If you are selling your home, and want to maximize appeal of your abode, the first place you need to start is the outside. This first impression is crucial in a decision that is largely led by emotion, people will mainly like a house or they won’t be based on feelings. Many potential home buyers often do a ‘drive by’ of a residence that piqued their interest, and this is the only part they will see. So, if curb appeal is a bit lacking, you want to tackle that as soon as possible. Even small changes can make a huge difference. Here are just a few tips to get you started.
Get Rid of the Dirt and Grime
Over time, the dirt and grime that accumulates on the house, porch, sidewalk, driveway and everywhere else, can really dull the appearance of your home. Because it is gradual, and because you get so used to looking at your home day in and day out, you don’t even notice how ‘unclean’ it is. Rent a power-washer to blast away the entire gunk, and you will be amazed at how dramatic a change this one step can make in the overall appearance of your home.
The Door
The door is one of the first things people will notice about the outside of your home, so consider sprucing it up if necessary. If it is a bit worn down, perhaps a nice new coat of paint can breathe some new life into it. If that isn’t enough to do the trick, you should buy a replacement door—if you have the dough, you might even consider getting one custom made that really goes well with the style of the home, or simply to give a more unique look.
Splashes of Color
Add some color to the outside of your home to make it look more attractive. One of the best ways to accomplish this is flowers—plant some in the front yard, or purchase some good-sized pots that can be placed along the walkway or on the front porch. Put some flower boxes up on the windows. Paint the shutters or door a nice color that complements the color of your home.
Landscaping
If you haven’t been keeping up with the landscaping, this is another important area that will make a huge impact on how the outside of your home looks. Trim any overgrowth. Cut the lawn. Remove any dead plant matter. If things are looking a bit bare, you might want to plant some bushes to fill things out a bit.
Edge Your Driveway
Transform your driveway from a boring old slab of asphalt to something a bit more elegant looking with edging. You can use pavers, bricks or stones, or a combination of them. This is an easy project you can do yourself. You need to remove a swatch of grass alongside the driveway that is as wide as the edging, and dig down the depth of the edging plus two inches and fill those two inches with sand.
