If you have been looking into the value of your home, or you are considering selling your home, you have probably heard the term “curb appeal.” A home’s curb appeal is right in the name: it is how nice your home looks to someone looking at it from the curb.
The curb appeal of your home provides the first impression that potential buyers have of the property, so many changes to boost your home’s curb appeal can have massive implications for the sale of your home.
From upgrading your garage door to planting flowers, there are improvements for all budgets that can help potential buyers to feel more welcome and at home on your property.
Follow a Cohesive Aesthetic
One way to boost your curb appeal is to follow a cohesive aesthetic. This means that you choose exterior design elements around a specific theme or look. The aesthetic you choose can be a natural cottage vibe, a more modern and minimalistic look, or something else entirely your own.
You can do this easily by matching paint colors on your front door and your shutters, or choosing lawn elements that coordinate with decorations in your windows. Simply put, you want to give the impression that every little detail matters. Together, they come to create a home and a beautiful place to live.
Upgrade Your Garage Door
Your garage door takes up a large portion of the front of your home. If you are looking to improve the curb appeal of your property, then making improvements to your garage is a great way to do so. There are a variety of options available to you:
- Garage door accessories: Decorative hardware and windows can create a more welcoming look for the front of your home. It can also help your garage door fit into the cohesive aesthetic you are trying to create for the front of your home.
- Automatic garage door openers: Outfitting your garage door with an automatic opener can improve the value of your home. Future owners won’t have to exert effort to open the garage door and utilize the space the garage provides.
- Choosing a new garage door style: If you want to make a big change, you can choose an entirely new style for your garage door. From a traditional look to a more modern approach, you can find a style that fits the overall aesthetic of your home and improves the value of your property.
The cost of replacing your garage door relies entirely on what kind of door you want to buy, and the materials needed. However, no matter the cost, replacing your garage door is one of the top 5 improvements you can make to your home to improve the curb appeal and increase the value of your property.
Before you take the leap, research and compare costs to find the right company for your home improvement project.
Refresh Your Lawn
Your front yard is a vital part of the first impression you are giving to potential buyers. A neatly kept lawn enhances the overall appearance of the home.
Buying new sod, planting flowers, or adding subtle lighting are cost-effective ways to improve the look of your lawn. Tap into the other 5 senses as well.
Plant flowers or keep up on regular lawn maintenance to ensure pleasant smells surround your house. This way, potential buyers have the best possible experience as they get out of their car and walk to view your home.
In addition, certain landscaping options can signify lower water bill costs as well. For example, if you make the extra effort to xeriscape your front lawn, you’ll find that your water bill will be significantly lower.
Many homeowners that opt for this landscaping option ultimately save up to 75% of water usage. Buyers that are aware of this will view your intuitive landscaping as a bonus, thus improving your curb appeal.
Light Your Entryway
How you light your home can completely change how it looks from the street. Strategic, warm lighting can provide a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. It also highlights the positive features of the house that you are trying to bring attention to.
A lack of sufficient lighting makes the house seem unwelcoming and unattractive.
A lit entryway and walkway can also help to deter break-ins. It promotes feelings of safety for potential buyers, and well-lit areas are less likely to be hit by petty crime.
Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters and paying attention to small details is an important part of boosting your curb appeal. If you are looking to sell your house, spend some time cleaning gutters and doing other tasks that might often be overlooked.
Cleaning your gutters helps improve the house visually, but it can also help avoid any drainage problems in the future.
Unsightly puddling and rainwater runoff can lower the value of your home or make potential buyers think that you have drainage issues that are costly to fix.
Powerwash Your Siding
The repairs that need to be done to your house before you sell it can be very expensive. Roofing, plumbing, and electrical repairs can break the bank in ways many homeowners don’t expect.
However, there are some actions you can take that will improve the looks of your home without repairing or replacing anything. If you power wash your siding, you can make it look newer and brighter without replacing it. To do this, you’ll need to rent a power washer or hire someone for the day.
This option will be drastically lower than the cost of replacing your siding before selling.
Balance Your Outdoor Furniture
When you are looking at improving your curb appeal, it is all about balance. You want a little bit of color, but you don’t want your home to look too loud. When it comes to outdoor furniture, you have to look at balance as well.
Too much outdoor furniture on your lawn or your porch can make your home look crowded and messy. If you have too little outdoor furniture, your home will look barren and won’t be as welcoming to visitors.
You want to find this balance. Arrange furniture for the possibility of entertaining guests without overcrowding your home.
Spruce Up Your Windows
Your windows give potential buyers their first glimpse into the interior of your home. Making sure your windows look their best is an essential part of boosting your curb appeal.
If you are trying to keep your costs at a minimum, you should clean all of your windows to reduce the appearance of scratches and streaks. You can also consider having your windows professionally cleaned.
If you have more funds, you can replace old and torn window screens, repaint your shutters, replace your curtains, or even replace your windows entirely.
For one, replacing your windows will show potential buyers they won’t have to worry about the utility costs associated with poor insulation. Secondly but most importantly, new windows will surely make the exterior of your home shine.
Although curb appeal may differ from person to person, making an effort counts for something. If you consider the impression your house may make on buyers upon first glance and dedicate time towards improving that impression, buyers will surely notice.
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