Top 10 most important aspects of great curb appeal!
What every real estate agent should tell a client preparing to sell their home!
A first impression is made within the first 20 seconds of a person’s initial encounter. Appearance is what 55% of that opinion is based upon. People place greater value on a first impression; they call this the primary effect. As a result it stays with a person longer having greater influence on their opinion. It is hard to change that initial opinion. For this reason alone it is very important to make sure that impression is a good one.
In the world of real estate the first impression of a home determines the homes curb appeal. The importance of curb appeal should be one of the first discussions between a realtor and seller. Sellers need to evaluate what kind of first impression their home will make? Then decide what improvements will have the biggest impact on increasing curb appeal.
Having good curb appeal will not only help you sell your home faster. It will increase the amount of money you get for your home. “Consequently having good curb appeal can increase a homes value up to 7%.”
Curb appeal is what gives homebuyers their first impression of a property before they even step inside. The aesthetic look of a home’s exterior can tell what someone can expect to find on the other side of the front door. At the very least, the exterior will determine whether or not buyers even want to take a look inside. So if you want to maximize your property’s value and sell quicker it is wise to focus on improving its curb appeal. A buyer needs convincing the inside is worth seeing before they will inquire further.
Top 10 improvements
Here is a look at the top 10 improvements to enhance curb appeal! Whether you make a small improvement or large one, there is always something to do to make a great first impression!
10. DEEP CLEAN – Having clutter or dirt and grime outside your home can be a real turn-off. As a result your home can seem in worse condition than it is. Clear out all clutter; haul off any debris, clean your windows inside and out. ! Make sure to do a thorough deep clean. A report from Home Logic said “that a thorough cleaning of the outside of a home can add anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000. to the sale price. Don’t hesitate to call in the professionals. Most lawn maintenance companies offer this service. The amount of return on your investment will make it worth the initial cost.
9. IMPROVE OR ADD FENCING – Fix or replace any broke or loose boards on your fence. Gates that don’t latch should have new hardware put on. Adding a coat of sealer to your fence is well worth the time, it will make a fence appear brand new. Consider adding a new section of fencing to any place that needs it. Potential buyers most likely place high value on privacy. It could be the difference between them putting in offer or not. This improvement will have a good ROI (return on investment). Talk to your neighbors. Many times they are willing to share the cost of a new fence.
8. REPLACE HARDWARE AND SCREENS – Your garage door can make up to 60% of your homes front appearance. Consequently it is an aspect you shouldn’t overlook. Replace the hardware on your garage, door handles and anything that is broken. . The garage can be a good focal point for your home. Don’t under estimate what a fresh coat of paint can do for your garage. Choose a color that compliments the color of your home. Make sure to Paint the trim as well it will add a nice contrast. If in bad repair you may need to consider completely replacing your garage door. Improving the look of the garage can be a good alternative to painting the whole house.
7. REPLACE YOUR MAILBOX– Replacing or refurbishing your mailbox can give you the opportunity to add style to your home. If your mailbox is directly in front of your home it literally may be what a potential buyer sees first. A new mailbox is a cost effective way to make a good first impression. If you choose not to purchase a new mailbox then add a new coat of paint. Making sure the house numbers are visible and in good condition.
6. ADD POTTED PLANTS – Adding potted plants to your porch makes it appear more cheerful and inviting. Planting flowers in your yard can make your whole yard look healthier and put together. The front porch is the first living space a buyer will spend time in. You want a buyer to immediately envision themselves living and enjoying your home. Having the entrance look warm and inviting will help them develop this picture in their minds.
5. UPDATE OUTDOOR FURNTIURE, CREATE A SITTING SPACE – Update your outdoor furniture or create an outdoor living space. Porches and outdoor living spaces are important because they inspire dreams about the future. A buyer may picture grandkids on a porch swing or enjoying a quiet morning sitting with a cup of coffee. Have a nice space to help inspire these stories. Update furniture, add throw pillows, or create a sitting space. If there is no porch consider adding one. It is an upgrade worth the investment. A patio can add up to 12% to a homes value.
4. PAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR – The front door signals too many, what they can expect before walking inside. A freshly painted front door hints to a well kept, fresh interior. Paint it a fresh color that compliments your home. Did you know that a black front door can snag you up to $6,000 more in resale value? “For a seller, painting a front door is one of the least expensive home prep projects. It is also one that can have a powerful impact on a home’s sale price,” says Kerrie Kelly, a Zillow home design expert. You may need to completely replace the door. The National Association of REALTORS, found that replacing a front door gave home owners a ROI of 101.8 percent. In other words it will more than pays for itself.
3. POWER WASH – A well maintained home with a fresh look sells faster. Washing away dirt, grime and mold can have a big impact on how long a home is on the market. Power wash the driveway, gutters, patios and decks. Get rid of algae, mold, mildew and spider webs. Power washing siding can have a drastic effect making it appear like new. Spending the time or money to have your home look clean, shiny and well taken care of will increase your property value paying off at closing. It can also speed up the inspection process. Believe it or not, a clean exterior could help your inspection go more smoothly. Power washing your home shows house inspectors that your home is in good shape. This cuts down the amount of time it takes them to go over your property and creates a good impression.
2. PAINT THE EXTERIOR – Consider painting the exterior of your home. While painting can be time consuming it is relatively low cost. Nothing can transform the look of a home quite like new paint, making it appear much newer. As a result it will get you a maximum return on your investment. Estimates show that fresh paint can add 1%-3% to a home final sale price.” A good photo for the listing should be a top priority for realtors and sellers. The online photo is most likely what a potential buyer will see first. With 66% of buyers saying “if they like the photo online they will go look at a home in person.” A new paint job will definitely enhance your listing photo. This improvement to your curb appeal can be the difference in selling your home in a day vs. weeks.
and the number one attribute that determines you homes curb appeal is;
1. LANDSCAPING – A well landscaped home can fetch 5.5% -12% more than a home with no landscaping. Nothing has bigger impact on curb appeal than landscaping. It greatly influences a buyer’s first impression. Investing in lawn maintenance can garner more than 100% ROI. Don’t hesitate to call in the professionals. They will know exactly what needs done, getting the job done quickly and doing a high quality job. Have your bushes and shrubs pruned back. Get your yard edged, fertilized and mowed. Most importantly, get new bark in your flower beds. Bark hides weeds and gives your yard a sharp, fresh appearance. Studies have shown that adding fresh bark recoups up to 120% at closing. 74% of realtors say that sellers should complete a lawn maintenance program before listing their homes.
The importance of the first impression should be a priority for every realtor to discuss with the seller. Making them aware of the impact that having good curb appeal will have on the selling process. That they understand how the exterior appearance of their home directly influences the perceived value. Ultimately effecting how enthusiastic a buyer may be to make an offer. You want a buyer to immediately be able to envision themselves living in and enjoying your home. Ultimately any time or money spent on improving curb appeal will pay off.
You could choose to do most of these projects yourself. However you should take into consideration whether you have previous experience and extra time on your hands. Most likely it will be worth calling a professional. They already have the knowledge and the right equipment. Most importantly weigh the fact that the return on investment is so good. In the end you will get more money back than what you spend to have the work done.
At Jim Handy Lawn & Handyman Services in Eugene, Oregon we have the experience and ability to take care of any of project you need done to improve curb appeal. We work with several realtors in our area. Specializing in quick turnaround yard makeovers to help prepare for listing photos or open houses. Give us a call today to receive a free quote! Let us come and help your home make the best first impression possible.