Like moths attracted to flames, potential buyers can get riveted to a home with an excellent curb appeal. Buyers who will be drawn to your home's appearance will definitely want to discover more of what lies behind your front door. Fortunately, maximizing your home's curb appeal doesn't necessarily mean spending thousands of dollars on big improvements and upgrades. The trick is in knowing what you should address and focus on giving buyers a visual sense of your home.
If you still can't figure out what you need to do to improve your curb appeal when trying to sell your home, we've come up with an easy guide to help you start.
- Clean the driveways and sidewalks. Sweep your driveway and sidewalks to remove dirt and unwanted debris. Look out for cracked concrete, asphalt, and pavers and consider repairing those areas. If there's severe damage, resurfacing can also be beneficial to return your walkways to its pristine shape.
- Spruce up the front door. There's no doubt that your front door is the focal point of your home especially since all potential buyers will walk through it. If they will be greeted by the sight of hanging cobwebs and insects stuck in it, they will also be concerned on what lies ahead once they stepped in. Clean and polish your front door thoroughly to remove any unwanted dirt. You can also update it with a fresh coat of paint to improve its look without spending a lot. Many homeowners paint their front doors in colors contrasting to the house's exterior, like a bright blue or a striking red on a white house, to make it stand out. Don't forget to also paint the trim of the front door to complete its new and improved look.
-
Wash the windows and the outside of the house. Your windows help let the natural light flood into your rooms so don't forget to clean them as well, especially those located in front of the house. Use soapy water and a squeegee to wash them, and then dry them off using newspapers or packing papers. Don't forget to clean the window ledges as well.
Likewise, washing your home's exterior can also increase its aesthetic value and make it visually appealing to buyers. Consider pressure washing to thoroughly remove any loose paint, grime, mold, mud, dust and other dirt.
- Clean and replace exterior lighting fixtures if needed. You don't want prospective buyers who will visit your home to be attracted to your front door, but be turned off when they see cobwebs covering your lighting fixtures, especially those situated on your front porch. Clean the fixtures and replace any burned out light bulbs. If you found they already have outdated or corroded parts, consider buying a replacement. You can find inexpensive light fixtures in home improvements stores like Home Depot or Lowe's. Clean and strategically placed lighting is going to be useful in highlighting your home's lovely curb appeal, especially if you will hold showings later in the afternoon.
- Hide your garbage cans, recycling bins, and other eyesores. Part of maintaining a clean and clutter-free exterior is hiding your smelly garbage cans, recycling bins, garden hose, children's toys, and other eyesores that could detract from your home's beauty. Keep those things tucked away in your garage if you have extra space, camouflage them with fencing and plants, or just simply move them out of sight especially for showing periods. This way, buyers can focus more on your home's features and other improvements you made.
- Maintain a greener lawn. Make sure to water your lawn and get your grass as green and lush as possible to make it more appealing. If you've got a few barren spots, instead of throwing down some seeds, simply buy a considerable amount of sod needed to cover up those bare spots.
-
Clean up and remove unwanted weeds. Clean up around the shrubs, trim the hedges and remove dead, overgrown plants, leaves, and fallen tree branches. Remove unwanted weeds growing out in the driveway, sidewalk, fence, and flower beds because they can be a real eyesore, which home buyers will surely be watching out for. Don't forget to also remove spider webs and animal droppings.
- Fix the fence. Inspect your fence and fix any part of it that needs to be repaired or painted. Also, trim any shrubs or plants nearby the fence to free it of any overgrown areas.
- Upgrade the mailbox. Inspect your mailbox to see if there's a need to repair or replace it, especially if its metal stand is already wobbly, dented, or has been corroded. If you still don't want to replace it, consider giving it a new look by applying a fresh coat of paint that matches your home's exterior. This way, it can add a bit of personality to your property and potential buyers will also see it as an attractive feature.
- Don't forget the garage door. Don't neglect your garage door, especially if the garage is located at the front of your home and makes up a large portion of its exterior. Scrub the door to make it clean, fix any dents, and apply a fresh coat of paint if necessary to help improve your home's appearance. In the 2017 Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of REALTORS®, at least 65 percent of homeowners also chose to install a new garage door to replace worn-out surfaces, finishes, and materials.
- Clean and repair the roof. A filthy and old roof can have a
