CURB APPEAL…YOU CAN ONLY MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION ONCE
Today’s home buyer often drives by a home before scheduling a showing. Want to make sure they don’t cross your house off of their list? Take a moment to really assess your home’s curb appeal.
Curb appeal isn’t only about selling your home. A well-tended property is a pleasure to come home to. A curved stone path up to a neat front porch bordered by colorful flowers draws you in and is a preview of what lies inside.
So what does it tell you about a house when you are greeted by last year’s leaves piled in the flower beds, a tangle of weeds and overgrown bushes? Remember, you can only make a first impression once.
The answer doesn’t have to be expensive. Although professional landscaping is always a plus – with a few DIY projects, you can have a big impact on how your home presents – probably in one weekend. To get started take a slow walk around your property with a pen and pad of paper. Look at it with a critical eye and make a list of what you would like to accomplish. Here are a few ideas.
~ Cleaning is number one. Remove all dead leaves and debris from the property. Limit lawn ornaments and make sure they are in excellent condition.
~ Consider power washing the home’s exterior, decks, patios, sidewalks, etc. If that’s not possible a good rinse off with a strong hose can work wonders as well.
~ Replace or “top-off” all mulched areas. Cedar mulch looks great a and smells wonderful.
~ Evaluate the inside of your home’s window treatments. How do they present from the curb?
~ Consider replacing your house numbers. An inexpensive job that can have a large impact.
~ Consider replacing your mailbox or front porch light. Coordinating these items has the best effect.
~ Install a new front door mat – and don’t scrimp, make it of high quality.
~ Lastly, add colorful annual flowers, in pots or in the flower beds. It’s best to choose a color or two and stay with them for uniformity, then add a splash of multi-color in an area where you wish to draw the eye. Maybe in the back of a yard which you want to appear larger.
Today’s home buyers are tired of the distressed properties of the last several years. They are looking for a home to fall in love with. You can start by getting them in the front door.
Jeanne Jordan, Realtor
630-334-1520
