How Curb Appeal Increases Your Home’s Value

When it comes to selling your house, one of the best first steps you can take is improving your home’s curb appeal. When prospective buyers first see your home, they are seeing the house, but also everything outside your house. It’s this whole view of your home from the street including the yard, landscaping, and driveway that has the potential to draw people in. It’s also the first thing people see when looking at houses online. A photo of your house and yard is typically the showcase image presented. Both in person and online, curb appeal increases your home’s value on average by 7% and improves buying prospects. There are simple projects you can do to make sure curb appeal increases value and makes your home look great.

Consider Painting Your Front Door

Painting your front door is a simple, yet fun and effective way to increase your home’s curb appeal. The front door is the entrance to your home and one of the first things people see from the street. Its appearance can set the tone for how your overall house is perceived. Before rolling up your sleeves and reaching for a brush, take time to consider which look best suits your home. Could your house benefit from a front door that’s stately, eye-catching, or something more neutral? There are many aspects to consider when choosing a color. This can easily be a DIY project. Or, if you prefer, you can hire a professional. If you decide to tackle painting the door yourself, follow these seven simple steps to complete the new look.

Enhance Your Front Porch

If your home has a front porch, make sure it looks welcoming! This is a great task to do in conjunction with painting the front door. Start by evaluating the condition and appearance of your porch’s paint. If there are scuff marks and peeling, it’s definitely time for a fresh coat. If the paint looks good, then focus on making the porch an inviting space and natural transition area from the front yard to your home. Start by removing any and all clutter and make sure it’s sparkling clean. Then spruce it up with potted plants, but don’t go too crazy. It’s best to find a nice balance of space and greenery. Lastly, if there’s space, add seating. You want prospective buyers to be able to see themselves sitting outside, relaxing in their new home. Consider adding a porch swing or some durable outdoor chairs.

Take Time to Landscape

Many potential buyers see the upkeep of your yard as a reflection of your home’s care and maintenance. This makes landscaping essential to improve your home’s curb appeal and value. Make sure your lawn is green and freshly mowed. Add colorful plants to your garden to make it look welcoming and picturesque. This is another great touch that improves your home’s first impression online. Laying mulch in your garden beds also makes your yard look well-manicured.

Paint or Power Wash the Outside

Take a good look at the exterior of your home and decide whether it needs improvement. Remember you want the house to look top-notch to improve curb appeal. If needed, a new paint job can make all the difference when it comes to making a good first impression. Before starting, research color palettes and consider the overall look of your home. If you plan on painting the front door, researching paint colors for both goes hand in hand. You’ll want to pick colors that complement each other. This includes other home accents as well, such as shutters and trim.

If your house has vinyl siding, then a power wash is a great way to remove dust, dirt, and grime to help it shine again. While you’re cleaning, check for any broken or damaged siding. This is definitely something you’ll want to fix before listing your house.

Learn about the Windermere Ready Program

If you’re not sure how to get started or how best to improve your home’s curb appeal, the Windermere Ready program is available to help. Through a personal consultation, a Windermere real estate agent will create a customized home plan identifying the best updates to make with the highest potential impact. This includes updates to the exterior to improve curb appeal and the overall value of your home. Some of the suggested updates may be easy DIY projects. For projects that are more involved, the Windermere Ready Program can provide up to a $100,000 loan to assist with expenses if needed. When your home is sold, the loan is paid off in one lump sum. For more information about the Windermere Ready program, please contact us. We want to ensure your home sells for the highest possible price in the shortest amount of time.