Summer is the season for home improvements. The sun is out, the weather is good and the days are longer, making it the perfect time to get to work on that project list. If you are thinking of making improvements to the exterior of your home or property, you might be interested to know that some projects provide greater returns when it comes to selling.
If you want to sell your home, it is critical to make a good first impression. The majority of home buyers will make a decision about whether or not they want to look inside based solely on its curb appeal. Why is curb appeal so important?
The presentation of your property, also known as curb appeal, is important because it sets the expectation for the interior. It either invites buyers inside for a closer look or turns them away. It’s true that the inside is what will sell the home – the floorplan, the flow, the size of the rooms, the architectural details – all those things will factor into a buyer’s decision but if your home doesn’t welcome people from the street, most people just won’t bother taking a look inside.
While you can’t change the structural look of your home, you can create curb appeal. Simple updates and maintenance can enhance your home and invite buyers inside. Updates don’t have to be expensive, they can be easy fixes that just require some time and elbow grease. Here are a few ideas to help get you started:
1. Clean up.
When buyers are looking at homes, a neatly manicured lawn is a key feature, demonstrating maintenance, care and upkeep. And cleaning up is among the easiest updates you can make. A few hours of work will make a big difference in the appeal of your home to potential buyers.
Rake leaves, remove broken branches and dead plants. Use a power washer to clean driveway and sidewalks, fences and garden walkways. Wash windows – on both sides – for an instantly cleaner façade.
2.Get green.
Nothing can be more inviting than a beautiful lawn and garden. The neatly trimmed and manicured look lends instant credibility to a home, so trim hedges, bushes and vines, giving them shape and symmetry. Weed the garden and flower beds and plant bright, colorful flowers. Mulch the planting beds with a rich, deep-colored mulch, to create contrast and prevent new weed growth.
Repair bare spots in the lawn by planting plugs, which can be picked up at most home improvement stores. Add ground cover to large or shady bare spots. If large areas of the lawn need to be replaced, you can re-sod them for a quick fix or re-seed them.
Window boxes can add charm to any exterior and a cheerful pop of color. Place a few potted plants strategically on a front porch, entry or walkway. Avoid cluttering the space with too many plants, though; less is usually more.
3. Dress it up.
Paint your front door and shutters in a bright color that pops against the color of the home. Repaint trim that is peeling or faded. Make repairs to loose front porch boards or railings. Fill cracks in your concrete and restore crumbling concrete edges or corners.
A new doormat will invite visitors inside and make them feel welcome. Opt for a mat that is simple and sophisticated. Add plants on either side of the doorway to add symmetry, which is appealing to buyers and pleasing to the eye. Clean or polish front porch and coach lights or replace them as necessary.
Change the look of your home instantly with updated house numbers; don’t try to get fancy - clean and simple is the rule for numbers so they can be easily read from the street.
If your entryway, porch or front walkway are dark, add lights. Light will make a huge impact on the curb appeal. Solar lights for the walkway are inexpensive and easy to install.
4. Finishing touches.
During the day, open your curtains and let the light in – to create a warm, inviting feeling to your property. At night, leave your front porch light and coach lights on, as well as a hall lamp or kitchen light. Light evokes emotion and warmth and you want to convey that your home is warm and welcoming. Nothing looks more lonely than a dark house.
Add a wreath to your front door. Keep it neutral and sophisticated. Boxwood wreaths are a good option – green and manicured, they look lovely on any front door.
There are a number of other home improvements that can improve the look of your home AND add value at selling time, click here for our FREE Home Improvement Guide.
If you are considering selling your home, call us to see how we can help. If you are thinking of buying or selling, or know someone who is, give us a call to see how we can help you. We’d love to be your Realtors!
Swift Selling Homes - 941.417.9335