Curb appeal is the first step in creating interest in a home for sale. In today’s world of internet and photography, pictures of a property have a major impact.
In today’s competitive real estate market, first impressions weigh heavily — and that includes the curb appeal potential buyers observe when initially driving up to a property.
Three key ingredients that play into the initial visual impact include the front door, the yard and paint colors. In my years selling real estate, I’ve come to value some trusted strategies for creating curb appeal when marketing your home.
The Front Door
The front door signals to many what to expect before you walk inside. Clean, freshly painted or stained, nice hardware and security measures all leave a positive impression. Over the years, I’ve encountered doors that were dirty, cobweb-laden, paint-chipped, faded and scuffed up. It shows lack of care and an indifference to maintenance overall. Hardware such as the door knob, lock and doorbell should be cleaned up or replaced to invite people in. Along the same lines, the front door area should have all clutter removed and colorful plants in pots to draw attention to the entry. Often a simple fresh coat of paint or stain is worth the investment. A new door altogether can add greater value. The front door, front porch and the walk-up to the house speaks volumes about what’s inside.
Landscaping
The yard should be manicured regularly to keep a clean look as people drive by. By “manicured,” I mean the yard should be more than mowed. Don’t forget about trimmed trees, bushes and edging around sidewalks and driveways. Certainly, flowers and colorful plants add ambiance as well as character to any yard. Yellow and red flowers pop nicely when driving by and gets people’s attention. Plantings should be focused on the walk up and walk out of the sidewalk area. The internet is full of ideas to assist in figuring out what aesthetic works best for your home. Consider the sun required or shade needed prior to purchasing plants. Many plants like ferns can be inviting and are inexpensive, yet make a bold statement and offer a lush appearance. So often people just focus efforts on the decor inside the house, but equal thought should be given to the current state of the yard to maximize initial appeal.
Exterior Materials
The final element of concern should be the condition of exterior paint and cleanliness of the outside materials, e.g., the brick or stone. Paint colors should be monochrome and soft to accentuate the design of the home. Loud, bright colors are a turn-off to most buyers and work against the goal to attract as many potential lookers as possible. Examine the brick, stone or siding carefully. Over time, these materials easily become stained or dirty. An effective means of freshening up the appearance is simple power washing, which removes grime and stains and reveals a clean, fresh look that adds to the attractive ambiance the home should display.
Curb appeal is the first step in creating interest in a home for sale. In today’s world of internet and photography, pictures of a property have a major impact. These three elements can add or subtract the level of enthusiasm a potential buyer has toward a home right away. It is well worth the investment of time and money spent to ensure the appeal sticks when approaching the property. So often, a fresh set of eyes can benefit a seller; a real estate professional has the expertise to share and guide the process even further. As the spring buying season begins, curb appeal counts even more when generating interest in today’s buyers.
article source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2018/04/11/curb-appeal-counts-three-steps-to-increasing-interest-in-a-property-for-sale/#33079df83d8b