It has been said before that in the first 7 seconds of meeting someone you will make 11 decisions about them – good or bad. The same thing could be said about your house, which is why curb appeal is so important. Whether you are having people over for a party or trying to sell your house, the exterior of your home will make a lasting impression for all of your visitors. If you are trying to improve your curb appeal, here are plenty of tangible steps that will make visitors think more fondly of your property.
Grooming the Yard
Making sure your yard is groomed is the first step you can take to improve your property’s curb appeal. This means that the grass is cut, the bushes are trimmed, and the leaves are raked. After you have done these rudimentary steps, there are some supplemental things you should do if you want to go the extra mile. Take a look at where the grass meets the curb. One great way to make your yard look clean cut is by cutting the grass along the edge. An additional step that you should take is to check your flower beds and see if there are spots that need extra mulch, bark or pine straw. Grooming the yard is just the foundation to improve your curb appeal – an essential step that shouldn’t be skipped!
Cleanliness
As we all know, it is important for the interior of your house to be clean, but it is also important for the exterior of your home to appear clean as well. Cleaning the outside of your home is a lot different than cleaning the inside, but there are several steps you can take to make your property look clean.
Pressure wash – It is amazing what a difference pressure washing can make for a house. There are plenty of things that you can power wash – the driveway, the exterior wall, the curb, the walkways, or even the sidewalk.
Paint – Is your paint chipping off? Add a fresh coat and maybe even change up the color. Painting your front door or any other extremities could really change the look and make your house stand out.
Clean the windows – Windows are the only way that the viewer can see into your house. Take advantage of your windows and make sure they are clean on the inside and outside. Dirty windows can detract from the house and turn a viewer away.
Clean your gutters – Stopped up gutters isn’t something your visitor wants to see. Try to keep your gutters clean.
Easy External Touch Ups
If you are willing to go the extra mile, there are several easy renovations that you may not have thought about that will enhance your curb appeal and improve people’s first impression of your house.
Install a new door knob – If yours is dirty or frankly just doesn’t turn very well, it may be a good idea to install a new, shiny door knob to compliment your front door.
Install new house numbers – House numbers are essential for visitors that are trying to find your house. If yours don’t stand out or are too small, it may be a good idea to get house numbers that are visible from the street. It could be frustrating for your visitors if they cannot find your house because they can’t see house numbers.
Upgrade the shutters – If you have shutters, you might want to paint them or update them. You will be amazed how different your house will look after making minor adjustments to shutters.
Install a porch swing – Who doesn’t love a porch swing? If you have a porch and a decent place to put a swing, this could be a great way to make your front yard a little more fun for the kids and relaxing for the adults.
Upgrade the mailbox – Although a visitor isn’t going to make their full judgment off of the mailbox it is something that they will likely see. If your mailbox is old, or ugly, you may want to consider a new mailbox.
Other Ideas
We’ve talked about how to groom the yard, how to make your property appear clean, and some easy renovations you could consider that will make your house stand out a little more. Here are some additional suggestions if you have more money in the budget and are wanting change.
- Buy a new doormat
- Hang a front door wreath
- Plant a tree
- Add outdoor furniture
- Replace exterior lighting
- Get a new front door
- Put in outdoor art
At The Talons Group Real Estate Brokerage, we are proud to have a team of experienced and passionate experts. Explore our website or contact us at (334) 758-6220 today. We hope you can use some of these ideas to improve your curb appeal and would love to hear from you if you are interested in buying, renting or selling a property.