Curb appeal means the appeal to a potential buyer to look past the exterior of your home for a closer look at the inside. If someone can't get past a drive-by of a home for sale, there's not much hope at getting an offer, let alone getting that person in the door. Adding curb appeal to a home is important when selling a home. If you take good care of the outside, just imagine what the inside must look like. It's a great way to lure in potential buyers. See below for tips on how to add curb appeal, even on a budget.
Clean Up The Yard
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you may not see your yard as being overgrown or unsightly. Clean up the overgrown plants by cutting them back and splitting/separating them. You can transplant the other plants around other areas of your yard, or give them away to your neighbors around you. Trim back bushes and hedges that may be blocking the view of your home. Also trim back trees that have low-hanging branches that could block the view of your home from the road. Remove brush piles around the yard, and get rid of weeds throughout the lawn and in garden beds.
Invest In A New Mailbox
Take out that unsightly mailbox and replace it with a brand new one. You can find a new mailbox for under $20 at your local hardware store. If the post the mailbox is sitting on looks worse for wear, try painting it with a good coating of spray paint (or grab a paintbrush and paint it). A can of spray paint can go a long way. Add some greenery or flowers around the base of the post (use some of those transplants from your garden beds), to make your mailbox pop.
Add New House Numbers
Make your home easy to find for a potential buyer. Add new house numbers either on your mailbox, or purchase some decorative numbers for the front of your home. You can make something nice using a scrap piece of wood and screw the house numbers to the piece of wood, then attach the wood next to your front door. Go a step further and add a small vase that you can place faux flower inside for a nice little pop of color.
Reseal The Driveway
If you have an asphalt driveway, sealing it with asphalt sealer can make your driveway look brand new and make it stand out from the rest of your neighbors. Sealing the driveway may take a bit of your time, but the payoff could be worth it.
Power Wash The House
Pressure wash your home to remove mold and mildew, as well as other dirt/debris that can be clinging to your siding. If you don't have a pressure washer, rent one, or borrow one from a friend. It can make a big difference in appearance. Also pressure wash your sidewalk, concrete patio or porch to remove dirt that has built up over time. It will look much cleaner and nicer.
Adding curb appeal to your home can be done on a budget, and can make a big difference in the look of your home, which may lead to a purchase offer much faster. Talk to your realtor about other things you can do to your home that may not cost you much money, but could have a big impact.
