6 quick curb appeal improvements that will help you sell your home
Whether they’re browsing Trulia or driving by new listings, potential buyers care a lot about first impressions. And your home’s curb appeal is one detail that will either pique buyers’ interest or send them running in the opposite direction.
“Your home’s curb appeal sends a very clear message to buyers about the quality of your home,” says Brad Ruckart, founder of Ruckart Real Estate. “A sloppy, dingy exterior suggests that the home hasn’t been cared for, while an attractive, clean exterior will attract serious buyers and help you earn top dollar when it’s time to sell.”
Ready to boost your home’s curb appeal? Consider these quick and cost-effective exterior improvements that will maximize your property’s value when you’re ready to sell.
- Give your lawn some love.
Now is the time to check all of those landscaping tasks off your list (or hire someone to do it for you). Plant grass seed where you’ve got bare patches, weed your garden beds and put down fresh mulch, trim your trees and hedges, and neatly edge around your sidewalk and driveway. In the summer, be sure to keep your lawn and garden watered through dry periods. And it goes without saying that you should keep up with mowing and trimming as long as your home is on the market.
- Touch up tired paint.
Assuming your entire house doesn’t need a paint job, take a quick walk around and make a note of any areas that may need a quick touch-up — including side doors, shutters, trim, and crawlspace access points. It’s amazing how just a bit of fresh paint can brighten up your entire exterior. If you have siding, consider having your home pressure-washed to make it sparkle.
- Create a welcoming entry.
Little details like your front door color and decorative details can make a big impact on buyers. In fact, a Zillow study back in 2018 found that homes with jet black front doors sold for $6,000 more than homes with other color doors. Ultimately, choose a door color that fits with your home design and your neighborhood, and avoid colors that may turn off some buyers. (We’re looking at you, pink.) Besides a fresh front door color, you can also set the scene with a pretty wreath, a clean welcome mat, and low-maintenance planters anchoring the entry.
- Reconsider the numbers.
Your house numbers, that is. It’s easy to overlook this detail when you’re living in a house, but updating your house numbers is a quick and easy way to modernize your exterior.
- Don’t overlook the big stuff.
Your roof, siding, windows, and driveway should all be in solid condition. Look out for any damage that may signal to buyers that there are more serious, expensive issues with your home.
- Light it up.
In today’s competitive market, you can bet some potential buyers will be doing their first drive-bys at night. That’s why having thoughtfully planned landscape lighting can really set your home apart. Give buyers a warm welcome by illuminating paths, and use uplights to highlight your home’s best features. Also make sure that no exterior light bulbs are burned out.
Improving your home’s curb appeal is a powerful marketing tool that is a key part of our sales philosophy at Ruckart Real Estate. For help with getting your home ready for the market, contact our team today.
