First Impressions Matter: Boosting Curb Appeal to Sell Your Home Faster
First Impressions Matter: Boosting Curb Appeal to Sell Your Home Faster
Prospective buyers often judge a home by its online photos before ever stepping inside. To capture their interest, invest time (at least one month) and resources into landscaping touchups. A National Association of Realtors survey reveals that 71% of homebuyers prioritize curb appeal—making exterior upgrades essential. Without an inviting exterior, buyers may never explore the interior.
Add a Touch of Color
Incorporate vibrant, seasonal plants to create visual appeal:
- Spring: Opt for low-maintenance annuals that bloom for months.
- Winter: Choose resilient options like camellias, which thrive in shade and cold.
Plant in zigzag patterns for visual intrigue, and mix textures for dynamic design. Label plants and create a scrapbook for buyers to reference later. Enhance porches with hanging plants or install a planter box under the kitchen window.
Go for the Green
Use clusters of matching shrubs for a polished look. Evergreen varieties are low-effort and timeless. Avoid overcrowding—simplicity ensures elegance.
Mulch Away
Choose red, black, or brown mulch to complement your garden. A 2–3 inch layer suppresses weeds and enhances aesthetics. Reset landscaping stones and secure loose steppingstones for safety.
Keep Your Yard Well-Manicured
Maintain a lawn height of ~2 inches. Address brown spots with sod if seeding isn’t feasible. Regularly remove weeds, leaves, and debris. Prune overgrown shrubs, trim dead branches, and clear moss or invasive greenery. Don’t forget to clean up pet waste!
Refresh Your Home’s Exterior
View your home through a buyer’s eyes:
- Update faded house numbers for visibility.
- Clear cobwebs, sweep entryways, and clean gutters.
- Store empty pots and bins out of sight.
Consider a Fresh Coat of Paint
Repaint chipped doors and trim. Revive worn decks or pergolas with paint or a thorough scrub. Ensure walkways and driveways are pressure-washed to remove algae, mold, or stains.
Create Ambiance with Lighting
Install solar or floodlights for evening showings. Highlight pools with underwater lighting, and remove outdated holiday decor. Clean birdbaths or repurpose them with flowers.
Add a Soothing Outdoor Lounge
Create an inviting space with budget-friendly chairs and a DIY firepit. For upscale furniture you plan to keep, clarify it’s not included in the sale.
Final Tip:
By prioritizing curb appeal, you position your home for a faster, more rewarding sale. With these steps, you’ll soon be sipping coffee in your new space!
