Adding curb appeal to your home is one of the easiest ways to get more buyers through the door and higher offers on the table. You don’t have to spend a lot on expensive landscaping or renovating either. Here are some suggestions on how to add curb appeal that won’t break the bank.
Beautify your home’s exterior
To attract serious buyers your property needs to shine. One of the best curb appeal ideas is to clean your home’s exterior with a high-pressure hose. Cleaning will loosen dirt, grime, and cobwebs quickly and efficiently. You can hire one from a local store or turn your garden hose up to its highest setting. Clean windows inside and out to make them sparkle and let in more light.
Peeling paint won’t do for your front door as its one of the first things people see. It’s a good idea to repaint with an eye-catching hue and change out the doorknob if it’s old. A unique door knocker can also make your house more memorable.
Suggested final touches are a welcoming doormat and a potted plant or two. If you have a porch, then outdoor furniture, such as a porch swing or a comfortable chair with a couple of new cushions, shows buyers how to make use of the extra living space.
Tidy up the front lawn and garden
Mowing the lawn regularly while your house is on the market is a must, at least a couple of times a week in summer. Taking the time to edge your lawn will also make it look professionally manicured. Trim trees and bushes if overgrown, so people have an unobstructed view of your home from the street.
Well maintained flower beds are one of the easy ways to improve the curb appeal of a house. Bright blooms in spring or summer are instantly attractive to viewers. If your beds are looking a bit sparse then planting flowers such as pansies, impatiens and petunias will add a quick, inexpensive burst of color.
A layer of mulch will help keep the weeds at bay and lock in moisture during hot, dry weather, so you don’t have to water as much.
Clean, repair and tidy the driveway
If you have a spotless and well-maintained driveway, then you get bonus points for adding curb appeal to your home. But if it’s less than perfect, you can improve it by cleaning off the dirt with a high-pressure hose. Cracks can be patched or re-sealed and should be a relatively inexpensive DIY job.
Don’t forget to move garbage bins and recycling containers; these can detract from your home’s curb appeal if left in the driveway. Store in the garage or down the side of the house, so they’re out of sight from the street.
Put your car away at night in the garage or park on the street, so your home has a neater appearance. People do drive-bys at night, so you want to keep your curb appeal looking great day and night.
Upgrade mailbox or install new house numbers
Curb appeal encourages people to get out of their cars and want to view your home. But a rickety old mailbox won’t inspire excitement. Get rid of it and install a new one, they’re not expensive, likewise with old or faded house numbers. New ones will give the impression that you take pride in your home.
Update or paint light fixtures
Decent lighting for your front door and garage will improve curb appeal markedly. Replace bulbs that don’t work and update old fixtures with modern versions. A cheaper alternative is to spray paint outdated gold light fixtures black. A few solar lights placed strategically down the side of the driveway or front path will give your home some ambiance for dusk and evening viewings.
Summary
First impressions matter when it comes to selling your home. Even if the interior is immaculate, a home without curb appeal will attract less interest from buyers. Now you know how to improve curb appeal, your home will have the potential to sell faster and for more money.