One of the first things that homeowners and real estate agents think about when listing a property on the market is how it will be viewed by potential buyers. Increasing the curb appeal is at the top of the to do list when selling your home.
What is curb appeal and what steps can you take to draw in prospective buyers when they drive by your address?
In short, curb appeal is the attractiveness of the exterior of a residential or commercial property, as viewed from the street. It is used as an indicator of the initial appeal of a property to prospective buyers. No homeowner (or real estate agent for that matter) wants buyers to keep driving by because they are “turned off” by the look of the exterior of a home. In fact, real estate experts believe that the first impression that the exterior of a house makes can set the tone for the opinion of the rest of the house. With this in mind, what are some steps that you can take to help increase your home’s curb appeal to potential buyers?
According to National Association of Home Builders recent report, “What Home Buyers Really Want,” good landscaping can add up to 28% to the overall value of a house. Landscaping that draws in buyers has been known to cut a home’s time on the market by 10% to 15%. Landscape economist John Harris believes that well designed and executed landscaping can add 6% to 7% to a home’s value.
These are amazing statistics about the impact of landscaping and curb appeal. What, then, are some suggestions to improve your curb appeal. Home and Garden online has complied a list of tips to improve the exterior of your home prior to putting it on the market.
- Consult with a professional landscaping company to get the best bang for your buck.
- Add color with flowering plants.
- Shape up or remove unsightly trees or bushes that scream “high maintenance” to home buyers. This goes for elaborate gardens that look like they may take every weekend away from the home owners.
- Power wash surfaces such as the vinyl siding, fences or walkways that can build up grime and make your house look old or dirty.
- Have the grass mowed and edged every week to show off a crisp, well-cared-for look.
- Add or touch up mulch in flower beds.
- Have all irrigation systems checked and cleaned.
- If your budget permits, add hardscaping for walkways and the patio to add instant living space to the house.
- Add pops of color with potted plants around the yard.
If these tips look like too much for you to handle on you own, consult with the experts at Peace of Mind Landscape Construction. We can help you choose which projects are in your budget and will help sell your home.
Recent Comments