The Critical Importance of Curb Appeal
“It was love at first sight.”
“When we saw it, we just knew.”
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Smart home sellers believe, embrace and act on this principal.
Sounds incredibly superficial but “Most buyers form an opinion whether they like a house or not before they step foot in the front door.” So judgmental! But completely accurate. Very often the seller will put all the money, effort and elbow grease into the interior – perfecting everything inside while ignoring the outside.
The exterior may be an afterthought and relegated to get some fresh mulch and a few perennials scattered about. But as Karen can tell you, you’ve just missed on a HUGE opportunity. Not only can it cost you money off your sold price, but it can stop buyers from even getting out of the car.
Below is the very minimum of what you need to assess and steps to address.
Grass
ASSESS: Does it look more like a dog track? Or is it hard to tell what grass you have because of the wide variety of weeds?
RECOMMENDATION: Get right on this so you can get your grass up to speed by the time you list. If it’s really far gone, you can install brand new sod, which can be a miracle worker. Maybe you need some aggressive weed control and a generous amount of fertilizer to green everything up and in that case, begin here first!
Trees & Bushes
ASSESS: Old, dying, overgrown, or overcrowded?
RECOMMENDATION: Go out to the street or driveway entrance and really look. If your house suddenly looks radically smaller than it actually is, it’s time for some aggressive pruning. If bushes and shrubs are too far gone, do not hesitate to completely remove and add smaller more manageable bushes. Look for contrasting colors and textures. Add color wherever you can, pots on the front porch, along with annuals or perennials in beds can be transformative. For a great guide on which plants and shrubs thrive in Georgia consult the Walter Reeves’ Guide.
House, Windows and Driveway
ASSESS: How dirty is your house, windows and driveway. The stains may not be that noticeable to you anymore, but chances are they stick out like a sore thumb to everyone else. RECOMMENDATION: A pressure washer is your best friend. Up On the Roof ASSESS: How old is your roof and what is it’s condition?
RECOMMENDATION: A VERY big ticket item, but Karen and pretty much every other listing agent will recommend biting the bullet and replacing your roof if it needs it, before you list. You will get a good return on your money, and it will increase your asking price.
Everything Else
ASSESS: Examine siding, shutters, gutters, front door and windows.
RECOMMENDATION: Repair, replace, paint, and caulk everything that needs it. If you determine that it’s only a good pressure washing and paint that’s needed, then consider painting the front door and shutters or trim an updated on trend color. This isn’t the time to be experimental or bold! Keep it tasteful but fresh. Need help with caulking? Check out this article from the Department of Energy.
Karen is ready to be your realtor. She can also give you the cold hard truth (in a nice way) about the steps to elevate your Curb Appeal, and get the most from your efforts. She is an award winning, top producing, full-service agent and equally exceptional representing sellers and buyers. Love Where You Live.
