The Importance of Curb Appeal

There’s a great expression I know, “you never get a second chance to make a great first impression.” If you really think about it, that phrase applies to a lot of life’s first events; the first interview, a first date, and the first time you meet your future in-laws. When you’re selling a home nothing says “view me” like a well-kept walkway, a stunning landscape and an entryway that is to die for. To attract buyers, adding curb appeal naturally makes a great first impression.

Buyers, casually driving by, will give any home with an attractive exterior, a second look. A manicured yard with trimmed tress allows buyers to view your home from the street. Unfortunately, if your home has an inviting interior and quality amenities but lacks a little curb appeal, potential buyers may be passing your home without so much as a nod in your direction. Capture your home’s true style by allowing its best outdoor assets to shine. Here are some great suggestions that take a minimal amount effort to add interest, and lock in an interested buyer:

• Entryways are an important focal point. Be sure that the door’s hardware is free of rust. To make a bold statement, consider giving your door a blast of color.
• If you have outdoor lighting, be sure it’s in good working condition. Consider using up-lights on your decorative trees and outdoor architecture for a softer approach to curb appeal.
• Replace old house numbers. New house numbers can reflect the style and appeal of the house subtly.
• Consider a mailbox makeover. Whether your home is traditional or contemporary, a mailbox should reflect your home’s unique one-of-a-kind style. Dress up a mailbox by refreshing the paint on the post by matching it to the home’s exterior.
• Refresh plantings or create a new bed of perennials that follows the curve of a front porch or a walkway. Affordable container gardens are a quick way to create a charismatic setting.

Sometimes it’s not just the little things that can keep buyers away. To boost your home’s curb appeal, take a good hard look at the entire property. While minor adjustments or updates are fine, the effect will fade if your house has peeling exterior paint. Here are some major updates to consider when evaluating the presentation of your home.

• Shutters add that something extra to your windows. If you have shutters, check their condition. If not, consider picking out shutters in a complementary color.
• Replace worn or neglected gutters and downspouts.
• Look at your home’s exterior paint job or better yet get a neutral opinion of someone such as a friend or neighbor, before your consider a whole-house paint job. But do keep in mind that regardless of color, a faded or peeling exterior paint signals a warning to potential buyers.