Welcome to how to boost your homes’s curb appeal!

How to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal? Boosting your home’s curb appeal is an essential step in prepping for the real estate market. After all, buyers will see the exterior even before stepping foot inside.

A dilapidated, unwelcoming, or otherwise unsightly appearance might persuade a potential buyer to walk away before giving the place a real chance. You only get one shot to make a good first impression, so it’s best to make it count!

A few simple tweaks and upgrades might be all you need to make your home stand out in your neighborhood and attract the eyes of possible buyers. Plus, improving your home’s curb appeal adds value and beauty to your property, so it’s a great idea whether you’re on the market now or planning to sell down the line.

Today, we’re providing 10 simple tips that are sure to boost your home’s curb appeal.

1. Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal – Maintain the Lawn

An unkempt lawn not only looks bad, it also signals to buyers and visitors that you have not made it a priority to maintain the home’s appearance. If your yard is overgrown with tall grass and weeds, they’ll imagine it’s a horror show inside.

Here are some tips to keep things in tip-top shape outside:

Mow the lawn regularly: Keep the grass trimmed to an appropriate length, typically between 2.5 to 3 inches. Regular mowing helps to maintain a healthy lawn and promotes growth.
Water the lawn: Depending on the climate, your lawn may need to be watered once or twice a week. Use a sprinkler or hose to water the lawn early in the morning or late in the evening to prevent water from evaporating too quickly.
Fertilize the lawn: Fertilizing the lawn helps to keep it healthy and green. Apply fertilizer once or twice a year, depending on the type of grass and climate.
Control weeds: Remove weeds by hand or use a weed killer to prevent them from overtaking the lawn.
Edge the lawn: Use an edger or a string trimmer to create a clean border between the lawn and other landscaping features.

If you’re not good with yard work or don’t have the time, outsourcing it is never a bad idea. Landscapers will make it their mission to keep things looking polished and professional outside, so you can focus on other things.

2. Upgrade the Front Door

An often-overlooked detail of the home is the front door. For us as the occupants, we likely use it solely as a means to get in and out of the house everyday, our minds often adrift thinking of work responsibilities, social functions, and other life responsibilities.

Take a minute and really look at it. Does it look new? Fresh? Is the paint still uniform, or peeling and chipping in places? Does it look neutral enough to appeal to a wide audience, or is it a bold color that might produce a polarizing reaction?

Consider, at the very least, throwing on a fresh coat of paint. This alone will signal to buyers that you’ve taken pride in your home’s appearance. Replacing the doorknob with something shiny and new also helps improve the overall look.

If the door is in serious disrepair, consider replacing it altogether.

3. Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal – Clean the Exterior

No one forgets to clean up inside, as we don’t want buyers and visitors to think we live in a pigpen. Why, in that case, do we not do the same for the exterior?

Here are a few quick tips to give a little polish to the exterior of your home:

Power wash: Use a power washer to clean the exterior of your home, including the walls, windows, and doors. This will remove dirt, grime, and other stains that may be detracting from your home’s appearance.
Wash the windows: Clean the windows with a window cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water. This will make them sparkle and let more natural light into your home.
Clean the gutters: Clean out the gutters to prevent water damage and keep your home looking neat and tidy.

A clean exterior not only looks great, but also could add value to your home, as it demonstrates that you take pride in your property and have taken care of it.

4. Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal – Paint

Painting is always a great idea before taking a property to market. It’s relatively inexpensive, as far as home maintenance projects go, and it provides incredible results. A freshly painted home looks brand new from the outside, which only works in your favor when you go to sell.

Most homeowners choose to hire professionals for a job of this magnitude, but others prefer to save a buck and take it on personally. If you are a DIYer, here are some tips for painting your house:

Choose the right paint: Exterior paint is significantly more durable that the stuff you slap on your living room walls. Make sure you’re choosing a paint that’s intended to be used outdoors, as it will hold up much better over time.
Prep the surface: Clean the surface of your home thoroughly before painting. This will remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants that may interfere with the paint’s adhesion. If there is any peeling or cracking paint, scrape it off and sand the surface to create a smooth, even surface.
Use the right tools: Use a paintbrush or a roller to apply the paint. A sprayer can also be used for larger areas, but be sure to mask off any surrounding areas to avoid overspray.
Paint in the right conditions: Choose a dry, mild day to paint. Avoid painting in direct sunlight or on a windy day, as this can cause the paint to dry too quickly and create a less-than-perfect finish.
Finish with a protective coating: After the paint has dried, apply a protective coating to protect the paint from the elements and extend its lifespan.

There are many benefits associated with painting your home. A fresh coat of paint gives your home a clean, updated look that enhances its overall appearance. It’s a cost-effective way of increasing your home’s value and helping elicit interest from potential buyers.

5. Add Outdoor Lighting

Adding outdoor lighting can make a significant difference in your home’s curb appeal.

Outdoor lighting can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, highlight your home’s architecture and landscaping, and improve its overall appearance. It’s also functional, making it possible for you or future owners of the property to host gatherings outdoors that extend into the evening.

In addition, outdoor lighting improves the safety and security of your home by illuminating dark areas and deterring potential intruders. As it would turn out, the simple presence of an outdoor light is the number one crime deterrent. This will be especially important if your street does not have ample lighting provided by streetlights.

Outdoor lighting is overall a great investment. With aesthetic and functional benefits at a relatively low cost, it’s a quick fix for improving curb appeal and increasing both home value and buyer interest.

6. Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal – Upgrade the Mailbox

Another often-overlooked element of your home’s curb appeal is the mailbox. Some mailboxes are fixed to the siding of the home, while others are attached to a post at the property’s edge so the mail carrier has easy access.
Take a look at yours and ask yourself–

How does it look? Does it look new and fresh, or old and worn out? Is the paint in good condition or chipping? Are there dents or is the surface unmarred? How’s the post? Is it straight and bright, or dull and deteriorating?

Identifying what could be improved with your mailbox and its post is integral for improving your home’s curb appeal, as this quick and affordable fix contributes to an overall polished exterior and boosts your home’s curb appeal.

You really wouldn’t want to hurt that ever-important first impression because of a mailbox, would you? Fix it ahead of time to avoid discussing it with potential buyers later on.

7. Add Shutters or Window Boxes

Adding shutters or window boxes can make a significant difference in your home’s curb appeal. Shutters can add a touch of elegance and charm to your home’s exterior, while window boxes can add color and texture.

Here are some quick tips regarding shutters and window boxes:

Choose the right style: Choose shutters or window boxes that complement your home’s architectural style and color. If you have a traditional-style home, choose shutters with a classic look. If you have a modern home, choose a more contemporary style.
Choose the right material: Shutters or window boxes made from a durable and weather-resistant material, such as wood or PVC, will work best and stand up against the elements.
Install shutters correctly: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the proper hardware to ensure that they are installed properly and securely. Consider hiring a professional if it’s beyond your scope or abilities.
Choose the right plants: Choosing plants that are easy to maintain is preferable, but you’ll also want something that complements the style and color of your home. Take into account how much sunlight the area gets to make sure you’re picking a plant that will thrive there.

Both shutters and window boxes can make your home look more polished and finished. They also offer the added benefit of increasing your home’s energy efficiency by providing additional insulation to your windows.

8. Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal – Install a New Garage Door

How old is that garage door?

Garage doors, like other components, have a lifespan. Even if it’s still working just fine, it might not look the part anymore. If yours is not functioning as well as it used to or simply doesn’t look up to snuff, it might be time to part ways and get a new one.

A new garage door will make the place look great, but that’s not all. Modern garage doors also include WiFi and smartphone connectivity, so you could monitor the status of the garage door remotely. This is useful for making sure you didn’t mistakenly leave it open, or provides you the ability to let in house sitters, dog walkers, delivery companies, and others you might need to accommodate when you’re nowhere close.

A brand new garage door is great for improving your home’s curb appeal, and modern conveniences provide a nice selling point during the sale as well.

9. Fix the Driveway

Now’s a great time to take care of any pending matters with the driveway, including areas where the pavement has been damaged, cracked, or cut away. Fresh asphalt looks pristine, and provides that polished look you’ve been working so hard to achieve.

No budget? No problem! A simple pressure wash will work wonders to restore the driveways appearance if you’re not trying to undertake a major project right before selling.

No matter what method will work best for your purposes, consider giving that driveway a makeover before your potential buyers come to visit.

10. Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal – Clean the Front Porch

Keeping a tidy front porch is another quick and easy way to boost curb appeal.

Inspect the porch for damage or deterioration. If it’s fallen into disrepair, consider replacing or repairing sections as needed. Once this is done, consider painting the porch to make sure the appearance is pristine.

At the very least, the porch should be freshly swept and free of clutter when visitors and buyers arrive. Other nice touches could include some high-quality, weather-resistant furniture and potted plants, which add an element of homeyness to the area.

Taking a few of the above measures ensures your front porch exudes pride and makes a solid first impression on your guests and potential buyers.

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