10 Ways to Impact Your Curb Appeal

Selling a home is more difficult right now that it’s been in quite some time; the market is struggling enough that simply keeping the lawn trimmed is not adequate in drawing in prospective buyers. In order to successfully sell a home in a down market, it’s absolutely imperative to boost your house’s curb appeal as much as possible. These ten tips for improving your home’s curb appeal can have you on the road to a sale in no time.

1. Paint or Replace Shutters – Peeling and dilapidated windows can negatively affect a potential buyer’s first impression, even if the rest of the home’s exterior is impeccable. In addition to replacing any damaged shutters, it’s also a good idea to throw a fresh coat of paint on them. This is a quick and relatively cheap way to give the exterior a good visual boost.
2. Replace or Power-Wash Siding – Dingy and damaged siding is another curb appeal-killer; if power-washing doesn’t do the trick, it might be a good idea to look into replacing your existing siding. If there’s no room in the budget for complete replacement, repairing any damaged sections will help bolster up the appearance.
3. Paint Stucco Exteriors – If the exterior of your home is a stucco coating that’s seen better days, a coat of paint is the equivalent of a face-lift. If you’re thinking of changing the color altogether, it’s best to check with your homeowners’ association before tackling the project; some HOA’s have a list of pre-approved colors that owners are allowed to choose from, and you don’t want to paint the whole house just to have the HOA tell you that color won’t work.
4. Re-Sod Sparse Lawns – A patchy lawn can make even a well-kept home seem a bit forlorn; sowing grass seed or having the area re-sodded is certainly one of the most effective ways of enhancing the desirability of your home.
5. Repave Driveways – Cracked driveways with oil stains and other signs of disrepair will not do you any favors in helping your home sell. Resurfacing driveways can assist in making your house seem almost like a brand new one.
6. Repair or Replace Sidewalks – Just like a cracked or damaged driveway, sidewalks that have fallen into disrepair can affect the way your home is perceived in the minds of potential buyers. Replacing them or having them resurfaced can do wonders for the overall appeal of your home.
7. Plant Shrubs and Flowers – Landscaping is one of the best ways to elevate the appearance of your home, and to make it one of the most desirable ones on the block. For homeowners with a brown thumb, there are dozens of low-maintenance shrub options that look beautiful without requiring the attention that finicky flowers can demand.
8. Take Care of Existing Trees – Mature trees can increase the selling price of a home by thousands of dollars, as long as those trees are properly cared for. While well-maintained trees can be a major plus, those with precarious-looking branches can turn a buyer off. The potential for storm damage from neglected trees can be a deal-breaker.
9. Upgrade the Front Door – The entryway to your home should be as inviting as possible, especially if you’re looking to sell. Replacing or even sprucing up your existing door with a new coat of paint can add to the welcoming quality, as well as positively influence the perceptions of buyers.
10. Keep Kids’ Clutter to a Minimum – While signs of happy and active children send a great message to newlyweds or young families, it’s important to keep the toy clutter to a minimum. Fading plastic playhouses and smaller toys strewn everywhere seem chaotic, rather than charming. On the front lawn especially, homeowners should pay particular attention to keeping things as neat as possible.

Many homebuyers will do a ‘drive-by’ with homes that they’re interested in before scheduling a tour of the interior of the house. If they don’t like what they see on the outside, they may never schedule a look at the inside, which makes creating great curb appeal an essential step in the selling process.

Taken From Door Fly