10 Ways to Boost Curb Appeal When Selling Your Home

As you prepare to sell your home, you have probably thought about how to stage the interior to make the most significant impact, but have you thought about staging the exterior as well? Potential buyers are more likely to choose a house that appears well cared for and tidy. As a seller, you can take these ten steps to help significantly boost your home’s curb appeal and help it sell faster.

1. Eliminate Outdoor Clutter

A cluttered exterior is something homebuyers notice. Clear out all non-essential items and arrange essentials attractively, creating intrigue to see the home’s inside.

2. Paint (or Replace) the Front Door

Your home’s front door is a noticeable feature. If it’s dingy, broken, dented, or otherwise damaged – fix it. Or, if the door is paintable and you can make it look presentable, that’s the easiest solution. If not, replace it. The expense is worth the benefit of having a stunning first impression as potential buyers enter your home.

3. Replace or Freshen Up Mailbox

Mailboxes are highly visible. If it’s falling apart, rusty, faded, or generally in poor condition, it’s worthwhile to paint or replace it. It’s an inexpensive fix but can add a lot of curb appeal.

4. Manicure Lawn and Shrubbery

Once you list your home for sale, you never know who will do a drive-by to check it out before scheduling a viewing. If outdoor areas aren’t tidy, potential buyers will wonder what condition the interior is in. Regularly mow, trim trees and bushes, remove dead branches, rake away leaves or debris, and pull out weeds. Too much to handle? Hire a professional landscaper.

5. Freshen Up Gardens

Adding new colors to your gardens is a great way to boost curb appeal. Plant some fresh annuals (avoid invasive plants), lay out mulch, and weed flowerbeds.

6. Clear Driveway and Walkways

Driveways and walkways often accumulate grime, moss, oil spots, or other stains. To beautify them, sweep, powerwash, fill in cracks, and apply a sealant. If they’re in poor shape, consider hiring a professional to fix them.

7. Clean Gutters

Gutters with leaves aren’t only unattractive but can lead to home damage. Clear the debris from gutters to allow water to flow correctly. This way, gutters maintain their integrity, won’t sag, and will prevent damage. In some cases, you might want to consider adding gutter guards.

8. Inspect Exterior Light Fixtures

An old or broken light fixture can affect a home’s curb appeal. The best solution is probably to replace it. However, if too expensive or the fixture isn’t damaged, try painting it.

9. Add New House Numbers

When house numbers are missing, broken, or faded, an easy fix that packs a big punch is simply replacing them. You can buy new ones at any big box or hardware store. Alternatively, you can make your own.

10. Paint the Exterior or Replace the Siding

This is a bigger ticket fix, but if your home needs a paint job or has broken siding, painting or replacing the siding would boost curb appeal. Run the numbers to see if the ROI is worth it.

Ready to Plan Your Next Move?

Improving curb appeal adds value and attracts more buyers. Even small investments go a long way towards selling more quickly so you can move to your new home.

Ready to plan your move? Contact us today for a free quote.