There are hundreds, if not thousands, of properties available on the market at any given moment. So how can you differentiate yours from the competition? There are techniques to give your property the best chance of finding its new owner, in the shortest amount of time, in addition to choosing the best agent and the most effective marketing. It all revolves around love. When choosing to purchase their dream home, buyers use their hearts and then their intellect. One way to capture your potential buyer’s heart is to make sure they are attracted to the exterior of your house. Since buyers get their initial opinion of a property based on its curb appeal before ever setting foot inside, you’ll want to make sure it’s a favorable one. Properties with a neglected exterior are probably not going to attract as many potential purchasers as properties with strong curb appeal. Here’s everything you need to know about curb appeal and how you can use it at your advantage to ensure potential buyers.
What is Curb Appeal?
Curb appeal refers to the exterior’s worth. If a house has curb appeal, it is visually appealing and exudes confidence. It can also refer to the level of appeal that a property has when viewed from the street. For instance, people driving by homes are drawn to them by their attractive curb appeal and appearance. The yard is kept up, the paint is brilliant, the siding looks good, the roof is intact, and everything is in its proper place in short, the house presents itself beautifully. Expectations are set by curb appeal. Prospective buyers are more likely to investigate the interior if they like what they see on the outside. When it comes to selling a home, first impressions count.
Why Curb Appeal Matters?
1. Reflects the overall maintenance of the house
Typically, a house’s façade and inside are in similar condition. Buyers will be particularly skeptical of what other types of maintenance concerns might be awaiting them inside and in places they can’t see if the grass is long or patchy, the paint on the house is worn or peeling, and there are cracks in the driveway. Home buyers are likely to move on to the competition to avoid these problems since they instantly associate them with money and stress. You want your property to have a “wow” factor when people first see it. It shouldn’t, at the very least, turn away the vast majority of customers. In contrast, the home’s curb appeal ought to encourage consumers to request more information and should leave a good first impression.
2. Gives you a chance to standout amongst others
A home’s forgettable curb appeal is bland or poor. Your listing will stand out from all of the others that aren’t making as much effort if it has a lovely green grass, vibrant landscaping, and a freshly painted façade. Excellent curb appeal can make your house stand out from those that are already on the market and from other nearby homes that are for sale and attract prospective buyers.
3. Adds value to your home
Increasing a home’s exterior appeal will increase its perceived value and speed up the selling process. Financial companies find it challenging to determine just how much curb appeal increases property value because homes are often valued mainly on the condition and characteristics of the interior however homes with well-kept lawns and expert landscaping often sell for 7% more than comparable properties with exterior flaws or ugly front yards according to sellers. As was previously said, the external and interior conditions of your home are likely to be similar. As a result, if your property has great curb appeal, the prospective buyer will assume the interior is equally well-kept and attractive as the exterior, increasing their perception of your home’s value and assisting you in getting a larger return on your investment. However, if your home has bad curb appeal, potential buyers may believe that the interior also requires work and will therefore perceive a lower value than it actually has.
Read also: How to Boost Your Home’s Value with Minimal Renovations in the Philippines
Ways to increase home’s curb appeal
After elaborating the importance of curb appeal, here are some tips that will surely help you in boosting curb appeal. The best part about curb appeal is that it’s simple to improve with a few relatively little changes. Here are five strategies to raise your home’s curb appeal:
1. Invest in landscape maintenance
The state of the lawn, landscaping, and any other vegetation close to the front of the home should serve as the foundation for your curb appeal. You can make landscaping upgrades as simple or as complicated as you like. Grass is a good place to start, then move on. The property appears outdated, burned down, and uncared for. Most of the time, the solution is as simple as sowing some seed and watering the lawn for a few weeks. If the issue is more serious, you might want to think about installing sod or fake grass. Then start doing the fundamentals, such as weeding any flowerbeds, and taking care of your trees and plants. Then, add some flowering or potted plants to liven things up. For added emphasis, add fencing or patio furniture, as long as you don’t make the area look cluttered.
2. Check the roofing
You should also consider your property’s physical condition, specifically the house’s roof, in addition to enhancing the landscaping. Few aspects will either turn away or entice potential buyers more than a home’s roof, despite the fact that it is not often thought of as its most attractive feature. If the roof is old and just has a few years remaining, replacing it and attempting to sell the house for a better price will provide you a return on your investment. Unless they are receiving a terrific deal, buyers won’t want to spend their own money on a new roof once they have moved into a house. The likelihood is that they will make a low-ball offer if they anticipate needing a new roof in the near future.
3. Attention to the door
What is the one thing you can’t seem to ignore every time you come inside your house? Your front door is the answer. Instead of replacing the door totally, investigate if a fresh coat of paint will suffice to freshen its appearance. If you need a more permanent solution, a new door is an excellent investment with a high return on investment.
4. Lighting Drama
Curb attractiveness isn’t just for the daytime. Making sure the house is just as appealing at night as it is during the day is therefore in your best interest. Install new light fixtures or low-voltage lighting around significant landscaping components, your driveway, and sidewalks. Feel free to adorn your front porch with a decorative lamp. Your efforts will be rewarded if you use appealing lighting to illuminate your home at night. A well-lit path leading to the front door gives potential buyers a tangible sense of security while also helping them find the path to your property. In particular, there are lights to direct them into the house if they ever return home at night.
5. Upgrade outdoor furniture
Walking into a front yard that is scattered with aged outdoor furniture may be a major turn off. For starters, there may be too much clutter, which consumers cannot ignore. Second, it signals to purchasers that the house itself has been neglected. By refreshing your outdoor furniture, you boost curb appeal, attracts buyers, and highlight the lifestyle that your property has to offer. This is due to the fact that having a great furniture set on the wrap-around verandah might assist purchasers see their own family spending time outside. Oh and don’t forget the new welcome mat to complete the homey vibe.
With all of the things you can do to improve the first impression of your property, you should now have a better understanding of what curb appeal is and why a good curb appeal matter. Some of these renovations may be more expensive than you anticipated, but they can have a huge impact on your sales price and would be easier for real estate agents to sell your property. While it is necessary to spend time and money on the interior, upgrading your curb appeal will be well worth it and critically important in order to attract possible buyer.
Written by Noelyn Kate O. Cabrera
