HOW IS YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEAL
SELLING YOUR HOME IN TODAY'S MARKET MEANS A LITTLE WORK BEFOREHAND TO MAKE POTENTIAL BUYERS WANT TO COME IN AND VIEW YOUR HOME AND MAKE IT THEIR OWN
1. Trim shrubs and trees in the front and back yards; a home buyer should be able to see your home's architectural features. Keep shrubs low under the main windows and away from the house. Weed your flower gardens and trim the lawn so it is neat and appealing. Mulch the gardens with dark mulch, it shows off the plants and flowers in a better way. Don't put colored mulch on beds, it detracts from the beauty of the home and the gardens.
2. Remove the screen door, unless it is a retractable one, dress up the front porch with a colorful plant , wash windows, make sure the porch is swept clean and a welcome mat is down. Less is more, but clean is best. If you need to repaint the door frame and sills, do. It is a turnoff when paint is chipped off and is noticeable. Your front entrance is a reflection of who you are and how you live and the inside of your home.
4. If your roof is in need of attention, hire someone to powerwash and repair as needed. It adds to the attraction of the home and it will be something that you will not have to address when it sells and the home inspection is done.
5. What does your home look like when walking up to the front entrance. Make sure the walkway is clean and free of debris. If you have flower beds that run alongside of the walkway, plant colorful flowers or plants which will guide the prospective buyer up to the entrance.
6. Keep the porch light on in the dusk/evenings. Ensure any automatic lights along the house and walkways light up and work.
8. Make sure the driveway is not cracked. If so consider repair or resurface, again powerwash and clean off moss or anything else that is there.
9. Adding details such as shutters and decorative moldings can make boring windows come alive, or just making sure the trim is fresh can make a huge difference; making it look clean and fresh.
10. The last step is to take one more look at the exterior of the property. Look at it as though you were the buyer. How does it present itself, does the look of clean and fresh make you feel like you would like to take a look and investigate the rest of the home.
When I talk with sellers about marketing their home, one of the things I offer is to help them with the staging of their home both inside and out . It is a service that is most helpful in the marketing of their home to bring in qualified buyers that will fall in love with the home.
