Getting ready to move home but struggling to sell your current property?
Do not worry! You can turn things around by working on enhancing your curb appeal. This can work wonders when it comes to changing a potential buyer’s first impression of your property while also adding to the overall value of your home!
What Is Curb Appeal?
Curb appeal, as the name suggests, refers to how appealing your home or property looks when standing on the curb. It is a phrase often brought up when selling a home due to the strong influence it yields over buyers.
For example, a recent study found that a staggering two-thirds of buyers are deterred if a property lacks curb appeal, often meaning that the property remains on the market for months on end.
Why Is Curb Appeal Important?
Your home’s curb appeal is important for many reasons.
Firstly, as referenced above, it helps to make a positive first impression on potential buyers – especially as this is the very first thing they will see of your home. This means they’ll be instantly more enthusiastic when attending a viewing, which could influence their decision on whether or not to buy your home. This could also mean that you can sell your property far quicker than you originally expected!
In addition to this, working to improve your curb appeal can also add considerable value to your home, even if it does require you to spend money to begin with. In fact, one study found it could add as much as 7% to the total value of your home.
Ways To Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Fortunately, there are many different ways in which you can improve your home’s curb appeal!
Install Black Windows
Working to improve your property’s curb appeal is all about making it look as visually appealing as possible, and one way in which you can achieve this goal is by replacing your worn-down windows and frames with something new and modern, such as black windows. This is a great way to make an older property appear as chic and modern as possible while also making your home more energy efficient!
Now, we know what you are thinking. Are Black Windows More Expensive? Not necessarily! This can be dependent on a variety of factors, from your choice of glazing to the size of the windows themselves. However, working with a trusted supplier ensures you’re getting the best possible deal, all while adding value to your home!
Repaint The Walls
While you may have already applied a fresh coat of paint to the inside of your home in order to cover up any signs of wear and tear, the chances are you’ve not done the same for the outside of your property. However, this may be the area that needs it the most!
Look at it this way: your home’s exterior is constantly subjected to the elements, all of which can damage it in some way. For example, constant streams of sunlight can cause the paint to fade, while adverse weather conditions can chip away at it. As such, applying a fresh coat of paint is a great way to freshen up the space. Be sure to choose a color that complements your property (and any neighboring homes).
Repaint Your Fence
On a similar note, repainting your face or other wooden fixtures, such as your decking, can also help to enhance your curb appeal. This is because it means your home looks brand new, as opposed to showing even the smallest sign of aging.
When painting any area of your home’s exterior, be sure to do so on a cool, dry day. This means that the paint should dry evenly without any streaks or water damage. However, you should also be sure to apply multiple coats, especially if you’ve opted for a paler color.
Fix (or replace) Your Roof
If your roof is looking a little worse for wear, this is something that you should endevor to resolve as quickly as possible. This is because it could lead to a wide variety of maintenance issues that drive down the price of your property while also harming your curb appeal. If you’re going down the replacement route, be sure to do your research ahead of time. This will ensure that you choose a roof design that elevates your curb appeal and helps you stand out from the crowd.
You may also benefit greatly from installing solar panels during this time. This is because solar panels alone can add 2-14% to the total value of your home. This is because it can help a potential buyer to follow an eco-friendly lifestyle while also saving them money on energy bills.
Add Some Greenery
Adding some greenery, such as planting some flowers or attaching hanging baskets to your window, is a great low-cost way to boost your curb appeal. This is because doing so makes your space feel both more homely and more welcoming.
On a similar note, you should also make sure that you carry out a spot of gardening to ensure that it looks as neat and tidy as possible. After all, an overgrown front garden is hardly appealing, especially when it comes to taking photos for your property listing.
Refresh The Driveway
Ensuring that your driveway is free from any unsightly cracks, stains, or discoloration can also help to boost your curb appeal. Fortunately, this does not mean that you need to replace it entirely; you simply need to fill any gaps and then use a power washer, which can help remove years of dirt and grime from the surface of the driveway. The results should make it look almost brand new!
Add A New House Number Or Mailbox
Remember, even the smallest of changes or enhancements can have a big impact on how your home looks. As such, by adding a new house number or elegant mailbox, you can ensure that you’re capturing the attention of buyers for all the right reasons.
Fortunately, this is a task that you can carry out yourself without having to spend too much money, especially if you are somewhat creatively inclined and detail-oriented. Be sure to watch some tutorials online before getting started!
Repaint The Doors
Repainting your doors can also improve your home’s appearance, especially if you have noticed that the paint itself is chipped or painted. Before getting started on this DIY task, make sure that you are buying paint and varnish that can be used safely on wooden fixtures (or whatever material your door is made from). This allows for high-quality, lasting results that will not disappear next time it rains!
Ask Your Realtor For Advice
If you aren’t sure what you need to do in order to make your home more appealing to buyers, ask your realtor for advice. After all, it’s their job to understand the needs and motivations of buyers, which means they can quickly pinpoint any mistakes that you may be making or changes that you must introduce.
Of course, you should then be sure to act on any advice that they give you as opposed to treating it as a suggestion. They are working with your best interests at heart, and while it will likely require you to spend some money, this is something that you can always expect to get a positive ROI from.
You may also be able to get some inspiration by looking at other properties that are currently on the market and identifying what makes them appealing. Finally, if an individual is attending a viewing but is no longer interested, you could ask them for some feedback or insight into what encouraged them to look elsewhere.
Add Lighting To Your Driveway
Adding lighting to your driveway can also improve your home’s curb appeal. For example, lights that are placed along the driveway make the space more accessible, especially at night, whereas accent lighting can ensure that buyers are drawn to your home’s most impressive features at all times.
Final Thoughts
In short, working to improve your home’s curb appeal is vital if you’re looking for a quick sale or want to get as much money as possible for your home. However, you should be sure that you do plenty of research ahead of time to ensure that you’re making the right chances – though the list outlined above is a great starting point.
You should also make sure that you set a budget for these tasks ahead of time so that you can keep your budget in check. After all, moving is expensive enough without having to put all of your money into a place you will no longer be living in. That being said, this is something that you will get a positive ROI from!
So, what are you waiting for? The sooner you get started on improving your home’s curb appeal, the better! After all, this ensures that you’re doing whatever it takes to win over a potential buyer!
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
