If you are getting ready to downsize, you have probably already started decluttering and getting the interior of your home ready for the market. But there is one area of your home that is equally important to the sale, the first thing that buyers see – the outside! You have to have amazing curb appeal so buyers can fall in love right away!
What is curb appeal?
Curb appeal is the impression that the house makes from the “curb”, or when buyers first see the outside of the home. Buyers are always excited to start looking at homes and that first impression – when they are driving up the driveway – can make or break their excitement. Oftentimes buyers know that a house is “THE” house the minute we drive up. This makes curb appeal one of the first things you should consider when getting your house ready to sell.
10 Steps to Amazing Curb Appeal
1. Look at your home from the Street
Staging a home is about putting the focus on the highlights of your home – and taking away the distractions. You have spent a long time getting the inside of your home ready, now it’s time to go stand in the street in front of your home and take a good long look. You may want to invite a friend or neighbor to see it with you – you will never be able to see your home like a buyer would – you are too used to it. If you don’t have anybody to help you, take some pictures and look at the pictures. I find that looking at a photograph is very similar to how the buyer will see your home – you will start to see details that you commonly overlook. For example, if you have a beautiful picture window at the front of your home and the bushes are hiding it, it may be time to trim them away from the window.
2. Freshen up the Landscaping
If you have a ton of garden gnomes and other decorations, put most of them away as well. This is the time to weed the gardens, trim the trees and bushes. Remove bushes that are past their prime and plant flowers if weather permits. Throw seed down if you have bare patches of lawn.
3. Mulch is a seller’s best friend
Nothing does more for a garden and curb appeal than a fresh layer of Mulch. Mulch loses it’s color very quickly so spread a thin layer of fresh mulch over all existing mulch. This will also help prevent more weeds. Ask your agent for color recommendations, but usually the dark brown is fine.
4. Put the “Stuff” away
Anything that you are not going to leave behind should probably be removed now – especially things that are in the ground, because those may be considered part of the sale. A lot of us use the side of our garage or under our deck to store “stuff”, park a trailer, etc.
Now is the time to purge the things you are never going to use anyway or put them in the garage or somewhere else. Ask a friend to store the trailer. Bring the extra landscaping blocks to the dump or sell them. Just don’t leave them laying around. Take down the huge trampoline in the yard. Put away anything that is distracting. The buyers will appreciate it and your neighbors will thank you.
5. Pick up after the Dog
I don’t think I have to explain this one too much, but really – do you want buyers stepping in it and dragging it back into your house? Or prancing around the backyard trying to avoid the “bombs”. THAT is distracting and the buyers will not buy your house. Clean the yard EVERY day. If you need help getting started, there are services that will do this for you.
6. Feng Shui The Front Door
First of all, the front door should be recognizable. This may sound funny, but you should be able to look at the house and tell where the front door is. Sometime the front door is actually at the side of the house. Just make sure there is a clear path guiding the buyer to the front door. We love to see a pop of color (Feng Shui suggests “Fire” colors of red, orange, purple or deep pink/magenta) at the front door, as long as it does not clash with the rest of the house. At the very least, put on a fresh coat of paint or stain and maybe a new handle on the front door to make it look great!
7. The Beauty is in the Details
Make your home stand out with small details that will put your curb appeal over the top. Fresh paint on the trim. Wash the windows. New light fixtures at the front door and on the garage. New address numbers. A new rug at the front door. A new mail box. These little details are inexpensive and go a long way toward making the buyer fall in love.
8. Don’t make Buyers Guess the Address
One of a real estate agent’s pet peeves is driving down the street trying to find a house that either has no address numbers displayed or they are so small we can’t see them. Make sure your address is easily seen from the road and now may be a great time to get shiny new numbers to add to the curb appeal. They now sell light bulbs that automatically turn on at dusk – consider installing these at the exterior of your home.
9. Update the Driveway and Sidewalk
What is the condition of your driveway and sidewalks? If they have a ton of cracks and shifting – you may want to get it repaired or replaced. If your sidewalk has shifted, you may be able to have it mud/sand jacked to level it out. This falls under deferred maintenance. If you have an asphalt driveway, consider having it seal coated – it is usually inexpensive and looks great afterwards. Seal cracks and crevices to prevent water issues.
10. Professional Listing Photographs
Now that you have amazing curb appeal, your agent should make sure that the listing photograph of the front of your house is taken by a professional. You only have about 10 seconds to capture a buyers attention on the internet so your photos need to be great! This does not always mean that the picture is taken straight-on. The photograph should focus on the front door or whatever is the best thing about the front of your house. Some homes look amazing when photographed at dusk with all the interior and exterior lights on. Your house does not need to be fancy or expensive to look great in the listing photograph.
I hope these tips are helpful to getting your home ready for the market. If you are in the Twin Cities, contact me, Myra Jensen at BRIX Real Estate, to discuss steps to getting your home ready for the market.
