Home sellers: pay attention to the exterior appeal!
Once you’ve decided to sell your home, doesn’t it make sense to do everything you can to make the experience less stressful and get the best possible results? We’ve often discussed the need to price your home wisely from the start, yet while some do this, they still discover other challenges. A potential buyer’s first impression is often the essential difference between looking closely at potential and possibilities, versus viewing your potential new home from an initial negative perspective! This first impression begins with what we generally call curb appeal, meaning whether the first impression/look will create the desire to look further in, or turn them off. With that in mind, this article will briefly try, consider, examine, review, and discuss some of the factors that impact, potential, curb appeal.
one. Landscaping and grounds care: Start by driving to your house from every possible direction. What is the first thing someone might notice? Will they get the impression of a well-kept house and property, or something quite different? How does the grass appear? Is it grass – free, correctly mowed, and are the flower beds, hedges, etc. attractive in a positive way? What about the condition of the entrance and hallways? Are they free of cracks and/or potentially dangerous conditions? Does the house need painting or pressure washing? Taking the time and a little extra effort will be relatively inexpensive, but will often pay off great!
two. Front door and windows: Is the storm door in good condition, clean and tidy? How about the front door? Would it help to clean it? Or should it be repainted to look clean, fresh and well maintained? Are your windows clean, free of cracks and peeling paint, etc.? Are all windows and doors properly sealed and maintained?
3. Floor areas, adjacent to the front door: Around the front door, is the area clean, tidy, and free of litter? Have you stored items, such as toys, shovels, etc., that may distract and/or endanger the potential, in the eyes of qualified potential buyers?
Four. Route: Objectively walk around the house and examine any areas that could benefit from pressure washing and/or painting. A little spending, in these areas, could create a more desirable result.
Once you’ve done this, open the front door and use your senses of sight and smell to see if anything objectionable or distracting might turn off a potential buyer. Smart homeowners, get ready and help your own causes!