If you are looking to sell your home or if you just need to spruce up your landscaping, updating your curb appeal is key. An inviting and updated curb appeal can greatly boost your home’s resale value. A first impression is one of the most important aspects of selling your home. Before a potential buyer ever steps foot into a home they will first see the house from the road or even a picture online; which means you have seconds to make a first impression. Having an inviting front lawn ensures someone will want to explore the home further.
So what is curb appeal? Well, as the name suggests, it is the appeal, or charm of the home from the curb, or the view from the street. This view can have a very negative or positive energy in the minds of potential buyers. It is important to portray a positive atmosphere if buyers are going to show interest in your home.
One of the easiest and fastest ways to boost your home’s curb appeal is to properly paint the front door. According to Consumer Reports the color of your front door can make a huge difference in the home's sale price. In fact, Zillow suggests that a black front door can add thousands of dollars to a home’s value. A black door can be viewed as both formal and stately, it also indicates glamour, seriousness, and can make a home appear much safer. No matter what color you choose, professional painters suggest a glossier finish for the front door; a semi-gloss paint leaves a smooth, yet slightly shiny sheen that is also easy to keep clean.
Another sure approach to boosting your curb appeal is to clean your home’s exterior. Clean the windows, freshen up the siding, and pressure wash the driveway and walkways. A professional pressure washer can insure the job is done properly and with caution. Pressure washers can cause serious damage to your home if used improperly. Whether you choose to hire a professional or do it yourself, clean walkways and driveways are an indication of the rest of the home.
Believe it or not, a home's mailbox can also be a huge factor in determining a potential buyer's interest. Find a new mailbox that matches your home’s character or paint the existing mailbox to match the house. A mismatched mailbox can be confusing and could possibly be a turn off for some buyers. Your mailbox should send a message about the rest of the home. A mailbox is often one of the most overlooked fixtures by homeowners, yet it can relate to extraordinary success on a home’s value and curb appeal.
Landscaping and lawn care are the biggest boost to a home’s curb appeal, interest, and overall value. By adding a whole new landscape or by simply cleaning up the existing landscaping; a well maintained yard is a must when increasing curb appeal. Hiring a landscaper to spruce up your property’s outdoor spaces can ensure the job is done in a professional and timely manner.
Start by pulling weeds, thinning out overgrown plants, pruning bushes and shrubs, and adding a high quality mulch to the beds; these few tasks alone can greatly enhance the landscape.
If you are starting from scratch or adding on to an existing landscape; plant flowers and shrubs in groupings of three or more in odd numbers. A general rule of landscape design is to use odd numbers to create a visually appealing environment that keeps the eyes moving. This does not mean even numbered plantings are forbidden. Planting in even numbers is much more formal and should be done on a minimal scale. For example, having two potted plants on either side of an entryway or walkway can be both inviting and add interest to the area. Trees on the property can also add value to the home. If your property does not have mature trees, planting decorative trees in the landscape can greatly increase the home’s value. Even a few well placed saplings around the property can make a huge difference.
Now that your landscaping is up to date and cleaned up; show it off at night with landscape lighting. diy solar lights are always an option; however, professionally installed landscape lighting can add even more value to the sale price, as well as helping the home sell much faster. Professionally installed lighting also provides more user control with programmable timers. Add security and safety by lighting the walkways and the entry to the home as well as nighttime ambiance to the landscaping and the homes character.
So whether you are selling your home or just ready to boost curb appeal; a few simple task such as a welcoming and well kept lawn and landscape could make all the difference. A home's curb appeal could result in thousands of dollars being added to your home's value.