First impressions mean a lot in many parts of life, and they are just as important when it comes to selling your home.
As a seller, you will have a lot of things on your mind that it can be easy to forget the importance of curb appeal. How your property looks from the street gives buyers a window into your home, and you want that impression to be one that hooks them into wanting to see more.
The first impression will set the expectations for buyers. If the outside of your house is rundown, they will expect the same inside. But if your house looks pristine from the roadside, buyers will be enticed inside, which will garner you more prospective buyers and potentially an increased price for your home.
What to avoid
There are a few key indicators to look for when deciding if you need to work on your curb appeal. First, does your home have an entrance? Namely, a paved pathway leading up to the front door. Is there a porch?
When you turn to landscaping, is the garden lively and properly tended to? Lastly, when looking at your home’s exterior, does the colour of the walls and roof appear fresh and vibrant?
If you answered no to any of these points, you will need to work on them to make your home appeal to buyers when they see it from the street. If you do not work on your curb appeal, it will mean buyers will walk through the front door with a negative opinion, which could make it harder to sell them on the other good features of your home.
Top tips to improve street appeal
The goal is the make the exterior of your home present well. While a home’s style might be subjective, every potential buyer will be enthused by a manicured lawn and a faultless paint job.
Fortunately, most jobs to increase your curb appeal can be achieved with a simple weekend project. Tidying up the garden, porch and any other outdoor furnishings go a long way towards ensuring your home’s first impression to buyers is positive.
Freshly painted door
The front door is the entrance to your home, and it can be an eye catching feature. A fresh coat of paint will signal to buyers that you care about the condition of your home. As the home owner, you can pick a colour that blends in with your home’s style, or you can choose a colour that stands out (without taking it too far, as it’s easier for buyer to project themselves in a natural space). Now your home will leave an impression on buyers.
Update your mailbox
This is just a small step, but a new mailbox could be a crucial step to improving your street appeal. A new mailbox shows prospective buyers you care about the details. This is especially important when you consider that you’re selling a lifestyle, not just a home.
A humble mailbox upgrade can give a great first impression. As mailboxes are often the first thing you see when you walk onto a block, a new mailbox can set the tone for the rest of the house.
Add life with plants
Planting does not have to be a large undertaking. Simple additions like planters and even window boxes can achieve the desire effect. Placing plants can strategically finish off a space, adding extra life to your porch or front door.
Bring life back to outdoor furniture
Outdoor furniture rarely keeps that shop new look, and it tends to fade, and sometimes crack over time. Before you replace it or give it a bit of TLC, stand back and decide whether this furniture could be seen as too much clutter. If this is the case, this could be something that signals to buyers that the house might be poorly cared for.
Once you have decided what should stay or go, give that furniture a waterblast and maybe a lick of paint or oil to make it look new again. Nice furniture on the porch can help buyers picture their own family there enjoying the outdoors.
Add lighting
A clear path to the front door helps buyers understand the journey to your home. Adding lights to the path provides buyers with practical reassurance. Namely, if they were ever to come home in the night, there are lights to guide them into the home.
Update house numbers
House numbers fade and faded numbers can inadvertently indicate to prospective buyers that the home itself is also a little worn and tired. This can be another factor that gives buyers a poor impression of your home.
Remember, all the little details count. By replacing your house numbers, you can easily modernise the curb appeal and give the impression the home has been well looked after.
Waterblast
Do not underestimate the impact a good waterblast will have. It will remove any dirt or grim built up on the walls and paths, making the exterior of your home clean. This will make it far more enticing to prospective buyers.
Preparing to sell
When selling a home, it can be easy to get lost in details like removing interior clutter, replacing broken bathroom tiles and fixing that leaky kitchen tap. However, by neglecting the notion of curb appeal, you could be doing your home a disservice.
Our team at LJ Hooker can assist you in your selling journey from beginning to end. Whether offering tips on increasing curb appeal or ways to market your home, we help make the selling process as smooth as possible. So, begin your journey today with a free property appraisal.
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