Curb Appeal - Make Your Home More Desirable
There is a popular saying that “you never get a second chance to make a good first impression”. The first impression a potential buyer of your home will get is when they drive up to the house. Instantly, the mind of the buyer will answer the following questions from that first impression:
1) Does the home stand out in a good way compared to the rest of the neighborhood?
2) Does the home illicit an instant “I like that house!” response?
3) Is the home well-kept?
4) Does the home have a visual appeal?
5) Does the yard have a visual appeal?
Because you never get a second chance to make a good first impression, it’s vital that before selling your home, you take the time to increase its curb appeal. Here are some tips for increasing the curb appeal of your home:
1) Work on the Yard
Whether you have a large front yard or small front yard, there are several things you can do to improve it. First, remove anything that makes it look “cluttered”. A more open yard makes your property appear bigger. A lot of shrubs and trees can make your home look small and unappealing. Consider adding color to your yard. Place a colorful flower bed under your windows or bordering your house. Consider some cheery beautiful flowers along the walkway. Make sure your lawn is not only nicely mowed, but also edged and free of leaves. Keep it green!2) Create a Uniformity
Make sure all the windows on your house look the same from the outside. Doing so will make your house look more well kept. Do this by installing mini blinds, vertical blinds, or even shades. If you use shades, make sure that during the day they are all at the same level during the time the house is on the market. You want everything on the outside of your home to look uniform. Redo the trim work on all the windows and if you have shudders, make sure they are all intact.3) Make the Grand Entrance Free of Concerns
When a person walks up to your house, they’ll likely be walking on your cement driveway and sidewalk. One thing a potential buyer will notice immediately is cracks in the cement. Fix any cracks you may have in your driveway or sidewalk. Also, if you have stairs leading up to your front door, make sure they are free of cracks and that any side railing you have is sturdy and neat.4) Visualize a Masterpiece
When you look at the outside of your house, look at it through the eyes of an artist about to put the final touches on their masterpiece. If you have broken vinyl or paneling, fix it. If you have cracked paint, repaint your house. Remember, your home is a masterpiece and when a potential buyer drives up you want his/her experience to be picture perfect.