9 Tips to Increase the Curb Appeal of Your House
You must be familiar with the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’ While this is good advice, it clearly does not apply to buying and selling residential properties.
With broken windows, a cluttered driveway, and paint peeling off the walls, you can’t expect anyone to get impressed by your house’s exterior, especially not a potential buyer!
So, if you’re wondering, ‘what can I do to make my house appear more appealing from the outside?’
Well, look no further!
Here are nine simple yet effective ideas that are guaranteed to boost your home’s curb appeal in no time.
1.Maintain Your Lawn
While it may seem convenient to ask your twelve-year-old to take the lawnmower and let it run over your lawn, don’t do it! It will get the job done but won’t do anything in terms of the appearance of your yard.
Carefully maintaining your lawn and front yard is one of the best tips for immediately enhancing the outside appeal of your home. Having a weed-free lawn with neatly trimmed shrubs can drastically improve the outlook of your property.
2. Give Your Front Door A Paintjob
The entrance to your home, i.e., your front door, is the first thing a potential buyer sees when they set eyes on your home. So, why not make them fall in love at first sight?
Make your front door exude style and class by painting it in beautiful tones of white or beige. Charcoal or black are also good options if you’re a fan of darker colors. A freshly painted front door will instantly uplift the home’s look, providing an inviting and welcoming entrance.
3. Light It Up
Want your home to look happy and cheerful?
Then you can’t go wrong with adding some soft lighting fixtures on your front porch and lawn. Exterior lighting will add to the charming appeal of your home and make it seem more welcoming to the neighbors and others visiting your place. On top of that, a well-lit house is also more secure and safe for everyone inside.
4. Scrub The Dirty Driveway
It doesn’t matter if you have an asphalt or concrete driveway; if it’s covered in a blanket of gunk and grime, it’s adding nothing to your property’s overall appeal. However, a clean and maintained driveway is a surefire way of making some great first impressions on those who approach your home.
Scrub the driveway the same way you would your car (with soap and water), then rinse it thoroughly with a hose. You can also get some fantastic results with a pressure washer if you can rent one.
5. Throw Away The Clutter
Truth be told, if your driveway and front yard are full of junk and not adequately maintained, it will not attract people to your property. In fact, it might repel them!
To make your home look presentable, get rid of those old rusty bicycles, unsightly broken planters, soiled mattresses, or anything that isn’t easy on the eyes. The bottom line is if you don’t need it, then give that thing away to someone who’ll put it to better use. Otherwise, just throw it in the trash.
6. Conceal Unsightly Fixtures And Wiring
Electric fixtures and wiring are necessary for your home’s proper functioning. However, they often end up being an eyesore for onlookers.
To ensure your driveway and front yard look well-kept, hide away unsightly wires and electrical boxes with potted plants and garden decor. If your electrical box looks old and rusty, cover it in a fresh coat of paint, so it doesn’t look out of place and blends in with the rest of your property.
7. Add Some Greenery
Nothing speaks better about the condition and feel of a home than the greenery around it.
The great thing about plants is that they can enhance the outside appearance of your property cheaply and effectively.
You can add fresh flowers, herbs, or trees to your landscaping. It will give some much-needed freshness to your home with a bright pop of color.
Even if you are short on space and cannot incorporate full-grown plants into your landscaping design, you can still benefit from nature’s beauty by planting flowers in small pots and planters.
8. Compete With Your Neighbor
After improving the look of your home’s exterior, the next step is to compare it to others in the neighborhood; is your house’s appearance up to par?
This is a great tip for helping you determine what more changes are needed to be made and whether they are necessary for your property or not.
9. Clean The Windows
Nothing is appealing about a house with dirty smudgy windows. If anything, this makes your home appear run-down.
It is crucial that all the windows of your home are clean and free from dirt, streaks, or cracks. So, the first thing you should do is wipe those windows with a soft rag and a spray of window cleaner. If the glass is cracked or broken, replace it with a new one.
Putting It All Together…
If you’re having a hard time fetching a great price on your property, chances are your home lacks curb appeal. And no, it’s not just about the design of your place – it’s about how it looks from the outside.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend lots of money on buying expensive tools or hiring experts to improve the look of your house. Our easy, budget-friendly, and practical tips above will take your home’s curb appeal from zero to one hundred without breaking the bank.
