You never get a second chance to make a good first impression, and that counts for your home, too! Buyers might be less likely to check out the rest of a house if the outside is unappealing—even if the interior is stunning.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, a few inexpensive changes to your home’s exterior could help make the process smoother. These makeovers are bound to help sell your home faster and at a higher asking price!
Depending on what your budget is, painting can give you a lot of bang for your buck. When painting, don’t forget picket fences around your yard, trimming around the eaves of the roof, and replacing old gutters and downspouts may catapult the appeal of the exterior of your home.
Before you spend a dime on the interior, look at your yard, landscaping, sidewalk, and front entryway. In all of these areas, a few hours of yard work, tidying up your property can go a long way. Tall trees and shrubs can make a small house look smaller. Look for lush ground cover plants and add a few pops of color to build more dimension to your walkway.
Turn a standard structure into a period piece by adding attractive trim and stone to your walkway. Or spice up your front entry door hardware by using new metal finishes and different decorative styled lighting fixtures.
The strongest appeal to any home is adding bits of charm that will welcome your visitors. You can do this by adding details to make your home unique such as a sitting bench or rocking chair and subtle walkway lighting. If you have a large front porch, add furniture and an outdoor area rug. Wall décor can also bring the indoor vibes outdoors.
A brightly colored door is a great way to draw attention to your home and make it feel more inviting. The front door should be your home’s exterior focal point — ramp up the appeal by painting it a rich hue, updating door hardware or adding a new knocker.
This can be as easy as pressure washing your concrete walkway and adding in colored mulch to your landscaping. The contrast between a lighter walkway and darker mulch creates an illusion of length.
Symmetry is not only pleasing to the eye, it's also the simplest to arrange. Symmetrical structures such as light fixtures, potted plants, and other front-door accents can create a welcoming entryway and boost curb appeal.
Mailboxes should complement the home and express the homeowner's personality. Dress up your mailbox for easy curb appeal by painting the wooden post to match the house's exterior color, or by surrounding it with a beautiful flower garden.
Shutters and trim add a welcoming layer of beauty and curb appeal to your home's exterior. Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass.
If your home has an older gutter system, odds are it's also suffering from peeling paint, rust, or other problems that can convey a sense of neglect. Replace old systems with a newer vinyl gutter system or pull out the paint.
In real estate, a beautiful exterior isn't just memorable, it can make or break a home sale. The exterior of your home deserves the same attention to detail as the interior. Improving the look of your home’s exterior doesn’t require a 6-man crew and thousands of dollars. From fresh paint to colorful plants, these 10 easy updates can be accomplished by just about any homeowner, and shouldn’t stress your finances either!
