You may think that I am talking about staging the inside of the home. While that is extremely important (so much so that you will see a blog about it very soon), it is not what I am referring to right now. I am talking about curb appeal.
Curb appeal is the key to making a great first impression.
The definition of curb appeal is how your home shows from the street. Let's think this through. If someone doesn't like the outside of your home, what do you think the chances are that they are going to even step through the door? I promise you that the chances are slim. They will just cruise on down the road to the next house. Shops have fancy signs and window displays to entice you to come in and check out their merchandise, right? It is because they want you to buy something. You need to do the same thing for potential buyers of your home.
With that said, let's take a look at some things that you can do to entice buyers to come in and check out your home.
1. Pressure wash your home! The last thing that a buyer wants to see is mildew growing on your vinyl siding. This also goes for those of you with all brick homes. I guarantee your trimwork and gutters could use a good scrubbing. You wouldn't want to buy someone else's dirt would you?
2. Declutter the yard! The same rules apply for outside the home as for inside. Removing toys, excess or broken furniture and yard ornaments will help the yard seem larger and more usable. Buyers will be able to envision spending time with their friends and family there.
3. Cut the grass! Make sure that the yard is kept neat and trimmed (just like your hair). This means raking up any leaves, trimming the bushes and edging. Look at your flower beds. Do they need fresh mulch or pine needles? Plant some pretty flowers in pots by the front door. Don't get carried away with the flowers though. One pot on either side of the front door is sufficient in most cases.
4. Freshen up windows and doors! Are your windows covered in grime? Wash them. Are your shutters and front door faded? Paint them a pretty, tastefully chosen color that corresponds with your house color. When choosing a color for the shutters, be sure not to choose anything too bright or wild. Remember, you want to appeal to as many buyers as possible.
5. Fix cracks! If you have cracks or holes in your driveway or sidewalk, patch the holes and apply sealant. Buyers don't want to see something that they are going to have to fix before they even get to the front door.
These simple tips will help you improve your curb appeal. Now you have them coming through your door. Next time we will talk about what to do once they are inside!
