Take a look around you. It’s a buyer’s market. Inventory levels are up in most parts of the country, and buyers are taking advantage of mortgage interest rates that have never been lower.
With so many homes on the market, and many of them likely right there in your own neighborhood, curb appeal matters now, more than ever. If you want to invest some money in your home, then perhaps you don’t need to look any further than your front door!
Get With It! Clean Up Your Curb For An Attractive First Impression
An upgrade from the curb is a project that will return more when you sell your home than virtually any other type of project that you can take on. In fact, one survey cites that this is the only upgrade that can be totally recouped when the home sells, and that will bring with it a payback that is slightly more than you put into it.
So what kind of first impression do you want potential buyers of your home to get when they reach your curb? As your mother might have warned you – first impressions are the ones that last the longest. Many buyers will size up your home from the outside, without ever making it in the door! Sprucing up your home to look good from the curb really doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The tips that follow will help get your home market-ready and help it to stand out from the sea of other available homes:
- Pay special attention to landscaping. This is the most important part of your curb appeal makeover. If your lawn is unattractive, then the entire home takes on an unkempt look. Potential buyers also don’t want to take on a lawn that looks like it needs a lot of help to get it into shape. Hiring a landscaper to get your lawn looking lovely is money well-spent, especially if you don’t have a green thumb. The landscaper has the experience and know-how to get your yard looking good, even at short notice.
- Replace your mail box, or repaint it, if needed. Not surprisingly, many people look at the mailbox to confirm that they are at the right address. Yours should be well-maintained and have your house number clearly indicated on the box.
- Paint your front door an eye-catching color. Many Realtor’s suggest that a red door is a good option, although other colors can be quite attractive, too. Painting the door to stand out gives your home a “homey” look. Add a beautiful, seasonal wreath to the door, and make sure that the door bell works, and that the door knob, locks, knocker, and other hardware are in good shape or have been replaced.
- If your home is not equipped with adequate lighting, not just at the doors, but elsewhere on the property, add it! Sufficient lighting is a must for potential buyers who stop by in the evening hours, and it adds a sense of security to your home. Don’t forget that you need landscape lighting, and lights that light the path to your door.
Tap into your realtor’s storehouse of knowledge to find other ways to make your particular home more appealing from the curb. Houses with good curb appeal sell faster and bring more money!
Article provided by Vickie Nagy who helps home buyers find San Ramon California homes for sale. If you’re interested in purchasing a home in Sunny California, you can search all Danville California homes for sale and Dublin California homes for sale on Vickie’s website.
