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Updated about 9 years ago, 09/06/2015

User Stats

128
Posts
33
Votes
Robert Obniski
  • Investor
  • Madison, WI
33
Votes |
128
Posts

Help me with Low cost Curb Appeal ideas for this house.

Robert Obniski
  • Investor
  • Madison, WI
Posted

This is going to be my first SFR in the REI game and I understand curb appeal plays a big part.

I know painting the house would have the biggest effect however its not really budget friendly. 

Any ideas of how I can give some life to this property for minimal costs?

User Stats

128
Posts
33
Votes
Robert Obniski
  • Investor
  • Madison, WI
33
Votes |
128
Posts
Robert Obniski
  • Investor
  • Madison, WI
Replied

Sorry, I dont know how to rotate the pic

User Stats

132
Posts
54
Votes
Drew Castleberry
  • Investor
  • Simpsonville, SC
54
Votes |
132
Posts
Drew Castleberry
  • Investor
  • Simpsonville, SC
Replied

Something with some color. Trim the bushes down smaller with clean straight lines.

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User Stats

1,391
Posts
511
Votes
Dan Mackin
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Erie, CO
511
Votes |
1,391
Posts
Dan Mackin
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Erie, CO
Replied

Colored mulch with decorative grasses along the path. Once the grasses are established they are super easy to maintain. You can even get colored varieties of grasses if they work in your area.

  • Dan Mackin
  • 720-466-3378

User Stats

128
Posts
33
Votes
Robert Obniski
  • Investor
  • Madison, WI
33
Votes |
128
Posts
Robert Obniski
  • Investor
  • Madison, WI
Replied

I was thinking about removing old bushes and adding new ones with red mulch or something like that

User Stats

788
Posts
284
Votes
Bryan H.
  • Investor
  • Willow Spring, NC
284
Votes |
788
Posts
Bryan H.
  • Investor
  • Willow Spring, NC
Replied

Agree you need some color. Add flowers in beds, in pots on porch etc. Power wash house and porch, stairs. Or paint/stain porch & stairs. Clean out gutters. Trim bushes and get rid of ivy or the tree in the bush. Edge lawn, fertilize so its super green.  Replace mailbox and house numbers. Paint railing

User Stats

1,391
Posts
511
Votes
Dan Mackin
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Erie, CO
511
Votes |
1,391
Posts
Dan Mackin
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Erie, CO
Replied

Red mulch and new bushes should work. Have fun removing the old ones. One of my least favorite tasks to do. I did have an idea for paint that is cheap and may work. Most newer homes (at least here in Colorado) like to have the peak of the siding painted an accent color. So you would paint the siding from where the roof starts all the way to the top.

  • Dan Mackin
  • 720-466-3378

User Stats

748
Posts
535
Votes
Andy Webb
Pro Member
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Carrollton, TX
535
Votes |
748
Posts
Andy Webb
Pro Member
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Carrollton, TX
Replied

I like Dan's suggestion!  Consider adding some color to the storm door as well - either paint or replace?  Not necessarily the same as any other trim colors you might add, rather some color that "pops'.

Andy

  • Andy Webb
  • User Stats

    432
    Posts
    481
    Votes
    Jim Shepard
    • Investor
    • Edwardsville, IL
    481
    Votes |
    432
    Posts
    Jim Shepard
    • Investor
    • Edwardsville, IL
    Replied

    I no longer put in mulch for two reasons.  One, it needs to be done once or twice a year and I'm the guy doing it!  Two, mulch will attract termites and slowly eat your investment.   I've found rock is the way to go.  Less maintenance and termites can't eat it.  Once and done!

    I also eliminate any shrubs that need to be pruned / trimmed.  Put in low maintenance plants like grasses and daylilies.  They add color, don't require trimming or watering once they are established.

    User Stats

    72
    Posts
    35
    Votes
    Kadeem Wells
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Atlanta, GA
    35
    Votes |
    72
    Posts
    Kadeem Wells
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Atlanta, GA
    Replied

    you can also add some solar powered lawn lights. Home depot or any hardware store should have them really. Put it on the path or point some to the house to light it up at night

    User Stats

    8,331
    Posts
    4,344
    Votes
    Colleen F.
    Pro Member
    • Investor
    • Narragansett, RI
    4,344
    Votes |
    8,331
    Posts
    Colleen F.
    Pro Member
    • Investor
    • Narragansett, RI
    Replied

    A rental -  trim the bushes Change screen door if you have the budget and paint the front door a bright color.  A few potted plants colorful ones on the non-walking side of the porch.  I would not spend on landscape plants too much.  Get them in the door and get it rented. If the steps are painted I would repaint at least the front of them, are they painted concrete?

    Taking  those bushes out is a killer and while you are doing it the place doesn't look so good when you show it.  In the long run I would probably take that strip of grass on the right out if it is so narrow and plant some colorful plants there.

    Account Closed
    • Contractor
    • Raleigh, NC
    510
    Votes |
    651
    Posts
    Account Closed
    • Contractor
    • Raleigh, NC
    Replied

    It's such a small house; how much could it possibly cost to paint it?  I don't care for the awning but can't think of an inexpensive alternative. Good luck with it!

    User Stats

    412
    Posts
    271
    Votes
    Bob H.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Cedar Park, TX
    271
    Votes |
    412
    Posts
    Bob H.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Cedar Park, TX
    Replied

    At least paint the trim in a contrasting color. Add annual flowers in front of whatever bushes you use. Buy a U.S. flag with an angled holder and mount it on the trim at the right side of the bay window.

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    User Stats

    461
    Posts
    262
    Votes
    Doug W.
    • Flipper/Rehabber
    • Alexandria, VA
    262
    Votes |
    461
    Posts
    Doug W.
    • Flipper/Rehabber
    • Alexandria, VA
    Replied

    Paint the door a bright color. I like a robin egg blue against a white house

    Get colorful flowers in pots on the porch

    Trim those bushes

    paint the porch and steps - get paint intended for concrete porches at Home Depot or Lowes

    Switch out the edging around the bush (under the window)

    User Stats

    1,225
    Posts
    561
    Votes
    Scott Weaner
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Yardley, PA
    561
    Votes |
    1,225
    Posts
    Scott Weaner
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Yardley, PA
    Replied

    I would start by getting that guy off of the front porch. :-)

    Then, I would get some paint somewhere. Maybe just the top or bottom half of the house? Maybe just the trim and front door as suggested above.

    User Stats

    4
    Posts
    0
    Votes
    Debbie Mireles
    • Dallas, TX
    0
    Votes |
    4
    Posts
    Debbie Mireles
    • Dallas, TX
    Replied

    I agree with the ideas of painting the door (either replace with glass storm door and paint front door or paint screen door).  A nice red door is an eye catcher.   If you go with a softer color, like the Robins egg someone suggested, maybe paint the awning to match, would lighten and brighten the front.

    User Stats

    57
    Posts
    10
    Votes
    Karen Musselman
    • Mohrsville, PA
    10
    Votes |
    57
    Posts
    Karen Musselman
    • Mohrsville, PA
    Replied

    Great ideas!  And I agree about the mulch.  After we bought our house, we tore out the "jungle" and those bushes were the worst!  Fortunately, we have a little Bobcat so hubs went to town with that.  We replaced everything with red stone. and we've just added a few colorful plants.

    Here's your photo so we won't get neck cramps.  LOL



    Being it's a rental, I agree with all of the other suggestions: just paint the top triangle part of the house, trim the bushes, add some colorful flower in pots and if you can find an affordable way to do it, replace that awning!  LOL

    User Stats

    48
    Posts
    18
    Votes
    Tracie Davis
    • Wickliffe, OH
    18
    Votes |
    48
    Posts
    Tracie Davis
    • Wickliffe, OH
    Replied

    Post another picture when you are done. I would love to see it. Thanks!

    User Stats

    29
    Posts
    7
    Votes
    Bryan Patterson
    • Aribre LLC
    • Hampton, VA
    7
    Votes |
    29
    Posts
    Bryan Patterson
    • Aribre LLC
    • Hampton, VA
    Replied

    paint on the awning to make it blend with house and then like other suggestions, add a relaxed color to out line the house, windows, doors and skirt area of the awning to tie it all in.

    User Stats

    29
    Posts
    7
    Votes
    Bryan Patterson
    • Aribre LLC
    • Hampton, VA
    7
    Votes |
    29
    Posts
    Bryan Patterson
    • Aribre LLC
    • Hampton, VA
    Replied

    and unless John Rambo needs those bushes for cover, I'd trim them up :)