While the adage “do not judge a book by its cover” is true, many of us do judge a house by its exterior, with a large percentage of prospective home buyers deciding whether to schedule a viewing based on the curb appeal – how the property looks from the street. It is unlikely to increase the value of your home, but it will attract attention. It is a reflection of how well-maintained the rest of the house is – if the outside appears to be in disarray, the spectator is led to believe that the interior is also in disarray. If you are attempting to sell your home, it is critical that you spend time tidying up the exterior of your property – and even if you are not, it makes it appear a lot nicer!
As a homeowner, it can be extremely difficult to look at your home impartially in order to identify any potential pitfalls. However, you must take a step back and stop thinking of your home as a personal possession and instead consider it as a financial asset that you are attempting to sell for the highest price possible instead.
Examine the condition of your home
Work out what areas need improvement first, and then devise a strategy to address those issues. Take an objective look at your home the next time you drive or walk up to it, and consider the following points:
- If you look at the house from the outside, what is your first impression of it?
- What do you consider to be the most attractive element of the front of your house, garden, yard, or driveway?
- What is the most objectionable aspect of the front of your house, including the garden, yard, and driveway?
If you have access to a camera of any sort, experiment with different shooting angles to see what works best. Examine them as if you were in the process of purchasing the property and assess what aspects would put you off from wanting to have a look and what needs to be changed. Make a list of all of the concerns you want to address one at a time.
Take another look at it in the evening because things might appear extremely different under different lighting conditions.
Sort out the paintwork
One of the first tasks to complete is any painting that has to be done. Paintwork that is drab, cracked, or peeling can be an instant turn-off, and it is something that can be remedied rather quickly and inexpensively. Paint the front door, window ledges, and any other painted areas in a clean, glossy shade to give them a new lease on life. While bright colors such as pink and orange are very much in style right now and can look really stunning, it is crucial to ensure that they are in keeping with the overall vibe of your home, as well as the rest of your street and area, before investing in them. Classic colors such as scarlet, plum, and deep green can be particularly effective in certain areas. Remember to do it properly or hire a professional to do it for you—badly painted doors with streaks and lines can be just as unattractive as well!
New door furniture
After you have painted your front door, you should consider purchasing some high-quality door furnishings. Get rid of the cheap doorbell that plays goofy songs and replace it with something a little more current and sophisticated in its appearance. If your home has an older, more traditional appearance, sturdy brass doorknobs and letterboxes are a good choice. Brushed chrome or aluminum are good choices for a more contemporary design. Regular cleaning is essential – polish them and remove any scuffs or fingerprints that may have formed on them.
Lighting
The next step is to think about how your property will be lit from the outside. Good lighting enhances the mood of your home and makes it feel more pleasant. Consider adding lighting to your paths and driveway – modest lights incorporated into the sides can appear smart, and solar-powered lights can be used to illuminate your pathways and driveway. The lighting on your porch or at the entrance to your home should be bright but not overpowering. When placed on either side of the front door, lanterns and symmetrical lights always look excellent – and can also provide an additional layer of security. In the event that any interior lighting is visible from the outside, ensure that it is functional and that it adds value to your home by straightening up any uneven lampshades and fixtures and replacing any blown bulbs.
Paths and driveways
You should now take a look at the path leading up to your front door. Start trimming any bushes and tidy any borders, as well as take up any weeds that have sprouted in crevices in the sidewalk. Replace any missing or broken pavement stones, and give the area a thorough cleaning. Hire a jetwash and remove any entrenched filth, mould, and mildew that has accumulated over time.
Windows
The importance of windows in terms of increasing the curb appeal of your home cannot be overstated. Because windows are large and expensive to replace, unclean, decaying, and unpainted ledges and grubby windows can make the difference between a potential buyer booking a viewing and walking away from a property. Clean the windows and make sure that any visible window furnishings, such as curtain linings and blinds, are consistent throughout the property. If you do need to replace windows, here is some more information.
Make any repairs to the roof and guttering
In many cases, purchasers, particularly knowledgeable ones, may take a step back from the property and look up before proceeding with the transaction. Having a roof with cracked or missing tiles will very certainly result in you losing this sale right away, regardless of the polite chat that ensues when you show them the remainder of the house and explain your situation.
Broken guttering, on the other hand, should be repaired as soon as it becomes apparent. It is not only unsightly, but it is also a source of concern. Broken gutters can have a negative impact on a variety of aspects of a house, from the roof itself to the floor below it. Gutter systems that are clogged or overflowing are no better, so you should clear your gutters of leaves and debris on a regular basis.
Add in some greenery
Add some greenery to your home, no matter what size or type it is. Even while creepers and trailing plants add a charming touch to a home, however, it is vital to keep them tidy and under control in order to avoid them interfering with the structure of the building. Acrylic window boxes with green plants look fantastic and are reasonably inexpensive and low care, as are topiary pieces placed symmetrically on either side of the entrance door or porch.
Despite the fact that it should not be your job, do not take the chance of allowing your neighbors ruin your curb appeal. Obviously there is only so much you can do, but if you are trying to sell your home, it might be worth asking them if they require assistance with picking up any trash from outside or with lawn mowing if they are attempting to sell their home. A few minutes of time can make a significant difference! On the issue of bins, make every effort to keep any garbage cans or recycling containers hidden from view from the front of the house. If you really must put them on display, be certain that they have lids and that they are clean on the outside.
What do you think?