Don’t Forget the Outside of your Home when Selling
The outside aesthetics of your home are some of the most important aspects of getting potential buyers to walk in your door. A very appealing outside view of the home – known in realty as “curb appeal” is one of the top reasons why people stop to look at a home that is for sale. That’s why it’s important for homeowners trying to sell to remember to focus on the outside of the home as much as the inside.
The more visually appealing the outside of the home is, the more a buyer wants to see the inside. A home without outside characteristics such as nice paint, colorful landscaping or outdoor furniture is likely to go unnoticed. Contrariwise, a home with a vibrant color scheme, dynamic landscaping and a full outdoor furniture set speaks volumes to buyers.
Many people neglect the outside of their home when selling, often preoccupied with the inside. Although the inside of your home should be clean and organized, have fresh paint if needed and be “walk-through ready” at all times, the outside is what will bring them in.
When you are ready to get your home’s exterior ready for curb appeal, the first step is to take care of any maintenance issue. Damaged shutters, chipped paint, badly cracked sidewalk, old mailbox, ratty welcome mat – anything that makes you home look neglected or unwelcoming must be taken care of immediately. It is probably a good idea to get a friend, family member neighbor or your realtor to take a look and give suggestions. If you have walked by the same cracked pot or rusted wind chimes everyday for the past three years, you may not notice that it doesn’t look nice anymore.
The next step is landscaping. A nice, green lawn is always a big selling point. If your lawn needs some work, it may be worth the investment to have a professional company take care of getting your grass in shape, trimming trees and laying down mulch. After the clean-up, add some variety with shrubs and flowers of different colors and sizes.
To really add an appealing point to your home’s exterior, consider investing in some nice outdoor furniture. A porch swing in the front of a house is sure to be noticed by potential buyers as something that says this home is relaxing and enjoyable. A couple of Adirondack chairs and side tables on a patio or deck says you can really enjoy yourself here. Other great outdoor furniture features include benches in garden areas and café tables and chairs in smaller areas like porches.