A buyer’s first impression matters when selling your home. Here are simple ways to improve curb appeal and make your home more attractive before you put it on the market.
Declutter the Property
Remove anything outside your house that looks unappealing or might imply the home is not cared for. Place trash cans in a hidden area. Remove skateboards or bikes from the driveway. Put garden tools and equipment in the shed. Repair or replace rusting or faded patio furniture. Walk your property often to pick up branches, plastic, paper, or leaves that are cluttering the yard.
Paint Your Front Door to Improve Curb Appeal
A fresh coat of paint on your front door is an excellent and easy way to improve curb appeal. It welcomes buyers the moment they pull up to the property. Choose a bold color that complements the decor and style of the home.
Clean the Front Porch
Replace or repair damaged storm doors and screens. Get rid of empty pots and planters and remove personal belongings from your deck or porch. Make sure that there aren’t any obstructions when approaching the entryway of the home.
Improve Curb Appeal by Adding Outdoor Living Space
Most homebuyers want nice outdoor living spaces. Brainstorm how you can add more usable outdoor space to the property. Include some of these features on your garden, deck, or porch:
- Attractive patio furniture helps an area feel welcoming.
- An outdoor rug adds color to your living space.
- Make sure your patio, porch, and deck are well-lit.
- Create an outdoor bar as an attractive selling point.
- A porch swing is a nice place to relax.
- The deck and patio are appealing spaces to entertain family and friends.
Repaint the House
It can be pricey to repaint your home’s entire exterior. However, it’s a great way to improve curb appeal and make the property look like new. If painting is not in your budget, rent a pressure washer and clean the siding. While you have it, also clean decks, patios, and walkways. Removing dirt, mildew, and debris goes a long way toward making your home more appealing to buyers.
Upgrade Entryway Fixtures
Replace outdoor fixtures and hardware that are old and out of date. Update the property with brand new light fixtures. Install a new mailbox, entry-door locks, and house numbers, too.
Clean and Repair the Pavement
If you rent a pressure washer, use it to clean the driveway and walkways. If the asphalt or concrete needs repair, now is the time to tackle these home improvement tasks. Patch and repair damaged areas and add a coat of sealant. If you have a gravel driveway or pathways, add new gravel to these areas.
Repair the Roof to Improve Curb Appeal
Buyers will always inspect the roof. Most people won’t be interested in a property if they will need to take on roof repairs or replacement. Even though roof repairs can be costly, it’s worth it to fix any issues because you can make up for the cost with your asking price. If your roof doesn’t need repairs, make sure you clean off weeds, moss, algae, and mold.
Keep the Lawn Mowed
Take time to prune, shape, and cut back foliage and shrubs. Tend to overgrown areas and keep the yard neatly trimmed. Weed garden plots and apply mulch around trees and in the flower beds.
Improve Curb Appeal with Outdoor Lighting
Path lighting is inexpensive and easy to install. However, it adds major curb appeal and boosts the look of your property after dusk. Solar lights are a good choice because they don’t have to be wired.
Use these tips to improve curb appeal. You’ll attract more buyers and be able to increase the asking price when selling your home.
Mid Michigan Home Pros offers home inspections, including pre-listing inspections, in Central Michigan. Contact us to request an appointment.