Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal

Everybody loves a house with a great curb appeal. People pass by and say to themselves, “that house looks like I could buy it.” The greater the curb appeal of your house, the more buyers will be willing to pay for it if you decide to let it go. If you are willing to create a great first impression on anyone who comes visiting your home, you may try implementing any of these ideas to increase your curb appeal.

1. Paint the front door and improve the exterior. Every visitor sees your front door so invest in a good coat of paint. Look for a bold and eye-catching color that makes the rest of the house stand out, but be careful not to mix clashing colors. Replace the bad mailbox, old number plates, and doorbell, and fix the sagging ceiling too.
2. Clean your front windows and gutters. Clean up the windows and window blinds. Add extra lighting to make that view pop up. Rake up dead leaves and grass from the gutter. Remove vegetation that springs up in between the walkway.
3. Install lighting outside. Add low voltage lighting everywhere around your home – the front porch, sidewalks and even on the driveway. This makes it look really great at night. It also serves as security lighting for you. If you can afford it, add a street lamp outside your home.
4. Get rid of junk. Old furniture, bad vehicles, unruly garbage bins, and clutter around the front yard – all these add up to reduce the curb appeal of your home. Get rid of all the unsightly things that might distract from the image you are trying to create.
5. Do some landscaping. Mow your overgrown lawn and plant flowers and shrubs. Get rid of weeds and fallen leaves. If you have space, you could plant two trees to frame the side of the house, otherwise stick to a garden and potted plants.
6. Add outdoor artwork. For a classier and more sophisticated outlook, add external artwork like sculpture, marble or terracotta. Water sculptures and fountains are also a great choice, add some birdhouses and feeders to the mix, and you have got a great sight. You could also install wall art on your garage doors to give it an extra touch. Not sure of what kind of art to get, ask art students at any local art college near you, you might probably pick up a bargain.

Once you clean up your existing yard, talk to your real estate professional about the best look for the season.