5 Ways to Make Your House’s Face Look Better
Even if you don’t know much about real estate I bet you know that curb appeal is a big deal. This week we are going to dive into why its important and how to maximize time and money when doing improvements. Remember, while first impressions are important, curb appeal isn’t the only thing that matters.
1. Wash that face!
While people have different preferences for flower beds and trim color, one thing is universal. Clean is good. Pressure washing does wonders for the appearance of a home, but that may not even be necessary. Sweeping driveways, sidewalks and porches along with removing spiderwebs and old wasp nests makes a big difference. Clean windows look newer and the house is brighter.
2. Put a coat on!
A fresh coat of paint and a splash of color takes years off the appearance of your home and helps you stand out from other houses in the area. As we covered in an earlier blog here there are other benefits to keeping exterior paint in good condition. Don’t get too crazy, while some may find a certain color fun and different others may find it off-putting or tacky. Sticking to a basic color choice with a complimentary trim is a risk free way to make the house look new and clean.
3. Fix Your Lid!
Roof repair is not the cool, hip thing to have done, but it is one thing that everyone is concerned with. If the roof doesn’t need to be repaired or replaced make sure it is clean and free of debris. If it is getting close to the end of its life, have it replaced. On average you will make back your money plus some as a result of the higher asking price. Often a good cleaning is all that is needed to reveal a roof in great condition. Hire a professional for this one. If done wrong, damage or injury is more probable with this job than it is doing many others.
4. Get a manicure!
A mowed and well landscaped front lawn could make a huge difference in the quality of offers received and the speed with with they come in. You don’t need to become a master at shrub carving or anything like that. Some well-placed, fresh mulch and trimmed hedges will do the trick along with a green lawn. Mulch shouldn’t be distracting nor overwhelming. It can be a great way to cover problem areas that won’t grow grass under a tree, but you probably don’t want the yard to look like an old public playground. Flower beds should have healthy plants. This time of year, you may need to remove the ones that didn’t survive winter. We want to highlight the garden areas not hope people look past them. If you are thinking about selling your home in the near future start working on the grass now. Whether that means applying water or sod, a green lawn is a big plus.
5. Little things can make a big difference!
This one may seem silly, but a new or freshly painted mailbox without holes, rust or dents can make a great impression. If you want to go a step further, planting flowers or decorative plants around the mailbox can be a reasonably cheap way to add a little flair. Get a new “Welcome” mat, most of ours have seen better days. Add a pop of color to the front door to make it memorable. Keep outside the garbage can area as clean as possible, we want them to exist but not be noticed. Get a new hose and store it neatly, you get to take it with you. A new one may not even be noticed, but a really gross one will. Fix sagging gutters and broken shutters. Put screens back on. Most of us have locked ourselves out and tried to get in through a window at one point or another, just make sure the screen goes back in.
I hope you found this list helpful. We want your home’s first impression to be a good one, even if you aren’t planning on selling it any time soon. If you are planning on selling give us a call, we’d love to come speak with you about what you can do to set yourself up for success before going on the market.
