3 Quick Tips For Improving Your Home’s Exterior

You’ve probably heard it a million times, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This is true for your home as well.
For potential buyers these days, an open house begins before they actually walk in the front door.
For those of you thinking of selling your house in the near future, we’ve listed a few simple tips for making the best impression possible.

Tip #1 – Improve your curb appeal.

Many prospective buyers look at properties online (hopefully you’ve got some good photos) and drive by the address beforehand to decide if they even want to see the rest in person.

Be camera and visitor ready with these steps:

• Hang new, easy to read, house numbers.
• Wash all windows, including garage windows, inside and out.
• Replace any exterior lights that are broken, rusty or outdated.
• Power wash the siding, the walkways, and any patios, decks, or porches.
  • You can generally rent a power washer or hire someone to do it if you don’t want to yourself.
• Remove dead plants and cut back all overgrown trees, bushes, and foliage.
  • Anything that has grown in front of a window or into a walkway is considered overgrown. 😉
• Plant some flowers and greenery into your garden if it looks a little drab.
  • Instead of growing them from seedlings, purchase some that have already matured from a home and garden store or nursery.
• Mow the lawn, reseed, or add fresh sod.

Tip #2 – Create inviting entryways.

The impact of a clean approach to your home cannot be overemphasized. It may not be something that consciously registers with your guests, but a messy or dirty entry will definitely make a lasting impression. A clean and tidy appearance says that you, the seller, has taken care of the home.

• Remove cobwebs weekly.
• Replace screen doors if damaged.
• Replace old doormats with new ones.
• Add a medium sized potted plant outside the front door.
• Clear any personal items from porches, patios, or decks.
• Keep your porch lights on in the evening in case potential buyers drive by.

Tip #3 – Bring it all together to create an experience.

Even if you’ve got a small lot, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take full advantage of it by showcasing every foot. By spotlighting specific areas, you can give visitors ideas on how the space can accommodate their family and interests.

• Add outdoor seating.
  • If you’ve got the space, take it a step further with an above-ground fire pit.
• Spread mulch or another covering to finish garden beds.
• Make sure the side gate is secure and opens and closes easily.
  • Nobody wants to struggle with latches and small things like this can leave lasting impressions.
• Sweep any walkways leading to or from a door every day or two.
• If you don’t have outdoor space or it’s nearly non-existent, emphasize the next best thing more potted plants!
  • While you don’t want an overwhelming number, putting a few more plants outside doors and windows can bring warmth and cheer to the environment.

While it may seem like a long list of things to either purchase or work on, these relatively small improvements can make a big impact without doing any actual renovation. You may not check every box on this list, but implementing even a few of these strategies will help you improve your curb appeal and bring in potential buyers.