5 Ways to Improve Curb Appeal When Selling Your Home
Spring is one of the most popular times to list a house for sale in the New York City and New Jersey area, and it’s no wonder. Not only does warmer weather encourage buyers to begin their house hunts again, but just as importantly, spring is the time when front yards and neighborhood streets begin to bloom and look alive again, which allows properties to show much better than in the middle of winter. So how can you take advantage of the season if you’re thinking about selling your home? Start with these 5 ideas to improve curb appeal.
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1. Swap out your front door. You’d be surprised by what a difference a door can make. Especially if your home is on the older side, swapping out your front door for a newer style can give your home’s entire facade a facelift.
2. Create a walkway. An obvious, accessible walkway to your front door will make your home immediately feel more welcoming than leaving potential buyers to navigate wet grass or ponder whether they should enter through the side door instead. If your home doesn’t currently have walkway, consider installing a simple brick or paver stone path from your driveway or sidewalk before you schedule that first open house. It will literally say “come on in!”
3. Powerwash. Vinyl siding can be susceptible to dirt and mold, which can make your home look dingy, unkempt and dated. The simple remedy: rent a power-washer, or hire a professional company to clean the siding. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours, and can make a world of difference.
4. Paint. If your home has wooden siding or is made out of brick, consider adding a fresh coat of paint. Experts advise choosing a neutral hue that fits in with the rest of the homes on the street in order to make your house most universally appealing.
5. Spruce up the landscaping. Last but not least, spend a few weeks tending to the landscaping outside your home before you list your house. This might include fertilizing the yard, cleaning up flower beds, adding new mulch, and planting seasonal flowers. Not a green thumb? Skip the growing process by purchasing outdoor planters already filled with mature flowers, grasses or greenery, and setting them on your stoop or patio. Just be sure to water them enough so they last until closing day!
