What is curb appeal?
To put it simply, curb appeal refers to the attractiveness of a home's exterior. It’s how welcoming a house looks from the street, which includes landscaping, exterior maintenance, architecture, and overall appearance.
Why is curb appeal crucial to attracting potential buyers?
First impressions matter, especially in real estate. It's particularly crucial in spring, which is considered the busiest selling period in many housing markets. Many potential buyers start looking for homes, and your goal is to entice them on the outside so they’d be willing to look on the inside. When buyers pull up to your home’s curb or see photos of your home online, you want them to be excited by what they see, so your home’s exterior needs to look as welcoming and inviting as possible.
Keep in mind that the curb appeal, or lack thereof, can raise fears that the home isn’t being properly maintained. Buyers might be less likely to check out the rest of a house if the outside is rundown or unattractive and may begin to question the home’s condition and even safety.
As the weather warms up, it’s important to capitalize on natural elements such as blooming flowers, green grass, and lush landscapes if you’re looking to sell your home. Here are some of the quickest and easiest ways to boost your curb appeal and add a little pizzazz to your property. Choose the appropriate projects to DIY in an afternoon or a whole weekend to make your home stand out. Just make sure to get expert help for big-ticket changes involving electrical work, fencing, or major landscaping, to name a few.
Spring projects to increase your home's curb appeal and help you sell
1. Yard
Spruce up the outside of your home by cleaning up debris and removing any trash from the yard, including dead leaves, branches, old furniture, and broken toys, among others. These tasks may seem mundane, but they can have a huge impact on potential buyers' first impressions.
2. Exteriors
One of the best but inexpensive ways to improve the look of your home is to simply give it a good power wash. If you don't already own one, consider renting a power washer to refresh your home’s siding, driveway, walkways, and even patio spaces. Just make sure you know how to handle the pressure washer to avoid damaging your home.
3. Landscaping
Once the clean-up is done, another thing you can do to improve your home's curb appeal is to make sure the landscaping is on point. Basic lawn maintenance includes removing debris, addressing weeds, tending to areas damaged over winter, and ensuring the grass has the soil nutrients it needs. Don’t forget to add a fresh layer of mulch to all your garden beds and around shrubs and trees to enhance the overall aesthetics. Also, trim back any large trees and shrubs, especially if they already overshadow your home.
4. Windows and doors
Your home's main doorway is usually the focal point of its curb appeal, so it’s important to make it appealing to create a welcoming look. Consider replacing your front door if it’s already dated or out of shape. Otherwise, just give it a fresh coat of paint in a bold or unexpected color for an added wow effect and to rejuvenate its appearance. Other easy and inexpensive ways to freshen up your entryway are to add a seasonal wreath and replace your front doormat with designs that reflect your style and your home’s interior.
Aside from your front doors, you’d want to make sure that your windows are sparkling clean and free from any dust and fingerprints—because the last thing you’d want is for buyers to see through dirty windows. Remember to hire a professional window-cleaning service for anything beyond ground level.
5. Garage
In many house designs, an attached garage makes up a huge part of what you see from the street. But oftentimes, garage doors are lacking in detail or good design. Since most garage doors are paintable, this can be an easy weekend project. Shift away from the basic white and opt for the same color as your front door, or choose a color that blends with your siding.
Since your garage provides space not only for your vehicles but for your items as well, it's also crucial to clear the clutter. Potential home buyers would want to see if their car can fit in the garage and how they can use the extra space, so showing a clean and organized garage is essential.
6. Outdoor areas
Spruce up your outdoor spaces and help potential buyers envision the areas where they can relax and entertain. Make sure to toss out or update any outdoor furniture that's old and in need of repair. Check the outdoor kitchens, fire pits, porch furniture, and other seating areas and see if they’re still in good condition. Clean them with warm water and dish soap, then try using a quick coat of spray paint to freshen them up. Once all seating areas are cleaned and maintained, remember to throw in some rugs, pillows, and blankets for added comfort and texture.
7. Lighting
Adding exterior lighting is always worth the investment since it not only enhances the aesthetic quality of the home but also provides extra safety and security around the property. A well-lit home is easily attractive and appealing, both day and night.
Start by checking on what you have, and make sure to replace old, worn-out light fixtures. Consider adding pathway lights and accent lighting to trees or shrubs. If you aren't able to use lights that require wiring, your best option is to use solar fixtures that are budget-friendly and easy to install. To add depth to your lighting scheme, incorporate a variety of fixtures and lighting types, especially in areas you’d like to draw attention to.
8. Mailbox and house number
Mailboxes and house numbers are a great opportunity for a makeover. If your mailbox is already old, rusty, and looking like it's going to topple over, it’s time to consider updating it. Before making any enhancements, be sure to follow the USPS regulatory standards.
With limitless styles and designs to choose from, your mailbox can also complement you and your home’s personality to instantly make your front yard more welcoming. But if you’re working on a limited budget or don’t want to go for a whole new look, a fresh coat of paint is all you need for an easy update.
Moreover, replacing the house numbers if they’re worn or outdated will make your home easier to identify from the street and increase the appeal of your property.
9. Outdoor hardware and finishes
A huge aspect of curb appeal is in the little details, including small items such as hardware and home finishes. Swap out old door hardware (think doorknobs and door knockers), doorbell buttons and door chimes, gate and garage hardware, and other home finishes for something modern and stylish to easily improve the look of your home. The best thing is that it only takes a few dollars and a few hours to install (aside from a quick trip to your local home improvement store).
Although these elements are small, they add a lot of polish to your home's look. The most important thing is to keep the finishes consistent so they will look and function collectively rather than as mix-and-match pieces.
10. Add pops of color
Remember that your goal is to make your entryway appealing and inviting, so add visual interest wherever possible. Add plants, flowers in pots, and hanging planters to breathe some life into the space and bring natural pops of colors here and there. Get brand new doormats and wind chimes, and use colorful decor such as mosaic art and colorful stepping stones, to name a few.
