First impressions do matter most, and this is especially true when selling that freshly rehabbed house. Curb appeal is one concept that many first-time real estate investors trying to sell or rent a property often don’t pay enough attention to.
Curb appeal in almost every case is the most important part of getting people to go into the house and want to see more. A good looking outside of the house will get more people to see the good on the inside of the house!
With good curb appeal, you will get those that are driving by to think of this property as more of a home. For this reason, you should pay careful attention and spend some degree of time and effort making the outside of the home inviting and appealing to potential buyers or renters.
Though each property may require some unique attention, below are 3 Important Factors to Good Curb Appeal that are true with every home you are selling.
1) Outside Siding
One of the first things that people will notice is crumbling paint and bland or tired and faded colors on the exterior. Vinyl siding is often inviting because it is easily cleaned and reinvigorated. It also happens to be fairly low maintenance, which often appeals to buyers and renters alike.
There are those however who will argue that siding detracts from the potential personality of a home. To each his or her own in this as it is a personal decision on behalf of the buyer and the seller. Regardless, a clean and crisp paint job or siding will create a much better impression than an apparent state of disrepair.
Remember those first impressions are important. If the outside of the home is rather unimpressive potential buyers are quite likely to discover the diamond that is the inside of your home.
2) Plant Flowers
Another thing you can do to add curb appeal is to plant low maintenance flowers and plants around the exterior of your home. You do not want to invest in plants that require constant care nor do you want to seriously invest in plants that are going to grow out of control and look unwieldy. At least you do not want to plant these around the exterior of your home that is facing the road. Bushes and climbing vines do well in many cases along fences that surround the property however or as a dividing privacy line between your property and neighboring properties.
If you live in an area that isn’t conducive to green grass you may want to consider some sort of hybrid that can thrive with less water or choose some form of landscaping that doesn’t rely on large open patches of grass in order to be beautiful such as xeriscaping then that is quite probably a wise idea. The point is to make the house as attractive on the outside as you hope those viewing the property will find the inside.
3) Pressure Wash
Another thing to keep in mind when making the upgrades is to clean the sidewalks and driveway if it is concrete. It is amazing what a high power pressure washer can do to your sidewalks, driveway, and/or front porch.
Don’t stop there, however; take the time to make sure your doors and windows are clean as well. These little things often make the biggest impression.If you care properly for the exterior of your home and keep it nice and shiny chances are (in the buyer’s mind) that you will have taken the same care of the inside of the home that they are quite possibly now considering.
If you care properly for the exterior of your home and keep it nice and shiny, chances are (in the buyer’s mind) that you will have taken the same care of the inside of the home. This is powerful when people are making up their minds to what property they are considering.
Taking the extra time to ensure that the outside of your home is attractive to buyers can translate into higher and quicker offers than neglecting the essential real estate between the front door and the curb.
Do not overlook curb appeal and you should enjoy a little more success in your efforts to sell your home or investment property.
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Delinda has bought and sold over 150 properties, been involved in hundreds more through consulting, mentoring, and coaching. It doesn't matter if you are burnt out, new to the game, a lousy rehabber, seasoned, successful or just plain curious, I encourage you to learn about the wonderful opportunities real estate investing can offer people. I am sure not the sharpest tack in the box, so if I can do it, you can, too.
