Whether you’re selling your home or you just want to put your best foot forward for your HOA, curb appeal can make a big difference in how your home is perceived. What exactly is curb appeal? It’s a common way real estate agents and other industry professionals refer to the way a house (and the property it’s on) looks from the sidewalk. In a nutshell, if you were walking through the neighborhood and saw your home, what would the effect be? Make sure it’s a positive one with our top tips on how to boost curb appeal.
1. Give it a good clean
The outdoor surfaces of our homes often don’t get the same amount of love as the interior when it comes to cleaning. After all, it’s inevitably just going to get dirty again. All that dust and dirt builds up though, so consider investing in a heavy-duty cleaning before listing your home. Pressure washing your driveway, siding, and porch can make a noticeable difference in your home’s appearance. Plus, it gives you a better idea of what else might need to be replaced or repaired to boost your curb appeal in other ways.
2. Repaint
You knew this one was coming. If the exterior paint on your home is looking a little worse for wear, we recommend a fresh coat of paint before you list your home. And if you don’t have the time or budget to repaint the whole exterior, consider making a statement by painting just your front door in an accent color.
3. Hang window boxes
Window boxes are long, narrow planters designed to showcase flowers or plants right below your window. You can find one that fits your style at most home and garden stores. Or, if you’re feeling crafty, gather up the supplies and build them yourself! Window boxes can add color, dimension, and charm to your home’s exterior and really dress up your outdoor space.
4. Don’t skip the landscaping
First things first, mow that lawn and prune your trees. And if the front of your house looks a little bare and boring, liven it up by planting flowers. We recommend perennials, not annuals, because perennials grow again in the spring without needing to be replanted. Annuals, on the other hand, must be replanted every year. Other factors to consider are the plant’s sunlight, shade, soil type, and water needs. It’s important to find out what kinds of plants would survive in your front yard and porch before you plant.
5. Hang potted plants and greenery
Speaking of plants, do you have a covered front porch? You could maximize that open space and hang planters from your porch ceiling. It’s a great way to improve your curb appeal and it adds dimension, drawing eyes upward. Get creative and hang planters of different colors, sizes, and shapes that reflect your home’s personality. Take the look a step further by planting draping greenery like ivy or pothos plants.
6. Give your mailbox a makeover
Paint your mailbox to match your front door. Plant flowers at the base of the mailbox post. Sand and varnish, repaint, or replace the post—the list goes on. There are countless ways to bring your mailbox to life and any one of these creative touches can make it stand out from the rest of the block. Just don’t go overboard personalizing it to the point that potential buyers couldn’t see it as their own.
7. Replace gutters and downspouts
Replacing gutters and downspouts might not be the most glamorous of updates, but it impacts your home’s curb appeal more than you might think. Even if your gutters don’t need to be fully replaced, cleaning and securing any areas that are not attached to the home properly will give your potential buyers one less thing to worry about in terms of the home’s functionality.
8. Replace hardware
From light fixtures to doorknobs to your address numbers, refreshing the finishes on your outdoor hardware can give your home an instant lift. This is also an easy DIY update that takes minimal time if you’re wondering how to boost curb appeal on short notice.
Any other tips on how to boost curb appeal?
Maybe the biggest rule of prepping your home for sale is to keep your decor choices—inside and out—neutral. Buyers should be able to envision the space with their own belongings and tastes, and that’s hard to do if your personal style is on display. When it comes to curb appeal, here are a few things to avoid:
- Lawn decorations
- Visible garbage/recycling cans
- Window decals
Sorry to your lawn gnomes, but it’s not their time to shine. For more tips on nailing your home sale or boosting curb appeal, reach out to our team anytime.
Whether you’re selling your home or you just want to put your best foot forward for your HOA, curb appeal can make a big difference in how your home is perceived.
