Curb Appeal
The Importance of Curb Appeal
Many people may not realize the importance of curb appeal, but with so many houses on the market, it is more important than ever. As your Realtor pulls up with the potential buyer, they make their first impression within 30 seconds, just like when meeting a new person for their first time.
What the exterior of your home looks like will leave a lasting impression on potential buyers. You have to look at your home objectively as a potential home buyer would look at your home.
Learn what to do to create desire in the potential home buyer the minute they look at your home for sale, whether you are the owner or the Realtor. A Realtor should learn these methods as well so they can pass this on to their clients so they can sell their home quickly.
The list to create curb appeal and desire in the heart of the home buyer
- Stand in the street or across the road. What do you see? What is your first impression?
- What are the features that stood out the most that you liked?
- What stood out that you disliked?
- Can you improve the appearance of the yard? Are there weeds? Are there toys all over the yard? Are there dead bushes, flowers, or leaves that need to be removed?
- Is the sidewalk or path to the front door clean? Is the path uneven and unattractive? Are there ways you can improve the path?
- Take photos of the exterior of your home. Look closely at the photos and try to see what potential home buyers will notice. Can you make improvements?
- Remember to look at home at different hours of the day, such as morning, noon, and evening. Some buyers may drive past in the evening to see what the neighborhood is like after dark. What can you do to improve the evening appeal of your home? The answer is quite simple. Brighten up the paths, the front door, and even use lighting around the yard to enhance the landscaping.
- Okay, not every potential buyer will only look at the front door. Potential buyers will walk all the way around the house. The backyard needs to look just as tidy and neat as the front lawn. A cluttered backyard will give the impression that the home was cluttered and only cleaned up to sell.
Things to do to create desire and curb appeal:
- Ensure the exterior has no mold or mildew on the house, driveway, or path.
- Put away all outside toys or ensure they are neatly stored.
- Put away all garden tools, hoses, etc…
- clean the gutters.
- clean the windows inside and out.
- wash the siding.
- clean the deck or patio.
- clean all paths to the home.
- clean the driveway.
- edge the paths.
- rid the yard of weeds.
- keep the lawn mowed.
- rake the leaves as needed.
- trim tree limbs.
- plant flowers.
- repaint the front door.
- replace the old mailbox.
- replace the house numbers or repaint the numbers.
- add a nice doormat.
In today’s competitive market it is more important than ever for your home to make a good first impression.
12 Comments to Curb Appeal
Comments
I completely agree. The exterior appearance of a residence and the surrounding homes is very important when determining the value and sellabilty of a home. It would be in everyone’s best interest to make their neighborhoods presentable thus bringing up the value of all the homes in the area…
This just a test reply
Great list! I would also add to “depersonalize” the home and to take out furniture if necessary so the rooms don’t look cluttered.
Thanks for the post I can tell you this is by far one of the most important aspects if not the most important when it comes to selling your home.
My name is Al and I sell Tulsa Real Estate out here in Oklahoma.
When it comes to listing your home if you want TOP dollar I will tell you this is a must!!! That is unless you want to get low offers.
I cannot stress enough how important this information is if you are considering selling. Increasing curb appeal is the single most important thing you can do to help sell your home.
I agree how important curb appeal is. You can’t get a second chance of a first impression. It is worth putting time and money in to a project that will help sell your home.
Looking at a house for the first time is like meeting someone. The first impression can be lasting. This is what curb appeal is all about. Don’t forget that having a car in the driveway or parked out front can be a distraction.
Curb appeal is huge! How many times have you driven up in front of a home for sale and the buyers were not interested in going inside because they did not like the outside of the home? Even after suggesting ways to make the home look good, sometimes, the buyer just cannot see the end result. Curb appear is important.
Curb appeal is the most important part of a home. I have shown 100′s of homes where the inside pictures look very nice and attractive but when I show up to a property with my clients they simply say they could never live in a home that has this curb appeal.
I think sellers underestimate the value of curb appeal. It’s not only important for people when they are in front of the home, but when they are looking at the pictures online!
I know it’s a cliche, but you do only get one chance to make a first impression. I’ve had instances where I know a home is gorgeous on the inside but can’t get the client to leave the car because the home has no curb appeal. Spend a little money and more TLC and take care of the little things (mowing, painting door/shutters, planting flowers, fixing fencing/mailbox, etc.) and you stand a much better chance of selling. A little common sense will go a long way.
I think it’s great to emphasize the importance of evening appeal. I often encourage people to drive by at all hours, having nice pathway lights or lights that highlight the landscaping makes the home look welcoming and cozy. Always a good idea!
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