April 3, 2018

3 Ways to Improve Curb Appeal When Selling a Home

Curb appeal refers to the attractiveness of the exterior of your home, including a combination of various factors, such as landscaping, exterior finishes, and the home’s surroundings. Essentially, curb appeal is the first impression of a home – it’s proven to be one of the most effective strategies to increase its resale value. When preparing for a home sale, many real estate agents take curb appeal into consideration – a good first impression typically leads to better bidding prices from prospective buyers.

Below are the three main strategies on how you can improve the curb appeal of your property:

Driveway and Pathway

Ensure that there are no cracks or weeds growing on the driveway and pathways. If this is the case, consider getting the area repaved. Another option is to replace the paving with interlocking stones or tiles; this significantly improves the presence of your home, giving it more of a statement aesthetic. One option is to add interlocking on the sides of the driveway, while leaving the pavement in the middle – this is a cost effective strategy that works just as well.

Exterior Finishes

Doors, windows, and garage doors are amongst the most noticeable exterior features of any home. Continue maintaining these items by keeping it clean, and/or applying a fresh coat of paint, after a period of normal wear and tear.

For windows, aim to have window coverings that compliment the exterior of your home. California shutters are the most versatile option, as they suit the look of most homes, and increase the resale value at the same time.

Exterior potlights are the new trend, especially among detached homes. This feature certainly does give your home a better presence during the evening. Before installing the potlights, carefully analyze between the white and yellow pot light colours to see which better suits the exterior of your home. A good method is to check out similar homes with exterior potlights to get a sense of what it would look like on your home.

Lawn and Garden

A perfectly green, weedless lawn goes a long way, and speaks to how well your home’s property has been maintained. It doesn’t have to be fancy – a task as simple as keeping the grass green, and taking out the weeds is more than enough to maintain your home’s groomed look. Adding various landscaping elements, such as trees, and gardens can give your home’s front lawn extra character, making it stand out more.

More Than Just a Trend

Homeowners and prospective buyers love the concept of curb appeal – and it can have a powerful impact on their decision to purchase a home. This is partially why the back split trend quickly faded decades ago; because they do not give as much of statement as a full two-storey, detached home.

Especially when it comes to curb appeal, always aim for a clean, well maintained look. It doesn’t hurt to consult with contractors to help you achieve your vision, or brainstorm potential ideas. As always, aim to get at least two to three quotes, and examples of past work, before proceeding.