Seven Ways to Improve Your Curb Appeal

Home sellers often spend tens of thousands on interior home improvements and upgrades, in order to increase the potential sale price of their property. However, the outside of your home is what buyers see first. It also has the potential to attract buyers just cruising through the neighborhood. If you’re thinking about selling your property, consider these seven ways to improve curb appeal.

1. Repaint the exterior of your home. Most houses need to be repainted every seven to 10 years, depending on the construction material and location. To paint the exterior of a 2,500-square-foot, two-story property, you might expect to spend roughly $4,000. Not in the budget? Consider refreshing the paint on the front door instead. It’s amazing what a few coats of paint can do to enhance the overall curb appeal of your house.
2. Pressure wash and re-paint your driveway. Like most homeowners, you likely don’t spend much time thinking about how you can improve your driveway. But it’s very much a part of the curb appeal of your property. Built-up dirt, cracks or faded paint can impact how your property looks to buyers. Consider hiring a professional to fix any cracks, pressure wash and re-paint your driveway. If you’re tight on cash and willing to put in the time, you can always handle the pressure washing and paint job yourself.
3. Consider professional landscaping. Well-designed landscaping is another way to increase curb appeal — and property value. We’re not just talking about professional lawn mowers here. A good landscaping company can design, assemble and plant trees, shrubs and native plants that look great and require little upkeep. The price for professional landscaping will vary depending on what you want to accomplish. However, it typically ranges from $1,362 to $5,640.
4. Clean and repaint your fence. If your fence is made from vinyl, it may only need a periodic wash to get rid of caked on dirt or grime. Wood fences, however, will likely require frequent pressure washing and — potentially — the use of a wood-safe detergent. After it’s washed, you might consider hiring a painter to apply a fresh coat. You could also renew the look of your own wood fence by taking these three steps from Bob Villa. If the wood is warped or requires major repair, consider calling a professional, unless that type of work falls into your wheelhouse.
5. Install outdoor lighting. Low lighting can add ambiance to your property’s exterior. If you invest in motion detector lights, it can also be an added security measure. Depending on the style of your home, you might consider lanterns that light up as you approach each one on the walkway.
6. Replace your mailbox and house numbers. Most people don’t think about replacing their mailbox until they — or a neighbor — accidentally backs into it. However, it’s a really easy (and cheap) way to improve your curb appeal. You can buy or even make your own mailbox if you’re handy, just make sure that it meets the Postmaster General’s standards for size and construction. Whichever route you choose, follow these standards for size, construction and location. After you replace your mailbox, consider updating your house number. HGTV has some ideas to help you get creative, like putting your house number on a door wreath or on a planter.
7. Dress up your porch with a new wreath, doormat and seating. One of the most budget-friendly ways to improve your curb appeal is to simply “dress up” your front porch. Add a rustic wreath to your front door. Buy a new doormat that says something simple like “hello” or clever, like “Hope you brought wine.” Invest in seating, such as a two-person bench, rocking chairs or two Adirondack chairs to make the space feel inviting. These small touches go a long way to make buyers feel welcome — and to see themselves living in your space.

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t find the right buyer, there’s a less stressful alternative to selling your property on the market. A homebuying company, The Buy Guys pays cash for houses “as is” in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. That means we buy them in any condition. If we’re able to make you an offer, you don’t have to make any updates or upgrades to the property to sell it. Additionally, the virtual process is quick and easy. Typically, the entire process from a signed contract to cash in hand can be as quick as five days.

To find out how much your home is worth, give us a call at (888) 204-7603 and get a free estimate in minutes.