Creating Curb Appeal is About Landscaping and Much More

When it comes to selling your home, creating a high-level of curb appeal can go a long way toward attracting a buyer or buyers willing to compete with one another for your awesome property.

While efforts to spruce up curb appeal landscaping can be aided by snow in the winter, there isn’t any such weather to hide patchy lawns and untrimmed hedges in the warmer months.

42 Home Improvement Projects

Learn fun DIY renovation projects and how to protect your biggest investment – your home – with this free guide from Your AAA.

Download Now!

Homeowners should remember there is only one chance to make a first impression, and a little work can go a long way toward always making sure your home stands out among other properties.

Here are a few tips for bolstering your landscaping and curb appeal in general from the National Association of Realtors.

Walls and windows

Whether your house has brick, wood or vinyl siding, use a long-handled, soft-bristled brush and soapy water to clean your outer walls. Don’t neglect your windows, either. Carefully clean the inside and outside of each pane. Dust and fingerprints will not help sell your home. The best part about this job is it’s something even the most unenthusiastic of do-it-yourselfers can tackle. Most generic window cleaners will work wonders with the right amount of determination and elbow grease.

Up top

The lifespans of roofs vary, as does the cost to replace them, but it’s usually an expensive project. If your roof is in rough shape with missing, warped or faded shingles, consider starting with cleaning and small repairs. Even true do-it-yourselfers might benefit from calling in the pros to help with this kind of work.
While you’re up checking out your roof, be sure to remove any cobwebs from eaves and clear downspouts.

Paint

Fresh paint does wonders, but you need to think about what color you choose. While you may love a bold or unique shade, buyers may be more interested in something neutral, or something that fits in with other homes in the neighborhood. Think about the entire project before you pick a color, too. Choosing something different means you’ll have to repaint the entire house, while sticking with what you have means you’ll only have to scrape and touch up spots that are peeling. Appraisers will notice the value of a freshly painted home. Don’t overlook your garage door, either. Going up and down over and over again can do a number on its finish.

Landscape

Don’t let potential buyers show up to a dust bowl, or an overgrown lawn. Showcasing your lawn with sharp landscaping can work wonders. Cut your grass if it’s too long, and seed and water dead spots as needed. It’s a good idea to trim your shrubs and tend your flower beds, too. Your home probably doesn’t need to be a botanical garden to attract buyers, but tidying up the exterior flora is definitely helpful. Some homeowners benefit from hiring professional landscapers to help, but individuals who think they’re up to the task might not need to make such an investment.

Lighting

Sure, plenty of potential buyers will swing by your place during the day to judge your lawn and landscaping skill, but summer nights are perfect for house-hunting drives. Once you’ve spruced up your landscaping, add some outdoor lighting to show it off after the sun has set. If you’re trying to be as green as possible, consider picking up some solar-powered lights, which can nicely accent walkways or flower gardens.

Mailbox

While the mailbox probably isn’t as important to buyers as the furnace or school district, it’s a nice detail that can help with curb appeal. Something a bit fancier or more upscale than your neighbors may make your home standout in a good way. The same goes for new house numbers. A small investment on its own might not make a huge difference, but several such subtle touches can have an impact on curb appeal.

Decks and sidewalks

Decks and sidewalks exist to be walked on, and foot traffic can leave behind scuffs and other unattractive marks. Consider using a power washer to tidy up your decks and sidewalks, but be careful if using it on your home: Many washers are strong enough to damage shingles and paint.

Outdoor furniture

You’ll probably stage your living room, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and other inside areas for open houses and showings, so why not do the same with your outdoor living areas? New pillows, tablecloths and picnic table umbrellas can go a long way toward making your outdoor living space cozy and inviting. The ultimate goal of an outdoor setup is to make it easy for potential buyers to imagine themselves in the setting.

If you’re looking for a new house, AAA may be able to help you with a mortgage. Learn about AAA home loan services.