When preparing your home for selling, it’s best to consider the exteriors as much as you pay attention to the interiors. It may be easy to overlook, but taking care of how your property looks from the outside will definitely have an impact on how potential homebuyers perceive your home’s value, and will surely affect their decision to see more of your property.
This is what realtors refer to as “curb appeal”. It’s giving potential homebuyers that special feeling of being intrigued by how your property looks from the street, piquing their curiosity and enticing them to inquire further. Improving your home’s curb appeal is a powerful marketing tool that is designed to sell your property from the outside in. It determines whether potential buyers would even want to see more of what’s inside your home.
The more attractive and new your home’s exteriors look, the better your chances of capturing a buyer’s interest. Prospective buyers are more inclined to look inside if they already like what they see from the outside.
A home’s curb appeal sets expectations. This is important because not only does it add to your property’s “wow factor”, but it adds real value to your home, helping it to sell faster. In fact, homes with well-maintained exteriors sell for 7% more than similar homes with unkempt exteriors.
If you want to boost your home’s property value, it’s wise to invest on improving its curb appeal. What’s great is you don’t have to spend too much for a number of these home improvements. Balance, thoughtful consideration and tender, loving care are key ingredients into many of these suggestions.
Here are a few tips and ideas for simple home improvements that are sure to update your exteriors, increase your home’s curb appeal and create first impressions that will get buyers falling in love with your home.
Making your front door a focal point
Did you know that your front door and its surrounding details can make a strong statement about your home? Your front door is the likely to be where your potential buyer’s eyes will land on first and will take note of, so be sure that it gives the best first impression!
Most homeowners will have most likely inherited their front door with the purchase of their home from its previous owner, but the truth is, most view their current doors as an inaccurate reflection of their personal style and taste.
When it comes to curb appeal, your home’s door plays a critical role in providing the perceived value of your home. Giving your home’s existing front door an upgrade with a fresh coat of paint or stain, and polishing its handles and knocker are a only couple of inexpensive quick fixes you might want to consider. Of course, it’s also a good option to consider replacing these with new ones.
Another idea is to paint your front door. Whether you want to stick with a classic neutral color like white, black or charcoal or add drama by selecting a bold and unconventional color like red is entirely up to you. Go with what you and your realtor think is best for your home. There’s no rule set in stone, but do consider your prospective buyers and the overall theme of your home.
Now for maximum curb appeal, there’s no stopping you from replacing the entire front door. Go ahead and invest in a front door that is best aligned with your style as a homeowner, while staying within the architectural detailing of your home. In keeping with current trends, you may want to consider taking a minimalist approach here, especially if an updated, more streamlined, modern look appeals to buyers you’d like to reach. If your current door has a more traditional, intricate style, then shifting to a more simple and elegant front door will add a dramatic, impactful change. Buyers are sure to notice a beautiful door, making it irresistible for them to step inside.
Keep in mind energy efficiency too. Be mindful of energy efficiency ratings when choosing a front door, Pick one that is seamless with your home design and the temperatures for your climate.
Depending on your budget range, here are a few more ideas to consider when thinking of getting a new front door:
Low budget range – If you find yourself on a budget, consider getting steel doors installed. This is a relatively inexpensive idea to inject style and energy efficiency without breaking the bank. What’s great about steel doors is that they hold paint well, are fire resistant and are generally low maintenance.
For this upgrade, the job cost will set you back about $1, 772. When you think of the resale value this adds at about $1,145, with a recouped cost of 64.6%, it makes the investment a lot easier to swallow.
Mid-budget range – If you have a slightly higher budget, consider installing a fiberglass front door. Fiberglass doors have the overall appeal of wood without the added hassle of having to deal with the maintenance. Fiberglass doors have high insulation, hold paint and gel stains well and won’t rust. Prepare to set aside $9,055 for the job cost. This will add $4, 629 resale value to your home with 51.1% of your cost recouped. All things considered, the spending may be well-worth it.
High-end budget – Wood doors remain popular because natural materials never go out of style. To upgrade your front door, find a wood species that complements your home’s architectural style. Wood takes paints and stains extremely well, and can be accessorized a dozen ways. Wood doors are suitable for all types of homes, from the more traditional to the edgier ones, and can be complemented equally well with the right type of wood door.
The general recommendation is to make your entryway more inviting by adding character to your front door. Small but essential touches such as a new and clean welcome mat and an elegant outdoor wreath are flourishes you may add to complete the overall look. If you have the space for it, you may also anchor each side of your front door with potted plants. Here’s a tip: avoid plastic planters. Select containers made of ceramic or terra-cotta to add elegance.
Staging your front yard and driveway
Just as you would de-clutter the interiors of your home, it would serve you well to do the same with your front yard and driveway. A little tidying up can go a long way. Some personal effects and décor such as garden gnomes may be close to your heart, but keeping them on your lawn when you’re preparing to get your home on a listing might become a distraction to potential buyers. Make sure to clear your yard of outdoor toys, bikes and sporting equipment such as trampolines before you even snap a photo of your exteriors. Your front yard must be clean, organized and uncluttered.
Spray off or power wash your driveway and walkway, especially for brick and concrete paths. Set a fresh coat of sealant on black top driveways and address cracks. Illuminating your home’s front yard, walkway and driveway is also an important step. Check your walkway and driving lighting. Make sure you install the appropriate lighting fixtures and replace defective ones. A clever tip: why not try moonlighting? Place light fixtures in trees so that they shine down your pathway and lawn for a more natural but dramatic glow.
As for landscaping your yard, the condition of the grass on your lawn and any foliage in front of your property add a whole lot to your home’s curb appeal. Keep your lawns mowed, trimmed, and edged neatly. Make sure to mind the mulch, too. Adding this can turn dry soil into a richer, more striking border along walkways. It also prevents the spread of weeds and keeps the soil moist. However, make sure to avoid dyed mulches, which may contain contaminants. Try crushed shells, which are native to the Florida region. Put your home’s best foot forward starting with a well-manicured and maintained lawn.
Planting some flowering plants along your walkway is another inexpensive tip. Adding these to your lawn or walkway is a great way to liven up exteriors and make it look more warm and inviting. A lot of flower varieties may be found for under $30, and are easy to plant. Another tip: opt for bright blue and pink flowers for your walkway. These vibrant, contrasting hues are eye-catching and add another layer of brightness to your exteriors. Potted plants are also a great option. Group together Perennials on either side of your walkway for a simple, yet impactful effect.
The trees in front of your home, or on your property should be able to highlight the beauty of your home, not hide it. Take note of any trees that may require professional care. Add grass to patchy areas. Trimming and pruning branches, bushes and shrubs can yield very impressive curb appeal results.
Repairing and refreshing your roof
Homebuyers will notice your roofs. Your home’s roof is a major home maintenance and expense item, so be sure to take this into consideration. Clean debris from the roof and its gutters, taking special attention to clear these of moss and algae growth. Sagging gutters, dried leaves and tree branches on your roof give your home an unkept appearance and gives off the impression of neglect. A tip for cleaning your roof: be gentle with your roof, and make sure you don’t power wash. Doing so may cause damage to your roof’s shingles.
Don’t underestimate the effect a good, clean and in many cases, new roof has on your property’s curb appeal. Replace your roof if it needs replacing. Be prepared to set aside $22,223 for roofing replacement (asphalt shingles). This adds $18,000 to your resale value, with 81% of your costs recouped.
Using a quality “for sale” sign, updating your mailbox and street numbers
The quality and condition of the “for sale” sign on your front lawn speaks to how you regard your property. Additionally, this also reflects how your realtor conducts their business. A “for sale” sign must always display pride into the property, as well as professionalism and credibility for your realtors. The signage must be made of quality materials, be readable, clean and be set on a sturdy mount.
Similarly, your mailbox should also stand proud. This is one of the first things a buyer will notice. If the mailbox is set on a wooden post, it’s best to freshen the paint. Be sure to select a neutral color. Replace old, dilapidated and rusty mailboxes.
Another smart move would be to replace your home’s street markers. Pick ones that are more modern and updated. It only takes less than thirty minutes to swap these out.
Treating your windows
Pay attention to how your windows look from the outside. Adjusting small details goes a long way when it comes to increasing curb appeal. The easiest way to do this is to simply clean them from the outside. Doing so will make the glass sparkle and give your windows a brighter look. Clean windows are an easy, inexpensive way to make your home’s exteriors look good as new. If you’d like to DIY it, a cheap but very effective tip for window cleaning is using old newspapers instead of cloth. Using old newsprint ensures the glass on your windows come out sparking and lint-free.
Once your windows are clean, check uniformity in color, style, and even the degree to which curtains, blinds and shutters are open. Balancing the elements out this way gives the impression of neatness and stability.
On the other hand, replacing windows is also a possible option if you’re going big. Going the distance to replace windows with wood will set you back $20,655, adding a resale value of $14,000 with 81% of costs recouped.
Creating outdoor living spaces
For most homeowners, having an outdoor area where the whole family can gather together for a meal or for play is a must-have. A home with an outdoor deck can have a huge positive impact on your property’s curb appeal.
Patios, porches and decks must be clean, fresh, and inviting. Make sure that your deck is sturdy, and that necessary wood repairs are done. You might also want to brighten your deck’s look by adding some flowering potted plants. Replace weather-beaten deck furniture.
On the other hand, if you’re adding a wooden deck to your exteriors, the job cost would add up to $12,262, contributing to an increased resale value of $9,643 with a 8.6% of your costs recouped.
Painting the outside of your home
Do an inspection of your home’s exterior paint job. If the current paint is chipping, peeling, and is no longer in good shape, or if it has outdated colors, it would be best to invest in painting your home’s exteriors. Your choice of color is key to refreshing your home’s look. Consult with your realtor for ideas on selecting a color palette that would appeal to most buyers.
However, if you want to spend less, you may consider painting only the trim to give your home an updated, cleaner look for less. Touching up the trim may be just what your home needs to add a little curb appeal oomph.
Capturing your home’s curb appeal
Once you’ve made the necessary preparations and improvements, capture your home’s exteriors with professionally staged and photographed shots. These are the cornerstone of every successful listing presentation, and one step that your buyers will greatly appreciate. This is another chance for you to collaborate with your realtor on more ideas to make your home more attractive on your listing. Consider shooting photographs of your home’s exterior both in the daytime and in the nighttime to capture the many moods and ambiance of your home.
Avoiding mistakes
It may be easy to go overboard once you lay out exactly what you need to increase your home’s curb appeal. However, overthinking may lead to overspending, and may do more harm than good. Increasing your home’s curb appeal should involve simple upgrades, and not something that will require you to stress out over the smallest things. Be mindful of balance, and what will work best for your home’s overall theme and aesthetic. When in doubt, reach out to your realtor for their expert opinion.
If you’d like to know more on how to amplify your home’s curb appeal, make Premier Sotheby’s International Realty part of your pre-selling plans. Rest assured Mel and Tina Bernstein will maximize your luxury home’s potential in the marketplace. Mel and Tina Bernstein are recognized as one of Central Florida’s HOT100 agents, 5-star Realtors, and 2019 Real Estate Power Couple of the Year. Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s outstanding photography and cinematic endeavors produce the results necessary to maximize sales value with minimal time on the market. Please call us today at 407.810.4726 or send us an email at mel(at)melbernsteinteam(dotted)com.