Create Curb Appeal

If you're thinking about putting your home on the market this spring, now is a good time to check out your home's curb appeal.  After all, first impressions are so very important! 

If the yard needs to be mowed, trees trimmed, walkways swept and the cobwebs are covering the doorway, buyers are going to be skeptical about how the home has been maintained and will lose interest in it even before they've gone through the door.  It's very hard to change a first impression.  Likewise, the opposite is true.  If the space from the curb to the house is attractive and well maintained - from the mailbox to the walkway to the flowerbeds to the doorway - buyers will think that the home is well cared for and maintained even if the rest of the home isn't quite as well maintained.  

1.  Mailbox.    How does your mailbox look?  Is it listing to the right or left?  Could it use a fresh coat of paint?  Does the door open and close properly?  Is the flag still intact?  Are there any numbers missing?  I understand that some people may think that it's only a mailbox but, it is a reflection of the home and a part of the overall curb appeal.  If it needs to be replaced, replace it. 

2.  Front Door.  The front door is the home's focal point.  You want it to stand out because it's attractive and inviting - not because the paint is peeling or the hardware needs to be replaced.  A fresh coat of paint or varnish and replacing the dated brass hardware with satin nickle or oil-rubbed bronze goes a very long way with very little effort. 

3.  Windows.  A funny thing about windows.  No one really notices them when they're clean but no one can miss them when they're dirty.  Wash the windows inside and out.  Make sure you remove the screens and store them in the garage.  Screens tend to screen out the sunlight, making the home appear dark inside.  This is the time to have your home open to the sunlight - it's much more appealing to buyers.  This might also be a good time to consider a new color for the shutters if you have them.  According to the Paint Quality Institute, the current trend is a shift away from the traditional red, black, or green to more monochromatic shades that blend with the rest of the house.

4.  Garage.  The garage doors can make a huge impact especially if the garage faces the street.  Do the doors need to be painted or repaired?  Are they dented?  Should they be replaced?  A new steel garage door can cost between $900-$1,500, depending upon the size, but sellers can recoup almost 72% of the cost at resale, according to the Cost vs. Value Report.  And, you'd be surprised at the replacement cost a buyer will put on replacing it if he thinks it needs to be replaced. 

5.  Front Porch.  The front porch is oh so important!  This is where buyers stand while they're waiting for the Realtor to unlock the door.  You've got their full attention.  If you have the room, stage it with a couple of chairs or an attractive bench, inviting buyers to sit for a bit.  Add a pot or pots of flowers for color but please, leave the artificial plants at the store. 

6.  Driveway.  How does your driveway look?  Is it cracked or stained with oil?  If you can't afford a complete resurface (about $2,000 for concrete driveways), maybe you can patch it using premixed concrete materials.  Asphalt driveways can be patched with a patching compound found at the hardware store.  While you're there, check out the oil stain removal products that they offer.  I've heard that kitty litter works too.

7.  Night Lights.  Have you ever noticed how pretty homes look at night with the lights on?  An illuminated home set against the night sky looks so warm and inviting.  Have your lights on a timer so they always come on at dusk - not just for nighttime showings but for any prospective buyer that may be driving by.  If you don't have wired outdoor lights, you can line the walkway with solar lights.  They're much less to install than hardwired lights.  

I hope this helps.  And remember, if you're thinking about selling your home, I'd love to talk with you and share my marketing plan with you.  I work for you and I only get paid when I get results you want!