Curb Appeal and Home Selling
Do you remember your last job interview? Think back to what you did to get ready… Didn’t you put on your best suit, comb your hair, make sure your nails were clean and your shoes were polished? Of course! You were trying to put your best foot forward. So, why would you do any less with the exterior of your home before putting that For Sale sign in the front yard? You wouldn’t. Or you shouldn’t, anyway. That’s where curb appeal comes into play.
Whether you are buying or selling a house, it is important to work with a real estate agency to ensure that your purchase or listing goes through without a hitch.
Here are some spring tips for giving your home that “wow” factor to attract the most buyers:
Lawn Care
Your lawn should be neatly cut and edged and fertilized if it needs it. When it starts to get hot, I know it’s a real chore to get out in the heat every week. If you don’t have time to keep your lawn in tip-top shape yourself, consider hiring a lawn service.
Shrubs and Tree Care
All of your shrubberies should be trimmed back to give a view of the house. Who wants to buy a home that they can’t even find behind those giant ligustrums and overgrown azaleas?
Make sure that there are no low-hanging tree branches that can block the view of your home from the street. Remember, the reason to put that sign in the yard is to attract attention to the fact that you are trying to sell – make sure that a buyer’s first impression is a good one. If the branches are too big for a do-it-yourself job, a tree care and tree trimming professional or an arborist can be a lifesaver. They can handle cutting and hauling off those larger pieces, without damaging the trees that add value to your home.
Flowers
Houses with the best spring curb appeal are the ones where the owners have spruced up the flower beds. Pull those weeds and yank out those dead, leftover winter plants. A few annuals and some fresh mulch can turn the most tired little garden into a warm and inviting space that says “Welcome Home”. Need something that doesn’t take a lot of care? How about some periwinkles (vinca) for color and base plants like irises and agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) to fill up some of those bare spots.
Eaves and Overhangs
Most of us never pay a bit of attention to the condition of the eaves and overhangs on our homes. But, while waiting for their agent to open the door, buyers have plenty of time to look around and check them out. If the outside of your home doesn’t look well kept, potential buyers will go through the house with an even more critical eye, assuming that the inside has suffered from the same neglect. An afternoon with a pressure washer can clear off the winter grime and make your exterior look as good as new.
Front Door
Nothing says welcome home like a freshly cleaned and painted front door. Again, this is one of the first impressions a buyer has and can set the tone for the rest of their visit. If your door handles are loose or discolored, consider replacing them. If you have glass in your front door, be sure to take a few minutes to spray them with glass cleaner and wipe them up with crumpled-up newspaper to eliminate streaks and smudges. This trick works for windows too! (Hint, hint…wash those windows while you are washing the rest of the house).
Don’t let your lack of curb appeal be the reason that buyers pass you by. Remember, a picture of the front of your home is going to be the first thing that online shoppers see. If it doesn’t catch their eye, they will move on to one of the other available properties for sale. With just a little time and effort, you can have the best-looking house on the block. Who wouldn’t want that?
