You know what they say – “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” When it comes to selling your home, that first look can make all the difference in a potential buyer’s decision. In fact, according to research done by Michigan State University, a home with curb appeal can increase the perceived value by 5 to 11% and can help you sell your home faster. In addition, according to a recent survey, young homebuyers care more about curb appeal than older buyers – 47% of Gen Zers and 46% of Millennials prioritize curb appeal above other factors.
“When buyers see the outside of a home is taken care of, they have a better attitude that the inside will be just as nice,” says Suzette Peoples, Owner and Broker of Peoples Properties. “If the outside is unappealing, they may not even bother to tour the inside.”
Curb appeal refers to the way your home looks from the outside and how attractive it is to anyone passing by.
When we come and go every day, we get used to the way our house looks and tend to overlook things that could be improved. So, the first step in assessing your home’s curb appeal is to look at it from the perspective of someone seeing it for the first time. Ask yourself: Is the exterior in good shape? Is it clean and inviting? Is the color appealing? Does the landscaping look well-maintained? All these factors contribute to your home’s curb appeal.
To make a great first impression, encourage potential buyers to tour your home, and get the most from the sale, consider improving your home’s curb appeal by:
1. Removing dirt and grime.
Your home’s exterior may not be new, but you can make it look fresh and appealing by giving it a good cleaning. You can hire a professional or rent a power washer to clean the siding, gutters, the garage door, the porch and walkways, the deck, and the driveway. After all, pulling into the driveway is often the first thing a prospective buyer does, so grimy, discolored concrete can be an immediate turn off. Power washing is a relatively quick fix that can help you make a good first impression.
2. Repainting the house.
Faded, chipped or worn paint not only makes your home unappealing, it sends a signal that perhaps the home has not been well-maintained. One of the easiest ways to refresh your home’s exterior is with a new coat of paint. According to HomeAdvisor, the national average for professionals to paint the exterior of a 1,500 to 2,500-square foot home ranges between $1,000 to $6,000, depending on the surface area that needs paint. While it may seem costly, Consumer Reports found that new exterior paint can increase the value of your home by 2-5% and provides a return on investment of 51%.
3. Repainting the doors.
If painting the entire exterior is out of the question, consider repainting just the doors. Freshening up entryways can make your home seem more inviting. Zillow’s 2023 paint color analysis found that buyers would offer more than $3,300 less for a home with a bland gray door than one with a bold black front door. A bright color that matches your home’s exterior can also make your door “pop,” drawing a prospective buyer’s eye to it. According to Fixr, a home improvement company, the average cost of having a professional paint a door is between $112 and $205, but most homeowners can tackle this job themselves for less. Just be sure to use paint made for exteriors and start with a good primer.
4. Clean the windows.
Dirty windows make your home look dingy and uncared for. This is an easy and inexpensive way to make your home sparkle. Clean windows will also help bring natural light into your home. And you’ll enjoy the view while waiting for those potential buyers! According to HomeAdvisor, window cleaning costs an average of $213, but many cleaning companies will do both interior and exterior cleaning. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can tackle this job yourself.
5. Spruce up the landscaping.
Nothing says “neglect” like dead grass and weeds, or overgrown bushes. Doing a complete landscaping makeover can definitely make a difference, especially for older homes, but it can also be very expensive. Consider making small upgrades like trimming trees and bushes, removing dead bushes, weeding and mulching flower beds, adding a few colorful pots of flowers on the porch, and making sure the lawn is mowed. According to the Economic Benefits of Landscape, landscaping can add 14% to the resale value of a home and sell it 6 weeks faster!
There are many other small fixes you can make to add curb appeal to your house, such as replacing your tattered mailbox, fixing sagging gutters and downspouts, and adding attractive lighting. Even adding some budget-friendly outdoor furniture to porches and decks can make a big difference, because livable outdoor spaces are high on many buyers’ wish lists.
These days, homebuyers can view your home online with Google Street View images before they even venture out to see it in person. When you create an appealing, well-cared for exterior, you significantly up your chances of buyers touring your home. Curb appeal can also help your home stand out from other listings in the area.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, ask your real estate agent for their advice. Professional agents can help you prioritize improvements and get the best return on investment, while avoiding costly mistakes.
