Oh, first impressions! They matter in so many facets of life. Real estate is no exception. When a potential buyer pulls up, they are taking stock from the minute they read the house number. We get asked by sellers daily about how to improve curb appeal. There’s a lot you can do, so here are five key areas to address as you prepare to make an incredible first, “WOW!”
1) Landscaping
Just the term landscaping means dramatically different things to different people. Do you live on a farm? A meticulously maintained neighborhood? A Xeriscaped lot? Let’s accept that it is a very broad term, but focus on what’s important: that it looks CARED for. Is the grass mowed? Are the bushes trimmed? Even a few fresh bags of mulch on the faded older mulch can make a world of difference. Sometimes it’s worth driving your own neighborhood and looking at it with a different perspective. Which homes have that gorgeous lot that shows that time and energy have been invested? Which homes have the flowers and clean walkways? Think of these homes as a goal so you can use your budget accordingly to improve your curb appeal.
2) Paint
For some homes, an entire paint overhaul or stucco repair job is recommended. However, for most it is some simple touch up work that can make a tremendous difference. How is the color of your home? Dated or current? Is it peeling or unsightly? Can just the shutters be freshened up? Ask some friends, neighbors and paint experts for advice on what would be a neutral but smart decision to make sure the exterior doesn’t look sad.
3) Clean Up
Eek! Put away the Big Wheel and throw away the broken pots! Yes, you don’t even notice them anymore but the rest of the world does. One or two pops of color out front may bring together the curb appeal you are striving for, but the rest HAS TO GO. We know you love your copper sunshine from Santa Fe and your ceramic gnome, but let them go on vacation for a bit.
4) Front Door
Take a look at the front door. It doesn’t have to be red to pop – or it could be! But what does your front door do to welcome anyone who enters? A nice wreath? A fresh coat of paint? A new handle that doesn’t look so, well, handled? This one part of the entry can pop from the street and also make entering the home a joyous experience.
5) Concrete
Once again, some concrete responsibilities belong to the city, an entire redone driveway may not be feasible, but be conscientious of the concrete. Can it be sealed, cleaned up, swept? What can make that hard surface that we all know actually be beautiful and not a cracked, messy, eyesore? If you can improve the concrete that leads up to your home, you won’t regret it.
There are many other tricks of the trade when it comes to curb appeal. Color, fresh, seasonal choices, and many more tips can be shared by your agent. We’re here if you need any help!
Thinking about selling your home?
Trelora real estate serves the Colorado Front Range, Summit County and Seattle Metro Area and our mission is simple: full service real estate for a fraction of the cost. When you hire a traditional agent to help you buy or sell your home, man cave or no, you pay that agent 3-6% of the home’s value.
When you hire Trelora, you pay 1% rather than a variable commission on the price of your home. You’ll also get best-in-class customer service. A team of expert agents who close hundreds of deals per year. And a proprietary technology platform that puts you in the driver’s seat.
Christopher has been been in the Real Estate industry for 8 years and has had the opportunity to close over 1,000 deals while acting as the Managing Broker for thousands more. Christopher is passionate about continuing to find ways to simplify, maximize, and serve Trelora’s clients exceptionally well and spends his time building teams to deliver high levels of service. When not doing real estate Christopher can be seen training for marathons and ultra relays with his 2 year old daughter, eating pizza, and drinking a steady stream of Diet Coke.