Improving Curb Appeal

f you are in the market to sell your home, now is the time! As the market continues to improve, it is becoming a seller’s market, which is even more reason to get motivated. Housing inventory is low, prices are going up, interest rates remain low and buyers are ready to buy! Spring is the busiest home-buying season of the year and it is right around the corner. This means it is time to get your house ready to go on the market. If you want your house to sell quickly and sell for the best price, take the time to make the improvements you can to create a non-forgettable first impression.

Many homebuyers begin their home search on the internet and drive around neighborhoods looking at houses for sale. What they see from the outside can make or break their decision to want to see the inside.

While everyone is on a tight budget these days and may not have the funds to make many major repairs, there are still things you can do to spruce up the curb appeal of your home without breaking the bank.

An important first step is identifying what you need to do. Put yourself in the shoes of potential buyers. Objectively, look at the front of your home from across the street or the end of your driveway. Look at your back yard. What do you see? Is your first impression one that makes you proud and confident? Is it inviting and makes you want to come inside to see more? What are the best and worst features and what can you change to turn negatives into positives.

Make a list of what needs to be done and what things you can change to improve the overall appearance of the outside of your home. Some things you can do include:

- Power wash the siding of your house to get off dirt that settled over the winter.

- Power wash wood fencing and decks to brighten their appearance.

- Wash the windows.

- Clean out the gutters.

- Clean out flower beds of brush and dead plants left over from the winter.

- Rake up the yard and dispose of dead leaves and debris.

- Trim bushes and trees that are too close to the house or hitting the roof. You do not want overgrown landscaping to hide the true character of your home.

- While it may be too early to mow the grass because it is still dormant, as the season moves forward be prepared to mow your lawn weekly to keep it looking manicured.

- Pick up and put away tools, kid’s toys or other unneeded items to make sure the outside of your house is neat, tidy and uncluttered.

Do not forget to look at your house at night. Is the lighting sufficient? Making sure your home is well lit at night is important. If outdoor light fixtures are broken or out dated, now is the time to replace them. If the front yard is dark, adding some lighting along the driveway and sidewalks can go a long way in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. If you do not have the budget to replace light fixtures or add additional lighting, make sure existing fixtures are in working condition, cleaned and any burned out light bulbs are replaced.

These housecleaning tips will give your front, back, and side yards a nice facelift and improves the curb appeal of your home. These tips do not cost a lot of money, just a little time and work, but the results can make a dramatic difference in a buyer’s first impression.

When potential buyers are house hunting, they browse and drive by many homes. Doing what you can to make your house stand out in positive ways will not only get you more potential buyers wanting to come inside to see more of what your home has to offer, but also increases the chances of selling your home quicker and for your asking price. If the house and yard do not show well, buyers will drive on by and not give your home a second thought.

If you are in the market to sell your home, call Pink Realty. They are experienced is all facets of buying and selling homes. If you are not sure what you need to do to give your home the best chances for a quick sale at top dollar, they can offer you the expert advice you need. Don’t procrastinate! If you are ready to sell, now is the time to act.