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How important is curb appeal when selling your Home?
A homebuyer’s first impression of your home is just as important as a tour of the interior. The aesthetic look of a home’s exterior and grounds can tell someone what to expect inside the house, so it’s wise to focus on improving your curb appeal when selling your home.
Curb appeal refers to the level of attractiveness one may feel for a property when viewing it from the street. In its simplest form, however, curb appeal is a subjective appreciation for a physical asset. The home needs to present itself well, so make sure all the components are in place, including a well-kept yard, vibrant paint, good looking siding, an intact roof and other things.
Proper curb appeal is an ingenious marketing tool, and experienced Realtors are well aware of this. Curb appeal sets expectations. Prospective buyers are more inclined to look inside if they like what they see on the outside. First impressions can make all the difference when selling a home at a top price.
Almost 90 percent of homebuyers begin their search for a new home on the internet, so eye-catching photos are an absolute necessity. Take pictures (or enlist the help of your Realtor) during the best time of the day for lighting and without any clutter, such as cars, bicycles, toys, etc. Curb appeal will add value to your property and help it sell faster. And the great thing about curb appeal is that it’s relatively easy to improve the curb appeal of your home.
Landscaping and trees: It does no good to commit your full budget to your property’s interior if the outside is a mess. Burnt or dirt patches in your lawn can be fixed easily by raking some seeds in a little top soil after an aeration, then water daily for the first week.. Make sure overgrown bushes, trees and other foliage are nicely trimmed, and lay down new mulch in gardens and spray any weeds.
The roof: Few features will either turn away or attract prospective buyers more than a home’s roof. If your roof is in disrepair or has hail damage, the prospective buyer will know that he/she will have to replace the roof fairly soon, and they will likely submit a low-ball offer.
Exterior: A dirty exterior is something that should not be ignored. Power washing a deck or the siding won’t take long and will have a big impact. Think of it as if you were trying to sell a dirty car. And if the home needs painting, hire a professional. You will most likely get more and better offers, so you’ll be ahead in the long run.
Driveway: Another exterior area that is often ignored is the driveway. Driveways full of weeds or cracks will not present the property in the best light. Spray the weeds, caulk any cracks with an outdoor concrete product, and be sure to clean any oil stains with Dawn detergent and a power sprayer.
Front door: This is the one item that is almost impossible to ignore every time you walk into your home. If your door is damaged or needs painting or staining, use a good exterior home paint, and two coats wouldn’t hurt. Clean the coach lights at the garage and the porch light. Replace them if they are dated or damaged. For a more permanent fix, a new door is well worth the money.
In addition to these items, check your home for mold and mildew, and clean your gutters and downspouts. If your house number is old, damaged, or hard to read, buy a new address plate that will weather well. All these things will present your home in an attractive manner to potential buyers, which will most likely result in a great price for your home.
Curb appeal refers to the level of attractiveness one may feel for a property when viewing it from the street. In its simplest form, however, curb appeal is a subjective appreciation for a physical asset. The home needs to present itself well, so make sure all the components are in place, including a well-kept yard, vibrant paint, good looking siding, an intact roof and other things.
Proper curb appeal is an ingenious marketing tool, and experienced Realtors are well aware of this. Curb appeal sets expectations. Prospective buyers are more inclined to look inside if they like what they see on the outside. First impressions can make all the difference when selling a home at a top price.
Almost 90 percent of homebuyers begin their search for a new home on the internet, so eye-catching photos are an absolute necessity. Take pictures (or enlist the help of your Realtor) during the best time of the day for lighting and without any clutter, such as cars, bicycles, toys, etc. Curb appeal will add value to your property and help it sell faster. And the great thing about curb appeal is that it’s relatively easy to improve the curb appeal of your home.
Landscaping and trees: It does no good to commit your full budget to your property’s interior if the outside is a mess. Burnt or dirt patches in your lawn can be fixed easily by raking some seeds in a little top soil after an aeration, then water daily for the first week.. Make sure overgrown bushes, trees and other foliage are nicely trimmed, and lay down new mulch in gardens and spray any weeds.
The roof: Few features will either turn away or attract prospective buyers more than a home’s roof. If your roof is in disrepair or has hail damage, the prospective buyer will know that he/she will have to replace the roof fairly soon, and they will likely submit a low-ball offer.
Exterior: A dirty exterior is something that should not be ignored. Power washing a deck or the siding won’t take long and will have a big impact. Think of it as if you were trying to sell a dirty car. And if the home needs painting, hire a professional. You will most likely get more and better offers, so you’ll be ahead in the long run.
Driveway: Another exterior area that is often ignored is the driveway. Driveways full of weeds or cracks will not present the property in the best light. Spray the weeds, caulk any cracks with an outdoor concrete product, and be sure to clean any oil stains with Dawn detergent and a power sprayer.
Front door: This is the one item that is almost impossible to ignore every time you walk into your home. If your door is damaged or needs painting or staining, use a good exterior home paint, and two coats wouldn’t hurt. Clean the coach lights at the garage and the porch light. Replace them if they are dated or damaged. For a more permanent fix, a new door is well worth the money.
In addition to these items, check your home for mold and mildew, and clean your gutters and downspouts. If your house number is old, damaged, or hard to read, buy a new address plate that will weather well. All these things will present your home in an attractive manner to potential buyers, which will most likely result in a great price for your home.
