03/21

It’s finally the season to let your home’s exterior shine. Curb appeal determines what prospective buyers think the value of a house is at first sight. It’s a home’s first impression and often determines whether a buyer is interested in purchasing the property. 

A home without curb appeal has less value and will take longer to sell. In fact, here are two stats from a few years ago any seller should know.

• 99% percent of NAR members believe curb appeal is important in attracting a buyer (79% say it’s very important; 20% say it’s somewhat important).
• 94% of REALTORS® have suggested that sellers improve their curb appeal before listing their home.

So, if you want to increase the home’s curb appeal, here are three ways to do it, whether you’re looking to sell now or just want to make sure your home stands out from the crowd.

Improve your landscaping.

Landscaping is ultimately the staging of your front yard. It’s as necessary outdoors as it is indoors. An ill-kept front yard, or one cluttered with junk or in other forms of disarray, could be a huge buyer turn-off. You want people to imagine themselves making your house their future home – not clouding those thoughts with judgments of you.  

Start with the basics like mowing and nourishing the lawn, weeding any flower beds and caring for your trees and bushes. Then, spice things up by adding some flowering or potted plants. Really want to take your efforts to the next level? Add fencing or outdoor furniture for extra impact, as long as it doesn’t make the area look cluttered. 

Focus on the entrance. 

First impressions matter. This means ensuring the path to your front door is clean and in good working order. It’s a safety issue as well.

A porch can be a lovely amenity, or it can scare people away completely. Don’t have a dirty or cluttered area, especially when trying to sell your home. Remove any trash, and don’t use it as a storage area. Add some decorations or plants to make potential buyers feel warm and welcome when they reach the porch. 

Address the home’s exterior.

Don’t forget the forest amongst the trees. No matter how much time and effort you devote to what’s around the home, if you fail to address the actual exterior of your home, that’s the only thing that will stand out. Often, a good power wash may be all you need, but a new coat of paint or new siding are good options as well. 

When it comes to your spring-cleaning regimen, don’t forget to take the work outside. Curb appeal is worth focusing on – whether you’re simply trying to impress your neighbors or getting ready to sell this spring. Don’t brush the idea under your old welcome mat; invest in some cost-effective improvements today.

And when it all pays off, and you’re ready to close your deal, trust our teams to be the title professionals you want working on your transaction!