Here’s how to make your home’s curb appeal shine.
Is curb appeal really that big of a deal? Other than price, it’s one of the most important things to focus on when putting your home on the market.
Have you ever heard the expression, “You only get one chance to make a first impression?” Well, that’s true—especially in real estate. If you’re demanding top dollar for your property, its curb appeal must be excellent.
To start, is your front yard trimmed and well-maintained? Remove all winter debris from your yard, and if your budget allows it, consider hiring a professional lawn service. If you’re on a busy road, you’ll probably notice you’ll have a little winter dust left over, so remove that and get your windows cleaned. After that, examine your exterior for peeling paint and broken or missing trim, gutters, or screens. If you have a front porch, dress it up with outdoor furniture and add a nice pot of blooming flowers. Lastly, keep your driveway clear of toys, clutter, and vehicles during the selling season. This will allow a full view of your home when buyers are driving by.
“If you’re demanding top dollar for your property, its curb appeal must be excellent.”
When you’re done prepping your home’s curb appeal, walk out to the street, look at your house, and ask yourself, “Does this invite me inside?” That’s what you want to do with buyers: invite them inside. If you have a long driveway, drive down that driveway and do the same thing. Does your home’s first glance invite buyers in? If it does, your curb appeal is ready for buyers.
So before you fix up your bathrooms or kitchen, take some time and get your curb appeal in order. Buyers will skip looking at homes if the outside doesn’t appeal to them. A messy outside may signal an unkempt home, and many buyers will think the inside matches the outside. I carefully watch buyers as they enter properties, and if their first impression excites them, that’s a good impression.
If you have any questions about buying or selling real estate in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
