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Health & Fitness

Bring in the Buyers with Stellar Curb Appeal

Of course the interior of your home is important to potential buyers but even more essential is the outside appearance. Read more for tips on how to boost your home's curb appeal.

Staging your home for sale isn’t just about creating appealing interior spaces. It’s vital to remember that the very first thing a potential buyer sees in your home is how it looks from the outside. We all want to make a good first impression. Here are some simple and effective steps that will help you to increase your curb appeal and reel in potential buyers.

  • Assess. Step outside your front door and look at your house with a truly critical eye. What stands out to you? Hopefully it’s something gracious like seasonal flowers or new mulch. But it could be a dangling gutter, a swinging shutter, or loose screens on the windows. Anything that pops out as a problem should be on your short list of cleanup activities. Are you pleased with the paint color and its condition? What about the color of the doors, trim, and shutters? Do they match? Neutral colors sell better, so if your house is a garish pink or neon green, you might consider repainting.

 

  • Consult. Have your real estate agent, family members, neighbors, or friends offer a curbside critique. What do they see? Is there something about your home your neighbors find unappealing? Get suggestions from a variety of people you trust.

 

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  • Landscape. No, you don’t necessarily need a professional landscaper, although if your lawn hasn’t been spruced up in a while, a professional hand might make things easier for you. Make sure the grass is cut and edged, hedges are trimmed back, and mulch is fresh and new. Keep up the lawn maintenance throughout the time your house is on the market, even if it means mowing more often than usual and checking for new weeds every day. Keep plants watered and think about adding a splash of color with seasonal flowers that you either plant in beds or maintain in attractive pots or hanging containers – yellow is always a cheerful choice. If you are selling during the fall, keep on top of the leaf pileup and rake your lawn frequently. In the summer, make sure all paths, walkways, and driveways are clear of snow and ice.

 

  • Replace. If there is anything on the exterior of your house that is in bad shape – from the doorbell to the garage doors, now is the time to think about replacing it. If the hardware on your doors is worn, now might be a good time to upgrade to a more current look. Has your mailbox seen better days? If it is visible from the curb, consider it part of your exterior renovations. Storm doors are easily replaceable as well.

 

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  • Clean. Windows should be spotless, as should their frames. Clean out your gutters and drain spouts to prevent an onslaught of messy debris if there is bad weather. A power washer can clean anything from grimy siding to the cracks between paving stones – and can be rented at little cost. You might be surprised by how shiny a bit of water pressure can make things.

 

  • Accessorize. You don’t want to go overboard, but adding a few seasonal touches can be inviting. Think about fresh flower beds in the spring, mums in the fall, and the tasteful use of lighting in the wintertime when darkness comes early. Understated door hangings like floral wreaths can evoke a sense of the current season.

 

When boosting your curb appeal, your main consideration should be how welcoming your home appears. Put yourself in the shoes of your buyer, pulling up to your curb for the first time, and ask yourself, “Does this house feel inviting?” If the answer is yes, you’ve done your job well.

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