When the decision has been made to sell a home, most home owners go to the trouble and expense of making interior repairs and doing some minor redecorating before the home is put on the market. But is that enough to ensure that you get the most money for a home when it sells? The truth is, that the majority of potential home buyers make up their minds about what they think of a home before they even walk in the front door.
Chances are, unless your home has curb appeal, it might stay on the market for a longer period of time than comparable homes in the neighborhood. Many buyers will drive buy homes that are for sale, and if they find them dull and unattractive on the outside; they assume that the inside will be dull and unattractive as well. Adding some curb appeal before trying to sell a home can add thousands of dollars to its value.
There is no need to hire professional designers, gardeners, landscapers and painters to creating curb appeal. Doing it yourself can be easy and relatively inexpensive if you use your imagination.
Painting the Exterior of Your Home
An effective use of colors on the exterior of a home can dramatically change its appearance and add value, so be sure to choose wisely. Be sure to choose colors that not only compliment each other, but that compliment other materials of the home such as roofing shingles, brick, stucco and stonework.
- Pick paint colors outside on an overcast/cloudy day so that your perception of the colors won`t be distorted by the glare of bright sunlight.
- Paint the bottom of the home a darker color and the top a lighter color to avoid giving it a top heavy look.
- Use warm colors as opposed to cool shades.
- Paint soffits, overhead surfaces, and window sashes a lighter color so that they give the home a nice bright look.
- Remember when choosing paint colors that you are not staying in the home. You may prefer bright bold colors, but a home painted a neutral color with tasteful accents will attract more perspective buyers.
Landscaping
Not every home has a lush green golf-course lawn, but prospective buyers can be turned off by brown or bare spots. Be sure to apply sod or spread quick-growing grass seed to fill in these areas before putting the home on the market.
- Trim tree branches that hang over or are too close to the house.
- Trim back or remove trees and shrubs that are growing too close to windows. They can make the exterior of a home look cluttered and shabby, and they block natural light to the inside.
- Edge grass along paths and walkways so that it looks neat and tidy.
- Secure, straighten or replace any loose, cracked or broken interlocking bricks, patio stones or pavers.
- Plant inexpensive shrubs in assorted sizes in strategic spots throughout the yard to create interest and give it some structure.
- Plant some colorful flowers and add some cheerful hanging baskets.
Lighting
Remember that if there is a for-sale sign in the yard, people will be slowing down to take a look at night as well as in the day time, so lighting is important.
- Replace plain old porch lights with attractive new fixtures.
- Place inexpensive garden solar lights in flower beds and along walkways and paths.
- Be sure that the back yard has adequate lighting even if it is not completely viable from the street.
- Be sure that the house numbers are visible from the street.
General
If a home is on the market, someone will always be looking. Be sure to keep the grass cut, the weeds pulled and the walkways swept. Keep gardening tools, bicycles and toys put away out of sight.
