Curb appeal: It’s the make-or-break first impression of your home. It either beckons a second look or turns buyers off entirely. And now, in the age of the coronavirus, curb appeal is more vital than ever—since buyers might not be able to tour your home and are placing more weight on the exterior, or might be limiting in-person tours to only their top choices.
If you’re trying to sell your home during this pandemic—and the facade is a little worse for wear—don’t panic! Check out these tricks for curb appeal are so irresistible, buyers will be clamoring to know what’s inside.
1. Keep the yard green and pristine
The lawn is one of the first things buyers notice, whether they are pulling up to the curb or looking at an online listing. When it’s lush and green, it creates a favorable impression & it’s one of the cheapest things you can do to enhance curb appeal!
2. Mind your driveway and walkway
You might be inclined to overlook the driveway and front walk—how much can you really do to make concrete look good? But, truth be told, these areas are like the red carpet of curb appeal: They lead buyers to the main event, the inside of your home.
A driveway and front walk with minor cracks and weeds popping up through the expansion joints (the straight lines that divide the driveway and walkway) are an eyesore.
Luckily, it’s an easy fix.
Remove the weeds, and patch the concrete with caulk, Robertson suggests. Hose it down or power-wash it. For extra special touch, finish a concrete driveway or walkway with a clear, glossy sealer. At the very least, hose down the driveway and walkway before photos, or a video or in-person tour, to give it a fresh look.
3. Flaunt your nighttime appeal
Prospective buyers might be driving by after dark see what your house looks like at night. Turn on the charm with a warm glow from exterior lighting. All exterior lighting on the house and garage should match or have the same style for continuity, if possible.
4. Don’t forget the garage
The garage is a key component in curb appeal, too, especially if it’s attached to the house. But how do you spruce up this often dull space? Try painting the garage door the same color as the trim on the house. Garage doors with a row of windows are pleasing to the eye, too.
DIY garage window kits are available for most newer garage door models and allow you to remove a row of existing panels and add glass inserts. If you’re adding windows where people can see in, don’t forget to stage the garage too!
5. Replace outdoor accents and give your landscaping some love
A shabby doormat, dingy house numbers, and a rusty old mailbox are hardly deal breakers, but they do leave a stale impression. If your outdoor accents have seen better days, replace them. Then make sure your landscaping looks lush for any passersby. Prune overgrown shrubs and trees. Weed flower beds, and spread a layer of fresh mulch.
Add pretty-looking annuals if your yard is lacking color. Plant a Japanese maple to fill a bare spot and create symmetry. Then wrap up by cleaning the windows and sweeping the cobwebs from the front porch. Tidy up and stage the front porch so buyers can imagine themselves relaxing there on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
6. Give your front door a face-lift
Would a shabby door with peeling paint, rusty hardware, and scuff marks entice a buyer to go inside? Front doors with glass inserts evoke a warm and welcoming feeling. If there isn’t room in the budget, rejuvenate your existing door with a fresh coat of paint and hardware.
In truth there are endless possibilities to explore when trying to boost your homes curb appeal & properly stage for sale. For additional ideas or an experts opinion on what buyers are really looking for & what catches their eye the best. Give me a call today, I would be happy to chat with you!
(989) 429-1057
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