Realtor Magazine suggests that spending between one and two percent of a home’s value is a reasonable investment in curb appeal: So if your home is worth $200,000 it’s likely worth spending between $2,000 and $4,000 in enhancing your curb appeal. That amount can go a long way in making your house look fantastic from the street, but don’t panic if you don’t have that much money handy. Many of the suggestions below don’t cost much, if anything, and they can potentially make a huge difference in the purchase price of your home.
Don’t just look for big problems or flaking paint. Check your front door, mailbox post, deck, porch railings, trim, outdoor lighting, and so on to be sure everything looks well-maintained, bright, and clean. Fix anything that’s broken, polish anything that needs polishing, freshen up the paint on doors and trim, and clean and tidy any outdoor living spaces like porches, patios, and fire pits.
Replace any missing or damaged shingles, remove any clogs from gutters, and clean any stained sections. An old, dingy-looking roof adds years to your home and makes potential buyers wary of the condition of the rest of the house.
Paint your front door with an attractive, welcoming color in a good-quality exterior paint to set the stage as people enter your home. (According to Benjamin Moore, dark red, deep mallard, and mid-olive are all excellent front door color selections.) Clean, shiny house numbers make a great impact – either update or add them to your entry. A planter or two of attractive flowers or foliage, along with a brand-new welcome mat, provide the icing on the cake.
Even if your funds don’t allow a complete refreshing of your home’s exterior, a pressure washing can make a tremendous difference and make your house shine. If you don’t have your own pressure washer, you can rent one from Home Depot, Lowe’s, or another home improvement store for a reasonable price.
At any time of year, you can show buyers how your patio, deck, or other outdoor space is an extension of your home’s interiors. Be sure all existing outdoor furnishings and accessories are clean and well-maintained. If you don’t already have them, consider adding a few inexpensive furnishings and updated, stylish accessories. Even in the winter, you can make your outdoor spaces look attractive by hanging a few strands of clear glass outdoor lights and adding a selection of potted evergreen planters
Remove any blinds, shutters, or other window treatments that block the view into your outdoor living spaces. Keep front-facing window treatments open as much as possible, not only so your home looks inviting, but also it’s light-filled for any showings.
This ties with #6 above – views from inside your home should be spotless, and shiny windows look great from the street.
At a minimum, make sure all flower beds are weeded and have fresh pine straw or mulch, and plant a few brightly colored flowers near the entryways to your home. Keep any grassy areas mowed and edged, and trim any dead branches in shrubs and trees.
Great curb appeal is essential for capturing the interest of potential buyers who may drive by, but remember: excellent, professional photography makes a big difference in the amount of traffic your home for sale experiences. Most buyers are searching for properties on the Internet, and good-quality photos of your home will really set it apart from the crowd.
As always, at GreatNest we are proud to save our clients money by charging a low set fee instead of a percentage commission. We are a full-service real estate company serving buyers and sellers in Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, Summerfield, Oak Ridge, Jamestown, and other Piedmont Triad areas. Please get in touch with our experienced real estate professionals by calling (336) 790-5210 or by emailing Steve Vincent. Visit our website at greatnest.com.