Front Porch Today

 You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover.” No statement is more untrue when it comes to selling your home. A potential buyer sees a home’s exterior and makes an immediate judgement.

Most potential homebuyers will start their search for a home on the internet. If the pictures of a home create interest on the part of the homebuyer, they will drive  by that home to assess the home’s location and condition.

The drive-by is critical for the seller of that home, and while the seller cannot control where their home is located, they can control how the homebuyer initially perceives the home. This is done by creating curb appeal.

As a home seller, ask yourself if your home has curb appeal. Does your Salesperson think it has curb appeal? Are homebuyers that are driving by going to call their Realtor to make an appointment based on what they see on the outside?

Create Curb Appeal

Creating curb appeal is important and worth the time spent, plus it does not have to cost a lot of money. Below are ideas for enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Before investing the time and money, ask your Salesperson what improvements they recommend.

Paint:

Peeling or Faded – Depending on the severity, you may want to paint the entire exterior, however if the peeling is minor, simple touch ups will be sufficient.

Dated- If your home’s colors have become dated, you may want to consider updating your home’s appearance by painting it with more neutral or traditional colors.

Hint : Tour a new home development for ideas on the latest color palettes.

Landscaping

Lawn: Cut and edge your lawn once a week to keep it looking manicured. Be sure to rake your lawn free of leaves.

Shrubs: Keep shrubs neatly trimmed, If they are near windows, cut them down beneath the bottom of the window to allow for more light in your home.

Flowers: It is not necessary to plant flowers. Place potted flowers in your flower beds or on your porch to add a touch of color.

General

Outdoor Toys: Store all toys in the garage or shed when not in use. If you have many large playsets in your yard that will not be sold with the home, store those as well.

Trash Cans: Make sure your trash cans are sealed with a top and placed inside the garage.

Extra Vehicles: If you have ATV’s, a motor home, or an extra car on your lot, consider placing them in short-term storage.

Front Door: Place an attractive wreath or other decorative item on your front door to make it more inviting.

The above artical was taken from Hunt Real Estate’s Booklet on Staging.

Tags: creating curb appeal, curb appeal, home staging, selling your home, staging

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