Hello World! Welcome Friends! According to Google Data, the keyword “curb appeal” spikes in popularity each and every April.
Of course, this should come as no surprise to real estate professionals or anyone who has been keeping an eye on the market. After all, springtime is when homeowners — who may have been procrastinating all winter — start thinking about all the work they’ll have to do if they want to put their house on the market in time for selling season. They’ll know they should contact a professional brokerage to help them sell at the best price, they’ll know they’ll need to have a price in mind. They might even know there are repairs that need to be made and improvements to put in place. But knowing the exact way to improve curb appeal can be tricky.
Curb appeal is a buzzword that you hear bandied about on HGTV, blogged about online, and on the lips of your real estate agent. What does it truly mean, and how can you accomplish it? Read on for some great curb appeal ideas!
Ray Kachatorian for HGTV
Paint Your Home
A fresh coat of paint is one of the most common curb appeal ideas that you will likely stumble across if you’re searching along with all those other homeowners. And it’s with good reason: paint is relatively inexpensive, but it can absolutely transform the look of your house.
This is true whether or not you are changing the home’s color. You might not want to make a drastic alteration in its appearance right before you are selling it, but consider having it freshly painted even if you are sticking with traditional hues like white, gray, pale yellow, or light blue.
Chipping, peeling paint is a sure sign that the home has not been cared for, and will cause prospective buyers to walk away before they have even seen the home’s interior.
…Or Just the Front Door
If your home has recently been painted and doesn’t need a complete makeover, you can still boost its curb appeal by adding color. Paint the front door to create an inviting, unique selling point.
This is one way to draw attention without taking a huge risk. A brightly painted house can look garish, or simply not be to buyers’ tastes. But a painted door practically shouts “Hello! Come on in and see what’s inside!” no matter how bright or colorful it is.
Add Outdoor Illumination
Adding lighting to the exterior of your property can also have a massive effect on how it appears. Getting a landscape lighting designer to develop a system for you boosts your home’s curb appeal and makes it look infinitely more attractive at night.
Typically, illumination takes the form of spotlights that shine from the ground up at your home and landscape features. You can use simple white light, or you can get your designer to play with other colors.
Outdoor illumination works particularly well when combined with water features. Light reflects off the water, creating enchanting scenes outside your home.
Improve the Look with Landscaping
Although the American lawn has come under fire recently, the fact remains that a lush, green front yard can really be appealing. Homeowners who live in areas of the country where water is plentiful and grass grows without much coaxing can take advantage of this.
That doesn’t mean that desert-dwellers can’t use landscaping to boost their curb appeal, however. Careful xeriscaping and the use of climate-friendly plants will draw would-be buyers just as well as a yardful of Kentucky bluegrass.
And everyone can benefit from the strategic use of hedges, flowers, rock elements, and even statuary. Hire a landscaper to give your lawn a makeover, and watch the offers pour in.
Take Care of Your Trees
While you’re at it, tend to any trees in your front yard. If they are in poor health, overgrown, or otherwise not aesthetically pleasing, call in a tree doctor to diagnose, and possibly remove them. The same goes for trees with broken branches that might pose a hazard in the event of a big storm, or those that block the sun and contribute to a gloomy ambiance, either inside or out.
This can be a tough call since trees also provide loads of benefits. However, it’s important to be honest when evaluating exterior elements and deciding what can stay and what must change.
Carefully Consider the Porch
Many home sellers forget that the front porch functions, in many ways, just like any of the rooms inside the home. In some ways, it’s the most important room of all, since it offers a preview of the interior.
As such, you should give it the same careful attention as the living room or kitchen when you are staging your home for sale. Keep decorations and clutter to a minimum — those Tibetan prayer flags and chili-pepper string lights should probably go — and make sure any furniture is simple and in good condition.
You may have a sentimental attachment to that ratty old rocker with threadbare cushions but put it in storage for now. Substitute a classic wooden porch swing or a couple of minimalist chairs and a small cafe table.
Stick to Symmetry
Symmetry is universally appealing, so why not capitalize on it to help sell your property? If your home’s exterior is already symmetrical, with the same number of windows and other architectural details on each side, play it up with brightly colored shutters, a matching set of patio furniture, or planters filled with identical blooms on either side of the front steps.
If your home’s bones are not symmetrical to start with, make sure that the overall impression of its exterior is balanced. Let’s say that one side features a large bay window, a sunroom, or some other feature; use topiary, bushes, window boxes, statuary, or even a flag to draw attention to the other side and maintain a visual equilibrium.
Fence Yourself In
Only metaphorically speaking, of course! A fence can add huge pizzazz when it comes to curb appeal. Go for the ever-popular white picket for a reassuringly homey appearance or a split-rail fence to evoke a different sort of American tradition.
You can also give an existing fence a facelift. This is a good idea when the property has a privacy fence that is necessary, but not particularly attractive. Use vining plants to obscure it and add a fresh look.
Painting it can also help camouflage a less-than-beautiful fence. Consider using the same shade as you painted your front door for contrast, or paint it the same color as the home’s exterior to fool the eye and make it blend in.
Closing Thoughts About Curb Appeal Ideas
One of the best ways to prepare your house for sale is to look at it from an outsider’s perspective. The next time you return home after work or running errands, try to shake off your sense of familiarity and truly see what kind of impression your exterior will have on buyers.
Of course, your real estate agent may have some suggestions for curb appeal ideas to undertake, too — and after all, they’re the experts!
Have you ever staged a home for sale? Any tips or tricks to share? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Decorate a Corporate Apartment
3 Tips for All of your DIY Projects
The Complete Guide to your First Kitchen Remodel
Furniture, Lighting, and Hardware Plan for the Entry Hall
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Toodles,
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