You cannot sell a home without thinking about curb appeal.
It is the first thing people experience, whether they are looking online at listing photos, see the For Sale sign while driving by, or when arriving at an Open House.
Curb appeal shows how well you have taken care of both the exterior of your home and the property, which means it can also have an impact on how much you can list the house for.
Now that the snow has melted and warmer days are here, you can start to clean up your landscaping, update the exterior, and complete some final staging so your home is at its most appealing state.
- Pressure wash siding. Cleaning up the exterior is a simple and inexpensive way to make a home look better. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can rent one for a day and clean the siding yourself, or hire someone to do the entire job.
- Paint to the front door and trim. If your front door has seen better days, a fresh coat of paint will make it look like new. Choose a color that compliments the exterior of the home and landscaping.
- Clean up walkway and driveway. This doesn’t mean you have to pave the driveway, but you should clean up debris and make these spaces more visually appealing.
- Create an outdoor living space. Most buyers like to envision an outdoor living space. An outdoor area can be easily created or upgraded with staged patio furniture, an outdoor rug, a small fire pit, and some planters surrounding the area.
- Pressure wash and stain deck(s). Patios and decks usually need some attention after the harsh elements of winter. Start with a thorough cleaning, then stain or paint, if necessary.
- Repair fences. If you have a fenced-in yard, check the entire fence for any necessary repairs.
- Check your roof. Clean your roof and gutters so they look great from the street, and replace any missing shingles.
- Replace outdoor fixtures and hardware. Check screens, outdoor lighting fixtures, and door hardware. Replacing these old or worn-out items can make a big difference in the appearance of your home.
- Clean up landscaping. Spring is the time to clean up the yard, plant new shrubs or flowers, and put down fresh mulch.
- Install or replace outdoor lighting. Install path lighting to make your walkway light up in the evening, and check all lights on the exterior of the house. Serious buyers will usually drive by in the evening, so curb appeal is equally important after the sun goes down.
If you are short on time or funding, discuss with your Realtor what updates will make the most impact on your curb appeal.
Ready to list your home?