Curb appeal is something you hear real estate agents talk about all the time and you know it when you see it when you’re driving past a house, but how do you get it in your home when you’re getting ready to sell? Because the curb appeal is the very first impression your home makes on a buyer it’s important to address it when considering selling your home. Here’s a short checklist to get you started!
- Start by taking photos of the exterior of your home. What do they look like when you are looking at them on your phone or computer? Your DIY pictures aren’t going to be as great as the professional photos our photographer takes, but it will give you an idea of what a buyer would see if they were looking at your home online
- Act like a buyer and walk around the outside of your home with a notebook and a critical eye. Take notes on what you see that seems off or needs repair or cleaning.
- Are your house numbers visible from the street and are they shiny and clean-looking? Maybe consider replacing them if they are dull and dingy-looking.
- Ask a friend to do a walk around with you. You can become accustomed to seeing things as they are so may need a fresh perspective to help you see things from an outside standpoint. Don’t take offense and remember they are only trying to do what you ask and help you.
- If your vinyl siding is looking dirty or your wood siding is peeling it’s time to pressure wash it. The same goes for decks, sidewalks, and driveways. It’s a very cost-effective way to up the curb appeal on any home. And if your wood siding is chipping and peeling giving it a good pressure washing is the first step to getting it ready for a fresh coat of paint!
- Look at your roof. Is it in good repair or do you have lifting shingles? Buyers are looking at the age and condition of a roof when they pull up to a home and in an inspection the age and condition of a roof is a definite deal breaker.
- Look at your trim and any doors, wood decks, handrails, and siding. Any dull, dingy, or peeling and chipping paint should be addressed and given a fresh update. You’d be surprised how much a fresh coat of paint or sealing of wood decks does to show buyers that you are caring for your investment.
- Look at your landscaping. Any flowerbeds that need weeding and fresh mulch should be dealt with and given some fresh annuals to brighten things up. Trim your shrubs and make sure to clean up the edging. Great landscaping in the front of a home can really make it pop from the street.
- Spruce up the lighting around the outside of your home so that it shows its best both day and night. You can easily install some solar lights along walkways and along beds to make the home more appealing and inviting.