Secrets to Improving Curb Appeal

“Curb appeal” is more than a real estate buzzword—it’s something you have to get on board with if you want to make your home appealing to buyers. Luckily, improving curb appeal is fairly easy. Check out these secrets to improving curb appeal. You’ll be amazed at what some hedge trimming and a fresh coat of paint can do!

1. Trim up trees and landscaping – You don’t want to block the view of the front door or any windows—or the house itself. Cut hedges at or below windowsills. Make sure you clear any debris from the planting beds. If your front yard lacks color, consider placing some large potted plants (from a local nursery or hardware store) near the front entrance.
2. Add plants and other foliage – If you don’t have any plants to trim, it’s time to add some! A greenhouse, hardware store, or big-box home store should have a selection of landscape-friendly plants in a range of price points. If you don’t have the time or resources to plant bushes or hedges, consider xeriscape, which combines gravel or other hardscaping with plants that require little water, or “zero-scaping,” which is similar but incorporates plants (usually cacti) only as accents. Whatever you choose to do, keep in mind that a colorful, well-manicured front yard makes an excellent first impression—so don’t neglect it!
3. Paint the exterior of your house – This is an obvious one, but there’s a reason for that. A well-done paint job freshens up the look of the house and just makes it look more appealing. New paint will likely also make your home stand out among the other houses on your street.
4. Paint the front door a contrasting color – This is another easy way to make your house stand out. A good color choice is burgundy; it adds a sharp accent without being too bold or loud.
5. Repair broken and cracked walkways and driveways – Do as much repair on your walkways and driveway as you can reasonably afford. Unrepaired damage will be noticed as potential buyers walk around the property—they can make your home look neglected.
6. Clean the roof – If your roof is in good shape, give it a thorough cleaning. It will help your home make a better impression and shows that you’ve done some upkeep.
7. Repair or replace your mailbox – A shiny new mailbox is a small improvement that has a big impact.
8. Have a nice welcome mat at entry – Again, it’s a small thing, but it looks nice and shows forethought. It makes the house look like an inviting home.
9. Replace old exterior lighting – Just like damaged walkways, old, broken, or otherwise unappealing exterior lighting makes your home look neglected. Even an inexpensive replacement from Target or a hardware store will look better.

Once you start increasing your home’s curb appeal, you might not want to stop! Check out more curb appeal ideas from This Old House.

However, improving curb appeal isn’t the best solution for every situation. Upping curb appeal may be the last thing on your mind if you’re ready to get out of your house and leave homeowner responsibilities behind. If you want to learn how you can sell your house fast—without making repairs or improvements—contact us at Lemon Houses.