Curb Appeal
Curb Appeal is a critical component in getting your home sold for top dollar. A buyer driving through the neighborhood is going to be very critical of the outward appearance of your home. Of course the Buyer has a particular style in mind, whether it be Colonial, Craftsman, etc, but once the style is found, the exterior condition and presentation of the home will have strong bearing on the Buyer wanting to select your home as a possible buying candidate.
In this installment we will go over what a potential Buyer is looking at when they see your home
, either by driving by or looking at the pictures on the internet. We are not going to get into the details of the actual work to be done, but will provide you with a general overview of the components of Curb Appeal. With this information you should be able to look at your home objectively and then decide how, when and the cost of getting the exterior in order. So, let’s dig in.
, either by driving by or looking at the pictures on the internet. We are not going to get into the details of the actual work to be done, but will provide you with a general overview of the components of Curb Appeal. With this information you should be able to look at your home objectively and then decide how, when and the cost of getting the exterior in order. So, let’s dig in.
The Walk About
Not to overstate the obvious, but most of you already know what needs to be done to the exterior of your home. Our objective here is to provide you an overview of the importance of Curb Appeal.
As we walk around
the exterior of your home, let’s take notes:
the exterior of your home, let’s take notes:
The condition of the roof, for obvious reasons, will be one of the first observations of a Buyer. A damaged or dirty roof will stand out and beg for questions regarding the integrity of the roof. Sometimes a simple pressure washing will brighten up your roof. Check out vendors that do this and it will be money well spent. Don’t try this yourself. It is way too dangerous. Leave it to the professionals. If your roof is in bad condition, then we recommend you consider having a new roof put on before selling. It greatly enhances the appearance and a Buyer will not have any issues worrying about the roof.
Landscaping and yard maintenance is another area that we sometimes take for granted. A Buyer will look very carefully at this. Make sure you have a schedule for mowing and trimming. Spend time keeping the flower beds and shrubbery free of weeds. Fresh mulch is always a good addition. Keep the yard free of leaves and debris. Check for large limbs that hang close to the house. They may need to be pruned. Don’t overlook the backyard, deck, patio or fencing. All these need to be in good order. Pressure washing the driveway, sidewalk and walkways is always an easy project and really adds to the outward appearance of the house. Also, if you have pets, make sure you are cleaning up after them...for obvious reasons.
The condition
of the house exterior is another critical area. You want your home to have a “clean” appearance. You may need only to pressure wash the exterior siding or brick (Hint: You can do this the same day you do the driveway.). Renting a pressure washer is inexpensive. However, you may need to look at fresh coat of paint. Make sure your windows are also clean and the trim is in good shape. Again, pressure washing, fresh paint or both may be in order. Look at the overall condition of your front entrance. Flower pots, hanging baskets, a new welcome mat, all add to a fresh and clean appearance. Cleaning, re-staining or painting the Front Door is also recommended.
of the house exterior is another critical area. You want your home to have a “clean” appearance. You may need only to pressure wash the exterior siding or brick (Hint: You can do this the same day you do the driveway.). Renting a pressure washer is inexpensive. However, you may need to look at fresh coat of paint. Make sure your windows are also clean and the trim is in good shape. Again, pressure washing, fresh paint or both may be in order. Look at the overall condition of your front entrance. Flower pots, hanging baskets, a new welcome mat, all add to a fresh and clean appearance. Cleaning, re-staining or painting the Front Door is also recommended.
Conclusion
These are just some of the things that you should do in order to make your house “shine” and standout for the Buyer. Not to mention that your neighbors will be impressed and maybe will take your good work to heart and get their homes in order. It's a win/win for all.
One last recommendation would be to not wait until it is time to sell to start work on the Curb Appeal of your home. Curb Appeal is an ongoing part of any neighborhood. You may not be selling your home now, but maybe your neighbor is. When everyone pays attention and shows pride of ownership in their homes, then the whole neighborhood is rewarded. Your hard work in keeping up your home’s Curb Appeal will only enhance the values of your neighborhood. Wouldn’t you want them to do the same for you?
Next week we are going inside your house. Not literally, but if you need to do laundry, now would be a good time.
Stay Tuned
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