Enhancing Curb Appeal: A Guide – Written by Lara Vukelich Lara Vukelich Insurance Contributor Ribbon Expertise • Insurance Lara Vukelich is a freelance writer who has written for , the Huffington Post and Quiet Revolution to Expedia, Travelocity and My Move. He lives in San Diego, California. Read more Email Get in touch with Lara Vukelich via email
Edited by Michelle Petrie Michelle Petrie Senior Editor, Home Lending Ribbon Expertise • Real Estate • Housing Market Michelle Petrie is a senior editor for the site’s real estate content leader. Read more Connect with Michelle Petrie on LinkedIn Connect with Michelle Petrie via Linkedin Email.
Enhancing Curb Appeal: A Guide
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Easy Curb Appeal Tips You Can Do On Your Own
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Ways To Boost Your Home’s Curbside Appeal
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The Best Curb Appeal Ideas For Selling Your Home
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From first dates to job interviews, first impressions are important. And when it comes to selling your home, that first glimpse of its exterior is a big deal. In fact, curb appeal accounts for up to 7 percent of a home’s value, according to a University of Texas at Arlington study published in The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics. So it is important to put your home’s best face forward.
Curb appeal is the way your home looks from the outside and how attractive it is to anyone passing by. To assess your home’s curb appeal, look at the front of your home and take it in from the perspective of a first-timer. The color and condition of the exterior, landscaping and overall maintenance of the property all contribute to its curb appeal.
This crucial first impression has a big impact when you list your home for sale. “Curb appeal is probably one of the most important and effective tools in selling a home,” says Yavar Charlie, a Los Angeles-based agent with luxury brokerage Aaron Kirman Group.
Curb Appeal And Deck Ideas That’ll Increase Home Value
Improving your home’s curb appeal can help you bring in buyers and get top dollar for your sale — especially if you’re selling during the peak spring/summer season. Here are eight tips to try:
A dirty exterior can make your home unappealing even before potential buyers step inside. One of the best ways to freshen it up is with a fresh coat of paint, says Reece Stewart, a Realtor with RE/MAX Properties: “A thorough exterior paint job can go a long way, especially if the paint is faded or chipping. .” SW in Orlando, Florida. “While this can be expensive, it can make all the difference.”
A fresh coat of paint can also help freshen up exterior entryways. Zillow’s 2023 Paint Color Analysis found that buyers will offer $3,300 less for a home with a subdued cement-gray front door than one with a dark black front door. “Just painting the front door or garage can help enhance the entry point, as it’s one of the first things potential buyers see,” says Stewart.
Price: Between $112 and $205, depending on the fixture. But most homeowners can probably do it themselves for less.
Smart Ways To Add Curb Appeal To Your Home
If a potential buyer is put off by dirty windows, they may not want to see what’s inside them, even if the interior of your home is really well taken care of. “Giving windows a good scrubbing is an easy and inexpensive way to give your home a sparkling look,” says Stewart.
Price: Between $190 and $460 for a professional window washer, per Fixr. But if you DIY, this project will cost you nothing but water, cleaning supplies, and a little elbow grease.
Thorough professional landscaping can certainly improve your home’s appeal in the eyes of a buyer, but it doesn’t come cheap. Fortunately, even small and economical improvements like a few cheery flowerpots here and there can go a long way. “Take a step back and see if you need to replant some flowers or replace some shrubs,” Stewart says. “Even some new mulch can go a long way.”
Cost: Between $8,000 and $15,000 for a pro job, per fixer. But if you have a rake and a lawn mower, you can spruce things up for almost nothing. Adding a few inexpensive pre-potted plants and flowers to the walkway or porch will also add color and pop to the entry area (and you can take them with you after you sell).
How To Enhance Your Curb Appeal
For many homes, the driveway is front and center. And years of leaves, rain and snow can wreak havoc on its surface, especially if it’s concrete. “If your driveway is discolored, power wash it,” says Charlie. If there are a lot of unsightly bumps, gouges, and cracks, you can even spring it back up.
Cost: Between $180 and $240 per fixture. If you want to do it yourself, you should be able to rent one from your local home-improvement store for less than $100 per day.
Clean, functional and well-placed exterior lighting not only looks great, but can also be an important safety and security feature. At the very least, inspect and renovate the outdoor lighting you have. “Make sure it’s free of cobwebs and dust and the bulbs are still working,” Stewart says. “If any potential buyers are visiting around sunset or driving by at night, make sure your home is well lit.” If there are some very dark areas, consider installing another fixture or two, or consider installing a motion sensor that turns on the lights when someone approaches.
The appearance of your roof can be an attractive point for buyers, as can its condition (with good reason). If there are broken roof shingles or other visible problems, or if your gutters are sagging or not properly secured, it’s best to take care of them with the help of a professional before they arrive during a home inspection.
Secrets To Great Curb Appeal
Cost: Between $400 and $2,000 for roof repairs and between $218 and $396 for gutter repairs.
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