Today, it’s easy for buyers to quickly scroll past home listings that don’t immediately impress them. To catch a buyer’s attention, your home will need great curb appeal.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 96% of real estate agents advise improving curb appeal before sellers list their home for sale, while 99% believe curb appeal is essential for attracting buyers.
No matter the style of your house or the size of your lot, there are plenty of ways you can create curb appeal to attract buyers and earn a worthwhile return on investment.
Start with a cleaning
The easiest way to boost your curb appeal is a thorough cleaning. Built-up dirt and grime can turn off buyers and make your home appear in worse condition than it is.
1. Wash all of the windows inside and out.
2. Power wash the siding, windows, gutters, sidewalk, porch, deck, patio, or driveway to remove any excess dirt or grime.
3. Remove clutter, debris, and dead leaves from your yard.
Enhance the entrance
Make the entrance to your home inviting. If buyers feel welcomed, it’ll make a lasting impression and they’ll want to go inside to see more.
4. An easy DIY project is updating (or installing) your house numbers. New house numbers can enhance your home’s appearance and help buyers identify your home.
5. Add a new doormat. This is one of the most in-expensive spruce-ups you can do. Stick to a classic mat that will give your door a refreshed feel.
6. If you have the space, create an inviting seating area on the front porch. This is great for staging, photos, and generating a great connection with potential buyers.
7. Clean, paint, repair, or replace any light fixtures. Don’t let old or outdated porch fixtures can be an eyesore.
Elevate your landscaping
Add landscaping that compliments your home. Your landscaping should enhance your home’s best features.
8. Trees and shrubs are attractive, but not if they’re overgrown. Trim dead limbs and overgrowth away from windows & walkways.
9. If you have overgrown hedges, whittle them into shape with the hedge clippers.
10. Plant flowers or hire a landscaper to add variety to your landscaping.
Brighten it up
The right exterior lighting can make your home as inviting at night as it is during the day. And, it makes for incredible evening listing photos.
11. Add solar or low-voltage lights along the driveway or sidewalks to securely guide guests.
12. An alternative to placing lights along the walkway is to place solar-powered lights in the flower beds aimed at the sidewalk.
13. Add sconces or ceiling lights to your front porch for a welcoming glow.
Bonus tasks worth considering
If you have any extra time or budget, consider these ideas:
14. Refresh your garage door with a new coat of paint.
15. If your garage door is beyond sprucing or repair, replace it. According to Remodeling.com, a new garage door costs around $3,500 and recoups 98% of project costs.
16. Add manufactured stone veneer to the exterior (if you have a place for it). These thin slices of natural rock or molded cement offer an upscale look that mimics real stone construction at a fraction of the cost.
Ready to get started?
There are endless opportunities to improve your curb appeal for selling your home. Enlist the advice of a real estate agent on which projects may be best for you.
Team Melton has over 50 combined years of real estate experience to assist you through every step of the process. Contact us today to get started on selling your home!