How to Improve Curb Appeal

Home Selling Advice to Help You Attract Potential Buyers

A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal—the view they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing. You can help make sure they want to come inside your house by spending some time working on the exterior appearance.

It's difficult to look at our own house in the same way that potential home buyers do, because when we become accustomed to the way something looks and functions, we can't see its faults. Decide right now to stop thinking of the property as a home. It's a house—a commodity you want to sell for the highest dollar possible.

Curb Appeal Exercise

The next time you come home, stop across the street or far enough down the driveway to get a good view of the house and its surroundings.

1.       What is your first impression of the house and yard area?

2.       What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them?

3.       What are the worst exterior features of the house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?

Park where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit.

Is the approach clean and tidy? What could you do to make it more attractive?

Make a list of the problem areas you discovered. Tackle clean up and repair chores first, then put some time into projects that make the grounds more attractive.

• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.  Pressure washing is great.
• Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
• Clean windows and gutters.
• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete and bricks.
• Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.  Rake and dispose of leaves.
• Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home's roof.
• Make sure outside lighting is working.  Replace light bulbs as needed.

Landscaping Decisions

There are times that adding elements to your landscaping can improve curb appeal, but there are other times when removing something is even more effective.

For example, we had a listing for a large brick house with large white columns. Tall evergreens, planted in front of each column, had grown taller than the roof. They obscured the columns and windows and made it difficult to see the front of the house.

We suggested that the owner remove them. She trimmed them back and it did the trick.  It seemed to instantly boost the home's curb appeal.

Most buyers cannot visualize changes, and often won't take a second look at a house if the first look doesn't appeal to them. Home sellers who can visualize changes, and are prepared to make them, will see the benefits with an offer.

A Few Curb Appeal Tips

• If you can budget it, a fresh paint job works wonders for a dingy house. 
• Install a more attractive front door, maybe something with leaded glass inserts.  If you can't justify the cost of a new door, consider painting it or replacing plain doorknob hardware with something more attractive.
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•  If you brainstorm, you'll find that there's a solution to most problems. The trick is to find the areas that need improvement the most.