Maximize Your Home's Curb Appeal: Refresh or Renew these Key Features
By Chris Petry
Much like when meeting new people, first impressions are everything in real estate. That’s why every homeowner, particularly if they plan to sell in the near future, should take extra care to maximize their home’s curb appeal. What does that mean exactly? What specific features need extra TLC? Read on for the breakdown.
The front door- Seems obvious but that’s because doors really matter to prospective buyers. As they should. Doors provide a protective barrier between the inside and the outside, keeping out unwanted pests, dirt, debris and water. Doors are also insulating, holding back cold air in the winter and hot air in the summer. With that in mind, doors that appear compromised because of a bad seal job, excess weathering or dents and dings don’t exactly instill confidence in buyers. Luckily, there are some quick fixes that can add to your curb appeal and increase your home’s sale prospects.
A new coat of paint- Yes, it’s that easy! Sand, if needed, and apply a new coat or two of an exterior semi-gloss paint and you’ll be amazed at how much better your door looks from the curb. Special note, several studies have shown in recent years that buyers prefer doors with darker color palettes. Think dark grays or navy. The darker the better. A black front door can command a sales price $6,000 higher than competitors in other colors.
Replace the window, knob, lock and weather stripping- Peaking doors with visible clouding or a compromised seal will not delight prospective buyers. Neither will rusted, broken or weathered knobs and deadbolts. Additionally, make sure that all weather stripping and seals appear clean and updated.
Replace the door- Sometimes, it’s just more cost-effective to replace the whole door. Especially if doing so gets your home the traction it needs to make it to the finish line. There’s no guarantee that updates will dramatically increase your home’s value but they usually don’t hurt it!
Keep the grass cut and the bushes trimmed- Probably the biggest mistake a homeowner can make is neglecting the yard. If people drive by and see grass that’s a foot tall, bushes or shrubs crowding walkways and downed tree branches all over the place they’re probably going to assume that the interior upkeep isn’t much better. Plus, an overgrown yard is a kind of bat signal for rodents and other pests to take up shop.
Make sure your grass is cut weekly during the peak of summer and that trees, bushes, shrubs and flowers are tended to regularly to make the home appear lived in and well-kept. Don’t have the time or inclination to do so? Perhaps it’s time to reach out to a local lawn or landscaping company to reduce some of the personal burden of upkeep.
Reorganize- While most people have stuff and plenty of it, perhaps it’s best to keep it out of sight if you’re expecting people to do a quick pop-by. Clean up the woodpile. Clean out the garage and put your car, ATV or boat in it where it belongs. Put seasonal items like water hoses, garden tools, wheelbarrows and pool gear in the pool house, shed or garage if they’re not in use. While people understand you’re currently living there and thus there will signs of… well, life, clean and organized spaces appear both larger and more appealing to prospective buyers.
Make the porch or patio look amazing- It’s not mean to say that most people lack the imagination to properly envision living space without some degree of staging. Porches, patios and decks are big selling points for most buyers. When the weather’s nice, people like a safe personal outdoor space to retreat to. Consider adding small outdoor furniture pieces, lighting and or plants to spice things up. If you make it look hospitable, buyers will get a clearer picture of just how they might be spending their future July evenings.
While you’re staging the space, don’t forget to check for structural defects. Make sure there’s no rotten wood, broken tiles or badly cracked concrete. These things will really stand out to buyers. For one they’re safety concerns and two, they detract from the aesthetic beauty of the space.
Give the whole house a paint job- While it’s definitely not cheap, having a freshly-painted or recently resided house will do wonders for your home’s curb appeal. The first step to presenting a more appealing exterior is, obviously, a deep clean. So, get to power washing! Over time, however, home exteriors will require a little bit more than a high-pressure scrub down. Siding warps, fades and breaks and paint bubbles, stains and peels. Giving your home a facelift might increase your home’s value and get more attention from buyers. This also applies to other structures found on the property like detached garages, sheds, pool houses and guest houses.
If you’re wondering what other tips and tricks you can use to improve your home’s curb appeal, be sure to start a rapport with an agent from your local branch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty.
