According to the National Association of REALTORS®, "curb appeal" sells 50 percent of all houses. Many home buyers decide
whether or not to request a showing based on a home's exterior appearance. Below are steps to help you improve your home's
exterior look, and help you maximize the return on your investment.
The following are some things you can do to increase your home's curb appeal:
- Fix exterior blemishes - Inspect the exterior of your home for blemishes such as chipped paint, mold, loose shutters, etc.
Clean and spot paint as needed. You may want to consider power-washing the exterior to remove dirt and stains from
siding, windows, and decks.
- Fresh Paint - While it may not be necessary to paint the entire exterior of your home it is recommended to give your decks
and entrance way a fresh coat of paint or stain. Be sure to repair any loose or rotted boards. A freshly painted front door
does wonders to a front entrance.
- Add flowers to front entry - Terra Cotta planters and hanging baskets add a well cared for look. If you have window
boxes, be sure to dress them up with a coat of paint and fill with cascading flowering plants.
- Work on landscaping - For homes with yards, you will definitely want to dedicate some time to the landscaping. First, be
sure your grass is cut regularly and well watered. Be sure to edge the lawn where it meets walkways, driveways, and
sidewalks. Keep the hedges neatly trimmed. Refresh your mulch, preferable with a dark mulch that is watered regularly. Trim
the flowers to present a healthy appearance, and if necessary, plant more. And finally, be sure to clean all of your lawn
fixtures, such as benches, statues, birdbaths, planters, etc.
- Remove trash - You will want to not only remove trash from in front of your house, but also from in front of your neighbor's
house. For townhomes and condominiums that share common grounds, you may want to contact your association, or simply
remove the trash yourself. A trash-free yard gives a tidy appearance.
- Stay Tidy - It is important to present a "tidy" appearance to potential buyers, both on the inside and out. Try to keep your
yard and entrance way free from obstacles, such as hoses, toys, bicycles, etc. Remember to put everything in its place. You
never know when a potential buyer might drive by your house.
When in doubt, ask your agent to recommend ideas for increasing your curb appeal. The key is to balance curb appeal with cost.
You do not want to take risks when selling your home, but you also do not want to go overboard trying to pretty it up. Remember,
you are trying to keep as much money from the sale of your home as possible.
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