Real estate
professionals talk about the importance of curb appeal, that subjective,
intangible quality that has buyers thinking emotionally rather than logically.
We've all experienced it: You know, that singular moment when you drive up to a
home and it's love at first sight. Something about it has your heart beating
just a little bit faster. Perhaps it's the way the home sits on the property,
or the mix of clapboard and fieldstone, the expanse of grass carpeting, the
stately columns, the boisterous symphony of greenery and brilliantly colored
flowers. Something calls to you and you respond, "Yes. This is it. I don't
care what the inside looks like. I want it." That's curb appeal.
Curb appeal
extends to neighborhoods as well. Meticulously maintained homes in the estate
section of town enjoy solid curb appeal whereas poorly kept neighborhoods do
not. Interestingly, even your neighbor's state of curb appeal can positively or
negatively affect your home.
So how can
you tell where your home registers on the curb appeal scale? One way to find
out is to take pictures of your property from various angles. Show them to
friends, family, colleagues, anyone known for providing painfully objective
feedback. Find out what's appealing about the home and grounds, and what needs
improvement. Take the photos to a nursery for a professional landscaper's
opinion. Even more important, consult your real estate agent. A local real
estate professional has experience selling homes in your area and can be a
great resource. Ask the agent to walk around the property with you and view it
from across the street. Develop a "to do" list to bring your home up
to show condition, then brainstorm easy, cost-effective solutions.
Surprisingly, even small enhancements can make a big difference. Building on
your home's curb appeal might be as easy as replacing a broken screen and
planting a few flowers near the front door.
Here are
some ideas to get you going:
Paint
and polish. A fresh coat of paint breathes new life into a tired-looking
home. If your home looks dull or suffers from pealing, cracked or chipped
paint, a paint job is a great investment. Realtors will suggest using neutral
colors such as white or gray. A point of interest: According to a survey by the
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), white homes sell faster than others. Whether
or not you paint, you'll want to polish the doorknocker and mail slot on the
front door, as well as any light fixtures by the entry.
Go over
the grounds. Mow and edge the grass, and trim the trees and bushes. Also,
clear away dead leaves and flowers, and mulch and weed the beds. Check to see
that tree branches are not touching the home's roof or outer walls. You can
spruce up the property by hanging flowering baskets and placing planters of
flowers in strategic spots.
Make
needed repairs. Work your way through your "to do" list. In
addition, see if anything is unhinged, loose or just an eyesore. Fix everything
including broken fencing, windows and screens. Try the doorbell. Check stairs
and railings. Test doors for squeaks and rusted hinges. Don't forget to take a
critical look at the property at night. Make sure the lights work, and replace
dim and burned-out bulbs.
Unclutter.
Now's the time to have a garage sale, not when you're about to move. Throw out
everything you can. Organize the garage and any out buildings. Put away lawn
and garden equipment and tools. Tidy up the deck, patio and back yard. Clean up
the barbecue area. Eliminate any "evidence" of Fido, and restrict him
or her to the back yard when showing the home. Move extra vehicles from the
view of passersby.
Clean.
You want buyers to think the home has been well maintained. To make a bright
impression, clean the windows, inside and out, wash down the walks and
driveway, and hose down the siding. Clean outdoor furniture and cushions. Check
for oil spots on cement surfaces, especially the garage floor.
Remember, a
sale can be made or lost as a direct result of your home's curb appeal. So
exert a little elbow grease now and you'll captivate buyers at the curb. It's a
sure way to a quick sale.
Contact Chuck so that he can prepare an
accurate CMA for you. He'll let you know exactly what you can do to increase
your home's "curb appeal."
REMAX, Nobody Sells More Real Estate!
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