How to enhance your curb appeal with tips from the experts
Curb appeal makes a huge difference for your home. Here are some tips on how to enhance yours.
It’s simply a fact. A great looking front yard makes people stop and stare. It ensures your home looks clean and cared for. And, a pristine front yard is one of the most vital ways to catch homebuyers and get them interested.
Zavier Buzard is a realtor at Shrader Realty. Buzard says homebuyers typically form their first impression of a property before they even step inside the home.
“Curb appeal is the first thing that has the ability to ‘wow’ or ‘woe’ an interested buyer,” Buzard said. “Lawn care, landscaping, and having a tidy exterior can make all of the difference in the world to how your home makes the buyer feel.”
Buyers are paying attention more than you think
Even if you aren’t planning on selling for a while, curb appeal is still important.
Kelley Saam, a realtor for Binkley Real Estate, says buyers are extremely picky. And they’re paying attention to neighborhoods before they even start looking at houses. Many drive through neighborhoods to get a feel for how the residents keep up with their houses. A dingy or unkempt home brings the whole neighborhood down and makes buyers less interested in that area.
“Buyers are really picky about curb appeal. I have buyers who won’t even look at homes without curb appeal,” Saam said. “A lot of people are looking for a home that’s ready and they are willing to pay the price so they don’t have to do maintenance.”
Saam said curb appeal can be as simple as mowing the lawn and pulling weeds. She also suggested making sure that bushes are trimmed and there’s new mulch around flowerbeds and trees. If you have children, Saam said it might take a little decluttering to increase your curb appeal.
“If your home gives people a good impression from the outside, they will be more receptive to the inside,” Saam said. And when homes have a nice front yard it makes the whole neighborhood more appealing for buyers, she said. That’s important when buyers may be driving through neighborhoods before they’re ready to purchase.
According to Ashley Meas, the majority of buyers begin their home search online. Meas is a realtor for Cowan Realtors, and she said curb appeal will enhance photos that accompany online listings and make people more drawn to the home. Typically, the image of the front yard is the first thing that is displayed on online listings. The image makes a huge difference in whether they set up a viewing or not.
Meas suggested that homeowners make sure the exterior is well-taken care of, including making sure that paint isn’t peeling, that the windows are clean, and that the roof is clean and clear of moss. She also mentioned making sure that driveways are in good condition and any steps or walkways are clean and free of dirt. If there are cracks, she recommends repairing them.
To dress up the home, Meas suggested adding new flowers. Even something as simple as some potted plants or plants in hanging baskets will make a difference, she said.
Here’s a handy bullet list of things to do, according to the real estate agents over at Ron Spencer.
- Paint the door
- Mulch all beds and around trees
- Landscape and keep a well-manicured lawn
- Clean up around the front door
- Wash the house, and clean the porch, sidewalks, and decks
- Dress up your front door with a wreath
Do you need some help enhancing your curb appeal? We can handle a lot of the things on your list! With our residential services, we can take care of the exterior and interior windows, roof cleaning, siding, deck, walkways, or fences, gutter fronts, landscape rocks, and pavers, driveways, and even chandeliers, ceiling fans, and mirrors.
Contact our team to get a quote. Call us at 419-339-3999.
