Homeowners and realtors have all heard it – the importance of curb appeal to increase property value.
But what exactly is curb appeal and how can it be used to better sell a house?
Curb appeal can best be summed up as that first impression someone gets of a home from standing at the curb.
What jumps out to the eye?
Sagging gutters? Dirty, buckling siding? An unkempt yard?
Here are some ways to give a home great curb appeal. While many people focus on the yard, it’s about how the home and yard look together.
Exterior Siding and Gutters
Take a hard look at the exterior and gutters of a home.
If the gutters are sagging, split or broken in any way, these should be fixed right away.
Gutters should be cleaned out and the outside of gutters washed from mold and mildew.
Check to be sure downspouts are flowing properly.
Along with gutters, consider the siding and check for any buckling.
Washing siding from dirt, dust and mildew can go a long way to improving a home’s appearance.
Along with the siding, wash windows, trim and the garage door.
Maybe the trim or the front door needs a fresh coat of paint.
Often a splash of color will make the difference between dull and delightful and draw the eye in, getting the home noticed.
Improve the Yard
That splash of color can be carried through with flowers in a flower box or planter perhaps next to a brightly colored bench or Adirondack chair on the front porch or deck.
A border of brightly colored flowers is a welcoming sight to any yard and leads the eye from the
curb to the front step.
Improve the lawn with fertilizer and water, cover bare spots with seeds and sod.
Adding a crisp edge to garden beds and topping them with reddish-brown bark mulch gives a rich feel to the yard.
If there’s a deck, brighten it up with flowering planters, outdoor lighting or a water feature.
The sound of water burbling in a fountain adds good feng shui to a home and improved curb appeal.
The Curb
Is there a curb to the yard?
If it’s concrete, is it chipped or cracked?
Perhaps there is no curb, however simple landscape ties or edging can improve the look of a driveway.
Driveways can also be sealed or cracks repaired to add to curb appeal.
In the final analysis, curb appeal is all about creating a welcoming feeling for a home.
If you are looking to improve the exterior of your building and do some renovations on Vancouver Island, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Ladysmith, Lantzville, call us today to discuss how we can get the most value from your building.
