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IMPORTANCE OF CURB APPEAL
No matter if it is a home you are interested in buying, or yours
that you are selling, curb appeal will make a tremendous difference
in how you and your potential buyer’s feel about the property.
A home with that ‘star’ quality means that you will be able to ask a
higher sale price than similar homes in your area. It also means you
will likely be able to sell your home quicker.
Below are some simple, inexpensive tips on how you can make your
home shine.
Get more information about
preparing the exterior of your home.
Manicure the yard
This entails making sure your lawn is healthy and trimmed
regularly. Also, plant beds should be mulched with crisp edges.
Doing all this helps create the feeling that if you take care of
your outside, you likely take care of your inside.
Clean the doors, front entry and windows
Make sure that there are no spider webs in the lighting
fixtures. In addition, shine all metal work and replace all of the
bulbs. Even on an unconscious level, visitors will notice if the
front of your home is clean, or not. Having everything bright and
shiny is inviting and also signals that you keep the rest of your
home well kept.
Examine your front door
It is usually the first thing people look at. Cleaning and
painting it yourself is an inexpensive option. Or, for $1,000 or
more, you can have it professionally replaced.
Don't hold back on the flowers
Whether it is beds, annuals or hanging baskets, having lots of
bright, pretty flowers is important.
Power wash
Pressure cleaning walkways, driveways and sometimes your house
itself can help create a new appearance for your property. You can
find a power washer for under $100, or you can rent one.
Get the opinion of friends and neighbors
Ask them what they see when they look at your house and what they
thinks needs improving.
Plant trees
Trees that are planted in the right areas can not only enhance your
home’s appeal, it will increase its value.
Paint your home
Painting your home will likely have the most impact to its curb
appeal. It is important that you use colors that are warm, inviting
and neutral. Remember, what you like may not be appealing to others.
Contact a tree specialist
Have them remove an low-hanging branches as well as any trees
that are dead. You may also want to consider getting rid of tree/s
that are negatively impacting your home’s curb appeal, i.e. blocking
the sun or its view from the street.
Reseal the driveway
If you are ambitious, do it yourself. Or, you should be able to
hire a professional for under $500.
Determine if there are elements of your home that draw attention
away from the rest of your home
For example, does your garage door blend in, or is your eye
drawn to it. Bottom line, you do not want any aspect of your home to
dominate over the rest.
Consider making some home improvements or add-ons
Simple things like adding a new railing or fixing up a porch can
make a very difference in a home’s curb appeal. Consider
applying for a home equity loan. We offer a variety of
equity loan products specifically designed for making
home improvements.
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