Curb Appeal is Real

Growing up, you’ve heard the saying: “It’s what’s on the inside that truly matters.” While that may be true about personality and making friends, it doesn’t pull the same weight when it comes to real estate. Today’s real estate market is competitive. This means every home that goes up for sale needs to be able to offer their own unique value. And that means that homes need to look good on the inside and the outside. Curb appeal has increased in importance over the years and this trend only continues to grow. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when focusing on the curb appeal of your home.

First, it’s good to understand that the way your house looks from the street — attractively landscaped and well-maintained — can add thousands to its value and cut the time it takes to sell. Before you start pulling the weeds or buying new shutters, a simple power wash can help the exterior of your home. Even just a bucket of soapy water and a long-handled, soft-bristled brush can remove the dust and dirt that have splashed onto your wood, vinyl, metal, stucco, brick, and fiber cement siding.

If washing doesn’t do the trick, a new coat of paint can also make a huge difference. Before you go wild with new colors, your best bet is to match the paint you already have. Scrape off a little and ask your local paint store to match it. When it comes to your front door, feel free to use a little creativity. The front door is extremely important because it’s what guests see before they enter your house. By painting it a bold color you can also make it stand out and people will notice it more easily and from far away.

Curb Appeal & Landscaping

In terms of landscaping, there is actually a lot you can do to increase the value of your home and enhance your curb appeal. Consider highlighting an ornament tree by surrounding it with stone. Or, if you have a large, old tree that seems to be getting in the way—have it removed completely. A professional tree service company like Sarasota Tree Care Services can help with this.

Replacing overgrown bushes with leafy plants and colorful annuals is a sure way to boost curb appeal. Surround your bushes and trees with dark or reddish-brown bark mulch, which gives a rich feel to the yard. Then, put a crisp edge on garden beds. Go ahead and pull those pesky weeds and invasive vines. Plant a few new flowers. Be sure the flowers are bright and beautiful—potential buyers will love the splash of color.

Never underestimate the power of green. Your lawn typically makes up the largest area of your landscaping. Make sure you maintain it by mowing regularly and keeping it a nice shade of green. This may mean you need to seed the lawn or fertilize it. By doing all this, your home may sell faster and put more green in your pocket. Never underestimate the power of curb appeal.