10 Affordable Do-It-Yourself Ideas
When you’re looking to sell a home, it’s a good bet you’ll run up against the phrase “curb appeal.” What exactly does this prolific little phrase mean, and how can you help your house have more of this elusive factor?
What Is “Curb Appeal”?
Essentially, Curb appeal is how attractive the house and the surrounding grounds appear from the street. It includes the exterior portions of your home that are viewable when a prospective buyer first pulls up, as well as the front lawn. It’s the immediately visible shrubbery, plants, driveway, garage face, and more.
How Important Is Curb Appeal?
If you’re thinking “curb appeal” is just a phrase that Realtors throw around, let’s realign your thoughts. One study by Michigan State University found that a home with well-manicured landscaping increased the perceived value from about 5 to 11 percent.
First impressions are critical. It’s as true for homes as it is for people.
If the first things potential buyers see when they pull up to your house are chipped paint, overgrown plants, and an unmown lawn, that may immediately sour them on the property. On the other hand, if they’re blown away by a fantastic exterior, they’re probably more likely to view the rest of the house favorably. They might even be willing to overlook a few imperfections that might otherwise torpedo a deal.
Making a good first impression in real estate can truly be the difference between a pass and a sale. With that in mind, here are ten simple ways to improve your home’s curb appeal as you ready your property for sale.
(Note, these aren’t massive, expensive, time-consuming fixes. Yes, you could completely redo the siding on your home or repave your driveway to dramatically improve your curb appeal, but today we’re just exploring easier, more do-it-yourself friendly options.)
- Tame Your Shrubs
If it’s been a while since you’ve given your exterior landscaping attention, it’s a good idea to make it a priority before you sell. For example, Flat-top trims look appealing and are they’re easy to accomplish. And make sure trees, bushes, and shrubs don’t obscure windows. - Add Appealing Planters
You don’t want your exterior to look like an overrun jungle (see improvement idea number one), but you also don’t want it to feel stark or uninviting. Adding planters with colorful flowers or some greenery goes a long way to making your home look and feel inviting. For less expensive options, check your Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor. You might be able to find barely used planters for half the cost, or possibly even free. - Pressure Wash Grime
Does your driveway have stains? Is your porch, patio, or house covered with algae, mildew, or some kind of grime? It may not be obvious that you have it until you get the pressure washer out! But, one swipe with this powerful cleaning tool, and you’ll likely see a difference. Whether you’re purchasing or renting the equipment, a pressure washer can efficiently and effectively remove dirt and restore your surfaces to almost new. One thing to remember, read the instructions carefully. You may need to use different pressure settings for different materials – concrete, timber, siding. Too powerful of a water stream, and you could inadvertently cause damage. - Revisit Your Front Porch Light
Perhaps you haven’t given it much thought, but prospective buyers are paying attention to details, and your front porch light may be one of them. It’s one of the first things people see before entering the front door, and it may need an update or a cleaning to give the best first impression. Head to the local hardware store and modernize this small, but important, feature. If your home has a brick exterior or a more vintage feel, consider a more rustic or ornate light to match the home’s aesthetic. - Update (or Add) Porch Seating
When prospective buyers walk up to your home, you want them to be immediately impressed with its look, and you also want them to feel that the surrounding neighborhood is equally inviting and impressive. A great way to accomplish a sociable and friendly area is by adding seating to your front porch. Depending on the aesthetic of your home, there are quaint porch swings, large rockers, modern metal seating, and even classic Adirondack chairs. - Add Shutters
A quick, easy way to add depth and visual interest to your home is by putting up shutters. For maximum impact, choose a bold color or something that contrasts nicely with the home’s main palette. It’ll help the home stand out and be more memorable after the buyers hit their fourth open house of the day. Just make sure to walk the line between bold and off-putting. You don’t want to make potential buyers think about the hassle of repainting the second they see the home. - Change Out Your Mailbox
Mailboxes are surprisingly prominent visual features. More often than not, they are one of the first things a potential buyer sees. A shabby, rundown, rusty mailbox can put people off before they even glance at the house, so it’s worth the minimal investment to upgrade or to update. - Clean Those Gutters
Part of the idea of sprucing up your property before selling is conveying the impression that your home is well cared for, because a well-cared-for home is less likely to need expensive updates and fixes. Looking at the home through that lens, nothing says neglect like overflowing, leaf-laden gutters. Grab your ladder, and thoroughly clean them out. For good measure, hit them with the pressure washer to revive them even more. If they’re bent, busted, or sagging, consider replacing them altogether. It’ll make the lines of the home seem extra clean, crisp, and sharp. - Clean Every Window
It might not seem like a once-over with a rag and window cleaner will really do much to sway someone on the fence about making a big financial decision, but light is actually a huge factor in the home-buying decision. People want bright, airy homes, and dingy windows don’t allow as much light in. Clean windows will immediately impress from the curb, and then they’ll really do their magic once the potential buyer is inside the home. Clean windows are a one-two punch! - Mow the Lawn, then Mow It Again
Lawns make the front of a home look idyllic and enticing, but overgrown grass and out-of-control weeds quickly shatter that illusion. If your lawn is starting to look a little shabby before a showing, give it a quick mow. If you’re short on time, do the front and leave the back. The immediate impression is the most important.
Today, buyers are forming their first impression even before they drive by your home, sometimes even instead of driving by. Buyers are scrolling through online pictures of the outside and inside, and based on what they see, they may never come to see your home.
Web appeal is just as important as curb appeal, perhaps even more important. Do you need advice on both Web appeal and curb appeal? Do you need an experienced professional to help get you the best possible photos and online exposure?
The summer 2020 market looks strong. Talk to Ray today!
