The first step to attracting buyers to a home is to create wonderful curb appeal. With a shabby yard or outside of a house that is looking worse for wear, buyers are going to assume the inside of the home looks the same and drive on by. Meanwhile, updating multiple areas of a house can be expensive when trying to get ready to sell.
To cut some of these costs consider these eight inexpensive ways to create curb appeal that makes the outside of a house look fresh and updated.
Light It Up
The worst thing a homeowner can do is to avoid lighting outside. Any buyer that is looking at a house may be driving past in the evening after work before scheduling a time to actually see the home. If the outside of the house is not lit up, it will look uninviting. Spend a little money on replacing old or broken light fixtures and make sure walkways are lit up.
Consistent Mowing
A long lawn is not attractive. Neither is one that is dying.
It is best to mow the lawn once a week and avoid cutting the grass too low. Cutting too much at a time can damage the grass and make it hard for it to grow back resulting in bald spots.
Before a showing take the time to trim any bushes and look at the edges of walkways or driveways.
Even the Little Problems Count
The smallest problem can ruin a buyer’s day. While it seems silly that a broken doorbell can make a buyer dislike a house, it happens quite often.
Fix all small problems inside and out. A buyer that notices small problems is going to think of the larger problems lurking underneath if they discover something that is a simple fix that has been neglected.
Flower Pots
There is no need to hire a gardener to add flowers to the lawn. Or even go through the process of planting all new flowers.
Instead, grab a few flower pots of varying sizes and add them to the porch. Use these to add colorful flowers without all the hassle of caring for a large garden.
Unruly Bushes
A homeowner that does not typically focus on their lawn may have plants that are just unruly. It does not matter if it is bushes the old owners planted or new sprouting trees that have found their way into the yard. Clean up the yard of any blemishes and be sure the bushes are trimmed into a consistent shape. There is no need to go fancy and sculpt them but make sure they are looking well cared for.
Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way and that does not just mean the inside of the house. The outside of a house is subjected to a lot of bad weather and paint can fade quickly. Look at items like a mailbox, old plant boxes, and even the outside door. A quick coat of paint can make it look new again, boosting the curb appeal in the process.
Wash It
With rain and snow, there is a lot of dirt that gets kicked up on to the house. Not to mention the many stains that come with driving along a driveway.
A power washer is a great tool for getting all areas of the outside of a home clean. It does not cost too much to rent one but it is better to borrow from a friend who has one to really save some money.
Mulch Around Trees
Mulch is a good way to improve curb appeal, making a yard look more put together. It shows a homeowner cares for the yard and the appearance of it. Not to mention it is not too expensive and it is simple to use.
Enticing buyers with curb appeal is one of the oldest tricks in the real estate book. People love to see a well-manicured yard and it makes them excited to see the inside of the home. A homeowner is going to have a much easier time selling their home if buyers are in love with it before they even step inside.
