One of the most valuable ways you can create a great first impression when it comes to your home is to amp up your curb appeal.
Curb appeal obviously refers to the attractiveness out front and the exterior of your home. For whatever reason you want to improve your curb appeal; you could be a house flipper, selling your home privately or simply want to keep with the Joneses you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
Quality upgrades continue to add value and while house prices may have dropped the return on renovating remains strong. Not surprisingly exterior improvements still the lead the pack in terms of biggest bang for your buck. So get rid of the garden gnomes, loose the bushy bushes and bring some style back to your home.
I know this will sound obvious, but a nicely mowed lawn, a well-kept garden and few well-placed plants make a good first impression. What buyers see when they first drive by your home is hugely important. No matter how nice it is inside, if it’s not pretty out the front, potential buyers will keep on driving and may never come back.
Check out these curb appeal tips ranging from no cost to moderate expense. All which you can do on your next free weekend.
1. Spruce up your front yard
If you don’t have a green thumb or you’re too lazy like most of us, consider hiring a landscaper to give your yard a good clean up and plant a few shrubs. Or maybe you’re not so lazy and quite handy with the outside tools – tending to your lawn is really a do it yourself task. Get out the lawnmower, cut the grass regularly, conquer those weeds, edge your lawn and mulch around trees and the garden. These kinds of changes can instantly change people’s perception of your home and increase its value. Your neighbours will thank you for it too.
2. Get rid of the dirt
Water blast dirt and debris from driveways, paths and retaining walls. Clean all cobwebs, dirt, chalk, and even bat poo from your home’s exterior (remember to close all windows – I didn’t…argh!!).
3. Be a bit fancy
Give your house a little ‘oomph’ with attention to detail and go fancy with your letter box and numbers. Purchase something that is pretty, fabulous and shows a bit of your personality without being too over the top. Stay away from numbers that are in writing, stick to number format.
4. Stay away from lawn decorations
Brightly coloured gnomes, realistic animals and peeing angles are a little outdated, actually let’s be honest they’re outrageous. Stay away from all lawn decorations”� less is more!
5. Add a splash of colour
A cool way to add a pop of colour to your home’s exterior is by painting your front or garage doors a bright statement colour. It adds a splash of colour and a dollop of personality without over doing it – very on trend.
More tips next page!
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