Many home buyers decide whether they even want to look inside a house or pass on it based on curb appeal—the way the house looks on the outside is often an indication of what you may see on the inside, so curb appeal & first impressions matter when you are trying to sell your home. You can help ensure buyers want to view your property by spending a little bit of time working on its exterior appearance.
Remember that staging a home affects the entire property. While it is important to make the interior look larger by keeping things clean and simple, the outside of the home shouldn't be overlloked or neglected. Picking up trash and other debris from the yard, driveway, carport, and other areas surrounding the home gives visitors an idea about what to expect from the inside. Pressure washing the siding, deck, and concrete is an inexpensive investment that has the potential to add significant value to the sale price of a home.
Owners and potential buyers don't look at a house the same way; we as owners often can't see our home's faults because we are just used to the way it is.
When the time comes to sell, it's important to try and remove the emotional attachment you have to your home and remember that it is now a commodity that you want to sell for the highest price possible! We know that's sometimes easier said than done and we will be there to guide & support you through the process!
Curb Appeal Exercise:
Many buyers will walk or drive by a listing before viewing so to see it from their perspective, the next time you drive up to your own house, make note of the following as if you are seeing it for the first time:
- What is your first impression of the house and yard?
- What are best exterior features of the house or lot?
- What exterior features of the house can be improved?
- Is the yard clean and tidy?
- What could you do to make it more attractive…exterior lighting, plats on the step, new paint, clean the windows?
Take photos of your home's exterior….you will be amazed at how differently you see it from that perspective! What jumps out at you immediately…good or bad?
Clean and Repair:
Now is the time to make a list of the problem areas you discovered. Tackle any basic clean-up and repair items first, and then put some time into projects that make the yard more attractive.
- Stow away garden implements and tools, extra pots and soil etc.
- Pet Peeve….garbage bins visible from the street! If you can, make room on the side of your house, or even better, in the garage to store the bins.
- Clean windows and gutters.
- Pressure wash siding and decks, driveways and exterior lights to freshen them up after winter.
- Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation(ie weeds) growing between concrete or bricks.
- Mow the lawn and get rid of weeds.
- Trim tree limbs near, or touching your home's roofline.
Don't Forget the Rear View (So to Speak!):
A backyard oasis that doesn’t require a lot of work from a potential buyer is a big plus!
Evening Curb Appeal:
Do your curb appeal exercise again at dusk, because many potential buyers drive by houses in the evening.
One quick way to improve evening curb appeal is with lighting:
- Low-voltage or solar lighting along your driveway and sidewalks and near important landscaping elements adds great curb appeal.
- If it’s been a long time since light fixtures and exterior door hardware have been changed, update the lighting & door handles at your front and back doors.
Make the First Impression Count:
Some buyers can't visualize changes and often won't take a second look at a house if the first look doesn't appeal to them. Thinking like a buyer before listing can entice more people to look at your home and can also help you sell the house faster and closer to the price you want.
Final Thoughts:
There are simple changes you can make that will give you a lot of bang for your buck....consider it exterior staging!
- A fresh exterior with clean or freshly painted window trim, a new or newly painted exterior door makes a huge difference. Choose color schemes that are contemporary but also have mass appeal!
- If you can't justify the cost of a new door, consider replacing standard door hardware with something more modern & attractive.
- Add a new porch light & new garage lights if budget allows.
- Add a pop of colour and instant curb appeal by adding some pretty plant pots to your front step or perennials to your front garden beds!
- And finally take photos of the Summer landscape so you have them for listing in the Fall & Winter!
If you have questions about selling your home, we are here to help you navigate the process every step of the way! Contact us for more information at info@w2realtyteam.com
Best,
Jen & Karin
Your Proven Regina Real Estate Team ...helping you make the right move!