First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to real estate. When looking for a new home, the National Association of Realtors suggests that 63% of prospective buyers will drive by a home they’ve seen on the Internet before contacting the seller. When that happens, what will a buyer think of your home? What impression will they get from your yard, driveway, and front porch? Everything they see from the curb will set their expectations for the interior. So, here are a few ways you can improve your home’s curb appeal and attract more buyers.
- First, let the light in. Homes that are brighter inside are known to sell much faster, so fling open your shutters, blinds, and drapes. You’ll also notice that open window treatments look better from the street.
- In today’s digital world, almost 90% of homebuyers start out by looking for homes online. Thus, the photos you use in your listing can have a direct effect on the amount of interest in your home and the length of time it spends on the market. When taking photos of your home, shoot each room in its best light. Generally, overcast days make for better real estate photos as too much sunlight can create a glowing effect.
- As you photograph your property, examine each shot as if you were a buyer. This will help you notice little extras that don’t show your home at its best, like platters on top of the refrigerator or boots on the front porch. Make sure to stow away the clutter and take better pictures.
- Thinking like a buyer can help you in other ways, too. Take a walk around your house and look at the exterior with a critical eye. Take note of the things that need to be cleaned up, repaired or replaced. You could even drive by slowly in each direction like a buyer would, which could help you notice things you’ve missed before, like a toy on the roof.
- Speaking of roofs, this is an area that is often overlooked by homeowners, but can add or detract from curb appeal in a major way. If your roof has black streaks, lots of debris built up, or missing shingles, addressing it is highly recommended. A simple roof cleaning, or repair if necessary, can go a long way to improve the overall look of your property.
- When driving down your street, buyers will have their eyes peeled for your house numbers, so it’s critical that they stand out and appear clean. They should also compliment the style of your home, whether that’s traditional, transitional, or modern. If your numbers are outdated or damaged, replacing them with nice new ones won’t go unappreciated.
- If you’ve been living in the same house for many years, you’ve probably gone blind to certain defects, like chipped paint, cobwebs, or a cracked driveway. Once you feel like you’ve got everything spruced up, invite someone over to give you a second opinion. This might help you identify some other important things that need work.
- A pressure washer is one of the most effective tools to use when freshening up your home’s curb appeal. It’s also extremely cost-effective when you consider the price of a new coat of paint. You can wash dirty siding, clean off your deck and porch, and remove oil stains from your driveway. If you don’t own a pressure washer you can easily rent one by the day from your local home improvement store.
- A little bit of color in your landscape can go a long way, and there are plants that will bloom in almost every season. Adding new plantings to your pots, boxes and beds will give your property an instant lift, and a few inches of dark mulch will give it that professionally-landscaped look.
- While you’re working in the yard, give your landscape an edge with some solar light fixtures. They’re affordable and easy to install. Put them in the logical places, like along a walkway, as well as places you want to highlight, like a beautiful tree or landscape ornament.
By following these ten tips you’ll give your home spectacular curb appeal and help it sell in record time. The next step? Moving to your new home! Contact us for all of your moving needs from packing and loading to transportation and storage. We’re the experienced movers you can trust.