When selling your home curb appeal is paramount. Human beings form first impressions with incredible speed, and the first seconds of a potential buyer’s experience can prime them to turn in an offer, or just turn them off. Here are some important things to consider when building your home’s curb appeal, so you can sell them before they even walk in the door.
The top Brea realtor in Orange County, California provides free home-staging for every one of his listings. That’s one reason he’s number one. He has some excellent tips for staging your home to increase the number of offers you receive.
Outdoor Structures
To begin, the home and other structures such as the garage or shed need to be in good repair. Remember that curb appeal is all about first impressions, and impressions are often formed without much input from the conscious mind. Buyers might not even consciously notice a bit of chipped exterior paint or the occasional cobweb, but these pitfalls could still sway the instinctual emotional response that they carry home with them.
The first thing you want to look for is structural damage, such as a cracked sidewalk block or a loose board. Making sure you are entirely on top of all exterior maintenance will give you a solid foundation to build the best curb appeal on the block. The second thing to consider is the exterior paint. With all that exposure to the elements, it’s easy to have paint chip, crack and peel. Freshly painted walls and trim give a home a polished, fresh look.
Finally, all structures on the property should be clean. Unwashed windows not only look dull from the street, but they can reduce the amount of flattering natural light in the interior. The elements can coat the outside of your walls with grime and debris, making them look dingy. A pressure washer is your best friend here, thanks to their efficiency and speed. However, be sure to follow all safety instructions because some pressure washers can be very powerful.
The Yard
The lawn should, of course, be trimmed neatly. The last thing you want a potential buyer to think about as they walk up to your home is hot, sweaty yard work! Gardens should be tended and as neat as one can expect from nature. Those lacking a green thumb may want to consider the purchase of some potted plants before the showing dates to liven up a bare yard, add color to the landscape, and set a refreshing aroma upon the air.
If you have a back lane, don’t forget about it. All house hunters have performed a sneaky drive by of a potential property prior to a showing, and who can resist turning down the back lane for another angle? If the rear end of the property is poorly kept, potential buyers could be scared away.
Once your house and yard are primed, you can lead buyers to your property like moths to a flame. The final step to great curb appeal is presentation. It’s important that curious passerby have a good line of sight to both your home itself and the aspects of the property you wish to highlight. If there are plants or objects blocking the line of sight, move them somewhere else. Whether by using a landscaping crew or your own bare hands, lawns are one of the simplest problem areas to tackle.
With some planning and the right materials, one could flush out all the ugly overgrowth and replace it with gorgeous foliage and colorful plants. There’s also the option of shifting around some dirt and altering the layout of your property.
Interior Design
Walls are one of the subtlest home features that dictate mood. If you happen to enter a home with dark, dated wallpaper or color schemes, simply imagine what it would look like with a fresh coat of paint in a crisp, refreshing color.
Carpets can also make a home feel stuffy, especially if they’re old or unstylish. The prices of quality carpets vary greatly, but with a single purchase you can bring life into a formerly drab room. Likewise, materials like trim and tile can be replaced without it being a long-term project. The right touches of restrained design and color accents can make any living space exuberant.
Kitchen
Kitchens are a favorite renovation project for new homeowners. Remove an island, add one on, change the counter layout, add a stylish tile scheme or backsplash – the possibilities are literally endless.
Another common alteration is to tailor the storage capabilities to fit your personal needs. A savvy planner can tuck all sorts of hidden compartments by using sliding pantries and under-counter swiveling trays. A customized kitchen can make daily living a joy and add a modern touch to any home.
Lighting
Human nature causes us to get anxious when we can’t see our surroundings, meaning a dim lighting fixture might make an entire section of a house seem uninviting. The good news is that lighting fixtures can be inexpensively added, removed and replaced. A brilliant set of interior and exterior lights can transform a property and make it feel more vibrant and welcoming with only a couple hours’ work.
