How to Create Curb Appeal

Is your "For Sale" sign gathering cobwebs? First impressions are crucial in the real estate market and the exterior view of your home is what draws prospective buyers inside or drives them away. You don't need professional landscaping or contractors to do the job. Investing some time, money and elbow grease into improving your home's curb appeal will pay off at closing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Survey your surroundings. Determine the general style and tone of your neighborhood to make sure your home fits in. Start your transformation with a clean slate by removing all clutter from your yard, driveway and areas of your garage and home interior that are visible from the street. Clean real estate always sells first.
2. Look closely at your exterior paint. If it's peeling, chipping or faded, it's time to throw a painting party! Choose colors appropriate to the style of your home and complementing your neighbors' homes. Reserve bright or unusual hues for trim, as a disagreeable accent color will be relatively easy for a buyer to change.
3. Make sure your driveway and garage door are well-maintained. Repair any
   major cracks in the driveway, remove weeds from small cracks and remove stains left by vehicles. Consider repainting or replacing your garage door, especially if your home is garage-forward.
4. Add a more attractive front door or paint your old one. Wooden doors with glass panels are popular and boldly painted front doors are eye-catching. Choose a style and shade consistent with the architecture of your home for ultimate curb appeal.
5. Repair any loose stones or cracks in walkways. Consider adding a row of colorful perennials on each side of the main walkway to create an inviting path to the front door. Add potted plants to the porch to create a welcoming focal point. No matter how slow your real estate market is, buyers enjoy the prospect of having to do very little to make the new home attractive.
   
   
6. Be certain all fixtures function properly and are in good condition. Replace burned out light bulbs, polish all metal and clean all glass. Don't forget to spruce up your mailbox and address numbers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you replace your garage door, consider natural wood with a matching front door to enhance curb appeal. This is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to improve the look and market value of your home.
• Your treasures might look like junk to prospective buyers. Make your home look as generic as possible from the outside. This will allow home seekers to envision the exterior as they would decorate it.
• Know your local real estate market. You can't compete effectively unless you size-up your competition.

Who Can Help:

• Find Awning Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Deck & Porch Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Contractors Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.