Five Simple Real Estate Tips to improve first impressions and increase curb appeal
Increasing curb appeal will get buyers through the front door
When deciding to sell a home, the involved costs and time can be so overwhelming that the fundamental task of marketing and negotiating consumes most of our attention early-on. Sometimes neglected are the fine details that a prospective buyer will notice when inspecting your home--the small pieces of the curb-appeal-puzzle.
Curb appeal, for those aspects of a home that do not require much money or time, is best understood as a marketing tactic. You are trying to give the best first impression of your property by making it as enticing as possible and preventing buyers from being distracted by degrading or unclean aspects of the home. These simple do-it-yourself solutions will not fundamentally increase your home’s value, but they will likely increase your chances of getting offers on your property.
Whether you are slim on time, trying to put the final touches on your carefully prepared showing, or trying to find D-I-Y methods to increase curb appeal, consider these five tips:
Repair, Repaint or Replace the Mailbox
When a buyer is coming to look at a property for the first time, he or she is likely following a route up to the point where they can find the address listed, where? The mailbox. Especially if your home is not visible from the road, the mailbox is where the very first impression of your property occurs.
If you have no mailbox, cheap but tidy-looking options are available anywhere from 50 to 150 dollars in major outlets such as Lowes or Home Depot. Replacing a degraded mailbox will give a fresh impression and will give buyers an easy time finding the property. If it is in good condition, but the paint has faded, cover it with a color of your choosing and hang onto the gallon for the front and garage doors. (more on that later)
The mailbox is where the very first impression of your property occurs
If your family’s last name is printed on the mailbox, this too is a good reason to paint. A buyer’s first impression when arriving at your property should not be of the work they will have to do if they make an offer.
Powerwash the home
Powerwashing a home’s exterior is a very effective way to increase curb appeal. If your siding has not been powerwashed in years, then you’ll be surprised how drastically new it will look after. When renting or borrowing a powerwash, be sure to use low pressure when doing painted or wood siding to avoid causing damage. Powerwashing the siding of a home is one of the fastest ways to drastically increase the curb appeal of your property and give a good first impression. Check out this simple guide to get a better idea of your options.
Paint the front and garage doors
Remember that gallon of paint you bought for the mailbox? Use the remainder to give a fresh coat to the front and garage doors. Giving a fresh coat to the entrances attracts the attention of buyers literally to your doorstep, and if you can get them through the door then you are one step closer to an offer. Keep in mind that changing the doors’ color will likely require two coats of paint. Check out this article for an in-depth DIY guide to painting your doors.
Giving a fresh coat to the entrances attracts the attention of buyers literally to your doorstep
De-clutter and Clean!
Remember that even with brand-new siding and a fresh exterior paint job, the first impression will be ruined should the surrounding areas of the house be in disarray. Here are some simple considerations:
- Clear away any degrading furniture
- Clean both sides of the front-facing windows
- Clear any plant matter or debris from the front and side yard paths
- Wipe down exterior utility amenities such as the ac unit, water covers, heater, and exterior lighting
- Sweep the roof and clear the gutters
- Clear any plant debris off the perimeter of any gardens and the front yard
Fundamental Lawn Care
Pay attention to your property’s immediate surroundings and take the time to freshen it up. Pulling any weeds or undesirable plants and laying new mulch will increase the chances of a buyer entering the home. Even something as simple as mowing the lawn in a tidy pattern will have an enchanting effect on the eye and increase your chances of a good first impression.
Even mowing the lawn in a tidy pattern will increase curb appeal
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