Ideas for adding curb appeal to your home

Have you ever seen a charming, green yard, nicely shaped flower beds and an inviting front porch?  Most probably are you have seen such a house with a For Sale sign in the front yard.  Homeowners know that the first thing that will grab the attention of a buyer is the curb appeal of their home.

But where do you start?

Take a step across the street from your home and then look at your home through new eyes. Imagine you are a buyer in search of a home.  Linger a little and take in the view. What do you see?  Are there any loose shingles on the roof? Is the paint peeling around windows or trim?  Are flower beds unkempt and overgrown? Are gutters and downspouts properly aligned?  Make notes of everything you see and then go back and write out your plan to make the necessary improvements.

Drive around your neighbourhood and take notice of the homes where the SOLD signs go up. This will speak volumes in terms of what attracts buyers. It’s said that imitation is the highest form of respect. Find a property you want to emulate; either in the neighbourhood or in a magazine.

If there is one thing of which you can be certain is knowing this – You can have an amazing, shiny penny on the inside of your home. However, if the exterior is rugged and craggy or even just boring, you will not get the traffic into your home to see that amazing kitchen upgrade or paint job in the family room.  YES, people do judge a book by its cover, and they will judge your home by its exterior.

Curb appeal entices people to want to see the inside of your home. Curb appeal sells homes for more money, in less time. The small investment of your time and money can get you the sales price you want in record time!  Get out your notebook and round up the family for a makeover in your own yard!

Curb Appeal Tips

• Put flowers in brightly coloured pots on your porch
• Trim the hedges
• If you have vinyl siding – power wash it; if you have paint, touch it up
• Seed and fertilize your lawn for a lush, green yard
• Make sure your gardener edges your walks every time he mows the lawn
• Clean up flower beds; weed and edge them
• Add new mulch or rocks to flower beds
• Upgrade your light fixtures and door fixtures
• Fit a few low maintenance boxwoods
• Flowering baskets filled with brightly coloured flowers
• Shorter, friendlier fencing
• Smarten up your mailbox
• Install a water feature