Improve Your Curb Appeal Before Selling
Whether they view your home in person or look at photos online, the exterior is what buyers first see. Buyers can see a home's exterior and decide to cancel their show if it doesn't appeal to them. Poor curb appeal can make a home look unattractive and cause buyers to be critical of its interior.
Buyers will be able to see that the exterior has been maintained. This can give buyers the impression that the entire home is in great shape, even the parts not directly related to the exterior. A lot of buyers want a home that is ready to move in. If the property doesn't need immediate landscaping work, it may be easier for you to negotiate.
How can you make your home's exterior ready for listing? This DIY curb appeal checklist might help.
Plan Your Actions To Improve Curb Appeal
Before you begin pruning, planting, or painting, you need to analyze the work involved so that you can decide how much. This is a crucial step that will help you decide where to focus your attention.
As if the exterior of your home were on your listing, take a photo. Is there anything that stands out as a problem? Ask a friend or relative to inspect your home and identify the most significant defects. This could be a cracked sidewalk, peeling paint, or overgrown foliage. Then, ask them to suggest ways you can make your home stand out.
When considering home improvements, keep in line with your home's style and resist the temptation to follow trends. For example, you shouldn't place a porch swing outside of a Mid-Century Modern ranch house.
Set Aside Money For Exterior Improvements
Depending on how big the project is and how large your yard is, it is possible to increase or improve curb appeal. Research shows that sellers who hire professionals to prepare their homes for sale spend on average $6,570. This includes gardening and lawn care. San Jose is the city where sellers spend $7,755. Sellers in St. Louis spend an average of $3690, while sellers in San Jose are the highest.
Fortunately, exterior home improvement often offers a strong return. Of course, this depends on your market preferences. Investing in curb appeal can help you attract buyers and maybe sell your property sooner.
If you plan to do the work yourself, it is important to have enough money to purchase materials and ample time to complete the task.
Take Care Of Exterior Eye Problems
Are you ready to get started? First, you should eliminate any distracting factors, especially if your goal is DIY curb appeal.
Get Rid Of Clutter
Before a showing or open house, it is important to move parked cars.
Hide trash cans.
You can put away your bikes and other outdoor toys.
Get rid of rusty patio furniture.
The above-ground pool should be taken down.
Don't keep any broken or dirty decor, such as wind chimes and water features.
Cost $0, unless large items need to be thrown away at the dump.
Tackle Overgrowth
Prune shrubs and bushes, trim hedges, remove dead or overgrown tree branches, and mow the lawn.
Cost: As a homeowner, you probably already own yard-care tools, so fuel for your lawnmower may not be a major expense.
Pressurized Washing
To remove dirt and grime, pressure wash exterior surfaces such as siding, walkways, and sidewalks. Pressure washing roofing or caulking can cause leakage.
Price: A rental pressure washer costs between $50-75 per day.
Handle Miscellaneous Repairs
Paint, stain or replace any damaged fencing or railings. Also, repair cracks in sidewalks, replace broken pavers and fix cracked gutters.
Depending on the work required, repairs can cost as low as $15 or as high as $300. A large bag of concrete mix costs less than $10 while replacing fence slats can be more costly.
Conceal Your Air Conditioner
Cover your air conditioner unit with lattice or low fencing. It can be an eyesore regardless of its location.
Fencing Materials Cost: Between $100 and $300
Front Yard Landscaping For Curb Appeal
Your front yard can make or break your curb appeal, depending on where it is located on the lot. This is the list of tasks that should be done for your front yard.
Give Your Yard A Makeover
Apply new grass seed to any bare areas. You can replace any areas of dead grass that are more than 6 inches in diameter with new sod.
Price: A bag containing grass seed will cost you approximately $15. Sod can be purchased for $0.45 to $0.65 per square foot.
Plant Fragrant Flowers
Flowers are more than just a visual attraction. Sweet-smelling, aromatic flowers can set the mood and make a lasting impression. However, don't overpower people by putting fragrant flowers close to their entry.
There are many options for jasmine, roses, and lavender. Be aware of seasonality to ensure you get the best possible blooms during your listing period. Sarcococca is an excellent choice if you are selling in the winter.
Cost: Depending on the space you need to fill, budget $100-$200. For trees that are being planted, you should budget at least $60 per tree.
Eliminate Weeds
Spend some time pulling out all visible weeds. Then, for a clean, fresh look, apply a layer of beautiful bark.
Price: You won't have to spend anything except your time pulling weeds. The bag can purchase beauty bark for $3 to $4 per 2-foot area. You may prefer to buy bulk for a larger project. This will cost between $20 and $30 per cubic meter plus delivery charges if needed.
Highlight Architectural Features
While landscaping is an important part of curb appeal and design, it's also important not to overlook architectural features in your home that you find attractive or easy to highlight. These are some easy DIY curb appeal ideas.
All Windows Must Be Cleaned
Use a window cleaner or vinegar-water solution to clean your windows from the inside out. Avoid cleaning windows in direct sunlight as they will dry too fast and leave streaks.
Open all blinds before showings or open houses and before your real property photos are taken. Buyers are attracted to natural light so make sure they notice the size and number of windows.
Cost - All you need is a small bottle of vinegar that costs less than $2
Add Shutters
Shutters can make windows look bigger or draw more attention to them. You can paint shutters the same color as the trim or choose a complementary but contrasting tone.
Price: A pair of raised panel vinyl shutters will cost you about $50. Repurposing salvaged shutters can also be an option. They are often much more affordable. A gallon of exterior paint will cost you between $30 and $40.
Window Boxes Can Be Added
Bright seasonal flowers and classic window boxes can add charm to your home's front.
Price: Pre-made wooden or plastic window boxes are between $50 and $100, with an additional $10 if you purchase the hardware separately.
Highlight The Entry
Keep the front of your house symmetrical. For example, place identical potted plants or groups of containers gardens on each side of the staircase that leads to the front porch or either side of your front door.
Decor and plants can be used to highlight a large front porch.
Price: You will find beautifully potted plants like boxwoods in a container for as low as $100, depending on their height.
Edge The Walkway
You can give your walkway a polished look with brick pavers and solar-paneled lights. This is a simple DIY project that doesn't require electricity. Consider adding inexpensive stepping stones to the pathway leading up to your front door if you don't have one.
Price: A six-pack of solar lights is only $20-30 Pavers are less than $1 per linear foot, and stepping stones range from $2 for basic concrete to $10 if you want flagstone.
Paint Trimming
Re-painting trim around windows and peaks can make your home look fresher. Any area with peeling or cracked paint should be sanded and repainted.
Price: Exterior semigloss paint costs between $30-$40 per gallon.
Finish Your Curb Appeal With Finishing Touches
The decor is needed to make your exterior look as beautiful as your inside. Here are some more DIY curb appeal ideas.
Paint The Front Door
You can improve curb appeal by painting or staining your front door in a complementary but contrasting color.
Cost: A project of this size shouldn't cost more than $20.
Install New House Numbers
For a traditional home, choose bronze or brass based on the paint color. Brush nickel is for a modern home.
Cost: House numbers range from $2 to $6 per number, depending on the material and style.
Refresh Your Mailbox
If your mailbox is damaged or worn, you might consider replacing it. You can clean it up if it is in good condition. It might be worth planting flowers around it.
Price: If you just need a mailbox with a post, it is possible to pay as low as $25. You can expect to pay $50-$100 if you require a new mailbox or want to purchase a mailbox with an integrated post.
Install New Lighting
Sconces can be added to the entrance on either side. This will frame the entrance and give it a polished, finished look. In addition, you can clean and repair sconces that you already own.
Price: New outdoor sconces are available in a range of prices, starting at $30 per piece for the basic styles and going up to $150 for the more complex designs.
Replacing The Welcome Mat
You can replace your old welcome mat with a new one that is simple and clean -- without cartoons or funny words.
Cost: A simple doormat shouldn't cost more than $20
Include Seasonal Decor
Seasonal touches such as a holiday wreath and pumpkins can give your home a cozy, homey feel, depending on the season.
Price: It's simple to add seasonal touches, whether real or artificial, for less than $50.
