Creating Curb Appeal

When selling a home, the first impression is critical. Many home buyers eliminate homes quickly if the initial visual impression is not impressive. For this reason, it is important to enhance the curb appeal of your home prior to listing it for sale. Keep in mind that potential buyers will see your home differently than you do. If it has an unappealing or unorganized visage, that will reflect poorly on the rest of the home.

THE FIRST IMPRESSION

To start, take a quick walk down the street and have a good look at the exterior of your home. What catches your eye? Try to put yourself in the place of a prospective buyer seeing your home for the first time.

In thinking about curb appeal, why not start at the curb itself? How does the driveway look? If it is weathered and gray, it might be a good idea to re-pave with an asphalt sealer. This gives the front of the home a new and attractive entrance. Remember, this is likely the first thing that prospective buyers will see so its important to make your entrance-way as attractive as possible.

Gardens and planting areas can be one of the most attractive features of a home and should not be overlooked. It is not difficult to create beautiful gardens with just a little bit of time and expense. Mulch is an attractive way to spruce up any garden. Not only does it help to control weeds, making it easier to maintain, but it creates a desirable contrast when using a combination of light and dark mulches.

PAINT GOES A LONG WAY

Now that your yard is in order, let’s consider the home itself. A new coat of paint will always give a home a greater appeal. You may wish to tailor the colors of your home to your own ideals, but remember that not everyone has the same taste, and what you think is individual others may see as undesirable. When selling a home it is good to make your home stand out, but still remain within the essence and theme of the neighborhood. This is a fantastic opportunity to take care of any little cosmetic issues that are outstanding. Get rid of any mold or discoloration around the eaves and doorways, don’t simply paint over these imperfections.

BIG BANG FOR THE BUCK

Another great visual element of your home is the fences that separate your yard from neighboring lots. If the fences are run down and rickety it will reflect poorly on your home. The nice thing about fixing the fence is that it is not a cost that you must bear alone. This will also improve the appeal of the neighboring yard so the cost can be shared.

With all of these elements considered, your yard and home should be in pretty good shape. Now is the perfect time to have the listing photos taken. Remember, you deserve to get the most out of the sale of your home, don’t sell yourself short. A little effort into the curb appeal will do wonders for both the asking price and your bargaining position with prospective buyers.