How is your curb appeal? We all know that first impressions make a big difference to people in many ways and looking at a home, it’s especially important to a potential home buyer. If you are considering selling your home, consider your property’s first impression.

Curb appeal will determine whether a buyer will tour your home. We had met buyers who will not even get out of their vehicles to see the home if they do not like the look of the overall exterior.

Pride in Ownership

Evident immediately to a buyer is how neat and tidy the exterior of a home appears from the street. It reflects the amount of care the homeowner has given the property.

A well cared for home brings top dollar in a sale whereas a poorly kept home sells for less. Buyers feel they can offer less to purchase a home based on curb appeal because it looks to them as if the seller doesn’t care very much about the look of their property.

Improve Curb Appeal

If you would like to see what curb appeal a someone will see, stand back at the street and look at your home like a buyer would look at your property.

Take note of what you see. Looks great? Fabulous! Or maybe a couple changes could make a big difference in your curb appeal.

Better Homes and Gardens states, “Your home’s front entry is the focal point of its curb appeal. Make a statement by giving your front door a coat of color with paint or by installing a custom wood door. Clean off dirty spots around the knob, and use metal polish on the door fixtures. Your entry should also reflect the home’s interior, so choose a swag, flag, or wreath that reflects your style.”

Branches blocking entries are turn offs for buyers. It helps to put garbage cans out of sight. Yards free from debris or pet/child toys is a plus. No pealing paint on windows, doors, etc. helps the overall look. Clean windows are appealing.

Check to be sure all siding, soffits and facia is secure. Look at the gutters and the roof as well. Sometimes we find moss on the roof and “gardens” growing in the gutters. Clean roofs and clean gutters help sell homes.

Inexpensive Updates

Changing hardware on the front entry door will update the look of your home. Outdoor lighting, adding flowers or a seating area near the front entry all make your home look welcoming.

If there is not room for plantings, container gardens or hanging hooks will work. Power washing or cleaning the exterior of the home as well as porches, sidewalks and driveways gives a fresh look to a home.

“Address numbers, mailboxes, locksets, and porch lights are simple curb appeal upgrades. Although these elements are small, they add a lot of polish to your home’s look. Keep the finishes consistent, so the pieces look like an ensemble of accessories, not a batch of mismatched hardware,” according to Better Homes and Gardens.

Here’s Forbes‘ list of quick and effective fixes.

• 1. Mow the Lawn
• 2. Add Flower Boxes
• 3. Paint the Front Door
• 4. Hide the Trash Cans
• 5. Update the House Numbers
• 6. Add Potted Plants
• 7. Add Pops of Color
• 8. Refresh the Porch Furniture
• 9. Organize the Garden Hose
• 10. Update the Garage Door
• 11. Refresh the Mailbox
• 12. Lay Down a Welcome Mat
• 13. Hang a Wreath

It doesn’t need to cost a lot to improve the look of your home from the outside.

Another Look

We are happy to help with suggestions to improve your curb appeal. Our licensed professional agents can assist. Just call or text 231-730-8781.

Marilyn Tucker