished look to your garden beds.

6. Plant!

This is the time to make an investment in some perennials, trees, and bushes for your home if you haven’t already. Most plants you find at your local big box store or local nursery are typically easy to care for and right for your state. Late summer and early fall are the best time to plant trees and shrubs.

7. Keep it green

Having a nice green lawn goes a long way to making your home look welcoming! A lawn that’s not maintained can detract from the look of your house. Fall fertilizer is the key to your lawn looking lush in the fall and next spring.

8. Add a splash of paint

Buyers will have plenty of time to take a close look at your front entry while the real estate agent is opening the door. A good coat of primer and a couple coats of exterior paint, will make your door will look new and striking at first glance. Also consider replacing the door hardware if your current locks are looking worn or scratched…again the first impression counts! Research shows that a home’s value can increase as much as $8,000 just by updating the front door area.

9. Light fixtures

Exterior lighting is an easy and cost-effective way to add beauty and security to your home. Not only does it highlight your beautiful landscaping and all the upgrades you’ve made to your home, but it also enhances the photos a realtor takes of your home when putting it on the market.

10. House numbers

A super easy and affordable update is to replace house numbers. Today’s house numbers come in a wide variety of styles. Think chic, modern looking styles or utilize your DIY skills to make a rustic type that are attached to wood and hung on your home.

Bonus tip – replace your mailbox

Wobbly, dented or tired looking mailboxes creates the feeling of deferred maintenance. Replacing your mailbox will not only add more curb appeal to your home, but will also give it a little personality as well.

Real Estate agents comment that most home-buyers are more excited about touring a home that looks inviting on the outside than one that is sad and dreary. In fact, many buyers make up their minds BEFORE they even see the inside of a home…if the curb appeal doesn’t strike the right note you will have a hard time overcoming that negative first impression!